Senator Coons votes to repeal cuts to military retiree benefits

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Monday to advance legislation that would repeal cuts to military retiree benefits. The bipartisan budget agreement adopted by Congress in December will temporarily reduce cost-of-living-adjustments for military-retiree pensions beginning in 2015.

“Congress must take action to reduce our nation’s dangerous deficits, but it should not do so on the backs of our military families,” Senator Coons said. “The Bipartisan Budget Act was an important step forward, but like any compromise, it was far from perfect. Cuts to military-retiree pensions unfairly target those who have sacrificed the most for our country. The bill we advanced tonight would repeal these cuts, and I’m glad my colleagues have joined me in supporting this fix for our veterans.”

The Bipartisan Budget Act included $6 billion in savings over 10 years obtained by reducing the cost-of-living adjustments for working-age military retirees younger than 62 by 1 percent beginning January 1, 2015. The bill advanced by the Senate on Monday would repeal this provision. In December, Senator Coons cosponsored a similar bill that would replace cuts to military-retiree pensions with new legislation that could raise as much as $6.6 billion over ten years by preventing companies from using foreign tax havens to avoid U.S. taxes. Read more about the bill here: http://1.usa.gov/1et9iyr

Treasury releases final regulations resolving volunteer fire companies’ health care issue

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Treasury’s issuance of final regulations for implementation of the employer responsibility provisions under the Affordable Care Act on Monday — regulations that reconcile a conflict in the tax code that could require volunteer fire companies to count their volunteer firefighters as “employees” and potentially trigger the Affordable Care Act’s coverage mandate for businesses with more than 50 employees.

“Delaware’s volunteer fire companies are such an important part of our communities,” Senator Coons said. “The Obama Administration today fulfilled a promise made to me and to Delaware’s volunteer fire companies last month to issue final regulations to clarify that volunteer firefighters would not count as employees under the Affordable Care Act. These rules will spare Delaware’s 60 volunteer fire companies from a significant and unintended financial burden, but it remains my hope that Congress will find a way to come together to fix other issues with the Affordable Care Act that can only be repaired through legislation.”

The full Treasury Department regulations can be read and downloaded here: http://1.usa.gov/1gnvFSv

The letter sent to Senator Coons by the Treasury Department in January promising the fix can be read and downloaded here: http://1.usa.gov/1aOgvlw

Last month, Senator Coons cosponsored legislation to clarify the “Shared Responsibility” provision of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that Delaware’s 6,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency responders were not counted as “employees” in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service. More here: http://1.usa.gov/18RivJi

Also in December, Senator Coons sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urging the Administration to explore a fix for this issue independent of Congress. It can be downloaded as a PDF here: http://bit.ly/Jsz2g7

Senator Coons’ wetlands conservation legislation clears committee

WASHINGTON – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to advance wetlands conservation legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.). The Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act would restore and improve the popular and successful Duck Stamp program and the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act would reauthorize the NAWCA program, which provides critical support for partnership efforts to protect habitat for waterfowl, fish, and wildlife.

“As part of the Atlantic flyway, Delaware’s wetlands play a critical role in supporting the migratory cycle of thousands of waterfowl,” Senator Coons said. “Healthy, vibrant wetlands also support hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation that contribute billions of dollars each year to our local economies and enhance the quality of life of sportsmen across our state. The Federal Duck Stamp and NAWCA matching grants make these activities possible by funding efforts to conserve critical wetlands habitat across Delaware. I am thrilled that the Environment and Public Works Committee has voted to advance these bills and will continue working toward passage by the full Senate.”

The Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act would authorize the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, in consultation with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, to increase the price of the stamp from the current $15 up to $25, and consider an additional increase of up to $30 in five years. The price increase, the first since 1991, will compensate for lost purchasing power due to inflation and restore the effectiveness of the program.

Established in 1934, the Duck Stamp program has raised $750 million and preserved over five million acres of wetlands critical for waterfowl conservation. The legislation is supported by Ducks Unlimited and is also sponsored by Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act provides matching grants to organizations and individuals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects that benefit migratory birds and other wildlife. Over the last two decades, NAWCA has been highly successful in generating matching funding to protect millions of acres of habitat across North America.

NAWCA currently funds eight projects in Delaware that have conserved a total of 7,528 acres of wildlife habitat. The program has awarded more than $4 million in funds that stimulated partner contributions of more than $7.5 million. Delaware also benefits from three multi-state NAWCA projects that have conserved 45,500 acres of wildlife habitat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Senator Coons announces Class of 2018 U.S. Service Academy nominations

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons today announced his U.S. Service Academy nominations for the Class of 2018. Three students have earned the Senator’s principal nomination and will be offered academy appointments should they meet all medical, physical and academic requirements. Because appointments are often offered to many qualified “alternate” nominees as well, Senator Coons has also submitted the names of an additional 24 outstanding young Delawareans for consideration. Senator Coons also nominated ten individuals to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

“Nominating these gifted young men and women to the U.S. Service Academies is a sincere honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously,” Senator Coons said. “The next few years will be challenging – academically, mentally and physically – but I am confident in their ability to rise to the challenge and to come through this experience well-equipped to join the ranks of America’s finest military officers.”

Nominees:

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Principal Nominee: Wyatt Jennings of Townsend, Delaware Military Academy

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

Principal Nominee: Christopher Mahoney of Newark, Mt. Sophia Academy

United States Military Academy, West Point

Principal Nominee: Rachel Pennington of Newark, Charter School of Wilmington

Alternate Nominees:

Kyle Breckner of Lincoln, Northwestern Prep School

Kyle Burrus of Middletown, Middletown High School

Ian Cain of Georgetown, Sussex Central High

Connor Castellon of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School

Tyiana Clark of Seaford, Seaford High School

Patrick Coleman of Smyrna, Randolph Macon

Madelyn Crimmins of Millsboro, Delaware State University

Dominic DelRosso of Middletown, Munich International School

Arthur Eng of Bear, Rutgers

Michael Ford of Wilmington, Archmere Academy

Patrick Gallucci of Camden, Caesar Rodney High School

Abidas Girardi of Millsboro, Cape Henlopen High School

Eriq Gloria of Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen High School

Thomas Hundertpfund of Magnolia, Polytech High School

Jon McConomy of Bear, Appoquinimink High School

Benjamin Miller of Laurel, Laurel High School

Kathryn Nichols of Felton, Lake Forest High School

Eric Polk of Newark, New Mexico Military Institute

Ian Powers of Wilmington, Concord High School

Patrick Rigor of Newark, Delaware Military Academy

Robert Rogers of Lewes, Worcester Prep

Natalie Sava of Seaford, Sussex Tech High School

Madison Stark of Felton, Caesar Rodney High School

Daniel Turk of Middletown, Salesianum School

Ethan Yerger of Middletown, Salesianum School

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point:

Robert Christensen of Harbeson, Sussex Technical High School

John Dean of Milton, Cape Henlopen High School

Adam Desch of Wilmington, Salesianum School

Matthew McGuigan of Bethany Beach, Indian River High School

John Hearn of Lewes, Sussex Technical High School

Matthew Kane of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School

Daniel MacElrevey of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School

Christian Prestipino of Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen High School

Anthony Testa of Hockessin, Delaware Military Academy

Grier Wakefield of Wilmington, Tower Hill High

Senator Coons’ Service Academy Selection Board interviewed each applicant and made recommendations to the Senator. The Board, appointed by the Senator, is comprised of:

LTC Karen Berry

Ted Fischer

Ron Frazier

Heath Gehrke

Scott Kessel

Wanda Lopez

LTC Rita Wiley

COL Gretchen Wiltse

“I am deeply grateful to the members of my Service Academy Selection Board for volunteering their time to interview the talented Delawareans who wanted to serve their country,” Senator Coons said. “Their counsel was invaluable, and I appreciate their service.”

Senator Coons votes again to renew support for jobseekers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted twice on Thursday to advance legislation that would sustain support for Delaware jobseekers by extending federal emergency unemployment insurance benefits. Both procedural votes were defeated, each failing to earn the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster.

“Expanding economic opportunity for all begins with securing our nation’s most fundamental safety nets,” Senator Coons said. “Emergency unemployment insurance helps Americans who are out of work stay afloat while they search for a job and provides needed support to our economy at the same time. Ensuring this lifeline is there for the millions still looking for work is the least Congress can do to help Americans struggling in a tough job market. I am frustrated and disappointed that efforts to renew emergency unemployment insurance continue to face obstruction in the Senate. It’s time to put partisanship aside and come together to invest in American workers and rebuild our middle class.”

Since Congress let emergency unemployment insurance expire at the end of December, more than 1.7 million Americans – including 4,300 Delawareans – have lost their unemployment insurance. Senator Coons was a cosponsor of the bill blocked by Thursday’s filibuster, which would have extended funding for federal emergency unemployment benefits for three months.

Senate approves bipartisan farm bill to support Delaware agriculture jobs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Tuesday to approve the House-Senate farm bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 68-32. The five-year farm bill was approved by the House of Representatives last week and now heads to the President for signature. The bill protects 16 million American jobs supported by agriculture, including 30,000 in Delaware. The farm bill also reduces our deficit by $23 billion by eliminating unnecessary direct payment subsidies, consolidating programs to end duplication, and cracking down on food assistance abuse.

“Agriculture is a vital economic engine for Delaware, and this bill is good for Delaware farmers,” Senator Coons said. “I was proud to vote today for a comprehensive, five-year farm bill that supports Delaware’s farmers and poultry growers, invests in critical conservation and rural energy programs, and preserves nutrition assistance for millions of food insecure Americans. While not perfect, this compromise legislation takes important steps to strengthen America’s farm policy and reduce our deficit. I am thankful that Congress has come together to approve this bill and provide long-awaited certainty to our farmers in Delaware and across the country.”

The farm bill includes a number of important provisions that benefit Delawareans and were championed by Senator Coons. They are highlighted below:

Poultry

Includes a provision authored by Senator Coons, co-chair of the Senate’s Chicken Caucus, and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) to assist poultry growers during uncertain economic times. The bipartisan Coons-Chambliss provision commissions a pair of studies on the feasibility of insurance programs to protect America’s poultry growers from catastrophic loss, such as disease outbreaks, and from bankruptcies of poultry integrators. More here: http://1.usa.gov/1iHs1rb

Fruits & Vegetables

Increases funding for Specialty Crop Block Grants to $72.5 million/year in mandatory funding through FY17, and $85 million/year thereafter. The program helps Delaware farmers stay competitive by funding research focused on strengthening crop resiliency and increasing crop yields. Delaware received $229,084 in funding for five projects last year, and will receive approximately $351,000 in FY14.

Nutrition

Authorizes the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to help address Delaware’s 15 identified food deserts, including 11 in New Castle County. The initiative supports revolving loan programs and grants to help fresh, healthy food retailers overcome high costs of entry into underserved urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Creates the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program to help SNAP recipients purchase healthy, local produce. The bill also clarifies that SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a share in a Community Supported Agriculture program, where participants receive a regular share of a farm’s harvest.

Increases mandatory funding to food banks and community food grants through the Emergency Food Assistance Program by $50 million in FY15.

Conservation

Ensures that the Chesapeake Bay will remain eligible to compete for conservation funding under the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program. A new USDA report shows that conservation practices adopted by farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have resulted in significant nutrient pollution reductions since 2006.

Creates a new conservation easement program that will allow Delaware farmers to continue to preserve working farmlands. Delaware received $4.9 million for agricultural land preservation through the 2008 version of this program.

Rural Energy

Includes $879 million in mandatory funding for USDA renewable energy and biofuels programs over the next 10 years.

Includes $500 million for the Rural Energy for America Program, which helps rural businesses and farmers conduct energy audits and install renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. In 2012, the program funded two successful projects to improve energy efficiency in Kent County and deploy solar power in Sussex County.

Expands the Biorefinery Assistance Program to include renewable chemical and bio-based product manufacturing – which could benefit Delaware’s innovative chemical industry – and includes $200 million over 10 years for the program.

Senate advances farm bill agreement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted Monday to advance the House-Senate farm bill, which cleared a final procedural hurdle by a vote of 72-22. The five-year farm bill, approved by the House of Representatives last week, is now set for a final vote in the Senate on Tuesday. The bill protects 16 million American jobs supported by agriculture, including 30,000 in Delaware. The farm bill also reduces our deficit by $23 billion by eliminating unnecessary direct payment subsidies, consolidating programs to end duplication, and cracking down on food assistance abuse.

“Agriculture is a vital economic engine for Delaware, and this bill is good for Delaware farmers,” Senator Coons said. “I was proud to vote tonight for a comprehensive, five-year farm bill that supports Delaware’s farmers and poultry growers, invests in critical conservation and rural energy programs, and preserves nutrition assistance for millions of food insecure Americans. While not perfect, this compromise legislation takes important steps to strengthen America’s farm policy and reduce our deficit. I hope my colleagues will join me in approving this bill and providing long-awaited certainty to our farmers in Delaware and across the country.”

The farm bill includes a number of important provisions that benefit Delawareans and were championed by Senator Coons. They are highlighted below:

Poultry

Fruits & Vegetables

Nutrition

Increases mandatory funding to food banks and community food grants through the Emergency Food Assistance Program by $50 million in FY15.

Conservation

Rural Energy

Includes $879 million in mandatory funding for USDA renewable energy and biofuels programs over the next 10 years.

Expands Biorefinery Assistance Program to include renewable chemical and bio-based product manufacturing – which could benefit Delaware’s innovative chemical industry – and includes $200 million over 10 years for the program.

Senators Carper and Coons commemorate Black History Month

WILMINGTON, DE – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) issued the following statements to mark the beginning of Black History Month. Senators Carper and Coons joined Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and a bipartisan group of 41 colleagues in cosponsoring a Senate Resolution to commemorate and celebrate Black History Month in the United States. The resolution was introduced today:

“The formation of a more perfect union is an ideal that we must constantly strive to meet,” Senator Carper said. “Over the years, our great nation has made important steps in promoting equality for people of all creeds and races. During the month of February, we look back at the progress we have made and honor the men and women who dedicated their lives to this cause. In the First State we remember the bravery of Delaware native Samuel Burris, as a conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped lead the way to freedom for thousands of slaves. As we approach the 60^th anniversary of the historic Brown vs. the Board of Education decision, we celebrate the life of Delaware’s first African-American attorney, Louis Redding and his important contribution to the case. And we recognize the Milford Eleven who sought to bring Brown. vs. the Board to realization in Delaware in their attempt to integrate Milford High School. This month, let’s remember the tremendous achievements of African Americans here in Delaware, and throughout the country, and the contributions they made to help define and reflect the very identity and greatness of our country. Let’s also redouble our efforts to ensure that we are always moving forward toward the ideals of equality and justice.”

“African Americans have made remarkable contributions to our state and our country — contributions that deserve to be remembered and appreciated year-round,” Senator Coons said. “From the Milford Eleven, who were the first brave students to integrate Milford High School, to Underground Railroad conductors like Samuel D. Burris, Delaware’s history is full of African American heroes. The Senate’s resolution commemorating Black History Month honors their legacy, and I hope it will help inspire the next generation of leaders as they step forward to shape our future.”

Senator Coons calls on Delaware companies to join effort to help long-term unemployed

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons on Friday urged Delaware companies to join a new effort by President Obama to assist unemployed Americans by signing-on to a set of best practices aimed at eliminating the stigma often attached those who have been without a job for a long period of time. Delaware-based DuPont, Inc., is among 300 U.S. companies that have already committed to the best practices.

“The long-term unemployed face unique challenges in the job market but deserve the same economic opportunity as all Americans,” Senator Coons said. “The longer a worker is unemployed, the more difficult it becomes to find a job, often because there is a stigma attached to being unemployed. By getting 300 companies to commit to a set of guiding principles aimed at ending that sigma, President Obama is doing his part to preserve job opportunities for the long-term unemployed. Now Congress needs to do its part by passing an extension of emergency unemployment insurance, moving forward with bipartisan skills-training legislation, and helping our manufacturers grow and create jobs. I hope every Delaware business will join DuPont in signing-on to these best practices today.”

Delaware businesses can sign-on to the best practices on Senator Coons’ website here: coons-staging.creativengine.com/bestpractices

The best practices include:

Ensuring that job postings do not discourage or discriminate against unemployed individuals.
Reviewing screens or procedures used in recruiting and hiring processes so they do not intentionally or inadvertently disadvantage individuals from being considered for a job based solely on their unemployment status.
Reviewing current recruiting practices to ensure the casting of a broad net and encouraging all qualified candidates to consider applying, including the long-term unemployed, by taking steps that may include:

Publicizing their commitment that qualified unemployed individuals will not be disadvantaged solely on their unemployment status on their website, in application materials, or in other places where it can be seen by potential applicants;
Interviewing or otherwise considering qualified long-term unemployed individuals;
Training their hiring teams and recruiters to focus on the bona fide occupational requirements and leadership requirements for a given role and not just on an applicant’s current or recent employment status;
Engaging with local and regional entities in order to reach broad segments of the population with relevant skills and experience

Sharing best practices – including success achieved with hiring the long-term unemployed in their own company – within their organization and across their supply chain, with staffing firms, their employer associations and the broader business community.

Senator Coons questioned Doug Elmendorf, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, about the effects of the federal budget on the long-term unemployed during a hearing of the House-Senate Budget Conference Committee in November. More on that exchange, including video, is available here: http://1.usa.gov/1bd7giB.

Senator Coons applauds release of additional $1.5 million for Delaware winter heat aid

WASHINGTON – With Delawareans facing record cold temperatures this winter, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s (HHS) announcement Thursday of $1.5 million in additional funds to support the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Senator Coons and 40 colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in November urging her to release LIHEAP funds as quickly and at as high a level as possible. Delaware received $11.5 million in November; the additional $1.5 million this month will bring the state total to $13 million for FY14.

“During the coldest winter months, no family should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table,” Senator Coons said. “With temperatures at record lows and heating costs elevated this winter, thousands of low-income families and seniors in our communities are struggling to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP provides critical assistance for these vulnerable populations, and this additional funding will ensure it can continue to serve families in need.”

HHS announced a total of $454 million for the program nationally, in addition to the nearly $3 billion the Department released in November. The additional funding was made possible by the omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress earlier this month.

LIHEAP is the main federal program assisting households across the country, including families with children and seniors, with their home energy needs. LIHEAP funds can be used toward heating in the winter, cooling in the summer, and insulation to make homes more energy efficient and reduce energy costs. Eligibility for the program is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources.

In December, Senator Coons and 38 colleagues sent a letter to President Obama urging the inclusion of robust funding for LIHEAP in the administration’s FY15 budget proposal.

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