Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor:

“In his election night victory speech, President-elect Trump pledged to be a president for all Americans. His choice of Steve Bannon as his chief strategist is deeply disturbing and fundamentally inconsistent with that pledge. Mr. Bannon personally has made despicable comments about women, the LGBT community, people of faith, and those with mental illness. At Breitbart, Mr. Bannon created an outlet built upon stoking racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism. These are not the values that have made America great. Inclusion and diversity are at the foundation of our nation’s success and our leadership in the world, and I will continue to defend those values. The President-elect must make it clear that the toxic blend of hate and bigotry that Mr. Bannon has made a living propagating has no place in a Trump administration.”

Senator Coons’ office to display works of several prominent Delaware artists

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons today announced a new collection of art to be loaned and featured in his Washington, D.C. office. The collection will feature pieces from the Rehoboth Art League, Biggs Museum, and Wilmington’s Carspecken-Scott Gallery, including contributions from painters from up and down the state reflecting Delaware’s diverse landscapes reflecting agricultural and seaside roots.       

“I am proud to display work from Delaware artists, including painters, photographers and digital media artists from up and down the state,” said Sen. Coons. “We know here in Delaware that the arts bring people together, lead to economic vitality, and help uplift our communities. I want to thank the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Rehoboth Art League and Carspecken-Scott Gallery for their generosity.”

“We are delighted to share some of the wonderful Delaware works of art from the collections of the Biggs Museum of American Art,” said Charles Guerin, Executive Director of the Biggs Museum. “Senator Coons’ offices are a great venue for these artists and for visitors to see the best that Delaware has to offer in the visual arts. We are grateful to Senator Coons for this opportunity.”

Paintings provided by the Biggs Museum of American Art include “House on the Shore,” by Edward Grant, and untitled works by artists Henryette Stadelman Whiteside and John B. Moll.

“The Rehoboth Art League is proud to display works by both our talented member artists and from our permanent collection,” said Rehoboth Art League Artistic Director Jay Pastore. “The Rehoboth Art League is one of a few institutions in the state that actively collects works by both contemporary and Delaware Heritage artists, thus documenting the rich cultural history of Southern Delaware, with over one thousand works in our permanent collection.”

Works provided by the Rehoboth Art League include “Winter Shore II,” by Lee Wayne Mills, “The Ghost Ship,” by Brook Hedge, “The Boat,” by John Landry, “Symbols of Delaware,” by Victor Letonoff, “RG#4,” by Barbara Warden, “Storm Over Milton,” by Bill Snow, and “Salt Marsh in Blue,” by Michelle Marshall.

Works provided by the Carspecken-Scott Gallery include “Marshes at Indian River Inlet,” by Carol Balick,“Sussex Marsh,” by Mary Page Evans, and “Blue Pots,” by Sherry Brilliant.

About Rehoboth Art League
The Rehoboth Art League encourages artists and arts education and sponsors exhibits and programs that reflect the diversity of the community in an historic setting and in partnership with other organizations.

About the Biggs Museum of American Art
The Biggs Museum of American Art is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the fine and decorative arts of Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Nation from 1700 to the present. To fulfill its mission, the museum presents a broad range of exhibitions and public programs, actively interprets and cares for its collections, serves as an education resource to the community, and maintains strong ties with artists in the region.

About Carspecken-Scott Gallery
For over 35 years Carspecken-Scott Gallery has exhibited artwork by contemporary Eastern and Mid-Atlantic artists. We provide outstanding conservation/restoration & framing services for all types of artwork with specialized emphasis on properly framing works for future preservation. We provide French mats, fabric wrapped mats, finished corner frames and all traditional and modern mouldings, matting and glass.

Senator Coons urges VA, Education Departments to relieve disabled veterans of unnecessary student loan payments

WILMINGTON, Del.– U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today sent a letter to the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Education, urging them to ensure that any veteran who is permanently disabled is discharged of their federal student loan debt. Such a discharge is allowed under current law, but the lack of coordination between the Department of Education (ED) and the VA is leaving behind potentially thousands of veterans who could otherwise have their loans discharged. Senators Coons, King, and Portman specifically urged the Departments to conduct a data match to identify permanently disabled veterans with outstanding student debt. This letter follows language the senators successfully included in the recently-enacted Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which urges the VA and ED to conduct such a match.

“Earlier this year, ED and SSA conducted a data match that resulted in the identification of approximately 389,000 Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who are eligible for discharge of their federal student loans – nearly half of whom were in default on their loans,” Senator Coons and his colleagues wrote in their letter. “This kind of streamlining is a critical to protecting Americans with permanent and total disabilities from unnecessary financial hardship, but was limited to the two agencies in question. We believe the VA and ED should conduct a similar data match to ensure no veterans are denied the benefits for which they are qualified.” 

Senators Coons, King, and Portman also said that Congress must pass legislation they introduced earlier this year – the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act – would end the Internal Revenue Service’s misguided policy of collecting taxes on discharged federal student loans following death or disability.

The complete text of the letter can be read HERE and is below:

November 14, 2016

Dear Secretary McDonald and Secretary King,

We write to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Education (ED) to streamline the disability verification process to ensure that any veteran who is permanently disabled is discharged of their federal student loan debt. Such a discharge is allowed under current law, but the lack of coordination between ED and the VA is leaving behind potentially thousands of veterans who could otherwise have their loans forgiven. 

Section 437(a) of the Higher Education Act allows student loan borrowers who develop a permanent disability to have their federal student loans forgiven by the Department of Education. This student loan forgiveness also applies to veterans who have been determined by the VA to be unemployable due to a service-connected disability. To verify an individual’s eligibility for student loan forgiveness under the law, ED requires documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the VA regarding the borrower’s disability status. However, many disabled Americans have found the process to discharge these loans confusing and burdensome, discouraging them from following through with the process and leaving them to pay off student loans they otherwise would not be required to under law. 

Earlier this year, ED and SSA conducted a data match that resulted in the identification of approximately 389,000 Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who are eligible for discharge of their federal student loans – nearly half of whom were in default on their loans. This kind of streamlining is critical to protecting Americans with permanent and total disabilities from unnecessary financial hardship, but was limited to the two agencies in question. We believe the VA and ED should conduct a similar data match to ensure no veterans are denied the benefits for which they are qualified. 

Congress recently recognized the complexity of the loan discharge process for veterans with a service-connected disability. At our urging, the explanatory statement that accompanies the recently-enacted FY17 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act directs the VA to enter into a data matching program with ED to improve coordination between federal agencies and eliminate the administrative hurdles that prevent too many veterans from receiving the loan forgiveness they deserve.^[1] We urge you to act swiftly upon this recommendation from Congress.     

Improving the loan discharge process for borrowers with disabilities does not end with administrative streamlining – there is more to be done, and Congress must act. Under current law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats the amount of student loans forgiven as income, which must be reported on an individual’s tax return and could potentially result in a tax liability. Instead of helping veterans and their families through loan forgiveness, this misguided policy simply replaces one financial burden with another, as some families are hit with thousands of dollars in immediate tax liability. That is why we have introduced legislation to exempt loans discharged due to disability or death from being treated as income – the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act (S. 2800). While we continue to work to ensure that this legislation becomes law, the VA and ED should work together to make veterans aware of this potential liability prior to discharging student loans. 

We appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Senator Coons’ statement on Veterans Day

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day. 

“The selfless contributions that generations of American veterans, past and present, have made to our nation should inspire us all to find ways to serve our fellow citizens,” said Senator Coons. “Today is a day to ask ourselves what each of us is doing, beyond saying thank you, to honor and support our veterans and to strengthen our nation.”

Senator Coons’ statement on the passing of Attorney General Janet Reno

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the statement below following the passing of Attorney General Janet Reno.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Janet Reno this morning,” said Senator Coons. “As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the vast scope of responsibilities facing our nation’s attorney general. Attorney General Reno demonstrated a relentless commitment to her work during her long tenure at the helm of the Department of Justice. I join my colleagues of both parties in honoring her groundbreaking role as the first female attorney general and her lifelong commitment to public service. My thoughts are with her family today.”

The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons

Tuesday, November 1 – The Senator will host a visit from National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu today. The events are as follows:

9 a.m.        Tour of Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts (200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE)
10:30 a.m.   Walking tour of Creative District (100 W.  10^th St. Wilmington, DE)
1 p.m.        Town Hall meeting on arts at the Baby Grand (818 North Market St., Wilmington, DE)

Contact Brian P. Cunningham (Sen. Coons Office) at 302-573-6054 or Judith Kargbo (NEA) at 202-682-5528.

Wednesday, November 2 at 2 p.m. – The Senator will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase of the Industrial Track Trail. This phase of the Industrial Track Trail forms the final link of the six-mile New Castle Industrial Track Trail, a critical segment of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. When complete, the trail will join with the Wilmington Riverwalk to provide a walking and bicycling connection between downtown Wilmington and Old New Castle. The project has been termed the “crown jewel” of Delaware’s trail network. Governor Jack Markell, DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan, and DNREC Secretary David Small will be in attendance. DuPont Environmental Education Center, 1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, DE. Open to press.

Thursday, November 3 at 12 p.m. — The Senator will attend a continuing legal education event with Justice Stephen Breyer, Supreme Court of the United States on “The Court and the World.” Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, DE.

Thursday, November 3 at 4 p.m. — The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at “Congressional Dialogue,” hosted by the Delaware Community Foundation. Delaware History Museum and Center for African American Heritage, 504 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE.

Friday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Delaware Barristers Association Awards and Gala.

Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will the Delaware Theatre Company’s annual Ovation Wine Fest and Auction. Delaware Art Museum, 2300 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE

Senator Coons’ statement on recoupment of bonuses to National Guard Members

“I share the concerns of my constituents and many Americans about recent reports of the recoupment of bonuses and education benefits awarded to members of the California National Guard during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the mid-2000s. These soldiers volunteered at the height of these conflicts and many served our country with honor and distinction over multiple combat tours. We should honor these heroes who inspire us all to do more to better serve our fellow citizens. Those who volunteer for military service deserve our admiration and respect, but these servicemembers are now facing unexpected tax liens, wage garnishment, interest payments, and other financial penalties. 

“Most of these servicemembers accepted a bonus which, due to administrative errors and possible fraud, they were mistakenly offered. I support the decision by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to immediately suspend recoupment and launch a process to fully review the issue. The Pentagon should also investigate this matter more thoroughly to determine the extent of these errors and make sure soldiers from other states are not affected. 

“We have a duty as Americans to support those who serve. I am reminded of this duty every time I visit with and hear from any veteran or current member of the military, but particularly the brave men and women of Dover Air Force Base and the Delaware National Guard. I will work to ensure our military servicemembers are adequately and fairly compensated for their invaluable service.”

The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons October 17-21

Monday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend Delaware’s annual Jefferson-Jackson reception. The event will be highlighted by keynote speaker, Congressman Elijah Cummings (Md-7^th District). UA Local 74 Executive Conference & Banquet Center, 205 Executive Drive, Newark, DE 19702. For press inquiries contact Delaware Democratic Party communications coordinator Travis Williams at 302.650.8844.

Wednesday, October 19 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services’ Disability Mentoring Day. Disability Mentoring Day has expanded into all three counties for a day of networking and discovering careers. Disability Mentoring Day is a national effort to promote career development for young adults with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing and on-going peer mentoring. Courtyard Marriott, 400 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716. Open to press. Contact: Jill Fredel, DHSS 302.255.9047.

Wednesday, October 19 at 5 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at NCALL’s 40TH Anniversary Celebration. NCALL will celebrate 40 years of serving Delawareans by advocating for affordable housing, improved communities and sustainable development, primarily in rural areas. The Outlook at the Duncan Center, 500 Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19904. Open to press.

Wednesday, October 19 at 6 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards. The awards honor individuals, organizations, community groups and corporate volunteers in the areas of arts and culture, community service, education, environment, health, human needs, public safety and social justice. Dover Downs, 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE. Open to press.

Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 a.m.  — The Senator will attend the 2016 Delaware Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Guest speaker will be Eric Metaxas, author of “If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty.”  Chase Center on the Riverfront. Wilmington, DE. Open to press.

Thursday, October 20 at 11 a.m. – The Senator will attend the groundbreaking of the Food Bank of Delaware’s new 80,000-square-foot facility in Newark. The Food Bank of Delaware provides nutritious foods to Delawareans in need and facilitates long-term solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty through community education and advocacy. 222 Lake Drive, Pencader Corporate Center, Newark, DE 19702 (off Route 896). Open to press. Contact Food Bank’s Kim Turner 302.444.8074.

Thursday, October 20 at 6 p.m. – The Senator will attend the second annual Meals on Wheels’ Ultimate Tailgate event. The Ultimate Tailgate will feature the best of our area restaurants serving their unique interpretations of tailgate food. Sheraton Wilmington South, 365 Airport Road, New Castle DE 19720.

President Obama signs Coons-Flake wildlife trafficking bill into law

WILMINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama signed into the law the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, a bipartisan bill Senator Coons introduced with Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.):

“I’m thrilled President Obama signed the END Wildlife Trafficking Act into law today. Not only is this bill good policy and a step forward in the fight to end wildlife trafficking, but it’s a clear example of how Congress can work together to address the urgent challenges of a complex world. I’m grateful to my friend, Senator Flake, for his tireless efforts and partnership on this important issue. 

“We deeply appreciate the hard work of our colleagues in the House, Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel, and thank the thousands of individuals in Delaware, in Arizona, and across the country who expressed their support for this bill. We also recognize this bill couldn’t have made it across the finish line without the relentless work of the wildlife and international security advocacy communities. Of course, our work on this issue is not complete. I look forward to continuing to fight against the scourge of wildlife trafficking that threatens iconic wildlife and global security.”

Coons, Gardner Introduce Bill to Strengthen Medicare

Washington, DC – Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced the Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act, legislation that aims to strengthen and protect the Medicare program by spurring innovation to reduce costs.

The Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act establishes a program which would award grants to small, entrepreneurial labs pursuing commercialization for new drugs or medical devices that have the greatest potential to significantly reduce the top 10 cost drivers to the Medicare program while maintaining and improving quality of care. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish an optional coordinated review pilot program that simultaneously assesses grantees for FDA approval and a national coverage determination under the Medicare program. Currently, HHS and CMS evaluate grantees first for FDA approval and then national coverage determination, which prolongs access for Medicare beneficiaries. Lastly, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to prepare and submit an annual report to Congress about the cost savings and improvements in care resulting from the commercialization grant program.

“I am proud to join Senator Gardner in introducing this bill to assist more small businesses in getting their innovate technology to the market, in turn reducing long-term costs to our Medicare program. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, finding ways to help small businesses grow is something I’ve been proud to champion and I look forward to moving this bill forward,” said Coons.

“According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare benefit payments reached $597 billion in 2014 and accounted for 14 percent of the federal budget. In order to address the sustainability of the Medicare program, it’s important that we do everything we can to encourage innovation and bring down the cost of care,” said Gardner. “The Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act is a commonsense bill that has the potential to not only save the Medicare program money, but it could also lead to higher quality care and improved patient outcomes.”