WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced a resolution yesterday that reaffirms the partnership between the United States and Argentina and recognizes the economic reforms implemented by Argentina since its election of President Mauricio Macri in November 2015. Representatives Jeff Duncan (R-S.C. 3) and Albio Sires (D-N.J. 8), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also introduced a companion resolution yesterday.
“Relations between United States and Argentina have long been characterized by bilateral collaboration on issues such as education and human rights and strong commercial ties,” said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Since his election, President Macri has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening relations with the United States. His economic reforms should transform Argentina into a major engine of economic growth in the Western Hemisphere. In the coming years, the United States must continue to strengthen cooperation with Argentina on a range of bilateral, regional, and global challenges.”
“After years of corruption, lawlessness and gross mismanagement of its economy, Argentina’s most recent presidential election has given that nation and the U.S. a new opportunity to rekindle our bilateral relationship,” said Senator Rubio. “Under President Macri, Argentina is undertaking important reforms and taking steps to restore the rule of law. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the independent investigation that seeks justice for Alberto Nisman, the prosecutor who mysteriously died as he was investigating the AMIA bombing.”
“Since taking office, I’ve been encouraged by the measures President Macri has taken to further integrate Argentina into the global economy and improve the bilateral relationship with the United States,” said Senator Kaine. “It is important that the new Administration continue to bolster our economic and defense ties with Argentina, especially as a major non-NATO ally.”
“The United States and Argentina have long shared a commitment to the values of liberty and democracy,” said Senator Lankford, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Argentina’s interest in growing ties with the U.S. and commitment to economic reform and transparency are encouraging developments. The U.S. needs responsible allies like Argentina in the Western Hemisphere, and I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to continue cultivating important bilateral relationships in Latin America.”
The resolution upholds the U.S. Senate’s commitment to the partnership between the United States and Argentina and reaffirms that the Argentine Republic is a major non-NATO ally of the United States; encourages the State Department to coordinate an interagency strategy to increase cooperation with the Government of Argentina on areas of bilateral, regional, and global concern; commends President Macri and his Administration for making far-reaching economic reforms that will benefit the people of Argentina, stimulate economic growth, and deepen Argentina’s integration with the global economy; praises the Argentine Government for resolving its dispute with international creditors; and encourages the Government of Argentina to continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, as well as the January 2015 death of AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, issued the following statement announcing his opposition to President Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson to serve as Secretary of State:
“I will not support President Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson to serve as our next Secretary of State.
“I do not make this decision lightly, and Mr. Tillerson is someone I have grown to respect over the last few weeks through a public hearing and two private meetings. Mr. Tillerson is a thoughtful, seasoned professional whose impressive international business experience would serve him well in this important role. I have been encouraged by some of his public stances, including his clear-eyed understanding of the threat posed by Putin’s Russia, his commitment to the NATO alliance, his respect for U.S. leadership in multilateral initiatives, and his support for development programs throughout the world, especially in Africa.
“Despite those strengths, Mr. Tillerson’s views also differ from mine in important ways. I believe that climate change is a pressing national security threat. I believe that advocating for human rights, a free press, and democracy around the world advances our own security and economic interests here at home.
“I also believe that American leadership on the world stage is not as simple as President Trump’s slogan, ‘America First.’ If confirmed, it is my sincere hope that Mr. Tillerson will challenge President Trump to rethink his isolationist, dark view of the world and pursue a foreign policy that upholds American values. Should Mr. Tillerson be successful in moderating President Trump’s vision for America’s role in the world, I stand ready to work alongside him.”
WILMINGTON (Del.) – In case you missed it, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) was acknowledged by The Washington Post as one of 8 politicians who will make you feel good about politics again. The article highlights his reliably bipartisan, belief-driven approach to legislating.
The Washington Post: 8 politicians who will make you feel good about politics
By Chris Cillizza
The first 96 hours of President Trump’s tenure have been filled with claims, counterclaims, accusations of bias, outright falsehoods and lots of other things that make people hate politics, politicians and everything about Washington.
It’s enough even for me — a political junkie through and through — to wonder what we are even doing out here. It all feels terrible, unwatchable, nauseating.
But not all of politics — or all politicians — operates like this. There are lots of politicians doing it — by and large — right, working to represent their constituents and views with a modicum of humility and humor, not to mention a commitment to finding solutions, not just calling out problems.
It does the heart good to read about these folks. So here are a few politicians who should make you believe, again, in public service — even in these tempestuous times.
* Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.): Murray is, simply put, the most underrated Senator. And it’s not close. She has successfully led the organization aimed at increasing the number of Democratic senators. She has played a central policy role within the chamber. And, again and again, she demonstrates a willingness and an ability to get things done even amid the worsening partisan roar. Murray, along with Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) — he wasn’t speaker yet — crafted the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which ended the financial brinkmanship of Congress. It also served as a sign that, yes, bipartisan compromise was possible if both sides were willing.
* Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.): Graham is the rare Republican politician who has successfully navigated the rise of the tea party over the past decade. Despite claims from tea party types that they would take him down for his alleged moderation, Graham has coasted to reelection. He continues to unapologetically represent the hawkish wing of the Republican Party and is one of the biggest skeptics about the motives of Russia and Vladimir Putin. Graham does all of this with a self-deprecating nature and a terrific sense of humor.
* Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.): Bennet was never supposed to survive his first race. He was appointed to fill the seat of then-Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in 2009, when he was a total unknown in the state. But Bennet won his first race in 2010 and then won again in 2016. He’s on the quiet side and doesn’t seek tons of national press — a rarity for a successful politician from a swing state. But Bennet is smart and serious, and the Democratic Party would do well to study his formula for victory as it tries to remake itself at the congressional level.
* Gov. Charlie Baker (R-Mass.): Massachusetts is one of the most Democratic states in the country. And yet Baker, a Republican, is one of the most popular governors in the country. How? Baker has cast himself as a relentlessly positive force for change, a businessman committed not to blowing up the government but simply to making it work better. He has also shown — by necessity — a willingness to work with the overwhelmingly Democratic state legislature in the Bay State.
* Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.): I talked to lots of politicians in 2016 about the state of politics and where we need to go from here. None impressed me more than Hickenlooper. He has had his ups and downs as governor of Colorado but was in the final three to be Hillary Clinton’s vice president. Hickenlooper is refreshingly open and transparent — about his successes and failures — and brings a much-needed small-businessman’s perspective (he founded a brewery before running for office) to the Democratic Party. They should be listening to him more.
* Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.): Lots of political types remember him only for his two failed presidential candidacies, his trademark red and black flannel shirts and the exclamation point that was his campaign slogan (Lamar!). But since being elected to the Senate in 2002, Alexander has distinguished himself as someone committed to making actual policy and willing (and able) to fight the ideologues in his party. Of late, Alexander has been outspoken in favor of the GOP having a replacement plan in place before moving ahead with the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
* Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.): Coons wasn’t even supposed to be in the Senate. He ran in 2010 as a sacrificial lamb against uber-popular Republican Rep. Michael N. Castle. But then Castle lost the GOP primary to Christine “I am not a witch” O’Donnell, and suddenly Coons was a member of the Senate. Since then, Coons has shown he’s no fluke. He has emerged as a thoughtful senator, one governed more by his beliefs than by the power of party and partisanship.
* Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.): Kinzinger, like many of his fellow House Republicans, was first elected in the national wave year of 2010. In the intervening years, he has shown that he’s among the best of that group. Kinzinger beat longtime Republican Rep. Don Manzullo in a redistricting-forced race in 2012 and then, two years later, defeated an ideological primary challenge funded by the conservative Club for Growth. Kinzinger, has also been willing to openly criticize Trump when he feels it necessary. He blasted Trump for a tweet praising Julian Assange and has been a vocal skeptic of Trump’s openness to a new relationship with Russia.
WILMINGTON (Del.) – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) Friday reintroduced the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution, led by Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), as hundreds of thousands marched in cities across the nation this weekend for justice and equality for women.
The bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
“It is unacceptable that in 2017, women still do not have the same constitutional protection as men,” said Senator Coons. “If we are to move towards the “more perfect union” promised by our Constitution, we have to work for a more equal and just society – one where women have access to affordable health care, the right to make their own health care decisions, and the right to equal pay. As marches took place across the country for women’s rights, Congress must answer the call and pass this amendment without delay.”
The ERA states: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex – the ERA establishes within the United States Constitution the unambiguous and unassailable rights of women under the law.”
WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement following his vote against the confirmation of Congressman Mike Pompeo to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):
“Prior to his confirmation hearing, Congressman Pompeo consistently defended waterboarding and other torture techniques as permissible under the law and the Constitution. He has called for an expansion of mass surveillance and data collection techniques, including of American citizens, that voters of both parties have roundly rejected. He has also engaged in fearmongering against the American Muslim community, suggesting that adherents of the Muslim faith are not committed to peace.
“Given President Trump’s alarming statements about the Muslim community throughout the campaign, his ongoing disrespect of our intelligence community, and his expressed willingness to reinstate torture, the next director of the CIA must be someone who is unafraid to disagree with the President and unequivocal in his or her opposition to actions that go against our fundamental values. I am not confident Congressman Pompeo meets that standard, and as a result, I opposed his confirmation in the Senate.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement following votes in the Senate on the cabinet nominations of General James Mattis and General John Kelly:
“I voted to support the nominations of General James Mattis to serve as Secretary of Defense and General John Kelly to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Both have spent decades serving and defending the United States. They have led American service members in combat and know firsthand the profound sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to defend our security and our values.
“While I do not agree with all of their past policy decisions and statements, I expect they will bring their experience and perspective to the Trump administration on a wide range of issues, from pushing back on Russian aggression, to enforcing the terms of the Iran nuclear deal, to strengthening our ties with Latin America, to standing by NATO and American alliances around the world. More importantly, General Mattis and General Kelly have demonstrated a deep commitment to learning from and applying the lessons of history. I’m proud to support their confirmations.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on attending the inauguration of President-elect Trump:
“In countries around the world, including many which claim to be democracies, there is neither a guarantee of free and fair elections nor an expectation of a peaceful transfer from one elected leader to another. No matter how divisive our elections, the world looks to the United States every four years to see that democracy still works in our country.
“I will be attending President-elect Trump’s inauguration today to honor our nation’s democratic process and to support the peaceful transfer of power. Today is a day for all Americans, regardless of their politics, to come together in respect and appreciation for our Constitution, our democracy, and our unique American traditions.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Senate Democrats to applaud the Department of Veterans Affairs’ announcement that, effective today, it will begin covering the cost of assisted reproductive technology for veterans who cannot have children without assistance as the result of service-connected injuries. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though thousands of servicemembers suffered genitourinary, blast, spinal and brain injuries that left them unable to conceive naturally, VA was unable to cover the costs of certain fertility services because of a ban Congress passed in 1992. Last year, Senate Democrats, led by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), successfully secured a provision in the MilCon-VA Appropriations bill that gives VA the authority to provide assisted reproductive technology, of which IVF is the most common, through Fiscal Year 2018. The senators will continue to push for a permanent repeal of the ban.
“Our troops and their families deserve the best possible care our nation can provide,” said Senator Coons. “I applaud the VA for changing this policy that unfairly kept veterans from accessing these critical services that will allow them to build their families after returning home from combat. We have a lot of work to do to uphold our promise to those who serve our nation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure this coverage becomes permanent.”
This effort has the support of: The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Wounded Warrior Project, RESOLVE, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), AMVETS, and Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN).
WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee and co-chair of the Congressional Trademark Caucus, announced today that he, along with the International Trademark Association and the Global Intellectual Property Center of the United States Chamber of Commerce, will host a roundtable with trademark and small business experts. The roundtable will take place on Friday, January 27 at 12 p.m. at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce (1201 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801). This roundtable is free to attend. To RSVP, click HERE.
This roundtable is designed to provide Delaware’s small- and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to connect with experts in trademark law and to learn more about trademarks and what trademarks mean for their enterprises.
“I look forward to hosting Trademarks 101 with our partners,” said Sen. Coons. “Trademarks are an important source of value for businesses, and trademark-intensive industries are estimated to support over 23 million jobs. I’m pleased we have this opportunity to connect trademark experts with Delaware’s business community for an educational discussion.”
Panelists include:
Mike Castellano, Vice President, Government Relations, The Walt Disney Company
John Fleming, Delaware District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
Deborah Hampton, Corporate Trademark Specialist, The Chemours Company
Craig Morris, Managing Attorney for Trademark Outreach, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Chris Turk, Intellectual Property Counsel, VF Corporation
About INTA The International Trademark Association (INTA) is the global association of trademark owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and related intellectual property in order to protect consumers and to promote fair and effective commerce.
About GIPC The Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Today, the GIPC is leading a worldwide effort to champion intellectual property rights as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today questioned Governor Nikki Haley (R-S.C.) at her hearing to be confirmed as United States Ambassador to the United Nations.
Sen. Coons: “Let’s talk about the U.N. Security Council and some of the challenges we face there and some of the interests that other countries bring to play there. We talked yesterday about the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and why Russia and China worked with us on imposing and enforcing multilateral sanctions, negotiating to a finished deal and then to enforcing it. And another member asked you earlier about why the U.N. Security Council hasn’t been able to make progress in challenging or confronting Assad’s war crimes against his own people. Do you have a clear understanding of what might be driving these two issues at this point?”
Gov. Haley: “Well, first of all, with the Iran Deal, the fact that Russia and China were supportive is the red flag that I need to know that there’s a problem with the deal. I think that we have to be very conscious of that. I also think that as we deal with Syria, we’ve got to start seeing something that happens. You can’t turn on the TV and see what’s happening to children and women, and all of those that are just trying to live being dealt with that way. So, I think that we’re seeing terrible things that happen and when again you see Russia protecting Syria, and Russia protecting these issues that are happening, it’s dangerous. It’s something that we need to be very conscious of, because right now it’s not about protecting human life. I think it’s very much about making sure they’re protecting their own interests, and that’s not what America is. We value human life.”
Sen. Coons: “So, and these are questions I told you yesterday I’d follow up on again today. Let me make sure I understand your answer. Is it clear to you that the reason the Security Council hasn’t acted to confront human rights violations in Syria is because Russia blocks that action?”
Gov. Haley: “Yes, it is clear.”
Sen. Coons: “Why does it raise a red flag for you that Russia and China supported the JCPOA, the Iran Deal, if the United Kingdom, and Germany, the EU, and other vital American allies, France, did so as well? Are you questioning the value of our international partnerships with them? And let me ask the follow-up question: If we walk away from it, without giving it a chance to be fully implemented, will we be safer?”
Gov. Haley: “Well, first of all, I think that it is in our best interest to be distrustful of all countries as we move forward, as they are distrustful of us. That is just us protecting American interests. So, when you look at Russia, you should always know that there is an angle that they’re trying to do, same with China. They’re all playing strategy and that’s part of what they continue to do. With the Iran Deal, what I said, as I said to you yesterday, I think it is very important that we look at every aspect of the Iran Deal and see if it is being followed. If it is not being followed, and if we do find violations, then I think we should act and I think we should act strongly.”
Sen. Coons: “I think you’ll find strong bipartisan partners here in insisting on its vigorous enforcement. I do encourage you to read the details of the deal, because it does have longer terms, more binding consequences than a previous answer you gave may suggest. Let me also, if I could, before we turn to UN reform, ask about Russia and your view of Russia. A number of the recent statements by the President-elect have unsettled a number of our allies and a number of us. He has in some ways suggested that if we reached a much closer relationship with Russia, it could break the logjam at Security Council, it could make progress in the fight against terrorism. Many of our allies ask what’s on the table? So, in your view, what should be on the table if there were some closer arrangement with Russia? Would you ever accept recognizing their illegal annexation of Crimea?”
Gov. Haley: “No, I think that we need to make it very clear with Russia on where we stand on Crimea, and Ukraine and Syria, and be strong on that. Having said that, it’s very much like we’ve talk about human rights violations. We may not agree with the country on human rights violations, but we need to work with them on other things. I think what the President-elect is trying to do is see are there are any opportunities to work with Russia, because we can use Russia’s help in trying to go against ISIS and we can use Russia’s help in trying to help with other threats throughout the world…”
Sen. Coons: “We have vital allies in NATO, such as the Germans, the French, the Brits, who have gone alongside us and fought in Afghanistan. Who have invoked Article 5 of the NATO charter and stood alongside us in the fight against terrorism. I have real trouble with his idea that, in any way, we should trust Vladimir Putin and his Russia at an equal level as Angela Merkel and Germany, and all of our NATO allies…[Trump’s] ongoing, steady diminution of the value of NATO, when NATO has been the strongest, most enduring alliance we’ve dealt with and been a part of. Ambassador Power gave a very pointed farewell speech yesterday, where she laid out the case that Russia is the single greatest threat to the world order today. To the world order we’ve built, the so-called liberal rules-based world order that the U.N. is one of the highest examples of. Did you read or follow that speech?”
Gov. Haley: “I did not. I have been working towards this committee assignment so I have not had the time to do that, but I will make it a point to do that.”
Sen. Coons: “I ask that it be admitted to the record, because I think that it is a very clear-eyed assessment of just how persistent a threat Russia has been to our core values, which I would argue are our core interests: free press, democracy, human rights, and our vital NATO alliance.”
Gov. Haley: “Senator, just to be clear, we agreed on that. We agreed on Russia. I know that your concerns on the comments of the President-elect are promptly best suited to ask him, as opposed to me.”
Sen. Coons: “He is not in front of me, you are, so forgive me…”
Gov. Haley: “And you’re not getting an answer from me on that, so I’m just telling you again in the importance of time.”
Sen. Coons: “About U.N. reform, if we were to simply, as some have suggested, in order to punish the U.N. for the Security Council taking a vote which I think we have unanimously opposed, if we were to simply cut funding to the U.N., would that strengthen or weaken our hand in defending Israel to the U.N.?”
Gov. Haley: “As I have said, you can never win with slash and burn techniques. That doesn’t work. What is important is that we do strategic types of cutting, if we’re going to cut anything at all. So, I don’t agree with that. I don’t think that that is the way that we can come out strong and show our strength in terms of what we believe in and what we’re against. I think it’s better to do that with negotiations, than I do think with just slash and burn.”
Sen. Coons: “Let me commend to you that the new Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, I think will be a strong partner for you in engaging in thoughtful and systemic reform. And our vital ally, the United Kingdom, does have a multi-lateral aid effectiveness review, a process that they go through to look at the return on investment, as you put it, or the effectiveness of their contributions. They have assessed many of the U.S voluntarily funded programs as having a high impact. I recommend that to you for your reading.”