Senator Coons, Colleagues on Violence in Sudan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), SFRC chairman and ranking member, along with Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), released the following statement on the violence in Sudan:

“We are horrified by the ongoing civil war in Sudan, and the genocide in Darfur perpetuated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias. The RSF’s long-predicted ethnically targeted assault on the civilian population of El-Fasher makes clear that the United States must consider the designation of the RSF as a potential Foreign Terrorist Organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, while establishing clear authorizations and mechanisms for the continued delivery of humanitarian aid,” said the senators.

“Now in its third year, Sudan’s civil war has devastated the country, shattered Sudanese society, and destabilized the region. Both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have committed atrocities against civilians and pursued a zero-sum war at any cost. Foreign backers of the RSF and SAF–including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia, Iran, China and governments in the immediate region–have fueled and profited from the conflict and legitimized the monsters destroying Sudan,” the senators continued.

“This war poses grave risk to the United States. Sudan’s location on the Red Sea is vital for global trade and energy flows. The country’s history as a haven for terrorists like Osama Bin Laden, its facilitation of vast illicit flow of arms and gold, and the movement of fighters and civilians across its borders threaten U.S. national security and economic stability. Achieving a sustainable ceasefire, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, and securing safe corridors for civilians across Sudan is paramount. The warring parties and their foreign backers must work with the United States and its partners to end this catastrophic war immediately.

“The U.S.-led “Quad” diplomacy (with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) is an important step that requires all parties to engage in good faith negotiations. Ensuring meaningful participation by Sudanese civilians will strengthen future efforts and give legitimacy to any lasting peace,” the senators concluded.

Background

The civil war in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, has plunged the country into one of the world’s worst and most underreported humanitarian crises.

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), is carrying out genocide and other mass atrocities against non-Arab communities and perceived opponents—continuing the same brutality they inflicted as the Janjaweed during the first Darfur genocide in 2003. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias—including entrenched Islamist elements—have likewise targeted civilians through starvation, chemical attacks, and other atrocities, further destabilizing the region.

Senators Coons, Bennet Statement on President Trump’s Concessions to President Xi

WASHINGTON — Delaware U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Seoul, South Korea.

“Today’s announcements following President Trump’s meeting with President Xi show what President Trump’s repeated concessions have gotten us: nothing more than a return to where we were just months ago. Americans are still paying higher prices because of his tariffs, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to coerce our allies, and President Xi is walking away emboldened.

“President Trump agreed to pause some export controls aimed at retaining America’s sole artificial intelligence advantage over the PRC – our semiconductors – and promised the PRC a tariff rate that, astonishingly, is lower than those he imposed on some of our closest partners like Canada and India, crippling a years-in-the-making friend-shoring strategy critical to our national security.

“Beijing agreed to delay, but not halt, its sweeping export controls on rare earths and magnets announced less than three weeks ago that threaten to choke off American manufacturing, put millions of Americans out of work, and deprive defense firms of the materials needed to maintain our deterrent advantage. The PRC still retains this economic “nuclear option” to deploy at a time and place of Beijing’s choosing – or the next time President Xi wants a concession from President Trump.

“Their agreement to purchase American soybeans – just like they were six months ago – can similarly be stopped at any time. The PRC’s promised steps to constrain the flow of fentanyl precursor materials, while a step in the right direction, don’t include several actions that would have a real effect.

“Like so much else this administration does, today’s announcements are simply a lot of noise that has generated headlines and turmoil but ultimately leaves us right back where we started. All the while, our adversaries remain one step ahead of us and walk away, again, with real victories.”

Senators Coons, Schumer, Murray, Reed introduce The Armed Forces Pay Act and call for unanimous passage to ensure pay for military personnel, intel community continues during shutdown

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and 18 of their Democratic colleagues today introduced the Armed Forces Pay Act, legislation to ensure that military personnel continue to receive pay during the ongoing government shutdown. Shortly afterward, Senator Coons went to the floor of the Senate to call for unanimous consent to pass his legislation, where it was blocked by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Paychecks for servicemembers are scheduled to go out tomorrow.

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriations—meaning 1.3 million active-duty personnel and over 750,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel are still required to serve without pay. The Trump administration directed the Pentagon to move approximately $4.5 billion from military research and development accounts to cover payroll costs for military personnel, but the legality and sustainability of that measure is unclear. The administration has announced plans to resort to similar tactics for the next pay period.

The Armed Forces Pay Act would provide mandatory funding for fiscal year 2026 during a lapse in appropriations, guaranteeing pay for all active-duty and reserve service members, as well as all civilian employees of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the majority of the Intelligence Community.

The effort would apply retroactively to September 30, 2025, ensuring no interruption in pay for those affected.

“Taking care of the men and women of our armed forces and ensuring they receive their paychecks is our most basic obligation, and I won’t stand by while this Republican shutdown endangers pay for servicemembers and civilians and debilitates troop morale,” said Senator Coons. “The Armed Forces Pay Act will ensure that active duty and reserve troops and their civilian support continue to receive the pay they’re owed without giving President Trump and Secretary Hegseth undeserved latitude to decide who should and shouldn’t get paid during a shutdown. We need to pass this bill, pay our troops, and negotiate a deal to re-open the government so that no one else gets hurt by Republicans’ willingness to keep the government closed.”

“Republicans—for weeks—have refused to negotiate to end the shutdown, endangering pay for our brave servicemembers on top of barreling us toward a full-scale healthcare crisis,” said Leader Schumer. “Now our troops will have to worry if they can pay the bills, make rent, or afford groceries. There is no reason we cannot pay our servicemembers—but Republicans continue to withhold these paychecks. Republicans need to stop playing politics, get serious about this shutdown, and give our troops what they deserve. It’s our most basic of duties.”

“Our troops should never have to wonder if and when they’re getting paid, but that’s exactly what’s happened after President Trump and Republicans shut down the government,” said Senator Murray. “There is absolutely no reason we cannot make sure the men and women who bravely serve our nation in our Armed Forces and defense civilian workers—like our shipyard workers at Puget Sound—get the paychecks they are counting on. If Republicans still refuse to work with Democrats to reopen the government and prevent health care costs from skyrocketing, they should at the very least be able to work with us to make sure our troops get paid. It is outrageous that Republicans blocked this straightforward bill to pay our troops and that they would rather keep the government shut down than simply sit down with Democrats at the negotiating table.”

“U.S. troops deserve to be paid lawfully, on time, and without interruption, but President Trump is recklessly throwing uncertainty into the mix. Our forces should be able to focus on their mission without added financial stress. The Trump administration and some Republicans need to stop treating our servicemembers and their families like political pawns and work with Democrats to reopen the government. In the meantime, this bill would help protect our troops’ paychecks and Congress must act on a bipartisan basis to ensure it passes,” said Senator Reed.

The legislation improves upon alternative military pay bills introduced this year and in previous years by closing a loophole that inadvertently excluded certain members of the reserve component, and by removing broad discretionary language that allowed agency heads to decide which employees to pay—ensuring automatic pay coverage for those eligible.

In addition to Senator Coons, Schumer, and Murray, this legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

You can read the full text of the bill here.

Senator Coons, colleagues denounce FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s unlawful plan to increase costs for law-abiding Americans with incarcerated loved ones

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a cosponsor of the historic, bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, and 12 of his Senate colleagues denounced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr’s decision to block a law that will help end egregious prison phone rates and make it easier for innocent family members to regularly communicate with their incarcerated loved ones while reducing recidivism rates.

In a letter, the senators urged Chairman Carr to follow the law and withdraw his efforts to delay the implementation of this bipartisan, commonsense law—concluding the letter with a simple directive.

“We do not require, nor desire, a response to our letter. We simply want you to enforce the law,” the senators wrote.

In the letter, the senators call out Chairman Carr for previously voting in favor of adopting the legally-required implementation rules last year—the very rules he is now gutting.

“As a Commissioner, you voted for the FCC’s 2024 final rule that was adopted on a bipartisan basis, 5-0. Consistent with Congressional intent, the 2024 final rule cut prison phone rates by more than half and banned junk fees charged by providers,” the senators wrote. “As you said at the time, you ‘support[ed] the decision in this proceeding to address the worst abuses and ensure that [incarcerated people’s communications services] rates are just and reasonable.”

The senators also underscored the severe consequences that Chairman Carr’s decision will have on millions of innocent family members who wish to keep in touch with their incarcerated loved ones.

“You have now circulated a draft order to the Commission that would increase the rates paid by incarcerated people and their families by up to 83 percent compared to the 2024 final rule. Your claim that the 2024 final rule created ‘unintended consequences’ lacks any support in the record or fact,” the senators wrote. “Worse, by repealing the rule and delaying enforcement, your arbitrary and capricious action will inflict irreparable harm on millions of Americans who simply seek to remain in contact with incarcerated loved ones—critical connections that benefit us all by helping to reduce recidivism in a country where approximately 95 percent of all Americans sentenced to Federal and State prison will eventually reenter society.”

Signed into law in 2022, the bipartisan, landmark policy honors the legacy of the late Martha Wright-Reed by completing the mission she began over two decades ago to end egregious prison phone rates that gouged innocent family members and prevented these Americans from regularly communicating with incarcerated loved ones—despite studies indicating that preserving familial relationships helps reduce recidivism rates.

Along with Senator Coons, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

Senator Coons statement on Delaware agreement with OpenAI

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and OpenAI announced a landmark deal to restructure the company:

“I’m thrilled to hear Attorney General Jennings and OpenAI have reached an agreement that will allow OpenAI to continue its work to unlock AI’s immense potential while better protecting Americans from the risks of this emerging technology. This solution ensures a non-profit focusing on Americans’ best interests remains in control of OpenAI, while providing the company the flexibility it needs to compete in a rapidly changing market. It also reinforces Delaware’s position at the forefront of corporate governance, setting an example of how to support companies as they grow from start-up to multibillion-dollar enterprise.

“Delaware is lucky to have a powerful advocate for the public good in Attorney General Jennings. I’m grateful for her leadership and appreciate OpenAI’s willingness to negotiate, and I look forward to OpenAI calling Delaware home for many years.”

ICYMI: Senators Coons presses Republicans to defend Americans’ health care in joint C-SPAN interview with Senator Lankford

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) appeared in a joint interview with James Lankford (R-Okla.) on C-SPAN’s Ceasefire this weekend with host Dana Burns for a wide-ranging conversation about the ongoing government shutdown, the fight over health care, and the need for bipartisan negotiation.

Throughout the interview, Senator Coons prioritized the real-life impact of the government shutdown on Delawareans and families nationwide. He highlighted how federal employees and civilian military personnel are missing paychecks, families are losing vital federal food assistance, and those who rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are at risk of losing access to affordable health care.

“This is hurting folks who work for the federal government. I’m getting calls from Dover Air Force Base, from folks who work at Philadelphia as air traffic controllers, from the folks who are federal law enforcement saying, ‘What the heck are you doing?’ ” said Senator Coons. “And I’m getting calls from Delawareans saying, ‘We can’t absorb a huge increase in our health insurance—stop this.’ So, we need to negotiate around both these issues.”

“I was on the phone with a couple from Delaware this week, where he was in a car accident that disabled him several years ago, and she’s now developed cancer,” Senator Coons continued. “They only have health care because of the Affordable Care Act. If it doubles as it’s projected to—if they lose their expanded tax credit—they can’t afford health care.”

Senator Coons noted that at the center of the shutdown gridlock is a fight over health care and the ACA tax credits that keep premiums affordable [for more than 20 million Americans]. He said that Democrats are willing to discuss options, but that negotiations have stalled due to a lack of trust and communication among Congressional leaders.

“Part of what has eroded the trust that is essential to negotiating in good faith is the ways in which President Trump, through both DOGE and actions by the OMB director, illegally took billions of dollars away from appropriated programs,” said Senator Coons. He added later on, “Democrats are willing, if not eager, to talk about, to improve program integrity around the Affordable Care Act and sustain it. A core reason why we didn’t have shutdowns during the Biden administration was they were negotiating.”

Senator Coons also highlighted recent examples of bipartisanship in the Senate, citing his and Senator Lankford’s work on the Ethics Committee and on appropriations bills that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support out of committee.

“We’ve passed several significant bills—defense and labor appropriations—by 26 to 3,” said Senator Coons. “These are really bipartisan bills. So, at least on our committee, we are making the progress James is calling for. Part of the challenge is, the House is out of session. The president’s about to leave the country for a week. We need all three sides, not just in the same city, but actually talking to each other.”

You can watch the full interview here.

Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, colleagues advocate for passage of a bill to pay military personnel and all federal employees during government shutdown

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) along with dozens of their Senate colleagues, introduced legislation to pay military personnel, federal employees, and federal contractors whose salaries have been interrupted by the ongoing government shutdown.

The bill ensures that both furloughed employees, as well as employees who have been excepted from furlough status and are continuing to work, are guaranteed to receive their standard pay. The bill would also require that all employees receive any delayed compensation within one week of enactment, to ensure they are paid in a timely fashion.

“Delaware’s federal workers, contractors, and service men and women shouldn’t have to suffer because of the Republican shutdown,” said Senator Coons. “This bill ensures that millions of American families will be able to pay their bills despite Republican intransigence and spares them from financial pain while the nation waits for President Trump and his allies to come to their senses.”

“No federal worker should go without pay because Republicans refuse to end this government shutdown. That goes for the nearly 7,000 in Delaware and the millions across the country,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to be joining my colleagues in advocating for our public servant constituents because it’s totally unacceptable for them to be used as pawns in the Trump administration’s political games.

“This shutdown is not an accident. Republicans right now are refusing to negotiate with Democrats on a bipartisan solution to help address the health care crisis,” said Senator Peters. “And now, as a result of that, federal workers are paying the price. My bill ensures that no worker is left behind during this difficult period.”

In addition to Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, and Peters, the bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.). Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

The bill would also include restrictions that limit how the funding can be used, and it bars the Trump administration from spending the funds for any purposes other than compensating servicemembers, federal employees, and contractors.

The bill is supported by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, colleagues introduce legislation to pay all federal employees, servicemembers, contractors during shutdown

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led over 20 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to pay all federal employees – both those excepted and furloughed – as well as our servicemembers and federal contractors during the current Republican-led shutdown.

The senators’ legislation, the True Shutdown Fairness Act, would also prevent the Trump administration’s attempts at mass firings (reductions in force or RIFs) while the government is shut down.

“As we work to reopen the government and fight to lower skyrocketing health care costs, federal workers and their families should not have to struggle without pay because of this Republican shutdown. This legislation will restore fairness to federal worker pay, prevent Russ Vought from firing more workers, and ensure families don’t suffer because Trump and his Republican allies want thousands of Delawareans to go to work each morning without collecting a check at night,” said Senator Coons.

“The Trump administration has used dedicated federal public servants as political pawns and now wants to pick and choose which federal workers get paid. Federal workers should not go without pay and bear the burden of Republicans’ refusal to end this shutdown. This legislation would not only ensure that all federal workers – including the nearly 7,000 in Delaware – get paid, but it would also prevent the administration from continuing to carry out the mass firings that have gutted essential programs and services that Americans rely on. My Democratic colleagues and I stand united in sending a message to the President that federal workers cannot be collateral in his political games,” said Senator Blunt Rochester.

“No federal worker or servicemember should be punished for this shutdown that was brought on through no fault of their own. Republicans are hell-bent on letting Trump pick winners and losers here, but every federal worker, servicemember, and federal contractor deserves to get paid. Our legislation would ensure just that, and if Republicans are serious about supporting our federal employees, they will support it. We must keep pressing to reopen the government with a responsible agreement that holds the President accountable to the law, protects federal workers and our servicemembers, and prevents massive spikes in Americans’ health care costs,” said Senator Van Hollen.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act would immediately restart pay for all excepted and furloughed federal workers, servicemembers, and federal contractors during the current shutdown. The senators’ legislation also includes a prohibition on reductions in force while the federal government is shut down. Federal employees are ensured retroactive pay after a shutdown ends due to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act – legislation Senator Coons and Senators Van Hollen, Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and former Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) worked to pass in 2019, and was then signed into law by President Trump.

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Warner, Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Kaine, Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

The senators’ legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the Partnership for Public Service, and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

Senator Coons statement on the passing of former Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to the passing of Kenyan political leader Raila Odinga:

“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my long-time friend, Raila Odinga. I met with Raila repeatedly here in Washington and in Nairobi at pivotal moments for his country over the years, and I admired his tireless advocacy for a multi-party democracy. Raila ran for President five times and was fearless and determined in his efforts. I hope his legacy will inspire the people of Kenya to seek peaceful, positive change. My prayers are with Mama Ida, his four children and his millions of supporters as they mourn his passing and honor his memory.”

Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, Booker, colleagues urge Trump USDA to immediately release November SNAP benefits

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and 43 of their Democratic colleagues sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins calling on the USDA to release the billions of dollars at its disposal to ensure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue in November.

“We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will ‘run out of money in two weeks.’ In fact, the USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November,” the senators wrote.

“First, the USDA must, at a minimum under the law, use the contingency funding that is available for SNAP, as noted by USDA officials. Second, the USDA has interchange authority under 7 U.S.C. 2257 that permits the transfer of funds from other USDA nutrition programs. In fact, this authority was recently used by the USDA when it transferred money from child nutrition programs to the WIC account to maintain WIC benefits during the shutdown,” the senators continued.

The senators concluded, “In the event that more resources are needed than what is available in contingency funding, the USDA should explore all legal means to augment funds to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits in November. Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance. We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption. Democrats remain at the table and ready to negotiate reopening the government.”

In Delaware alone, more than 110,000 people are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits if the USDA does not utilize available funding to continue the program.

In addition to Senator Coons, this letter is co-signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

To view the full letter, click here.