Statement of Senator Coons on President Obama’s address on strategy against the Islamic State

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after President Obama’s national address Wednesday night on his strategy to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).

“The decision to use military force is never an easy one, but I think the President’s decision to expand American military action against the Islamic State is the right one. ISIS has the resources, training, battle experience, and intention to pose a direct threat not just to Americans and American interests in Iraq and Syria, but to our regional allies, our European allies, and eventually, to all of us here on American soil.

“The President gave a strong speech tonight. It was one that Americans needed to hear. The environment in the Middle East today is dangerous and unpredictable, and I respect that the President has resisted previous calls for overreaching. The President is doing the right thing in methodically trying to build a coalition in the region to equip and train regional militaries, and to be thoughtful and deliberate not just for the first day and the first month of this conflict, but over the long term. What we heard tonight was a strategy, and I support it.”

Coons, Kirk launch Senate Human Rights Caucus

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today launched the Senate Human Rights Caucus with an inaugural discussion on ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the al-Sham), and its growing threats to minorities, women and children in the Middle East. Along with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski, the Senators were joined by Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Pascale Warda with the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization, Manal Omar from the United States Institute of Peace, Bishop Mar Paulus Benjamin from the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, and Sarah Margon from Human Rights Watch.

The expert participants, along with Senators Kirk and Coons, highlighted the growing threat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. In recent months, ISIS has systematically violated human rights, including ethnic cleansing and other atrocities targeting women, moderate Sunnis, non-Sunni Muslims and other ethnic minorities. Ahead of President Obama’s address to the nation this evening regarding ISIS’s global terrorist threat, the participants outlined and discussed the human rights atrocities that are also unfolding and potential policy options for Congress and the Administration.

“The strength of ISIS in the Middle East is based on the fear and abuse of innocents,” Senator Kirk said. “The Senate Human Rights Caucus will be a voice for the voiceless and oppressed around the world by bringing in the top experts and champions of those putting their lives on the line for democracy and freedom. My partner, Senator Coons and I are grateful to Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski for being here to launch this event, in addition to other panelists for helping to bring awareness to the atrocities that ISIS continues to unleash in the Middle East.” 

“America is at its best when we lead with our values and a foreign policy that prioritizes human rights,” said Senator Coons. “Too often, those suffering under tyranny and oppression are forced to suffer in silence. The Senate Human Rights Caucus will amplify the voices of victims around the world and ensure that our policy responses reflect our highest values. I’m proud to co-chair this bipartisan caucus with Senator Kirk and look forward to working together to protect the rights and dignity of all.”

The Senate Human Rights Caucus was formed by Senators Kirk and Coons in the spirit of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, originally created by former Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and John Porter (R-Ill.) in 1983. Later re-named the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, its members have been working to defend and advocate for internationally recognized human rights in a nonpartisan manner for more than 30 years. In this vein, the Senate Human Rights Caucus will continue the Commission’s legacy by highlighting and defending key human rights issues throughout the world.

In order to raise awareness on specific violations and issues, the Caucus will hold monthly staff-level briefings on key topics, as well as periodic Member-level events to boost awareness and spearhead solutions to worldwide injustices and abuses. In bringing Congressional-level attention to global human rights issues that the public may be unaware of, the Caucus will be able to provide a voice to the voiceless and work to provide a lifeline to those suffering at the hand of repressive regimes.

Senator Coons helps introduce bill to halt corporate inversions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) Wednesday to introduce legislation aimed at stemming the recent tide of corporate inversions. The bill would remove a key incentive driving companies to re-incorporate abroad to dodge U.S. taxes – a practice that threatens U.S. jobs and results in state and federal revenue losses.

The bill specifically targets the practice of ‘earnings stripping,’ an accounting gimmick that inverted companies employ to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

“American families that live and work here pay taxes here, and American corporations should do the same,” Senator Coons said. “Accounting gimmicks like ‘earnings stripping’ allow U.S. corporations to dodge their tax responsibilities and incentivize more companies to abandon their obligations in pursuit of higher profits. Delaware nearly lost thousands of jobs earlier this year when Pfizer attempted to take over AstraZeneca and move its tax residence to the U.K. While there is more Congress must do to make our tax code more competitive, closing this loophole is an important first step to stem the tide of inversions and protect U.S. jobs.”

Earnings stripping is a practice that allows inverted companies to load their U.S. subsidiaries up with excessive debt “owed” to the foreign headquarters so they can deduct interest payments on the debt and avoid paying U.S. taxes. A recent Barclays report estimated that if Walgreens had inverted, its total savings would have been $797 million annually, 98 percent of which would have been attributable to debt interest-related earnings stripping.

The legislation is the first Senate Democratic proposal to address the practice of earnings stripping by companies that move their domicile overseas. The bill is designed to work in harmony with Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Senator Carl Levin’s (D-Mich.) efforts to build a comprehensive package of legislative proposals to address corporate inversions.

The legislation addresses the practice of earnings stripping in two ways: First, it will serve as a deterrent for those considering an inversion, as they will no longer see that opportunity to avoid U.S. taxation post-inversion. Second, the tax consequences would be prospectively applied to all companies that invert, including companies that have already inverted.  Thus, the legislation ensures that the earliest inverters do not have a competitive advantage over their U.S. counterparts.

Specifically, the legislation will:

• Repeal the debt-to-equity safe harbor so that limitations on the interest expense deduction will apply to all inverters, regardless of their financial leverage;

• Reduce the permitted net interest expense to no more than 25 percent (down from 50 percent) of the subsidiary’s adjusted taxable income;

• Repeal the interest expense deduction carryforward and excess limitation carryforward so that inverters cannot take advantage of the deduction in future years; and

• Require the U.S. subsidiary to obtain IRS preapproval annually on the terms of their related-party transactions for 10 years immediately following an inversion

The legislation is also co-sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.).

Senator Coons now accepting applications for nominations to service academies

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is accepting applications from young Delawareans who are seeking a nomination to the United States Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or the Military Academy at West Point. 

“One of my greatest honors as a Senator is nominating bright young Delawareans who wish to not only serve in our armed forces, but to lead in them,” Senator Coons said. “Our service academies attract some of the best and brightest students in the country. I look forward to nominating some of Delaware’s most promising young men and women to the academies’ 2019 classes.”

The application deadline for those requesting a nomination to the Class of 2019 is October 15, 2014. In order to be considered for an appointment to one of the academies, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements required by law and receive a nomination.  Applicants must be United States citizens and be at least 17 years old, but not have passed their 23rd birthday as of July 1, 2015. They must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents. 

Students pursuing a nomination should contact Senator Coons’ Dover Office at (302) 736-5601 or visit his website at http://www.coons.senate.gov/learn/academies to begin an application and for additional information about the academy nomination process.

Carper, Coons, Carney to host job fair in New Castle County on September 5

Wilmington, Del. – To take advantage of the nation’s continuing economic recovery and to assist local businesses in helping them find employees, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney announced today, in partnership with Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, they will host a job fair on Friday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delaware Technical & Community College Wilmington campus (333 N. Shipley Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801).

A day prior to the job fair, the delegation will host a job skills workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wilmington Library (10 East 10^th Street). The sessions will cover resume building, interview skills and dressing for success. There will also be a room arranged like a job fair for participants to get a feel for how a job fair works. Community partners who are hosting the seminars include Career Team, One Village Alliance and Mary Sherwood.

The delegation is also seeking interested companies seeking to fill positions. Those who are looking to hire can contact Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345 or via email at workshop@coons.senate.gov. Businesses will be on hand at the fair to meet potential new employees, and only employers with positions to fill will be permitted to attend.

“I am proud to partner with Senator Coons and Congressman Carney to help hard-working Delawareans find high-quality job opportunities,” said Senator Carper. “Helping to create a nurturing environment for job creation in Delaware and across the country is one of my top priorities. We have a world-class workforce here in the First State and the upcoming job fair will link people who are looking for work with employers that are eager to hire.”

“Continuing to connect job seekers with businesses who are looking to hire is the most effective way to help people network and find employment,” Senator Coons said. “Our New Castle County job fair routinely attracts the largest number of companies and job applicants, gets them together in hopes they can find good, steady jobs in their towns.”

“The most important issue facing Congress is how we can put more Americans back to work and help them secure a middle class lifestyle,” said Congressman Carney.  “Despite the success we’ve had at previous job fairs, too many Delawareans continue to struggle and cannot find jobs to support themselves and their families.  In addition to the work I do in Washington, as a delegation, we will continue to host these job fairs to help skilled, qualified job seekers find employers looking to hire.”

“Our You-Front & Center program is ideal for young adults 18-25 in Delaware who want to work towards making smarter choices and landing a better job,” said Dr. Lynn Fahey, CEO of Brandywine Counseling and Community Services. “This job fair is a great opportunity for those who want to better themselves and learn how to network with some of the top employers in the First State.”

For more information on how to participate as an employer or job seeker, please call Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345, or email workshop@coons.senate.gov. Pre-registration is not required.

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Statement of Senator Coons on passing of Matt Haley

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons issued the following statement on the passing of Matt Haley while on a humanitarian expedition through India and Nepal.

“Matt Haley was one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met. He was so much more than a talented chef and celebrated restaurateur — he was such a good man. He was a great Delawarean. He was a friend. His death is heartbreaking.

“Matt got a second chance at life and vowed to seize it. He was a reminder to all of us that we should embrace life and live it fully and graciously and gratefully every single day. His spirit, enthusiasm, and creativity were infectious. He endlessly sought and found opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives. He didn’t seek attention for his good works, but he certainly deserved it. 

“The weekend before Matt left for India, I met a woman in Dover – a recovering addict who couldn’t find work because she couldn’t find anyone willing to take a chance on her and to believe in her. I told her Matt’s story and the incredible life he’d made after the mistakes of his youth. I called Matt the next day and he leapt at the opportunity to help her. He took her number and promised to call her right away because he was getting on a plane the next morning. He told me about the trip and the risks involved. He couldn’t wait to see his dear friends in Nepal, and he was excited to fulfill a promise he had made to a friend in the region. Matt was going there on a mission to bring what his heart made possible. I told him how proud I was to know him.

“I can’t believe he’s gone and I’m so grateful that the last thing we got to do together was to try to help someone. That was Matt. That’s what he did. I’m going to miss his friendship, generosity, and compassion, and his passionate commitment to our community. My heart aches for his family and friends.”

Senator Coons leads bipartisan group requesting analysis of federal manufacturing programs

DOVER, Del. – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, led by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del), is asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to analyze federal manufacturing policies and provide recommendations for improvement. In a letter sent to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro on Tuesday, the senators requested answers to a range of questions about the scope, effectiveness, and potential for redundancy of federal manufacturing programs and tax incentives. The information will help to inform congressional and executive branch efforts to support the United States’ steadily recovering manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing plays a critical role in our country’s economy,” the senators wrote. “Accounting for nearly $2 trillion of our nation’s output, more than 12 million Americans are directly employed in manufacturing.” 

“Given the importance of manufacturing in the United States, it is critical that federal manufacturing policy be effective,” the senators continued. “However, because the sector is diverse, no one federal department or agency deals exclusively with manufacturing.”

The senators noted that according to analysts at the Congressional Research Service, no comprehensive list of agencies charged with executing manufacturing policies exists, nor is there an available catalog of programs designed to assist manufacturers or their workers. In their letter, the senators request a full listing of federal programs and incentives for manufacturers, along with answers to questions about the cost, impact, and effectiveness of these initiatives.

The letter was signed by Senator Coons, who leads the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign in the Senate, as well as Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Mark Warner (R-Va.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).         

To help the government coordinate efforts to support American manufacturers, Senators Coons and Kirk introduced legislation last year to require the development of a national manufacturing strategy, similar to those employed by our competitors in Germany, China, India, South Africa, and Russia. The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee in April as an amendment to the Brown-Blunt Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013.

Read the full letter below or here: http://bit.ly/1kSk3hm 

Senators Carper, Coons, Rep. Carney announce $5 million grant to expand Delaware Airpark

CHESWOLD, Del. – On Monday, U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney joined by Delaware State University President Dr. Harry Williams, Delaware River and Bay Authority Executive Director Scott Green, and students from DSU’s aviation program to announce a $5 million dollar grant to update and expand the Delaware Airpark.

This project is Phase XI of an ongoing multi-year project to expand the airport by constructing a new runway, its parallel taxiway, connector taxiways and apron system. It will include site preparation, environmental mitigation and construction of a new airport perimeter road.

“Today’s grant award announcement to expand the Delaware Airpark is a win-win for Kent County,” Sen. Carper said. “The improvements will not only create jobs, but it will provide a better training facility for students at DSU. This is a great example of the federal government creating a nurturing environment for job growth and job training on the local level.”

“We must continue to invest in America’s infrastructure,” said Sen. Coons. “Investing in our roads, bridges, highways and our airports lead to economic opportunities. As Delaware Airpark continues to develop, it means more job opportunities and but significant improvements for the aviation students at Delaware State University and commercial entities who utilize the airport.”

“My most important role in Congress is finding ways to put Delawareans back to work, and proper funding and updates to our infrastructure makes that job a lot easier,” said Congressman Carney. “A runway extension at Delaware Airpark helps the airport compete for business regionally, enhances Delaware State University’s pilot training courses, and puts Kent County in a better position to take advantage of economic opportunities.  It’s a good project for Kent and all of Delaware.”

Delaware Airpark serves the general aviation needs of central Delaware and Dover, and is the home of the Delaware State University Aviation Program.

Senator Coons introduces bipartisan bill to designate ‘Manufacturing Universities’

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), who leads the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign in the Senate, and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have introduced bipartisan legislation to help schools strengthen their engineering programs to meet the growing demands of 21^st century manufacturing. The bill would designate 25 universities as ‘Manufacturing Universities’ and provide incentives to better align educational offerings with the needs of modern manufacturers. The incentives would be used to revamp the universities’ engineering programs to focus on manufacturing engineering and curricula specifically related to targeted industries.

“It’s critical that our schools and universities equip students for success in manufacturing and contribute to the research and development that drives advanced manufacturing,” said Senator Coons. “Although our economy has created more than half a million manufacturing jobs over the last three years, hundreds of thousands remain unfilled because we don’t have enough trained workers. We need our engineers to fill the growing demand for manufacturing workers and accelerate manufacturing’s growth. This bipartisan bill would help us meet that challenge. By helping schools focus their engineering programs on advanced manufacturing skills, we can equip our next generation of engineers with the skills they need to thrive in the 21^st century.”

“This is an incredibly important issue for our states’ institutions of higher education and manufacturing industries,” said Senator Graham. “I look forward to working with Senator Coons to explore additional innovative ways to create opportunities for our manufacturing sector to thrive.”

The Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014 would establish a program within the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) charged with designating 25 schools as ‘Manufacturing Universities.’ Designated schools would receive $5 million per year for four years to meet specific goals, including focusing engineering programs on manufacturing, building new partnerships with manufacturing firms, growing training opportunities, and fostering manufacturing entrepreneurship. The program would be run by the Director of the NIST, in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense and Energy, and the Director of the National Science Foundation, among others.

“The University of Delaware is pleased to support the Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014 sponsored by Sen. Chris Coons and Sen. Lindsey Graham,” said Charlie Riordan, Vice Provost for Research at the University of Delaware. “Research universities play a vital role through their research and education providing the foundation for new manufacturing innovations and preparing the next generation of technically trained employees. This legislation aims to ensure U.S. manufacturing remains innovative and entrepreneurial, backed by a well trained cadre of engineers.”

“Economic competitiveness requires the existence of a continuum that includes a great education system, a strong research and innovation base, a vibrant business community and a solid advanced manufacturing capacity,” said Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, Delaware State University Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development and Dean of the College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology. “Should any of these be missing, our nation, like any other, will not be ready to walk the path of prosperity at its optimum pace. Senator Coons’ proposed legislation ensures that we, institutions of higher learning, rethink our programs as to ensure that tomorrow’s workforce is well prepared for the manufacturing challenges of tomorrow. We at DSU fully support it.” 

“DuPont applauds Senator Coons and Senator Graham for introducing the Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014, S. 2719, to help universities further prepare engineering students for careers in innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Karen Fletcher, Vice President of DuPont Engineering, Facilities Services & Real Estate and Chief Engineer. “Engineers at DuPont take discoveries from the labs to the marketplace to address challenges that impact all of us. This Act is an important step in promoting R&D and innovation, and thereby keeping American manufacturing competitive in the global economy and enhancing growth of the U.S. economy and jobs. The Manufacturing Universities Act of 2014 will strengthen the pipeline of talented men and women whom DuPont relies on – from associates who operate our plants to engineers who participate in the discovery process, provide technical expertise, and execute our capital projects.”

This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Clemson University, the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri, the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, DOW Chemical, and DuPont.

Senator Coons unveiled the bill in a speech on the Senate floor on July 28. Click here to watch and read his remarks.

Senator Coons introduces bill to extend investments in cutting-edge research

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) has joined Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to introduce the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2014, legislation to extend and enhance federal investments in cutting-edge research and education. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) are also cosponsors.

The bill builds on the goals and successes of the America COMPETES Act of 2007 and its reauthorization in 2010. The legislation would authorize stable and sustained increases in federal research and development funding for the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The bill would also promote the economic benefits of promising R&D and address agency efforts – including at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – to increase participation in STEM fields, particularly among women and minorities. 

“Since it was first enacted in 2007, the America COMPETES Act has provided a critical roadmap for American leadership in science, technology, and innovation,” Senator Coons said. “Today this legislation is more important than ever, as more and more of our global competitors ramp up their investments in research and development. The 2010 COMPETES reauthorization was one of the first bills I cosponsored as a senator, and I’m proud to help lead its reauthorization in the Senate again this year. We have to keep investing in the research and innovation that will drive our economy and keep our nation competitive.”

The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act further targets initiatives for advanced manufacturing, by reauthorizing and improving the already successful Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Delaware’s MEP operates through Delaware Technical Community College in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Delaware Office of Economic Development, and the Delaware State and local Chambers of Commerce. The legislation would also implement a national strategic plan for advanced manufacturing, a measure originally introduced and championed by Senator Coons and Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).

“This Senate COMPETES legislation represents an important step forward in closing the innovation gap and ensuring that U.S. university research continues to provide the foundation for technological advances and economic prosperity,” said Charlie Riordan, Vice Provost for Research at the University of Delaware. “The University of Delaware is pleased by Senator Chris Coons’ sponsorship of the reauthorization bill.”

Recognizing the need for long-term investments in science and technology, Congress passed the first America COMPETES Act in 2007 and reauthorized it in 2010. The Acts aimed to significantly increase investments in key federal research and development activities; to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; and to support the innovation necessary for economic growth. COMPETES remains essential today. In 2013, more than 70 organizations representing business, higher education, and scientific communities signed onto “Guiding Principles” to inform a COMPETES reauthorization, and reiterated the importance of basic research investments as a top national priority.