Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a 23-year veteran of the Navy, met with Dr. David Shulkin, the Under Secretary of Health for the VA, along with U.S. Rep. John Carney and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (both D-Del.) to discuss access to health care within the VA health care system.
Following the meeting, leaders from the Wilmington VAMC signed a declaration that outlined the VA’s principals for improving access to health care. The framework included providing timely or same-day services in primary care and mental health, offering extended clinic hours and virtual care options, responding to clinical inquiries within 2 days, providing necessary care from another VA Medical Center if the veteran is away from their primary facility, integrating community partners as appropriate to enhance access, and following up with veterans.
“Our nation’s veterans made sacrifices to protect and defend our country, and it’s up to us to make sure they’re getting the benefits they deserve,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “My motto is, ‘everything I do, I know I can do better,’ and it’s no different when it comes to addressing the needs of the men and women who have served our country in the military. Today’s meeting highlighted progress that’s already underway in places like Sussex County, and it provided some important insight on how we can continue to improve health care and other benefits to veterans throughout the First State.”
“Today’s meeting was an opportunity to remain engaged on the challenges facing the VA locally as well as nationally,” said Sen. Coons. “I want to thank Sen. Carper for convening this important discussion as well as thank Dr. Shulkin, and Director Aube-Warren for their candid insight and perspective.”
“One of my top priorities in Congress has been ensuring that our veterans receive the care that they deserve,” said Congressman Carney. “Today’s meeting was a great opportunity for stakeholders to come together and discuss the critical issues facing Delaware’s veterans. From mental health care, to improving access to the VA, there’s always more we can do. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to better serve these men and women.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke yesterday on the Senate floor about Russia’s willingness to sell missile defense systems and fighter jets to the Iranian regime, which poses huge risks to Middle East security and undermines international efforts to counter Iranian aggression. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) joined Senator Coons on the floor.
Excerpts from Senator Coons’ remarks below:
“Iran remains a rogue and unpredictable regime that supports terrorism in the region and is publicly committed to the destruction of Israel.”
“The challenge for American diplomacy is to convince Russia that its military sales to Iran, its refusal to engage in multilateral action to punish Iranian ballistic missile tests, and its hesitancy to sanction Iran for supporting terrorist groups harm not only American interests, but Russian interests as well.”
“When it comes to countering Iranian aggression in the Middle East, a number of Russia’s recent actions threaten to do more harm than good.”
“Russia’s military sales to Iran and intransigence at the UN Security Council are disappointing, to say the least, in light of Russia’s agreement to the terms of this nuclear deal and the importance of all of us working together in the international community to constrain Iran’s bad behavior.”
Senator Coons’ full remarks below:
Mr. President, in the months since world powers reached an agreement to block Iran’s pathway to building a nuclear weapon, Iran’s behavior has given the international community reasons for both some optimism and continuing serious concern.
The positive news has been that Iran has taken some real steps to restrain its nuclear program. It has disabled two of its short-term pathways to producing weapons-grade material by shipping nearly its entire stockpile of enriched uranium out of the country and by filling its plutonium reactor with concrete. Iran has reduced its number of functioning uranium-enrichment centrifuges by two-thirds. The country has provided international inspectors 24-7 access to continuously monitor all of Iran’s declared nuclear facilities.
These are positive developments. Yet at the same time, Iran continues to engage in deeply concerning activities, such as support for terrorism and efforts to foment instability in the Middle East, and to conduct illegal ballistic missile tests, and to continue to violate its citizens’ most basic human rights.
Today, my colleagues and I come to the floor to draw attention to some of the more grave, more concerning developments of recent weeks. I’m honored to have the company of my friend, the senior senator from Connecticut, Senator Blumenthal, who will join me in addressing why Russia’s refusal to condemn Iran’s bad behavior, and in fact in some ways encourage it, poses huge security risks for our allies in the Middle East.
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Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Connecticut who has been determined and engaged and thoughtful and vigilant for his wise words today and for his persistence of effort in making sure that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle are aware of alarming developments in the region and continue to do everything we can in a responsible and bipartisan way to support Israel’s security through the MOU, which he’s referenced and where he led a letter about importance of a prompt and support of renegotiation of that MOU, and by calling attention to Russia’s destabilizing actions.
As Senator Blumenthal just referenced, recent media reports convey that Iran is reporting Russia has already delivered parts of this S-300 weapon system, a defense system they claim, but a weapon system that would significantly change the regional balance of power.
I’d just like to again thank my colleague from Connecticut for being shoulder to shoulder with me here on the floor today and in the months and years behind us and the months and years ahead of us because this will be a longstanding challenge to keep the members of this body and folks here in Washington focused on the very real threat to America’s security and Israel’s security that’s presented by Iran and its actions.
As Senator Blumenthal mentioned, when it comes to countering Iranian aggression in the Middle East, a number of Russia’s recent actions do threaten to do more harm than good.
Last summer when the United States came together with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia to reach an agreement with Iran to block their pathway to build a nuclear weapon, the international community was clear that the success of this deal relied on every signatory keeping its word and doing its part to prevent Iran from violating the deal.
The responsibility to enforce the terms of the JCPOA goes hand-in-hand with an understanding that world powers must also push back on Iran’s bad behavior outside the four corners of this agreement – specifically, its support for terrorism, its continued illegal ballistic missile tests, and its human rights violations.
Despite its participation in the negotiations that led to the agreement, Russia reportedly plans to sell missile systems to the still-dangerous Iranian regime, as well as, as referenced by Senator Blumenthal, advanced fighter jets.
Russia also continues to block the U.N. Security Council from taking action, necessary and responsible action,n after Iran’s recent illegal ballistic missile tests, which contravene it commitments under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231.
Despite the divisions that have brought Congress to a standstill in recent years, I’m confident we all agree on one thing: Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
I continue to believe that the JCPOA represents the least-bad option for blocking Iran’s pathway to a nuclear bomb.
But in recent months, as I’ve said, Russia has repeatedly undermined the spirit of that agreement by using the JCPOA as an excuse to proceed with dangerous and provocative sales of allegedly defensive equipment to Iran.
According to news reports as I said, Russia has begun delivering parts of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran.
Although it remains unclear how much of the system has already been delivered, five S-300 systems Russia has promised to Iran would contain 40 launchers, which could shoot down missiles and aircraft as far as 90 miles away. One version of the S-300 currently in use by the Russian military can travel nearly 250 miles at five times the speed of sound. In a worst case scenario, if Iran backs out of the nuclear deal, this S-300 system would substantially limit the international community’s options to act to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
That’s not all though. Recent news reports indicate Russia and Iran are actively negotiating an agreement to allow Iran to purchase an unknown number of Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets, similar to the one pictured here, some of the most advanced fighter jets available in the world. Although it is unclear which specific version of this aircraft Iran is seeking to obtain, these advanced weapons would significantly enhance the capabilities of Iran’s air force.
Currently, Iran fields an outdated mix of antiquated Russian, Iraqi, American, and Chinese -built aircraft. Many of these planes date from the Cold War. One particularly advanced variety of this Russian jet, for example, is armed with air-to-air, anti-ship, land attack missiles and bombs. Precision munitions that would significantly increase the performance capabilities of the Iranian air force. They could target other fighter aircraft, stationary military facilities, and naval vessels. These fighter jets, in the hands of Iran, would fundamentally change the balance of power in the Middle East and pose a threat to U.S. facilities and our local allies.
According to some reports, Iran, more concerning, is seeking not just to buy these aircraft but also license their production in Iran, which would greatly strengthen Iran’s industrial base and its technical knowledge, but also leave the international community with even fewer options to prevent Iranian access to this technology in the future.
At a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Tom Shannon the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, said the United States would, “block the approval of fighter aircraft” sales from Russia to Iran, and I urge the Obama administration to use all diplomatic measures available to it to ensure we fulfill Undersecretary Shannon’s commitment.
As my colleagues know, Iran could use these weapons to threaten U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf region, challenge the safety of our vital ally, Israel, and other close partners, or to protect illicit nuclear sites within Iran’s borders.
These threats are not just hypothetical. Iran remains a rogue and unpredictable regime that supports terrorism in the region and is publicly committed to the destruction of Israel.
Mr. President, the international community cannot stand by while Iran continues to threaten our allies and destabilize the Middle East.
Its illegal ballistic missile tests in March served as yet another example that the Iranian regime is not a responsible member of the international community.
These tests helped Iran to further develop missiles capable of reaching most of the Middle East and even parts of Europe. They destabilize the region and belie Iran’s supposedly peaceful intentions—stated often by both its president and foreign minister—they claim Iran’s intentions are to serve as a responsible member of the international community.
These provocative ballistic missile tests clearly contradict their commitments under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 and demand a response.
Last week, I met with Vitaly Churkin, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations. While Ambassador Churkin reiterated Russia’s commitment to the JCPOA and our shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, I left our conversation convinced that Russia will continue to stand in the way of the international community’s efforts to penalize Iran’s ballistic missile tests.
Mr. President, Russia’s military sales to Iran and intransigence at the U.N. Security Council are disappointing, to say the least, in light of Russia’s agreement to the terms of this nuclear deal and the importance of all of us working together in the international community to constrain Iran’s bad behavior.
The challenge for American diplomacy is to convince Russia that its military sales to Iran, its refusal to engage in multilateral action to punish Iranian ballistic missile tests, and its hesitancy to sanction Iran for supporting terrorist groups harm not only American interests, but Russian interests as well.
Enabling Iran to strengthen its military capabilities makes it easier for Iran in the future to one day return to an effort to develop a nuclear weapon. Ballistic missile tests foment instability in the whole Persian Gulf and southern Europe, both of which lie close to Russia. As we’ve tragically seen in recent weeks, the scourge of modern terrorism does not abide by international borders and poses a real threat to Russia as well.
In the coming months and years, the United States must continue to pursue action at the Security Council and work with our European allies to punish Iran for its bad behavior.
With that, I’d like to yield to my friend, the senior Senator from Minnesota, who has just joined me here for this colloquy. Senator Klobuchar has joined me to talk about the importance of continuing to work to hold Iran accountable under the JCPOA, the urgent need to confirm senior national security nominees, and the imperative of supporting our regional partners, especially our vital ally, Israel. Senator Klobuchar.
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Mr. President, I’d like to thank Senators Klobuchar and Blumenthal for joining me in this colloquy.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware Senator in more than four decades to serve on the critical Appropriations Committee, secured $80 million in funding for Dover Air Force Base and $33 million in funding for the Delaware River deepening project in the annual Military Construction/Veterans Affairs and Energy and Water Development appropriations bills respectively. These bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee and are now ready for debate by the full Senate.
“When I was first elected to represent Delaware in the Senate, I made it a priority to gain a seat on the important Appropriations Committee to make sure Delaware’s needs and priorities are addressed in our federal spending bills like this one,” said Senator Coons. “I’m thrilled this bill includes funding for critical Delaware priorities. It will support the Delaware River deepening project, a smart investment that will mean new jobs and new business for the Port of Wilmington and the Delaware Valley, and Dover Air Force Base to improve both the functions of the base and the quality of living of families stationed at the facility. It will also provide funding for National Guard military construction, which supports civilian authorities in Delaware and U.S.national security”
Support for Dover Air Force Base:
Senator Coons fought for $39 million for the Dover Air Force Base Aircraft Maintenance Hangar. Dover is a key strategic airlift hub for the United States military. However, its coastal location makes it prone to high winds, which frequently renders runway maintenance difficult. Between 2009 and 2014, Dover lost 6,000 hours of lost mission capability due to weather or facility shortages. An aircraft maintenance hangar will improve the speed and quality of maintenance on Dover’s C-5 and C-17 fleet and benefit the base’s airlift mission.
Senator Coons also fought for $41.115 million for the replacement of Welch Elementary School and Dover Middle School in Dover, Delaware. The Dover Air Force Base community relies on both schools, built in 1960. Department of Defense engineers have rated them in poor condition. This funding will ensure the next generation of Dover Air Force Base families has access to modern, safe education facilities.
Investing in the Dover Air Force Base has a significant impact on Delaware’s economy as it is the state’s fifth largest employer. Supporting these projects will also strengthen the relationship between the local community and the Air Force Base, a relationship that has long been recognized as one of the strongest of its kind in the country.
Support for the Delaware River Deepening project:
Senator Coons fought for an additional $33 million to finish deepening the Delaware River to 45 feet from 40, a project that will help create and retain thousands of jobs in Delaware and make it possible for larger ships to come to Delaware. Senator Coons has helped advocate for and secure over $100 million for this project through his position on the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. He’s also advocated for this project with Administration leadership at the Office of Management and Budget and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Support for the National Guard
Senator Coons sought $143.95 million for Air National Guard military construction and $232.93 million for Army National Guard military construction. This funding will support various missions vital to both Delaware and broader U.S. national security. It ensures Guardsmen are able to fulfill their dual missions of supporting civilian authorities at home and U.S. military efforts abroad.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today introduced legislation to eliminate a tax penalty levied on student loans forgiven for families after the death of their child and Americans who develop permanent disabilities. While the federal government forgives certain federal student loans in the case of the death or disability of the borrower, the IRS treats this cancelled debt as income, which can result in tens of thousands of dollars in immediate tax liability. The Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act would eliminate this unfair tax, which simply replaces one financial burden with another and serves no public policy purpose. The tax on discharged loans is not only an unnecessary tax, but it also prevents the Department of Education from streamlining the loan forgiveness process.
On Tuesday, the Department of Education announced that it has identified 387,000 totally and permanently disabled Americans who were eligible for, but had not received, loan forgiveness. The Department of Education requires these totally and permanently disabled borrowers to apply for discharge to ensure they are aware of the potential tax consequences associated with loan forgiveness. If the tax is eliminated, these loans could be discharged immediately.
The Senators’ interest in this issue was spurred by the outreach from constituents in Delaware, Maine, and Ohio, including a Maine couple whose son passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm in 2012. The young man had recently graduated from college, using federal and private student loans to finance his education. Although the federal government and private lender forgave the outstanding loan balances, the parents were then presented with a tax bill of over $24,000 from the IRS. This family has since had to dip into their 401(k) to pay the bill and are now sending over $400 per month in tax payments to the agency.
“Taxing Americans who are grieving the death of a child or adjusting to a life-changing disability is simply unconscionable,” said Senator Coons. “We forgive these student loans because that’s the right thing to do as a country. Requiring these Americans to pay a surprise tax is counter to the intent of forgiving the loans in the first place and serves no public policy purpose whatsoever. Today my colleagues and I are offering a simple bipartisan bill that eliminates this unfair tax, and I urge Congress to pass our bill immediately.”
“To think that a person who becomes disabled or a family that loses a child would be forced to reach into their pocket to pay the IRS taxes on student loans that have already been forgiven is just wrong,” Senator King said. “It’s unfair and it only serves to heap totally unnecessary financial hardship on folks when they’re already trying to cope with personal tragedy. This fix is not only common sense, it’s just the right thing to do and I hope we can act on this bill soon so that no one else in Maine or across the country has to be the victim of this senseless policy.”
“Families grieving the loss or permanent disability of a child did nothing wrong, and they should not be punished by the federal government with a massive tax bill,” said Senator Portman. “The same tragic reason they cannot pay back their student loans is the reason that they cannot afford an enormous tax increase so contrary to the purposes of our student loan system. Our bipartisan bill will fix this problem once and for all.”
“Student Veterans of America applauds the dedication Senators Coons, King and Portman have shown in supporting the families of fallen service members,” said Derek Fronabarger, Director of Policy, Student Veterans of America. “Fallen service members with student loans are eligible to have their student loans discharged, however, this discharged amount of debt is considered income and is taxable. In the past, we have seen families who have lost a loved one, receive a tax bill for this discharged student debt. It is unconscionable that the families of the fallen in their time of grief are burdened by this backwards policy. This bill aims at changing this tax issue so that those families who have already paid the ultimate price are not additionally saddled by a discharged student loan tax. We at SVA fully support this bill and hope to see it move forward quickly.”
“The Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act of 2016 would make an important difference to people with work limiting disabilities who have their student loans discharged. It is common sense that someone who cannot pay back their student loans due to a total and permanent disability cannot afford to pay taxes on the discharge of those loans,”said Kim Musheno, Chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).“CCD thanks Senators Coons, King, and Portman for introducing this legislation to ensure that people with disabilities are no longer hurt by the unintended economic consequences of utilizing this important loan discharge provision. “
“Taxing people who have had their federal and private student loans canceled due to a total and permanent disability or because of the death of their child is grossly unfair and defeats the purpose of those loan cancellation programs,” said Persis Yu, director of the National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. “This bill will ensure that vulnerable student loan borrowers are not forced to trade an unaffordable student loan debt for an unaffordable tax debt. We applaud Senators Coons, King and Portman for their leadership on solving this problem. Congress should move quickly to pass this legislation.”
The federal government authorizes the forgiveness of certain federal loans in the case of the death or total and permanent disability of the borrower, including:
Student loan discharge for death. Congress has acknowledged the tragic circumstances of when a parent loses a child by authorizing the Department of Education to forgive outstanding federal student loans that a parent borrowed on behalf of their child prior to their child’s death. Many private lenders also discharge student loans that are co-signed by a parent if their child dies.
Student loan discharge for disability. Each year, thousands of Americans, including veterans, develop disabilities or chronic health conditions so severe that they are determined by the federal government to be totally and permanently disabled. In recognition of the tremendous burden of their disabilities, Congress authorized the Department of Education to forgive outstanding federal student loans held by these Americans. Many private lenders also discharge student loans as a result of total and permanent disability.
Despite these provisions, individuals who suffer great personal loss or severe injury are often shocked to learn that the IRS requires them to pay income tax on the amount of student loans forgiven by the federal government and private lenders. A one-time discharge can result in tens of thousands of dollars in immediate tax liability.
The Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act:
Exempts from income tax federal and private student loans that are discharged due to the death of a child or total and permanent disability. Congress already exempts certain discharged federal student loans from income taxes. Under Section 108(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, public sector employees, including teachers, public defenders and librarians, who meet length of service requirements, are exempt from paying income tax on discharged loans. The Higher Education Act also provides for the tax-exempt forgiveness of student loans due to the closure of a borrower’s school. This bill simply adds federal and private student loan discharges as a result of death or total and permanent disability to the existing list of tax-exempt discharges.
Allows a parent whose child develops a total and permanent disability to qualify for student loan discharge. The bill resolves an inconsistency in statute by authorizing the Department of Education to discharge federal loans owed by a parent of a child who becomes totally and permanently disabled. Currently parents are allowed to discharge federal student loans if they develop a total and permanent disability, or if their child dies, but not if their child develops a total and permanent disability. The bill also exempts this new type of discharge from income tax.
The bill has been endorsed by: The American Legion; Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA); Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); the American Federation of Teachers; Access Group; Student Veterans of America; Veterans Education Success; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; American Council on Education; National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA); National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER); National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients); The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS), Young Invincibles; Education Finance Council; Higher Education Loan Coalition; American Foundation for the Blind; American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR); Association of University Centers on Disabilities; Autistic Self Advocacy Network; Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation; Goodwill Industries International; Justice in Aging; Lutheran Services in America Disability Network; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities; National Association of Disability Representatives; National Disability Rights Network; National Down Syndrome Congress; National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR); Paralyzed Veterans of America; The Arc of the United States; United Spinal Association; and the National Disability Institute.
WILMINGTON, Del. – On Saturday April 23 at 2 p.m., the Delaware Museum of Natural History will host U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and the sub-committee on African Affairs, for a special screening of “Warlords of Ivory” produced by Delaware native Katie Carpenter. The film is a groundbreaking mission to expose how the ivory trade funds some of Africa’s most notorious militias and terrorist groups.
At the conclusion of the film, Sen. Coons and Carpenter will discuss the connections between wildlife trafficking and international security and stability as well as Sen. Coons’ recent bill, the END Wildlife Trafficking Act (S.2385). The proposed legislation will support the ongoing work of the Presidential Task Force on Combating Wildlife Trafficking by strengthening training for law enforcement, building capacity for inspections and investigations, and supporting community-based conservation programs in countries of concern. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz) and is currently awaiting markup in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In February, Sen. Coons traveled to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana, where hewitnessed first-hand the works being done to conserve wildlife in those countries and learned of more about the challenges these countries face combating the poaching and trafficking.
“The wildlife trafficking crisis is a massive national and international security issue, not simply a conservation question,” said Sen. Coons. “Poaching has become more weaponized and mechanized, and demand for ivory and other wildlife products continues to grow. It’s important for us as leaders to help combat this growing problem.”
Katie Carpenter is an award-winning documentary producer with extensive background in long-form specials and non-fiction series, specializing in environmental subjects from endangered species to climate change in diverse habitats around the world. She was trained as a climate presenter by Al Gore and the Climate Project in 2007 in Nashville, and now works also as a carbon consultant for film and television productions with Green Media Solutions of New York.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) received the Champions for Children award Tuesday during the Invest In Kids Advocacy Summit, hosted by Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN).
Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Susan Collins, (R-ME), and Rep. Tom Cole, (R-Okla.), also received the award.
“We are honored to present these awards to these champions for kids,” said Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children. “We’d like to thank them for their dedication to improving access to high-quality early childhood education here and ending the preventable deaths of mothers and children around the world.”
“The Summit is all about advocates from across the country coming together and using their voices to make positive change for children around the world – and much of this change would not be possible without their support,” said Mark Shriver, President of SCAN.
More than 175 advocates traveled to Washington this week to urge lawmakers to make key investments in early childhood education and maternal, newborn and child survival programs. Specifically, attendees asked lawmakers to cosponsor the Social Impact Partnership Act, the Reach Every Mother and Child Act and to invest more in effective global health and nutrition programs. During the 2016 Advocacy Summit, advocates – including 65 high school and college students – from 25 states participated in more than 100 meetings on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today introduced the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which would expand and improve the MEP program to better serve small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
“Manufacturing is the driving force behind America’s ability to innovate and is critical to our prosperity and competitiveness,” said Senator Coons. “The MEP program is one of the best resources for America’s manufacturing community and has helped countless businesses in Delaware and across the country grow and create jobs. This bill will expand the MEP program to better serve more small and medium-sized manufacturing companies that fuel our nation’s economic growth. Now is the time to invest in American manufacturing.”
“New Hampshire is a leader in the field of manufacturing and that is due in large part to the work of Zenagui Brahim and the rest of the team at the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NH MEP). That’s why I’m proud to work across the aisle with my colleagues, Senators Coons (D-DE) and Gary Peters (D-MI), to introduce the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act,” saidSenator Ayotte. “We have so much potential for growth, and this bill will allow the NH MEP to create partnerships with local universities to start apprenticeship programs. The bill focuses on all aspects of the manufacturing industry and also provides a mechanism for NH MEP to assist New Hampshire’s smaller manufacturers. New Hampshire’s future for manufacturing is incredibly bright, and this bill will help maximize that potential. ”
“A strong, vibrant manufacturing sector is a critical part of our economy, and the MEP program helps ensure that American manufacturers can continue to grow and provide good-paying jobs in the United States,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will help MEP centers provide better support to small and mid-sized companies so they can continue to drive innovation and bolster our economic competitiveness around the world.”
“The Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps U.S. companies produce and market Made in America goods throughout the world,” Scott Paul, President of Alliance for American Manufacturing. “The MEP Improvement Act will make important reforms that will further benefit American workers and companies. The MEP’s supplier scouting program links American-made goods with government procurement projects that are covered by Buy America preferences. This is smart policy, as it ensures American workers get the first shot at supplying products for these projects. That creates jobs and keeps taxpayer dollars here at home. We thank Sens. Coons, Ayotte, and Peters for introducing this legislation, and hope Congress takes swift action to pass it.”
“AMT proudly supports the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act,” said Douglas K. Woods, President, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “This bipartisan bill, introduced by Sens. Coons, Ayotte and Peters, will not only modernize the MEP program model to make it more efficient and valuable to manufacturers; it will also expand the scope of MEP centers to include access to manufacturing trends, tools, and technology — resources small and medium-sized manufacturers often don’t have the capacity to find. AMT is a longtime supporter of the MEPs, and on behalf of AMT’s more than 600 U.S.-based companies, I urge Congress to support this legislation.”
“The American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC) strongly supports the MEP Improvement Act because it provides necessary program resources and technical changes that MEP needs to help American small manufacturers remain competitive in the global marketplace,” said Carrie Hines, President & CEO, ASMC. “Other countries with programs similar to MEP routinely outspend the United States in its federal support by as much as 12:1. The MEP Improvement Act provides an increased authorization level and cost share reduction that will allow the program to remain competitive with its international counterparts, so that it may reach more rural and small manufacturing clients, which make up the fabric of local economies and communities.”
The MEP program is the premier federal program addressing critical needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers. MEP centers offer resources that enable manufacturers to compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Built on a nationwide network of centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP program is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of private sector entities that serve as trusted business advisors and technical experts to a variety of small to medium-sized manufacturers.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act would:
Permanently adjust the federal MEP cost share to one-to-one.
Strengthen and clarify the MEP Center review process and require re-competition of MEP Center awards every 10 years.
Authorize MEP Centers to support the development of manufacturing-related apprenticeship, internship and industry-recognized certification programs.
Increase the MEP program authorization level to $260 million per year through 2020.
Require the MEP program to develop open-access resources describing best practices for America’s small manufacturers.
The bill has been endorsed by Information Technology and Innovation Foundation; American Small Manufacturers Coalition; Alliance for American Manufacturing; Honda North America, Inc.; Association for Manufacturing Technology; National Council for Advanced Manufacturing; Manufacturing Skill Standards Council; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI); and Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) said at a Senate Foreign Relations-Africa/Global Health Subcommittee hearing that U.S. resources designated to stop the spread of Ebola in West Africa and around the world should not be re-purposed to combat the spread of the Zika virus in South and Central America. The Obama Administration announced yesterday that it plans to transfer $589 million to target the Zika virus, $510 million of which was originally allocated to fight the Ebola epidemic to address the Zika outbreak.
Transcript of Senator Coons’ opening remarks below:
Senator Coons: The principle point you are making is that Ebola is not over and that the significant amount of resources that the United States has appropriated to try and address Ebola should not be redirected elsewhere. That frankly we should also be investing simultaneously in a response to Zika and that all the conditions that led Ebola to go from largely unknown to a significant challenge, to a global concern, are still there. When you say, Dr. Panjabi, it’s zoonotic illness, there is an animal reservoir of Ebola that has probably been active in West Africa 40 years we’ve now discovered. There have probably been a whole series of small outbreaks in remote villages that the rest of the world never knew about. And there is of course the opportunity, the possibility that this virus will mutate and become more lethal. What we see on the ground in Liberia, in Guinea, and Sierra Leone, economies that haven’t yet fully recovered, may not recover for a number of years. Grassroots health care systems that need to be fully built out, and of course, we commend President Sirleaf for her terrific work in leading the effort to deploy community health workers across the country, but there is so much more to be done. Porous borders and a lack of any sort of a modern health care infrastructure in the remote places in these three affected countries.
One lesson I think that was most poignant at the time was that at the moment when Ebola broke out into Nigeria, in the Port Harcourt area, I think there was a global collective gasp at the real prospect that Ebola would get loose into major metropolitan areas into the international travel community and metastasize globally. And it didn’t. It was contained quickly and well. And in no small part because of course the brave public health workers in Nigeria, volunteers, and the infrastructure, but also investments made by the United States through our PEPFAR program, through our efforts against polio so there was some of the labs and the communications and the infrastructure and the public health systems.
So if I hear you right, your central message to us across many concerns is this: Don’t stop — to the United States — investing and making sure that we’ve addressed all the things that because they were not addressed, led Ebola to be so lethal, so quickly, so broadly. Have a clear path forward on vaccine testing and development. Have a clearly developed ethical structure, and incentive structures, Médecins Sans Frontières, you’ve shared with us that concern and I think a very powerful and important one. We need to have a framework for data sharing and vaccine development that’s proactive, not reactive. It’s very hard to do effective field trials in the middle of disaster response. As Dr. Panjabi has said, continue to build out grassroots community health worker networks across the region and the country. And as Dr. Knight has said, we have public sector partners all over the continent and the world who can and should be proactively engaged in planning for the next pandemic. Zika, which is a challenge, is not what I think we are most concerned about as a group, which is a truly lethal global pandemic.
Ron Klain, who I think served admirably as the President’s Ebola coordinator, has recently published a piece in which he raises the specter of a truly global pandemic that would be faster moving, more lethal, and more readily shared than Ebola was. And he makes a number of suggestions, so let me move to asking what you see about both lessons learned, the need for our continued investment and the suggestions that you have made and he has made.
And let me not close my opening without saying that it was the people of Liberia in my experience there in December 2014, volunteers from around the world who were really on the front lines and making the life saving difference and in 500 cases, giving their lives as health workers. But it was as Senator Markey said, the United States that was the indispensable nation that brought to bear at a critical moment in the rainy season when there was a near collapse of the nation of Liberia, absolutely essential logistical supplies, resources, funding, trained personnel that helped Liberians turn the corner. This was, I think, a moment of great partnership and of great leadership, both by the United States, the international community, and by thousands of volunteers from around the world. But there are critical lessons unlearned about how to reform the WHO, about how to reform the accountability and transparency of data, about how to improve grassroots health care networks of fragile nations, and about how to plan for the next outbreak.
So let me turn if I might to the issues raised by Ron Klain. He has suggested that within the United States, we should have an identified National Security Council coordinator to manage interagency responses. He suggested investment in just the sort of CDC that Senator Isakson was asking about — regional CDCs, Africa first, but in other geographies that have the capacity to mobilize cutting-edge analytical capabilities– field tests, and to coordinate field trials. He suggests that the global health security agenda, the Global Health Security Act and the agenda that it would authorize, needs to move forward, that we need to continue as a country to invest at the grassroots. And he suggests a parallel to FEMA that would be essentially a public health emergency management agency.
As was mentioned in passing, one of the things that most impressed me about the response I was able to see in December of 2014 was its coordination. There were dozens and dozens of nonprofits, of government ministries, of UN agencies, of US entities, and there was a regular, clear, weekly meeting with a published agenda, with everybody in the same room at the same place at the same time using the national incident management system that’s been built out in the United States by FEMA to coordinate response. To identify and prioritize investment. That was truly encouraging, and a number of the folks from the DART team at AID said across a half dozen of other disasters, they’d never seen that work so well. That was partly due to private sector engagement and leadership in terms of skills and capability, it was partly U.S., but it was also a reflection of the strong Liberian-American community. There were dozens and dozens of Liberian-Americans who had returned to help lead the government and ministry responses.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
“I’m very encouraged by my meeting with Chief Judge Merrick Garland. In addition to truly impressive intellect and compelling judicial experience, our conversation revealed a person of deep sensitivity, good judgment, and strong character. I am still reviewing his judicial record and would welcome more time with him, and I know that many of my colleagues have remaining questions. That’s why I believe it is so critical that the Judiciary Committee hold hearings, which would give Senators of both parties — and the American people — an opportunity to fully examine Judge Garland’s judicial record and philosophy.
“I suspect that hearings would confirm my instinct that Judge Garland is a very highly capable candidate, a devoted public servant, and someone eminently qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. I’m hopeful that every Senator will have the respect and decency to meet with Judge Garland in person, and if they do, I’m confident that his qualifications and character will overpower the obstructionism that has greeted his nomination. I appreciate the Judge’s time today, and I look forward to continuing to review his record closely.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the Support Startup Businesses Act, which would create a pilot program that allows awardees of federal research and development grants to use a portion of that funding to create a startup business.
Specifically, the bill authorizes Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awardees to allocate up to 5 percent of their awards for activities that are critical to building businesses, including services such as market validation, intellectual property protection, market research, and business model development. Currently, the SBIR program only offers very limited financial support to awardees for commercialization activities.
“Startups are the engine of job creation in the U.S., but the rate of startup creation is well below historical norms,” said Senator Coons. “This commonsense bill will provide our world-class scientists and engineers with the support they need to translate their cutting-edge research into new startup companies that fuel economic growth.”
“Entrepreneurs face many challenges when it comes to building a viable small business,” said Senator Gardner. “Given that startups are the foundation of our local economies and support nearly all new net job creation throughout the country, it’s essential that we make it easier for them to succeed. The Support Startup Businesses Act recognizes that by creating a pilot program to help startups bring their innovations to market and create American jobs.”
“If we want our economy to grow and create more jobs, we need to give entrepreneurs the support to turn their innovative ideas into successful business opportunities,” saidSenator Gillibrand. “The Support Startup Businesses Act will provide critical access to much-needed gap funding for entrepreneurs and small businesses to bring their innovations to market, and ensure that new technologies are made here in America, creating the next high-tech industry and a new generation of innovative leaders who are critical to the future of our economy.”
“ITIF applauds Senator Coons, Senator Gardner, and Senator Gillibrand for their leadership on behalf of America’s innovative scientists and engineers. With this legislation, budding startups getting their start in part through federal R&D funding will be better equipped to tackle the challenging task of turning research discoveries into the successful new businesses which are so vital to economic growth and our nation’s position as a global leader in innovation. We encourage Congress to enact this bipartisan proposal,” saidDr. Robert D. Atkinson, President, ITIF.
Coordinated by the Small Business Administration, the SBIR program is one of the premier federal programs for fostering innovation. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR encourages domestic small businesses to explore their technological potential by engaging in R&D that has the potential for commercialization.
The Support Startup Businesses Act would:
Establish a temporary pilot program that allows SBIR awardees to use a small portion of their grants for startup-related commercialization activities.
Require annual reporting by awardees on startup-related commercialization activities and a review of the pilot program upon completion.
The bill authorizes the use of existing resources, so the pilot program will not increase overall program spending.
The bill has been endorsed by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation; State Science & Technology Institute; National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer; Innovation Center of the Rockies; University City Science Center; University of Delaware; Innosphere; Delaware Small Business Development Center; University of Delaware Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships; Delaware BioScience Association; Launch NY; and Georgia Research Alliance.
