Senator Coons reacts to President’s remarks on NSA surveillance of Americans

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reacted Friday to President Obama’s policy directive on signals intelligence activities.

“Delawareans deserve a full and informed debate about our nation’s intelligence-gathering procedures and their intrusion on our privacy rights,” Senator Coons said. “They also deserve a Congress that insists on keeping our nation safe and respects our most cherished privacy protections. While surveillance procedures certainly have a role to play in keeping our nation safe, the last several months have shown that their extent and depth far exceed Americans’ awareness and cross what I believe are a number of innate privacy boundaries.” 

“The changes to the National Security Agency’s data-collection programs announced by President Obama today are a welcome first step, but they fall short of restoring the privacy safeguards that Americans deserve,” the Senator continued. “I appreciate the President’s support for the inclusion of a public advocate role in the FISA court, as would be accomplished by legislation I cosponsored last summer, but remain concerned about the fundamental suspicion-less collection of Americans’ data, regardless of whether it is the government or a private contractor that stores that data. In fact, this shift raises as many new concerns as it addresses. Finally, I am disappointed that today’s announcement only scratches the surface of the surveillance program’s greater transparency problems. An annual review of FISA court decisions for potential declassification is insufficient for Congress to perform the oversight it must.” 

“The President’s policy directive today is progress, but needs to be the start of a conversation with Congress, not the end,” Senator Coons concluded. “I look forward to hearing more details about how the intelligence community will implement the changes proposed today. I remain convinced that the choice between liberty and safety is not a choice between one or the other – we expect both — and I believe both are possible with thoughtful public scrutiny and meaningful Congressional oversight.”

In the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Senator Coons questioned members of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. To view his questioning, click here: http://youtu.be/SXY4eA_NjGA

In September, Senator Coons and eight colleagues on the Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the inspector general of the intelligence community calling for a full-scale review of the use of surveillance authorities and to make public the findings. http://1.usa.gov/Lq92ni

In August, 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 our 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. http://1.usa.gov/1j8UJ1L

In June, Senator Coons and 26 other senators sent a letter asking Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to publicly provide information about the duration and scope of the program and provide examples of its effectiveness in delivering unique intelligence, if such examples exist. http://1.usa.gov/Lq92ni

Ahead of his vote against the reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act in December 2012, Senator Coons spoke on the Senate floor in support of the legislative predecessors to both of these bills. His speech can be viewed and read here: http://1.usa.gov/ZEli97

Congress restores funding to life-saving bulletproof vest program for police officers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, voted Thursday evening for a federal funding bill that includes $22.5 million for a life-saving bulletproof vest program. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership is a competitive grant program that subsidizes the purchase of bullet-resistant and stab-resistant body armor by state and local law enforcement agencies. The program has supplied Delaware law enforcement with nearly 4,000 vests in the last five years.

The President’s budget proposal for FY14 zeroed out funding for the program, but Senator Coons, co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, pushed to restore it in the omnibus bill passed by Congress on Thursday.

“Police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Senator Coons said. “We should be doing everything we can to keep them safe, too. Just last year, vests purchased through the federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership saved the lives of two officers when a gunman opened fire at the New Castle County Courthouse. With many police departments facing shrinking budgets, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership makes these vests – which can cost more than $500 each — more affordable, ensuring that officers are outfitted with the best protection possible. I am thankful that the funding in this bill will allow this critical program to continue to save lives.” 

Thousands of vests have been purchased by Delaware law enforcement through the Partnership over its 14-year history, including 3,852 in the last five years. Nationwide, the program has subsidized more than a million vests, saving the lives of more than 3,000 police officers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Agencies can be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the cost of body armor that complies with National Institute of Justice standards.

On February 11, 2013, bulletproof vests purchased through the federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership saved the lives of two Capitol Police officers, Sergeant Michael Manley and Corporal Steve Rinehart, during a shooting at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington. Both officers were struck, but survived because of their vests.

Last May, Senator Coons and Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) re-introduced the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act to reauthorize the program, which is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Senator Coons votes for bipartisan funding bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, voted Thursday evening for a federal funding bill that supports investment in a number of key Delaware priorities.

“The appropriations bill approved by the House on Wednesday and the Senate tonight is a compromise,” Senator Coons said. “It is by no means a perfect bill, but it does make important investments in our country’s economic growth. After years of governing on autopilot with continuing resolutions, it is also a small but important step toward a responsible and regular fiscal process.

“In Delaware and across the nation, the bill invests in our workforce, makes our communities safer, and builds a circle of protection around the most vulnerable in our society. Together, these investments make up the foundation of a safer, more just, and more inclusive nation.  By combining them with key investments in research, innovation, and infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for growth and shared prosperity today and tomorrow.”

“The omnibus appropriations bill will keep federal meat inspectors from being furloughed and once again endangering Delaware’s poultry industry. It will prevent deeper cuts to the operations of Delaware’s federal courts, and it will prevent steep reductions in Amtrak service and personnel. The bill also provides $20 million for the deepening of the Delaware River — a critical project that is necessary to keep the Port of Wilmington competitive with the coming expansion of the Panama Canal.”

“It is my sincere hope that by passing this bipartisan funding bill, we can put an end to a cycle of manufactured crises. I hope it means we can and will work together to confront the many challenges that remain in front of us.”

Senator Coons introduces bipartisan bill to restore protections in Voting Rights Act

Senator Coons speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday with (l-r) Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.).

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil Rights Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Thursday in introducing bipartisan legislation to modernize the Voting Rights Act. The bill comes seven months after the Supreme Court issued a ruling striking down a key section of the historic law. U.S. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

“Free and fair elections are fundamental to our democracy,” Senator Coons said. “In the seven months since the Supreme Court’s decision, proposed changes to local and state election laws have proven that the protections in the Voting Rights Act are still critically necessary. The bill we’re introducing today doesn’t look at discrimination through the lens of our past, and instead looks clearly and soberly at the modern challenges facing voters. It makes the process of protecting voting rights more transparent, and has been written in a way that is both effective and can pass in Congress. I am proud to support this bill and will work hard to ensure it becomes law.”

The legislation — supported by a range of civil rights groups — is a bicameral, bipartisan response to the Supreme Court’s Shelby County decision, which struck down a core provision in the Voting Rights Act. That provision determines how states are covered under Section 5 of the law, which requires federal preclearance to protect against discriminatory voting measures. The bill updates the coverage formula by making all states and jurisdictions eligible for the coverage formula based on voting violations in the last 15 years. States and jurisdictions that have had a clean record over the last 15 years would not be subject to coverage. 

Key provisions in the bill include:

• A coverage provision based on current conditions. The bill establishes a rolling nationwide trigger that covers states or jurisdictions that have a persistent record of recent voting rights violations in the last 15 years.
• Allows our federal courts to bail-in the worst actors for preclearance. The current law permits states or jurisdictions to be bailed in for intentional violations, but the new legislation amends the Act to allow states or jurisdictions to be bailed in for results-based violations.
• Greater transparency in elections so that voters are made aware of changes. The additional sunlight will deter discrimination from occurring and protect voters from discrimination.
• Allows for preliminary relief to be obtained more readily, given that voting rights cannot often be vindicated after an election is already over.
• Includes modest provisions that continue to permit states to enact reasonable photo identification laws.

The full text of the legislation can be downloaded here.

Carper, Coons, Carney announce more than 30 employers seeking to fill hundreds of positions at Kent County Job Fair

DOVER, Del. – Committed to continuing to help out-of-work Delawareans find employment, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney, in partnership with Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, will welcome more than 30 employers seeking to hire for more than 500 jobs to the Education Technology Building Conference Center at Delaware Technical Community College Terry Campus (North Delaware Tech Drive, Dover, DE 19904). The job fair will take place Thursday, January 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The list of potential employers reflects Delaware’s diverse industries in Kent County, ranging from agriculture to education, law enforcement, and banking. Interested companies seeking to fill positions can contact Senator Coons’ office at 302-573-6345 or via email at workshop@coons.senate.gov.

Confirmed attendees include Advance Student Transport, City of Dover Police, Wilmington Police Department, Work America, RRW Inc. Home Instead Senior Care, Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Delaware State Police, University of Delaware Recruiting, Delaware Transitions to Teaching Partnership, Synerfac Technical Staffing, Citizens Bank, Greater Wilmington Radio Association, USDA, NRCS, Seawatch International, Wilmington University, Dr. Energy Saver, Express Employment Professionals, Interim Healthcare, Griswold Homecare, James Sevens & Daniels, Laborers Apprenticeship Program, New Castle County Police and  Paramedics, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Lowes, Peoples Place, Delaware Department of Transportation, Delaware Transit Corporation, IT Works, and Perdue.

Businesses will be on hand at the fair to interview potential new employees. Delawareans are encouraged to come dressed for success with resumes in hand.

In addition to companies hiring to fill vacancies, the job fair will also have a resources area for job seekers including vendors Brandywine Counseling, Job Centers@ Delaware Libraries, Delaware Department of Labor, Goodwill of Delaware, University of Delaware (Professional & Continuing Studies), Food Bank of Delaware, and ACA Health Exchange Navigators.

Since 2011, the Congressional delegation has hosted 16 job fairs in Delaware, including four specifically for veterans.

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.

11 senators urge TPP negotiators to address barriers to chicken trade

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), with nine of their Senate colleagues, wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Tuesday to urge them to make removing barriers to chicken exports a priority in the negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The TPP is a trade agreement currently being negotiated by Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam

“The TPP represents a significant opportunity to expand U.S. chicken exports and bring increased economic benefits to chicken growers and companies across the country,” the senators wrote.  

“We are particularly concerned about Canada’s supply management program that severely limits U.S. chicken exports to our northern neighbor. As you know, despite ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada has continued to impose restrictions on imports of U.S. chicken products and the U.S. has been unsuccessful in lifting those restrictions. We urge you to continue to work to address this long-standing, unjustified issue during the TPP negotiations and create true free trade for U.S. poultry. 

“Similarly, we are concerned about Australia and New Zealand’s use of non-scientific barriers related to poultry disease that prohibit trade of U.S. chicken products to these countries. If Australia and New Zealand are to participate in the TPP, they should conform to World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards.

“Finally, Japan’s administrative guidance sets an unofficial quota on U.S. chicken products. Japan is a significant potential market for U.S. chicken products and a truly open trade agreement would create substantial opportunity for growth.”

Senators Coons and Isakson lead the bipartisan Senate Chicken Caucus. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

The Senate Chicken Caucus will host regular meetings, briefings, and other events to educate members and staff about chicken industry perspectives on timely issues, including food safety, international trade, labor, immigration, and the environment. 

The text of the letter is below. A PDF can be downloaded here: http://1.usa.gov/L6GWwA

January 14, 2013

Ambassador Michael Froman
United State Trade Representative?
Office of the United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20508 

The Honorable Thomas Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC  20250

Dear Ambassador Froman and Secretary Vilsack:

We write to express our concern regarding trade restrictions on U.S. chicken products by several countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and to urge you to consider them and do everything you can to provide for open markets and fair trade of U.S. chicken products. The TPP represents a significant opportunity to expand U.S. chicken exports and bring increased economic benefits to chicken growers and companies across the country. We are encouraged by the progress you have made during the latest round of trade talks. Your ongoing commitment to seek the highest possible standard agreement is appreciated.

As you know, the U.S. chicken industry is a major economic driver in communities across the country. The industry supports over 1 million jobs and generates over $200 billion in annual economic impact. Nearly 20% of broiler chickens and products produced in the U.S. are exported, representing a significant portion of total sales, and a critical part of the success of the industry. There is incredible potential to grow the level of exports from the U.S, and addressing these barriers to U.S. chicken products during the TPP negotiations is critical to making that potential a reality.

We are particularly concerned about Canada’s supply management program that severely limits U.S. chicken exports to our northern neighbor. As you know, despite ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada has continued to impose restrictions on imports of U.S. chicken products and the U.S. has been unsuccessful in lifting those restrictions. We urge you to continue to work to address this long-standing, unjustified issue during the TPP negotiations and create true free trade for U.S. poultry.

Similarly, we are concerned about Australia and New Zealand’s use of non-scientific barriers related to poultry disease that prohibit trade of U.S. chicken products to these countries. If Australia and New Zealand are to participate in the TPP, they should conform to World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards.

Finally, Japan’s administrative guidance sets an unofficial quota on U.S. chicken products. Japan is a significant potential market for U.S. chicken products and a truly open trade agreement would create substantial opportunity for growth.

Thank you again for your ongoing commitment to moving the TPP negotiations forward. We urge you to continue to fully engage the other eleven participating countries on these priority issues for U.S. chicken producers. We look forward to working with you on these issues going forward.

Sincerely, 

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.)
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.)
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.)
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga)?
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) 

Senator Coons introduces bipartisan bill to protect drivers’ privacy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Tuesday in introducing the Driver Privacy Act, legislation that protects a driver’s personal privacy by making it clear that the owner of a vehicle is also the owner of any information collected by an event data recorder (EDR).

“Americans’ privacy rights need to keep pace with their technology,” Senator Coons said. “Automobiles’ event data recorders can be very useful safety tools, but they can also expose drivers to privacy invasions. We need to ensure that Americans’ privacy is protected when using these devices, and this bipartisan legislation will go a long way toward doing that.”

An EDR has the ability to continuously collect at least 45 pieces of information about a vehicle’s operation that can be retrieved at any time. This includes direction, speed, seatbelt usage and other data. The legislation would ensure that the vehicle owner controls the data to protect personal privacy.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 96 percent of new 2013 car models are currently equipped with an EDR, but in December 2012 the agency proposed rules that would mandate the installation of EDRs in all light-duty vehicles. The proposal raised widespread questions and concerns regarding the ownership of the data that the legislation attempts to address.

Fourteen states have passed laws related to EDRs, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. These state laws, however, apply only in the states that have them; drivers are unprotected in states that do not. To address privacy concerns regarding the device, the legislation specifies that data from an EDR may not be retrieved in any state unless:

• Authorized by a court of law;
• The vehicle owner or lessee consents to the data retrieval;
• The information is retrieved pursuant to a NHTSA recall and all personally identifiable information is not disclosed;
• The information is retrieved in determining the need for emergency medical response following a motor vehicle crash (used in vehicles equipped with Advanced Automatic Crash Notification systems); and
• The information is retrieved for traffic safety research.

Additional cosponsors of the bill include Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Angus King (I-Maine), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Michael Bennet (D-Col.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Mazie Hirano (D-Hawaii), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

Senator Coons lauds launch of new public-private manufacturing institute in North Carolina

WASHINGTON – President Obama on Wednesday announced an innovative public-private partnership between the federal government, 18 companies and six universities to strengthen America’s manufacturing sector and create high quality jobs. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), who leads the Senate’s Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative, applauded the announcement. 

“Washington cannot afford to give up on American workers and should be doing everything it can to help businesses create good jobs,” Senator Coons said. “Manufacturing jobs are good jobs — they pay more, offer more in benefits, and have a greater economic impact on their communities than new jobs in other sectors. In launching this new manufacturing innovation institute, President Obama is creatively addressing one of our nation’s greatest long-term economic challenges: getting our academic, commercial, and governmental leaders working in the same direction. I congratulate the President and North Carolina State University on this announcement, and hope that the Senate moves forward on the legislation Senators Brown and Blunt introduced to fully realize the potential of this idea.” 

Since its debut in October, Manufacturing Jobs for America has grown to include 44 bills from 26 senators. Thirty of the bills have already been introduced — many with bipartisan support — around four principles: strengthening America’s 21st century workforce; opening markets abroad; creating the conditions necessary for growth; and expanding access to capital. 

More on Manufacturing Jobs for America can be found online here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/manufacturing 

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Senator Coons votes to preserve assistance for jobseekers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted twice on Tuesday to advance legislation that would sustain support for jobless Americans 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. 

“Unemployment insurance is a critical part of our safety net that helps those who have lost a job keep a roof over their heads and food on the table while they search for work,” Senator Coons said. “Congress should not be turning its back on the millions of Americans who are still looking for a job. Congress needs to refocus on jobs — on giving American workers the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy, investing in R&D, helping innovative small manufacturers grow and create jobs, and boosting exports by opening new markets. I am deeply disappointed in the Senate today, and will continue working with my colleagues to find a bipartisan compromise that restores our investment in American workers.”

The unemployment insurance system is a partnership between the federal government and state governments that provides a temporary weekly benefit to qualified workers who have lost their jobs and are seeking employment. The amount of that benefit is based in part on a worker’s past earnings. Most states have a 26-week cap on their unemployment benefits, after which federal emergency benefits become available.

Thirty-six hundred Delawareans lost their federal unemployment benefits on December 28th and another 4,800 are expected to lose them over the next six months as they hit Delaware’s 26-week limit.

Senator Coons was a cosponsor of the bill blocked by Tuesday’s filibuster. The bill would have extended funding for federal emergency unemployment benefits for three months. 

Senators Coons, Roberts introduce bipartisan bill to spur private research and development

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), leader of the Senate’s Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative, and Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday to enhance incentives for private firms to invest in research and development. The Innovators Job Creation Act would help startups and other small companies take advantage of valuable R&D tax credits that are currently unavailable to them.

“Research and development is the lifeblood of great American companies, turning ideas into innovations that grow businesses and create good manufacturing jobs here at home,” Senator Coons said. “If we want to strengthen our manufacturing sector, we have to support innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly by startups that are creating the majority of new jobs. The Innovators Job Creation Act will make the successful R&D tax credit accessible to thousands of small firms, freeing up the capital they need to grow during their critical early stages. We can win the fight for manufacturing jobs in America if we invest in our nation’s inventors and innovators, and that’s exactly what this bipartisan bill does.” 

“Early-stage technology companies often struggle to get through the funding ‘valley of death’ as they work to commercialize their research,” said David Gates, Chairman of the Technology Forum of Delaware. “Providing R&D tax credits to such companies will help more new technologies reach the marketplace, while improving U.S. competitiveness.”

In addition to the Technology Forum of Delaware, the bill is supported by Delaware companies including Denovix, Inc.; Evozym; Genome Profiling, LLC; and Litecure, LLC; as well as Delaware BIO and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. 

“Research and development (R&D) in new technologies and new products is an important source of economic growth,” Senator Roberts said. “The new technologies, products, and lower prices generated by investments in R&D create new jobs, raise wages, and create new demand for goods and services. Our legislation would increase cash flow for small businesses and start-ups involved in R&D intensive activities by reducing past, current and future tax liabilities leading to permanent tax savings. This would also reduce a company’s effective tax rate, increasing cash flow and improving earnings, which results in them becoming a more attractive investment.”

Start-ups typically must invest in R&D for many years before they become profitable. During this “pre-revenue” phase of their development they generally cannot use the deductions or tax credits generated by their R&D investments. As a result, start-ups need to raise a great deal of outside capital to fund their investments in new technologies and products, and may also face difficulties borrowing.

To address this, the Innovators Job Creation Act would:

• Allow the R&D credit to be claimed against the Alternative Minimum Tax.  Even if a company is entitled to the R&D credit, many pass-through entities cannot claim it because the R&D credit cannot be used against the Alternative Minimum Tax. Eight out of 10 businesses that would otherwise benefit from taking the R&D credit will receive little to no benefit because of the AMT.  This provision was previously in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, but expired after one year.

• Permit the Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC) on amended returns.  Currently, businesses can only claim the traditional R&D tax credit on an amended return.  However, the traditional credit is outdated and costly for smaller businesses. The Alternative Simplified Credit was intended to make the calculations easier, but regulations prohibit its use on an amended return. There is nothing in statute that requires such a limitation. 

• Enable startup firms to claim the R&D credit, by claiming against their employment taxes. If a startup company cannot access the R&D credit because it does not have an income tax liability, it can claim the R&D credit against taxes it pays on employee wages. The benefit is capped at $250,000 per year.

The Innovators Job Creation Act has also been endorsed nationally by more than three-dozen organizations and companies, including the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF), BIO, the Association for Manufacturing Technology, CompTIA, TechVoice, the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, the Telecommunications Industry Association, Plug In America, American Institute of Architects, and the Technology Councils of North America.

Text of the Innovators Job Creation Act can be found here: http://bit.ly/1eGIeJL