Senators Carper, Coons announce students selected for Senate Youth Program

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) today announced that two students, Paige Morrison of Newark (Newark HS) and Mara Tazartus of Hockessin (Charter School of Wilmington), have been selected as delegates to the 53rd annual United States Senate Youth Program. The program will be held March 7-14 in Washington, D.C. Students were nominated by their teachers and principals and designated by Mark Murphy, Delaware’s Secretary of Education.

Chosen as alternates to the 2015 program were Andrew Morrison, a resident of Smyrna, who attends Smyrna High School and Charles Meggison IV, a resident of Millsboro, who attends Sussex Central High School.

This competitive merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and the people who lead it. The mission of the program is to help instill more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. In addition to the program week, The Hearst Foundations provide each student with a $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs.

“Congratulations to Paige and Mara, two bright, talented students from Delaware, on being selected for the Senate Youth Program,” Senator Carper said. “This program selects top students from each state to convene in Washington where they will learn more about the American political process and bring those experiences and knowledge back to Delaware. This is a wonderful opportunity that they will certainly never forget.”

“For more than 50 years, the Senate Youth Program has played an important role in developing tomorrow’s leaders through education and immersion in our democratic process,” Senator Coons said. “The desire and commitment to academic excellence Mara and Paige have shown will serve them well throughout their life. I congratulate them on this appointment and I know they will make Delaware proud during Washington Week.” 

“Not only have these students excelled academically, they have demonstrated strong commitments to volunteering and public service,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said. “With the knowledge they gain and the skills they build through this program, I trust they will continue to lead in their schools and communities.”

Morrison serves as the chief justice for Delaware’s Youth in Government and is involved in the YMCA Model United Nations where she serves as a Youth Secretariat. She currently serves on the Senior Class Council and is the director of “Newark Live,” the school’s daily newscast. She has been twice named a DIAA scholar athlete. She has attended both Delaware Girls State and the Governors School for Excellence.

Tazartus serves as the captain of the nationally ranked Mock Trial team. She also serves as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation and Senate Majority Leader for the American Legion Auxiliary Delaware Girls State. She is a Junior Board member for Hearts of the Sacred Spirit, a non-profit charity that provides support to individuals living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and will attend Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business as a business administration major.

About USSYP
The mission of the United States Senate Youth Program is to provide a yearly opportunity for selected students to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government overall as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial and executive branches. The program provides a foundation of knowledge and encouragement for those considering a future of public service on the local, state or national level.

Senator Coons named top Democrat on financial services appropriations subcommittee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will be the ranking member — the top Democrat — on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government in the 114th Congress. The subcommittee oversees a broad range of government functions, including financial and other regulatory agencies, the federal judiciary, and the budget for the District of Columbia.

“It’s a great honor to be entrusted with a subcommittee that oversees government functions that play such an important role in our country,” Senator Coons said. “Strengthening trust in our government requires being good stewards of taxpayer money. Congress has no more important job than ensuring taxpayers’ hard-earned money are spent wisely and efficiently. This subcommittee oversees some of the government’s most important functions – from consumer protection to the dispensation of justice – and I look forward to working hard with my colleagues to fulfill our responsibilities.”

The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over issues and agencies overseen by 11 different authorizing committees. It determines federal funding for financial-related agencies such as the Treasury Department, including the IRS; the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the White House Office of Management and Budget. The Subcommittee also oversees funding for the entire federal judiciary.

“Equal representation under the law is one of our nation’s bedrock values,” Senator Coons said. “Yet too often we don’t provide our judiciary with the funding or investment necessary to ensure justice is administered fairly, equally, and swiftly. It’s critical that Congress does more to value the role our judiciary plays in our democracy, and as ranking member, I’m going to do everything I can to ensure Congress dedicates the resources that America’s justice system requires.” Senator Coons is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has authorizing responsibility for the federal bench.

In addition to overseeing funding for federal government agencies, the Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and approves its budget.

“Residents of the District of Columbia should have the right to decide their city’s budget, make their own decisions about how their city should be run, and have voting representation in Congress through statehood,” Senator Coons said. “The District deserves to govern itself free from members of Congress’ personal political agendas. As long as I’m on this subcommittee, and especially in these next two years as ranking member, I’ll work to ensure the voices of the District’s 650,000 residents are heard loudly and clearly in the appropriations process.”

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government has jurisdiction over funding for the following:

Title I
Department of Treasury

• Departmental Offices
• Terrorism and Financial Intelligence   
• Treasury Inspector General
• Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)
• Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP)
• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)      
• Treasury Forfeiture Fund (rescission)
• Fiscal Service (formerly Financial Management Service (FMS) and Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD))
• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)    
• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund
• Internal Revenue Service (Taxpayer Services, Enforcement, Operations Support, Business Systems Modernization)

           
Title II
Executive Office of the President

• The White House
• Executive Residence at the White House
• White House Repair and Restoration   
• Council of Economic Advisers
• National Security Council and National Homeland Security Council
• Office of Administration         
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
• Office of National Drug Control Policy          
• Information Technology Oversight and Reform
• Unanticipated Needs   
• Special Assistance to the President      
• Official Residence of the Vice President          

 
Title III
Judiciary

• Supreme Court of the United States     
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit            
• United States Court of International Trade     
• Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and Other Judicial Services
• Defender Services
• Fees of Jurors and Commissioners
• Court Security
• Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Federal Judicial Center
• Judicial Retirement Funds
• United States Sentencing Commission

 
Title IV
District of Columbia

• Federal Funds
• Federal Payment for Resident Tuition Support
• Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs in the District of Columbia
• Federal Payment to the District of Columbia Courts
• Federal Payment for Defender Services in District of Columbia Courts
• Federal Payment to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency
• Federal Payment to the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
• Federal Payment to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
• Federal Payment to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
• Federal Payment for Judicial Commissions
• Federal Payment for School Improvement
• Federal Payment for the District of Columbia National Guard
• Federal Payment for Testing and Treatment of HIV/AIDS
• Local Funds (Congressional approval of local budget)

Title V
Independent Agencies

• Administrative Conference of the United States
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Election Assistance Commission
• Federal Communications Commission
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General
• Federal Election Commission  
• Federal Labor Relations Authority
• Federal Trade Commission
• General Services Administration          
• Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation
• Merit Systems Protection Board         
• Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation         
• National Archives and Records Administration           
• National Credit Union Administration            
• Office of Government Ethics  
• Office of Personnel Management        
• Office of Special Counsel
• Postal Regulatory Commission
• Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board    
• Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board
• Securities and Exchange Commission
• Selective Service System         
• Small Business Administration 
• United States Postal Service    
• Postal Service Inspector General
• United States Tax Court

Senator Coons re-introduces pair of equality measures

WASHINGTON – Just hours into the 114th Congress on Tuesday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his colleagues in re-introducing a pair of measures to protect equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. Senator Coons was a cosponsor of both bills in the previous Congress.

The Respect for Marriage Act would fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and create a uniform legal standard that guarantees legally married same-sex couples access to federal benefits, regardless of where they reside. This clarification is critical for veterans, and the proper administration of state-federal benefits such as Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and food stamps. The Respect for Marriage Act does not legalize same-sex marriage beyond the 36 states in which it is already legal. Rather, it respects the right of states to set their own marriage laws but ends federal discrimination against same-sex couples legally married in states in which it is permitted. The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced on Tuesday by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) with 41 cosponsors, including Senator Coons. 

“Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love,” Senator Coons said. “Seventy percent of Americans live in states where same-sex couples can legally marry, but federal law is still inconsistent and discriminatory against those couples. Congress should pass the Respect for Marriage Act to finish the job the Supreme Court started in 2013. Marriage equality should be the law of the land.” 

The Copyright and Marriage Equality Act would close a loophole in the Copyright Act that discriminates among lawfully married couples. A provision in the Copyright Act grants rights to the surviving spouse of a copyright owner only if the marriage is recognized in the owner’s state of residence at the time he or she dies. This means that a writer who lawfully marries his or her same-sex partner in Delaware is not a “spouse” under the Copyright Act if they move to Georgia, Tennessee, or one of the other states that do not currently recognize their lawful marriage. The Copyright and Marriage Equality Act amends the Copyright Act to consider simply whether a couple is lawfully married — not where a married couple happens to live when the copyright owner dies. The Copyright and Marriage Equality Act was introduced on Tuesday by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) with four cosponsors, including Senator Coons. 

“This is one of a number of narrow equality measures that would make our laws more consistent and more fair,” Senator Coons said. “It’s a common-sense fix that would help protect the families of artists and bring our nation’s laws more in line with our nation’s values.”

Chris Coons sworn in to his first full term in the Senate

WASHINGTON – Chris Coons was sworn in to his first full term in the United States Senate on Tuesday. Vice President Joe Biden, who held the seat for 36 years, administered the oath of office in the Capitol. 

“It was an honor to be sworn in to serve Delaware for the next six years,” Senator Coons said. “I’m grateful for the chance to work with my colleagues in the Senate — Republicans and Democrats — to try to find common ground. I’m hopeful that in the years ahead, we can pass real solutions that help create jobs, that create better opportunities for the middle class, that help get people back to work fixing our roads and ports, and that invest more in American innovation and education. I know there are real differences between Republicans and Democrats, but I’m going to work hard to make progress on the things that will make a difference in the lives of Delawareans.”

Senator Coons will continue his service on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Foreign Relations Committees, and will join the Ethics Committee and Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. He now ranks 56th in seniority in the Senate.

Statement of Senator Coons on Sec. Bhatt’s resignation

Wilmington – “Leading one of Delaware’s biggest departments is often a thankless job and is rife with many sleepless nights,” said Sen. Coons. “Shailen served those three-plus years with a positive attitude, attention to detail for the job at hand and a passion for the people of DelDOT. Shailen brought leadership to DelDOT at a critical time, improved the public’s faith in DelDOT to be a good steward of tax payer money. After the country saw how Shailen and DELDOT skillfully handled the 495 crisis, I knew it was a matter of time before Shailen was offered greater opportunities.”

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Sec. Bhatt for his service to Delaware and leadership of the Delaware Department of Transportation and wish him and his family well in his new position as lead of Colorado Transportation Department.” 

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Senator Coons urges the FDA to consider further changes after gay blood ban lifted

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged further changes to the nation’s policies on blood donations from gay and bisexual men after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will lift the lifetime ban on blood donation from gay and bisexual men in favor of a one-year deferral. The new policy would allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood after a year of abstinence. A strong supporter of LGBT equality, Senator Coons has long called for changes in blood and organ donation policies that are not based on science and enforce unjust stigma. Last Monday, Coons joined with 79 of his colleagues in the Senate and House in urging the federal government to replace the outdated and discriminatory lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men with a policy based on individual risk factors.

“It is long past time that our blood donation rules are updated to reflect science, rather than outdated fears,” said Senator Coons. “For more than 30 years, gay and bisexual men have been banned from giving blood simply because of whom they love. Our scientific and medical understanding of HIV and AIDS has advanced remarkably since the epidemic’s earliest days and our policies should reflect that fact. The FDA’s lifting of the lifetime ban on blood donation is a first step toward ridding our policies of discrimination and rooting them in science, but I remain concerned these changes do not solve the underlying problem. Moving from a system where we group all gay and bisexual men together to one where we consider each individual based on his unique risk factors would be more consistent with current scientific understanding and would do more to save lives and fight stigma. It is my hope that the FDA will consider further changes in the future.”

In July, Senator Coons celebrated Delaware participants of the National Gay Blood Drive, which gives gay and bisexual men the chance to bring qualifying heterosexual individuals to make a blood donation instead.

Last December, Senator Coons introduced legislation aimed at helping end the stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes that negatively impact Americans living with HIV/AIDS. The Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (“REPEAL”) HIV Discrimination Act would require an interagency review of federal and state laws that criminalize certain actions by people living with HIV. More on that is available here: http://1.usa.gov/1nlCY3h

Senator Coons heading to Liberia to review efforts to stop Ebola

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, flew to Liberia on Thursday night to visit with American troops deployed there and to review international efforts to stop the spread of Ebola and ensure that future flare-ups can be avoided.

“Ebola has claimed the lives of almost 7,000 men, women, and children, and is still ravaging West Africa,” Senator Coons said. “There are more than 2,000 U.S. troops currently serving on the front lines of our fight against Ebola, building hospitals and field clinics, but no Member of Congress has visited them yet. I think it’s important to show them our support, especially during the holiday season while they’re away from their loved ones. Congress also just approved more than $2.5 billion in emergency funding to fight the spread of Ebola in West Africa, and to ensure the virus does not overrun the region again. It’s Congress’ job to perform responsible oversight of that investment.”

Senator Coons departed for Liberia on Thursday evening and will arrive home in Delaware on Tuesday afternoon. During the four-day trip, the Senator will meet with the U.S. team leading our efforts against Ebola on the ground; the military leadership of Operation United Assistance; leaders from the Liberian government, the United Nations, and African Union; and aid workers from non-governmental organizations. He will also meet with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and will sit down with fellows from the State Department’s Mandela Young African Leaders Initiative.

Senator Coons is bringing with him boxes of Tastykakes and Dolle’s saltwater taffy to bring a taste of home to U.S. military personnel deployed there.

The trip has been carefully designed to ensure the Senator’s risk of exposure to the Ebola virus is extremely low, and he will not interact with any patients currently being treated for the virus. When he returns, Senator Coons will follow the self-monitoring protocols prescribed by the World Health Organization for people with his low level of risk, checking his temperature several times each day and carefully monitoring for other symptoms of infection during the virus’ 21-day incubation period.

This is Senator Coons’ third trip to Liberia. In January 2012, he traveled with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as part of the United States’ official delegation to President Sirleaf’s second inauguration.

Statement from Senator Coons on the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, released the following statement on the President’s signing of an Executive Order to create the Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

“The best way to keep our communities safe is by ensuring everyone’s voice is empowered and heard,” Senator Coons said. “It’s great news that the President is moving forward by bringing together law enforcement representatives, community leaders, academics, and youth to explore ways to build public trust and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and those they protect. As the co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a former county executive, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with some of our nation’s most dedicated officers, and I am consistently moved by their professionalism and commitment to serving their communities. I look forward to the Task Force’s report and working with leaders in Delaware to find ways to implement its recommendations. At the end of the day, we all share the same goal of a just society, so we all must do more to build trust and bring our communities together.”

Statement of Senator Coons on resignation of USAID head Raj Shah

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement Wednesday on USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah’s resignation: 

“For five years, Raj Shah’s energy and commitment to innovation have helped millions around the world and truly brought American aid into the 21st century. His service harnessed a keen intellect and tireless work ethic with a deep passion for tackling injustice, poverty, and inequities in the developing world. Raj’s values are rooted in a strong spiritual foundation and a commitment to caring for others. He has done difficult and groundbreaking work to modernize America’s global development programs, and millions of people worldwide have benefitted from his vision and leadership.

“From Feed the Future, which has helped feed 12.5 million children, to Power Africa, which promises to transform the continent’s energy landscape, Raj has brought fresh thinking and built real partnerships with citizens around the globe. The Global Development Lab is an especially important part of his legacy of innovation, engaging the world’s biggest thinkers to shift paradigms and change lives.

“Raj Shah has been an inspiring example of the good that can come from thinking outside of the box, always striving to do more, and relentlessly trying to make a difference. He is a friend, and while I’ll be very sorry to see him leave USAID, I’m excited to see what he does next.”

ABLE Act passes the Senate, will become law

WASHINGTON – The Senate passed the bipartisan Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act on Tuesday night, making it easier for Americans with disabilities to save for their long-term care. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) was an original cosponsor of the bill, which was introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.). The legislation, which has been described as, “the broadest legislation to help the disabled in nearly a quarter-century,” would allow families with children who have disabilities to open up 529-style tax-free savings accounts for them to build wealth and financial independence.

“Americans with disabilities deserve every opportunity to build a brighter future and the financial stability to ensure independence and self-determination,” Senator Coons said. “For too long, families of children with disabilities have faced the choice between federal benefits to help care for their child and saving for their child’s future. When the President signs the ABLE Act into law, families will be able to ensure their children will grow up with the means to provide for themselves while also meeting their current needs. They will no longer need to choose between their family’s present and their child’s future. The fight for the ABLE Act is one I’ve been proud to be a part of. I know many families in Delaware who will benefit from this law, and am proud to have played a small role in something that can make a huge difference in their lives.”

Rick and Amy Kosmalski of Bear, Delaware, are the parents of eight-year-old Kayla, who has Down Syndrome. Rick is also a National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) board member and the President of the 321foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower all individuals with Down Syndrome, their families, and friends in the community through advocacy, education, and support. Senator Coons has met with Rick, Amy, and Kayla several times over the last few years.

“Today is the day our family has been hoping for and working towards for nearly eight years, along with numerous other advocates, parents, and organizations,” Rick Kosmalski said. “Until now, my daughter, Kayla, has not had the right to save for her future or her needs. We often take for granted our rights as citizens and don’t realize how something as small as being able to save your own money can make a huge impact in your life and independence. It is our hope that Kayla will pursue any dream that makes her happy in life. With the passing of the ABLE Act, that will now be possible.”

“The focus today should be on abilities, not disabilities,” Mr. Kosmalski said. “The passing of the ABLE Act will further allow individuals with special needs to prove to the world that they are more alike than different.

“Kayla is eight years old and in the third grade at Cedar Lane Elementary School. She loves music (especially Taylor Swift), dancing, swimming, shopping, and just being a typical eight-year-old kid.  Knowing that Kayla can save any money she receives for Christmas this year in an ABLE account is the greatest Christmas gift our family could have wished for.”

The ABLE Act passed as part of a larger tax credit extension bill, which the Senate passed on a bipartisan 76-16 vote. The ABLE Act would amend Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code to allow use of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The bill, first introduced in 2006, would ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, medical, and transportation. The bill would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, the Medicaid program, the Social Security Income (SSI) program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.

The ABLE Act was endorsed by a broad coalition of both national and state organizations, including the Delaware State Council for Persons with Disabilities, Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, Autism Speaks, The Arc, the 321foundation, American Association of People with Disabilities, Easter Seals, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Society, and the Special Olympics.