Statement of Senator Coons on passing of James Brady

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D – Del.), co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, issued the following statement on the passing of James Brady, former White House press secretary who was known for his efforts to prevent gun violence.

“With Jim Brady’s passing, America has lost one of the most effective voices for a balanced policy on handguns and gun violence. I want to express my condolences to Sarah Brady and all their friends and family, and my gratitude for the many years of advocacy and engagement that Jim Brady made possible. Someone who was nearly killed while serving with President Reagan, Jim turned a tragedy into the foundation for a lifetime of positive public service, and I don’t think we can be grateful enough for what he did with the rest of his life.”

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Senator Coons votes to reform VA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted on Thursday for bipartisan legislation to reform the Veterans Affairs medical system. The compromise bill would give veterans new flexibility for receiving medical care, empower the VA to hire more doctors and nurses, and give the VA Secretary the ability to fire underperforming senior managers. The Senate approved the bill Wednesday by a vote of 91-3.

“America’s veterans put our nation’s safety before their own and made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom. Though we can never fully repay them for their service, we can, and must, make sure our veterans receive the care they deserve. It’s disappointing that it took so long for the House and Senate to reach a compromise, but our nation’s veterans are glad that they finally did. Real reforms are long overdue. This bipartisan bill takes a number of steps to strengthen and modernize the VA system, making it easier for veterans to get the care they deserve.”

Senator Coons votes to confront border crisis

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted Thursday night to advance an emergency funding bill to address the humanitarian crisis at the Southwestern border. The bill would provide $2.7 billion to the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Health and Human Services, State, and USAID to help border agencies deal with the influx of unaccompanied children arriving from Central America. The bill was blocked by a budget point of order.

“Congress has a responsibility to deal with the humanitarian crisis on our border, and to address the needs of tens of thousands of children now held in U.S. custody. Before the end of next month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will run out of funding for custody and removal services, and by September, Border Patrol will also exhaust its resources. This bill would ensure our border agents and immigration officials have the resources they need to carry out their duties and respond to this emergency.

“My colleagues who have insisted that the children seeking refuge at our border be met with force, rather than due process, and suspicion rather than compassion, have truly lost sight of our values as a nation. These children are not dangerous criminals who threaten our national security, but victims of violence and instability who have fled here as a last resort. We have a legal, and a moral, obligation to allow them their day in court, and to provide them with safe and adequate shelter in the interim. We cannot turn our backs on this crisis, and I’m deeply disappointed that some of my colleagues have done so tonight.”

Senator Coons votes to close corporate tax loophole and bring jobs home

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), leader of the Senate’s Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign, voted Wednesday to advance legislation he cosponsored to end tax breaks for businesses that ship jobs overseas. The Bring Jobs Home Act would support domestic manufacturing by eliminating a tax deduction for companies that outsource jobs and extending tax credits to companies that return jobs to America. The bill was blocked by a Republican filibuster.

“It’s just commonsense: American taxpayers should not be paying the bill for corporations that ship jobs overseas,” Senator Coons said. “Our tax code is sending the wrong message to businesses, rewarding them for moving jobs abroad instead of creating them here at home. Too many of the products we use everyday are invented in the U.S. but made in factories overseas. We need to get back to making things in America, and Congress should be doing everything it can to help companies bring their operations home.” 

“The Bring Jobs Home Act would give businesses an incentive to invest in America’s highly skilled workforce and bring good jobs back to our communities,” Senator Coons continued. “I’m disappointed that partisan politics have derailed a bill that supports middle class workers and our economy. It’s time to put politics aside and fix this injustice in our tax code.”

The U.S. has lost more than 2.4 million jobs to outsourcing in the last decade. The Bring Jobs Home Act ends taxpayer write-offs that pay moving costs when companies ship jobs abroad. The bill provides companies moving jobs back to the U.S. with a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the costs of relocation. 

Senator Coons votes to save Highway Trust Fund from bankruptcy

WASHINGTON – With the Highway Trust Fund facing impending bankruptcy, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Tuesday to approve the Highway and Transportation Funding Act, legislation that will provide $8 billion for the Highway Trust Fund and extend its solvency until December. Senator Coons voted with the majority of his colleagues to approve an amendment authored by Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) to limit the extension from 10 months to five months in order to force Congress to pass a long-term transportation reauthorization this year.

“While I’m glad the Senate has come together to secure funding for the Highway Trust Fund, this stopgap measure does not solve our long-term problems. Congress can’t keep kicking the can down the road, especially when that road is increasingly filled with potholes. It’s time to take responsibility for our nation’s infrastructure debt and find a long-term solution to finance these critical projects. Because of Senator Carper’s leadership, Congress will have to address this challenge this year.

“Our communities, our businesses, and our economy all depend on safe and reliable infrastructure. I hope my colleagues in the House will quickly approve this legislation and join us in the months ahead to pass a responsible, long-term transportation bill.”

Senator Coons votes to confirm new secretary for Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted on Tuesday to confirm Robert McDonald to be the next Secretary for Veterans Affairs. He released the following statement about his vote:

“America’s veterans put our nation’s safety before their own and made tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom. Though we can never fully repay them for their service, we can, and must, make sure our veterans receive the care they deserve. The problems facing the VA are bigger than any one person, and the solutions will need to be, as well. The VA needs real reforms and it needs them now. Robert McDonald has exhibited leadership, courage, and common-sense solutions during his service in the U.S. Army and experience in the private sector. I look forward to working with Secretary McDonald as he leads the VA through one of its most challenging periods, and works to restore the trust of our veterans and the American people.”

Senator Coons cosponsors bill to ban bulk data collection

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Tuesday to introduce an updated version of the bipartisan USA FREEDOM Act, a bill to restore Americans’ privacy rights by ending the government’s dragnet collection of phone records. The bill also requires greater oversight, transparency, and accountability with respect to domestic surveillance authorities.  

“Americans expect and deserve a government that can keep our nation safe without compromising our privacy,” Senator Coons said. “The government’s warrantless surveillance program represents an unacceptable and unjustifiable violation of Americans’ privacy rights that cannot be allowed to continue. The bipartisan USA FREEDOM Act would end the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records and other data and reintroduce transparency and accountability into government surveillance activities. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in passing these important reforms and restoring protections for Americans’ privacy.”

The updated version of the USA FREEDOM Act builds on legislation passed in the House in May, as well as the original legislation cosponsored by Senator Coons in February. The legislation bans bulk collection under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and other surveillance authorities, requires the government to narrow the scope of a search to a clearly defined “specific selection term,” adds needed transparency and reporting requirements, and provides key reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) Court. In an editorial on Monday, the New York Times wrote “the bill represents a breakthrough in the struggle against the growth of government surveillance power.”

The legislation provides significant reforms of surveillance authorities, while carefully maintaining the role of law enforcement and intelligence agencies and their responsibility to protect national security.

The USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 released today is also cosponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

An outline of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2014 can be found here, and text of legislation can be found online. A list of supporters of the legislation can also be found online.

In August 2013, Senator Coons cosponsored the FISA Court Reform Act of 2013, which would create an Office of the Special Advocate tasked with advocating in the FISA courts’ closed proceedings for legal interpretations that minimize the scope of intrusion into Americans’ privacy. He also cosponsored the FISA Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2013 to require the government to be more transparent in how it publicly reports on its surveillance activities. Read more about them here: http://1.usa.gov/1j8UJ1L

Administration makes progress on strengthening economic engagement with Africa

WASHINGTON – Last March, with the United States falling further and further behind foreign competitors aggressively increasing their exports to African markets, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued a report detailing six actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the United States’ economic relationship with the continent. Sixteen months later, with President Obama’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit beginning on Monday, he looked back at the progress that has been made in implementing the report’s recommendations.

“Fast-growing African markets offer enormous opportunities for U.S. businesses to expand and create jobs while contributing to development goals,” said Senator Coons. “The U.S. government has a critical role to play in facilitating partnerships with African nations that support our shared interests and boost economic growth. A year ago, I released a report detailing concrete steps the U.S. and African governments can take to strengthen trade relationships in Africa, and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made over the last year. The upcoming U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit is a chance to build on our latest investments and expand our future commitments and partnerships with Africa.”

Over the last year, Senator Coons has worked aggressively with Administration officials to implement a number of the report’s recommendations and build a more effective strategy for U.S.-Africa economic engagement. Progress on the report’s key proposals is detailed below.

Recommendation: Increase the presence of U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officers in sub-Saharan Africa to help U.S. companies navigate the business climate in the region.

• Progress: With persistent encouragement from Senator Coons, the Department of Commerce announced the expansion of the Foreign Commercial Service in April 2014 – including four new offices in African countries (Angola, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mozambique) and four office expansions in Africa (Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, and Libya). The expansion creates nearly 70 new positions and posts 17 additional officers globally to help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. 
• To ensure adequate staffing and improve staff retention, particularly in critical African posts, the FY15 funding bill for the Department of Commerce – which recently passed the Senate Appropriations Committee – requests a report on methods to improve retention and professional development of Foreign Commercial Service Officers, Department of Commerce staff, and local staff. Employing more local staff is a cost effective way to expand the International Trade Administration’s capacity and build the capacity of individuals in target countries to support trade.

Recommendation: Reauthorize and strengthen the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to diversify exports, expand country and product coverage, and increase its mutual benefit well in advance of its expiration in 2015.

• Progress: The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on AGOA on Wednesday, July 30 to chart the path forward for reauthorization of this landmark legislation. The House Ways and Means Committee will also hold a hearing this week on AGOA. Senator Coons has held numerous meetings with U.S. and African officials on the matter, and will participate in the upcoming AGOA Forum as part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit next week. 

Recommendation: Improve coordination between U.S. government agencies and develop a comprehensive interagency strategy for increased investment in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Progress: The report called on the President to designate a Special Africa Export Strategy Coordinator to ensure government agencies are coordinating effectively to help U.S. companies expand into African markets. Senator Coons, along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and John Boozman (R-Ark), introduced legislation in April 2013 to create this position, among other provisions. That portion of the bill was included in the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Obama last December. President Obama has appointed Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Florizelle Liser to serve in this role.

Recommendation: Engage the African diaspora community in the United States to strengthen economic ties.

• Progress: Through the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) – a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and the Calvert Foundation – the U.S. government is working to connect African diaspora communities with U.S. businesses and cultivate opportunities to give back to their countries of origin or ancestry. IdEA’s African Diaspora Marketplace supports U.S.-based African diaspora entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for start-ups and established businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. The Marketplace’s business plan competition awards grants of up to $50,000 to winning entrepreneurs. Senator Coons has strongly supported this and other U.S.-government led efforts to engage with the African diaspora, especially when it comes to economic engagement.

Read the full report here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/embracing-africas-economic-potential

Senator Coons wins fight to save advocacy centers for victims of child abuse

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives unanimously approved U.S. Senator Chris Coons’ bipartisan legislation Monday to reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA), which provides funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers that serve child abuse victims and help law enforcement hold perpetrators accountable. S.1799, the VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013, was cosponsored by Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), co-chair with Senator Coons of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and Senators Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill will now head to the President for signature.

Though the success of these federal-state and public-private partnerships has earned them broad bipartisan support, congressional authorization for Children’s Advocacy Centers lapsed in 2005, and the President’s last three proposed budgets have either zeroed out or significantly cut federal funding. The VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 reauthorizes the program through FY 2018 and enacts reforms to strengthen accountability provisions and improve oversight.

“We have no greater obligation than to protect our children from trauma and abuse,” Senator Coons said. “When the unthinkable happens, Children’s Advocacy Centers are there to help families heal and obtain justice for victims. These centers have transformed our nation’s response to child abuse by giving law enforcement the tools to secure critical evidence without re-traumatizing child victims. The unanimous passage of this bill by both houses is a victory for Delaware’s three Children’s Advocacy Centers and a testament to the important role these centers play in communities all across the country. Our children’s needs transcend party politics, and I’m grateful to my partners on both sides of the aisle for working with me to pass this vital bill.” 

The legislation adopted by the House on Monday passed the Senate unanimously last month. The bill authorizes funding for the program at $20 million per year, consistent with the most recent authorization level and $1 million above the current fiscal year’s appropriation. The reauthorization bill will also strengthen Victims of Child Abuse Act programs through enhanced accountability provisions, non-profit requirements, and limitations on conference expenditures.

“I am truly elated that the House of Representatives passed the VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013,” said Randall E. Williams, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Delaware, Inc. “It is gratifying to know that our senators and representatives understand and value the services provided to child victims of abuse across the country by Children’s Advocacy Centers and our Multidisciplinary Team Partners. Passage of the Act helps ensure that Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams will be able to continue to provide the very best services available to child victims of sexual and physical abuse. They deserve no less from us.” 

“Nothing is more important than protecting children,” said Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. “Children’s Advocacy Centers are on the front lines in the fight against predators. This funding will make our children safer.” 

Children’s Advocacy Centers employ a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals to conduct forensic interviews of children who have been victims of abuse. These interviews are designed to be admissible in court, preventing children from being re-traumatized by having to tell their stories multiple times. In 2013 alone, nearly 300,000 children were served at over 800 Children’s Advocacy Centers across the United States, with over 200,000 cases reporting sexual abuse. Their use in child abuse cases saved, on average, more than $1,000 per case in court, child protection, and investigative fees.

In addition to Senators Coons, Blunt, Sessions, and Hirono, the VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013 was cosponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Schumer (D – N.Y.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

The following organizations have endorsed the VOCAA Reauthorization Act of 2013: National Association of Police Organizations, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, National Criminal Justice Training Center, Major Cities Chiefs’ Association, National Children’s Alliance, National Children’s Advocacy Center, National Center for Victims of Crime, Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York City Police Department, and the National Child Protection Training Center.

U.S. program for young African leaders renamed to honor Nelson Mandela

WASHINGTON – President Obama on Monday announced the renaming of a key U.S. program for young African leaders to honor the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela. The change was prompted by legislative language written by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, and passed by Congress earlier this year in the FY14 “Omnibus” spending bill. Accordingly, the “Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders” will now be known as the “Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.”

The Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which aims to empower young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. Fellowships provide outstanding young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at U.S. universities, and with support for professional development after they return home. Also on Monday, the President announced the creation of four Regional Leadership Centers in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa to continue to cultivate the YALI network once the fellows return home.

“Nelson Mandela’s historic contributions to South Africa and the world serve as an enduring reminder of true leadership that paved the way for a more promising future,” Senator Coons said. “President Mandela’s legacy of extraordinary service, unwavering grace, capacity for forgiveness, and unrelenting commitment to justice is a model for the next generation of African leaders. Renaming the Washington Fellowship after President Mandela will not only honor his legacy, but will also serve as a constant reminder of the cherished values at the heart of the United States’ partnership with Africa.  Through YALI, the U.S. has demonstrated its investment and commitment to the next generation of Africa’s most promising leaders.”

The 2014 Washington Fellows are 500 of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most promising young leaders ages 25 to 35. The Fellows have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. All Sub-Saharan countries are represented in the 2014 cohort of Washington Fellows. Fifty percent of Fellows are women.

Senator Coons, also a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, added language in January to the State & Foreign Operations title of the FY14 “Omnibus” spending bill requesting that the State Department designate a portion of the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders to honor President Mandela.