Senator Coons applauds Senate’s passage of fiscal year 2025 defense bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded final passage in the Senate today of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an $883 billion package authorizing funding for our nation’s armed services for fiscal year 2025. The NDAA also includes several provisions that Senator Coons championed. It now moves to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

“In an increasingly fragile and insecure world, it’s more important than ever that our military has the capability to defend the homeland, protect our allies and partners overseas, and secure the rules-based international order that allows America and the rest of the world to prosper,” said Senator Coons. “This NDAA keeps our armed forces strong through robust investments in research and development and boosts morale for our most important national security assets – our service members – through historic pay raises. I’m also proud that several of the crucial bills I’ve authored to address foreign policy challenges were included in this year’s NDAA, including my U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act, Countering Wrongful Detention Act, and HBCU Africa Partnerships Act. This is not a perfect bill, and I am deeply disappointed House Republicans chose to push through a last-minute, harmful provision that doesn’t trust our servicemembers to make health care decisions for their children. However, the NDAA is crucial for our national security and I’m glad to support its passage.”

The fiscal year 2025 NDAA includes authorization for programs that are timely and necessary for U.S. national defense. Notably, the bill includes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% pay raise for all other service members. The NDAA also authorizes increased resources for housing, health care, child care, and spousal support. Additionally, the bill authorizes $143.8 billion in research, development, testing, and evaluation to tackle current and foreseeable challenges; $17.5 billion for science and technology programs; $33.5 billion for shipbuilding and the procurement of seven battle force ships; and over $15.5 billion for military construction projects.

Today’s NDAA also includes large pieces or the entirety of several foreign policy bills that Senator Coons has championed:

• U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act: Introduced alongside Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the bill authorizes the U.S. Department of State to create a new congressionally chartered foundation, funding public-private partnerships to support local communities around the world in effectively managing protected and conserved areas.

• Countering Wrongful Detention Act: Introduced last month by Senators Coons and James Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and French Hill (R-Ark.), this legislation will create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home.
• HBCU Africa Partnerships Act: Senators Coons, Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced this bill last year to encourage the expansion of research partnerships between historically Black colleges and universities and federal agencies with the goal of advancing development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additional information on these pieces of legislation included in the NDAA will be sent in forthcoming press releases.

Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS).

Senators Coons, Boozman introduce bipartisan Benjamin Franklin Statue Placement Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced 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. 

“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.”

As 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 John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.). Representatives Houlahan and Fitzpatrick introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year.

The full text of the bill is available here.  

Senators Coons, Tillis introduce resolution calling for release of political prisoners around the world on Human Rights Day

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Co-Chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of civil society in advancing human rights and calling for the release of political prisoners on Human Rights Day.

This resolution, introduced on the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizes the troubling rise of political imprisonment as a tool of repression and calls for the immediate release of political prisoners across the globe. The U.S. Department of State estimates that around 1 million people are political prisoners worldwide due to their race, religion, ethnicity, private relationship, or for exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“The increased use of political imprisonment by authoritarian regimes to harass and punish activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens as a tool of repression is a major threat to human rights globally,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud my resolution with Senator Tillis lays out clear steps on how to secure the release of political prisoners, including urging the Department of State to coordinate with other executive agencies on priority cases, collaborate with Congress and human rights groups, and engage with international partners. The United States must be a leading voice in advocating for the release of all political prisoners.”

“I am proud to introduce this resolution condemning the use of political imprisonment and reiterating our support for the protection of civil liberties worldwide,” said Senator Tillis. “This is of critical importance and we call on governments worldwide to release political prisoners and uphold their obligations to respect human rights.”

“We are grateful to Senator Coons and Senator Tillis for their leadership on this issue and for the bipartisan commitment to addressing it,” said Brian Tronic, Director, the Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners, Freedom House. “This resolution is important not only because it highlights the increasing use of political imprisonment by authoritarian regimes, but also because it provides specific, actionable guidance on how a variety of U.S. agencies can help secure the release of political prisoners. The United States already plays a leading role in combating political imprisonment throughout the world; it should build on this success by implementing the concrete proposals set forth in this resolution.”

“As we commemorate the enduring promise of the Universal Declaration on this Human Rights Day, we also acknowledge the sobering global headwinds human rights face,” said Laura Schroeder, Congressional Affairs Lead, PEN America. “Writers who bear the torch of human rights in autocratic societies are exceedingly singled out for harassment, surveillance, and arbitrary imprisonment. On this solemn occasion, we reaffirm our calls for the Congress and the executive branch to support and defend writers at risk and human rights defenders writ large who speak truth to power. In this spirit, PEN America is proud to endorse Senator Coons and Senator Tillis’ resolution.”

The resolution seeks to:

• Recognize the importance of Human Rights Day;
• Call on governments to immediately and unconditionally release individuals unjustly detained for their human rights and civil society advocacy work;
• Encourage the State Department to continue to advocate for the release of political prisoners by:

• Coordinating with executive agencies during international travel;
• Partnering with the Senate Human Rights Caucus and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on priority cases; and
• Supporting bilateral and multilateral engagement with allies, civil society and nongovernmental organizations, and other multilateral fora to promote democracy and rule of law. 

Throughout the past year, Senator Coons and Senator Tillis have jointly called for the release of wrongfully imprisoned human rights defenders and journalists across Africa, Europe, and Latin America as Co-Chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus. Senator Coons has also advocated for Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained by oppressive regimes around the world, including introducing the Countering Wrongful Detention Act with Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), which would create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home.

  
The full text of the resolution can be read here.

Senators Coons, Young introduce legislation to strengthen critical minerals supply chains

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the Securing Trade and Resources for Advanced Technology, Economic Growth, and International Commerce (STRATEGIC) Minerals Act to strengthen America’s supply chain for critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs).

Critical minerals and REEs are essential resources for many 21st-century technologies, from cell phones to supercomputers to military weapons. Unfortunately, they are highly vulnerable to supply chain disruption, and China’s aggressive effort to control these resources presents a significant national and economic security risk. The STRATEGIC Minerals Act would empower the president to negotiate and enforce sector-specific free-trade agreements exclusively focused on critical minerals and REEs with trusted partners and allies, thereby bolstering cooperation, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing economic security. 

“Working with allies and partners to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals will help our national security and position us to play a leading role in producing the technologies that will define the rest of the 21st century,” said Senator Coons. “The STRATEGIC Minerals Act will decrease our dependence on unreliable entities and strengthen America’s access to the resources we need.”

“Our nation relies on critical minerals for everything from consumer goods to defense technologies, and a dependence on foreign adversaries for these materials is a national security vulnerability we cannot afford,” said Senator Young. “Negotiating more trade agreements on critical minerals with trusted partners will help shore up our supply of these resources, protect American interests, and strengthen our national security.”

“China controls many of the minerals that are essential to our national security, our ability to address climate change, and to the microchips that power our modern way of life,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “China’s only leading because we’re letting them. Our bipartisan bill is a course correction our country desperately needs.”

Specifically, the STRATEGIC Minerals Act would:

• Authorize the president, through the U.S. Trade Representative, to negotiate, enter into, and enforce specialized trade agreements focused on critical minerals and REEs, subject to congressional approval;

• Set trade negotiation objectives to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals and REEs, aiming to reduce or eliminate trade barriers with trusted allies to ensure reliable access and reduce dependence on adversarial nations;

• Exclude non-market economies like China and prevent foreign entities of concern from benefiting, allowing only trusted partners to participate in order to safeguard our national security;

• Require the president to consult with Congress before initiating negotiations, providing details on objectives and potential impacts and ensuring legislative oversight; and

• Amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to include certain businesses from countries party to such agreements in the definition of domestic sources under strict conditions, strengthening U.S. access to critical minerals essential for national security while prioritizing American interests.

This legislation builds on Senators Coons’ earlier efforts to reduce our reliance on China for critical minerals essential to national security. Earlier this year, Senator Coons joined a group of his Senate colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Global Strategy for Securing Critical Minerals Act, which would ensure that the United States, its allies, and global partners can count on a diverse and secure end-to-end supply of critical minerals. In October, Senators Coons and Young introduced the Critical Minerals Future Act, which would establish a pilot program within the U.S. Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical mineral processing projects.

The full text of the bill is available here.

Senator Coons, Cornyn statement on investments in the Lobito Corridor

WASHINGTON – Following last week’s announcement of over $560 million in new funding to support the Lobito Corridor project, including commitments expected to generate at least $200 million in additional private-sector capital that will bring total U.S. investment in the corridor to $4 billion, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) issued the following statement:

“We have both visited Angola in the past year and know that in Luanda and in capitals across Africa and throughout the Global South, our partners are asking for more American engagement from both the public sector and private sector. Increased engagement with nations like Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo don’t just benefit those nations – they benefit the United States, as well. Strategic investments like the Lobito Corridor help us better compete with China and secure access to critical minerals and other important resources that will improve our own economy. Our national security will be strengthened through continued U.S. investment combined with efforts to bring peace to the region, like our efforts to end the long-simmering conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda through the Luanda Process.

“The new investments in the Lobito Corridor are proof that President Trump’s BUILD Act and the Development Finance Corporation it created are critical tools that are unlocking private capital and sustainable investments across the region. Continuing to rely on the Development Finance Corporation and other public- and private-sector organizations will help us unlock private investments and ensure peace, security, and prosperity for ourselves and our regional partners.”

ICYMI: Senator Coons highlights risks of using recess appointments in new TIME op-ed, warning GOP it will empower Democrats to do the same

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) published an op-ed in TIME magazine today condemning Republicans’ consideration of recess appointments to confirm President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nominees, warning the GOP that it will make it far more likely that Democrats will do the same at the next available opportunity.

Last month, Trump asked that Republican lawmakers allow him to make appointments in his new administration without a Senate confirmation vote in an attempt to reduce the already-limited power Democrats have to weigh in on his administration. 

Senator Coons writes that bypassing the Senate’s confirmation process for controversial nominees like Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will undermine the Senate’s constitutional role of “advice and consent” over judges, ambassadors, and Cabinet members.

There are more than just constitutional risks for Republicans at stake, however; should Republicans allow Trump to use recess appointments to confirm his nominees without Senate approval, Democrats will be empowered to do the same the next time they control the White House. Republicans should instead abide by “advice and consent” traditions and ensure that nominees can still get 50 votes.

TIME: Why Trump’s Talk of Recess Appointments Is Dangerous

Less than a week after his election, Trump began calling on congressional leaders to let him make recess appointments. … Sadly, both the incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have expressed openness to the idea. They should be careful: [G]oing down that road will both weaken a key constitutional guardrail in our system and eventually may end with them staring at a collection of Democrats’ own recess appointments.

The Framers intended the President’s [C]abinet to go through the confirmation process when they gave the Senate the role of providing “advice and consent” over judges, ambassadors, and [C]abinet members. Recess appointments weren’t even considered during Trump’s first term; Senators met with nominees, and the Senate held public hearings whose purpose was to clarify and develop the agendas of potential cabinet officials.

…

Using the recess appointments loophole to confirm them instead makes a mockery of our constitutional role and will further damage the bipartisan relationships in Congress that remain necessary to pass most legislation in a closely-divided Senate. If that high-minded argument doesn’t work, however, consider this: [I]f Republicans adjourn Congress so Trump can make recess appointments, Democrats will unfortunately be far more likely to do the same at the next opportunity.

…

So, to my Senate colleagues, especially those on the other side, I say this: [W]e have the constitutional duty of advice and consent for a reason. Use it. If you have the votes to confirm someone, pass them through committee, put them on the Senate floor, and confirm them like we’ve always done. I’ll vote with you if I think they’ll advance the interests of the American people.

If you resort to recess appointments, however, you may well learn to regret it. Possibly, sooner than you think.

Senator Coons, Risch introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to counter states that wrongfully detain Americans abroad

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) introduced the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which would create new tools for the U.S. government to deter states from wrongfully detaining Americans abroad and support wrongful detainees upon their return home. Among other measures, the bill would create a U.S. State Department designation entitled the “State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention” to hold foreign governments accountable for wrongfully detaining Americans abroad; refine existing U.S. government processes responding to wrongful detentions, including requiring an executive branch strategy on how to deter this practice; enhance awareness of travel advisories for Americans traveling to high-risk countries; and establish an advisory council on wrongful detention made up of survivors, family members, and experts to make policy recommendations to the executive branch.

“I am proud of President Biden’s work bringing more than 70 Americans who were wrongfully detained or held hostage overseas safely home,” said Senator Coons. “As the United States continues its efforts to secure the release of every unjustly held American, we must also do more to protect Americans from being taken by our adversaries in the first place and used as political leverage. A more comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter this deplorable practice, as well as increased punishments for states that engage in wrongful detention and heightened awareness among the American public, is long overdue. As a longtime advocate for American hostages and their families, I urge my colleagues to swiftly take up the Countering Wrongful Detention Act.”

“Protecting Americans abroad is an important responsibility of the U.S. government,” said Senator Risch. “Unfortunately, pariahs like Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, Syria, and others choose to take Americans and others hostage to leverage them for political or financial gain. The United States must create a more effective deterrent to preventing the wrongful detention of Americans abroad. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act creates that deterrence by naming and shaming those who wrongfully detain Americans and tasks the executive branch with creating a strategy to reduce the likelihood of U.S. nationals being unlawfully or wrongfully detained in the future. It is time we put those who wish to do America and its citizens harm on notice. This bill will help us do that.”

“More and more Americans are being held hostage around the world – innocent civilians taken by rogue states and bad actors,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “After fighting for the release of my friend, Michigander Paul Whelan, during his 2,000 days of detention by Putin’s lawless regime, I’m proud to have worked across the aisle and across the Congress to introduce the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024 with my colleagues and long-time allies in this work, Senator Chris Coons, Senator James Risch, and Representative French Hill. This critical legislation will ensure the State Department has the necessary resources and support to effectively engage in hostage diplomacy so they can prevent future hostage-taking and get every wrongfully detained American home. It sends a clear, strong message to hostages and families – we stand with you, and we will get you home.”

“Over the years, most recently in the case of Tigran Gambaryan wrongfully held by Nigeria, I have personally witnessed the trauma imposed on American families coping with a detained loved one,” said Congressman French Hill. “The target on the backs of blue passport holders is stronger than ever, and the United States must do more to protect Americans abroad. As Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force in the House, I remain passionate and committed to bringing Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage home. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act creates a more detailed strategy in deterring our foreign adversaries from taking Americans against their will and provides the State Department with the crucial resources needed to counter this appalling practice and fill gaps in the process. I am proud to lead this legislation with my colleagues, Representative Haley Stevens, Senator Chris Coons, and Senator James Risch, and urge its swift implementation.”

“The bipartisan and bicameral support shown by Senator Coons and Senator Risch, as well as Representatives Stevens and Hill, for the Hostage and Wrongful Detention community has been incredible,” said Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, daughter of hostage Robert A. Levinson and Fellow, New America’s Future Security program. “Since the introduction of the Robert A. Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act in 2019 and subsequent legislation since, we have seen marked improvement in how our government handles the cases of American nationals who are held hostage by state and non-state actors. This week’s important legislation introduced is now a giant leap forward in creating tangible deterrence that stops bad actors from continuing this horrific practice. We hope to see this legislation passed by Congress and swiftly signed into law, as we know it will help prevent so many Americans from falling victim to the suffering that my father, my family, my friends in the hostage community, and far too many others have experienced.”

“The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation commends the excellent bipartisan and bicameral work of Senators Coons and Risch, as well as Representatives Stevens and Hill, in introducing the Countering Wrongful Detention Act to deter nation-states from wrongfully detaining U.S. nationals for leverage,” said Diane Foley, President, the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

“The Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2024 introduced by Senators Coons and Risch, as well as Representatives Stevens and Hill, in the U.S. Congress marks a pivotal advancement in the ongoing efforts to combat the heinous crime of hostage-taking against innocent U.S. citizens by both state and non-state actors,” said Jorge Toledo, former Citgo executive wrongfully detained in Venezuela by the Nicolás Maduro regime. 

“Through this bill, Senators Coons and Risch, as well as Representatives Stevens and Hill, have very thoughtfully and skillfully filled the gaps and holes that exist in our current processes for designation and deterrence,” said Neda Sharghi, sister of former wrongful detainee Emad Sharghi and former Chair, Bring Our Families Home Campaign. “This bill is a substantive game-changer in strengthening deterrence tools for wrongful detention and ensuring our hostages, wrongful detainees, and their families get the timely attention they so desperately need.”

“As Americans continue to be wrongfully detained abroad by state actors, it is evident that additional measures are needed to deter this practice,” said Liz Cathcart, Executive Director, Hostage US. “Hostage US encourages the safe return of all Americans and actions to ensure this does not continue to happen. Hostage US supports the Countering Wrongful Detention Act that highlights this need, urging the proactive creation and implementation of preventative measures.”

“The BOFH campaign strongly supports the introduction of the bipartisan 2024 Countering Wrongful Detention Act. In particular, we are pleased to see the introduction of specific timelines for a case to be designated as a hostage or wrongful detention case under the Levinson Act,” said Harrison Li, Steering Committee Member, the Bring Our Families Home Campaign. “The Campaign also supports the increased measures provided by the Act for deterrence of hostage taking and wrongful detention.”

The Countering Wrongful Detention Act seeks to deter and prevent wrongful detention of Americans overseas by:

• Creating the State Sponsor of Unlawful or Wrongful Detention designation, which would allow the Secretary of State to impose a range of penalties on states that wrongfully detain Americans;
• Requiring an administration strategy on how to deter and counter unlawful or wrongful detention;
• Providing increased funding to the Departments of State and the Treasury to carry out sanctions related to wrongful detention;
• Enhancing awareness of the Department of State’s travel advisories to high-risk countries;
• Requiring airlines operating in the United States to disclose travel advisory information to consumers traveling to high-risk countries, particularly countries for which the Department of State has issued indicators concerning risks of wrongful detention, kidnapping, or hostage-taking; and
• Including the Privacy Act Waiver form in the U.S. passport application process so that Americans traveling internationally can proactively decide to permit the U.S. government to advocate on their behalf should they be detained by a foreign government.

The act would also refine existing processes and provide additional resources to hostages and wrongful detainees and their families by:

• Establishing timelines for the Secretary and relevant Department of State offices to make timely wrongful detention determinations and report on their findings:
• Establishing an Advisory Council on Hostage-Taking and Unlawful or Wrongful Detention; and
• Requiring the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to serve as Chair of the National Security Council’s Hostage Response Group at the White House.

A one-pager is available here. 

The full text of the bill is available here.

Senators Coons, Tillis celebrate bipartisan passage of their PREVAIL Act by the Senate Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) today celebrated the bipartisan passage of their Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership (PREVAIL) Act out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a bipartisan vote of 11-10.

“Abuse of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has ended America’s run as the global gold standard for innovation and has caused us to fall behind China in the development of emerging technologies,” said Senator Coons. “Commonsense reforms to the PTAB like those in my PREVAIL Act will get our innovators out of the courtroom and back to the lab or field, so they can get back to making the technological breakthroughs that push our nation forward. I’m glad to see members of the Senate Judiciary Committee from across the political spectrum join Senator Tillis and me and advance PREVAIL to the Senate floor to strengthen the American innovation economy.”

“To maintain the United States’ position as the global leader in technology and innovation, we must work with inventors to improve and streamline our patent system,” said Senator Tillis. “The PREVAIL Act makes commonsense changes to our patent approval system that will increase transparency, safeguard patents, eliminate duplicative legal proceedings, and encourage American inventors to design and create. I’m proud the Senate Judiciary Committee passed this legislation on a bipartisan basis.”

The PREVAIL Act supports inventors, encourages investments in intellectual property, secures U.S. global technology leadership, and protects economic and national security. The bill builds on legislation that Senator Coons previously introduced to restore and strengthen the U.S. patent system. 

The PREVAIL Act would reform the PTAB, the administrative body of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to promote fair treatment for inventors, provide a true alternative to district court, and ensure the USPTO has the resources it needs to effectively administer a patent system that incentivizes American innovation and enables U.S. innovators to compete. The PREVAIL Act would also end USPTO fee diversion and support innovative small businesses.  

The PTAB is designed to provide a faster, more efficient process for adjudicating patent validity than going to federal district court. However, the PTAB has more frequently been used to invalidate patent claims through proceedings that are duplicative of – not an alternative to – district court. The bill would limit the number of potential challenges to any particular patent, limit who can challenge it, and increase the burden of proof for showing that a patent is invalid in a PTAB proceeding. 

The PREVAIL Act was introduced in August 2024 by Senators Coons and Tillis, who are the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Judiciary Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee.

The full text of the manager’s amendment reported by the committee is available here.

Senator Coons statement on ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced today that it had issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as several Hamas officials:

“I reject the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. As I said in May when the prosecutor requested these warrants, the ICC does not have jurisdiction to prosecute these cases against Israeli officials. I have continued to raise concerns about the Netanyahu government’s conduct in its legitimate war against Hamas, which threatens Israel’s existence. However, the prosecutor’s decision here is inappropriate, as Israel has an independent judiciary and the ability to hold its own officials accountable. While I have long supported the ICC’s mandate as a court of last resort to uphold international law, this decision and the process that led to it are fundamentally flawed, and these warrants should be widely opposed.”

Senator Coons is Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senator Coons statement on Joint Resolutions of Disapproval votes

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after voting against the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval offered by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) related to future U.S. arms sales to Israel:

“The United States should continue to provide Israel with the support it needs to defend itself from ongoing attacks from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Pausing future weapons sales now will have no impact on the current fighting but may encourage Hamas and Hezbollah to continue their attacks on Israel. 

“The situation in Gaza is a tragic humanitarian catastrophe, and I continue to press Israel to make progress in securing the delivery of desperately needed relief supplies, including in a meeting today with Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog. While I share the Biden administration’s assessment that the Israeli government has taken steps to improve access for humanitarian assistance, I remain committed to pressing for stronger commitments and the implementation of the steps necessary to do so. I have also led efforts on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in additional humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians facing dire humanitarian conditions.”

Senator Coons is Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.