Senator Coons earns high marks from League of Conservation Voters

WASHINGTON – The League of Conservation Voters unveiled its annual National Environmental Scorecard on Wednesday, announcing that U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) earned a rating of 93 percent for his 2012 voting record. His lifetime rating is now 96 percent. The scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered by Congress and the corresponding voting records of all members.

“Protecting our environment for future generations of Americans is a responsibility that I take very seriously,” Senator Coons said. “It’s critical that we work together to ensure the natural resources we enjoy and depend on today will be around and healthy for our children and grandchildren. I thank the League of Conservation Voters for holding lawmakers accountable for their actions and I pledge to continue to fight to for our treasured natural resources in Delaware and across the country.”

Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The National Environmental Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from nearly two dozen respected environmental and conservation organizations who select the key votes on which members of Congress should be scored. The League of Conservation Voters scores votes on the most important issues considered each year, including energy, global warming, public health, public lands and wildlife conservation, and spending for environmental programs.

The League of Conservation Voters is a national non-profit organization that works to turn environmental values into national priorities. To secure the environmental future of our planet, League of Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental policies, elects pro-environment candidates who will adopt and implement such policies, and provides state leagues with the resources and tools to accomplish and sustain their mission.

Senator Coons makes pitch for marriage equality in Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged attendees of the Human Rights Campaign’s Philadelphia Gala on Saturday to support Equality Delaware’s pursuit of full marriage equality here. Delivering remarks via video, Senator Coons said Delaware was “poised to make history.”

“We want to be the tenth state — the eleventh, if you include the District of Columbia — to show the basic human decency that comes with offering full marriage equality to our citizens,” Senator Coons said. “Equality Delaware already has my full support, but it needs yours, too.”

“Equality is the birthright of every American, and it’s up to each of us to work hard to ensure that everyone — no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity — can access the equal rights and protections due every American. We have a real chance to pass marriage equality in Delaware this year, and show the next generation of LGBTQ youth that they are not broken; that they are not wrong; that they ARE equal.”

A family commitment prevented Senator Coons from attending the gala in person, as he did in 2011 when he keynoted the annual gathering. Saturday’s video can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppDw5FHXGnU

A transcript is below:

Good evening. I’m Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.

Two years ago I stood on stage at this very gala and issued a challenge. I said that it was up to each of us to make it better for a generation of young LGBTQ Americans growing up in a country that tells them they are somehow less — somehow not worthy of being treated equally.

Equality is the birthright of every American, and it’s up to each of us to work hard to ensure that everyone — no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity — can access the equal rights and protections due every American.

By being here tonight; by working with the Human Rights Campaign and by leading the fight for equality in our communities; you are making a difference. The Human Rights Campaign has staff in Delaware and other equality battlegrounds because of your support.

You are making it better. And I thank you.

I don’t have to tell you, of course, but this is going to be a big year for equality in this country. As a nation we’re poised to make historic progress this year, and — let’s not kid ourselves — this is after a couple of very, very good years.

The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; winning equality in New York, Maryland, Maine, Washington, and Minnesota; getting the Respect for Marriage Act, which repeals the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Just this week the Pentagon announced it would offer benefits to same-sex couples never offered before.

We’ve got incredible momentum at our backs, and are gazing forward at an historic opportunity.

Thanks to the work of Equality Delaware, the Human Rights Campaign, and folks like you, Delaware passed a bill legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples in 2011. I was honored to stand with two close friends at their wedding — the state’s first same-sex civil union — and I am honored to stand with them again now as they lead the fight for full marriage equality in Delaware.

Delaware is poised to make history… and we want you to be a part of it.

We want to be the tenth state — the eleventh, if you include the District of Columbia — to show the basic human decency that comes with offering full marriage equality to our citizens.

Equality Delaware already has my full support, but it needs yours, too.

We can’t do it without you, and we need your help.

I hope you’ll go to equalitydelaware.org — even right now on your phone, as you’re here enjoying the gala — and sign up. Sign up to show your support, to volunteer, and to continue making a difference.

We have a real chance to pass marriage equality in Delaware this year, and show the next generation of LGBTQ youth that they are not broken; that they are not wrong; that they ARE equal.

We’re all equal, and it DOES get better.

I hope you’ll stand with Delaware as we campaign for marriage equality this year.

Thank you.

Carper, Coons, Carney to host job fair on March 6th in New Castle County

WILMINGTON, Del. – To help Delawareans take advantage of the nation’s emerging economic recovery, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney will host three more job fairs this spring, including one on March 6th in New Castle County. The delegation will host job fairs in Sussex County in April and Kent County in June, and is urging businesses throughout the state to reserve their tables now. Business leaders will get to meet with and interview talented Delawareans ready with resumes in-hand.

The first job fair is being organized with Brandywine Counseling and will be held on Wednesday, March 6th at the Embassy Suites in Newark from 10 am to 3 pm.

“Helping more Delawareans get back on their feet and back into the workforce remains one of my top priorities,” Senator Carper said. “Our economy continues to add jobs, but too many Americans and Delawareans remain out of work. By connecting job-seekers with many employers ready to hire, I’m hopeful that Chris, John and I can, in some small way, do our part to help more folks in Delaware get good-paying, reliable jobs.”

“While partisan obstruction in Congress continues to prevent us from helping the millions of Americans still looking for work, it’s important to me that we find other ways to help our neighbors,” Senator Coons said. “Our job fairs these last two years have connected 10,000 Delawareans with employers ready to hire, helping our neighbors take advantage of our recovering economy. If you manage a business that’s looking to hire, I hope you’ll contact my office to register for this spring’s job fairs.”

“Connecting employers with qualified job-seekers is critical to strengthening the state’s businesses, families, and economy,” Congressman Carney said. “I encourage any business that is looking to hire to attend this job fair and meet skilled Delawareans who could make the difference for your organization.”

In addition to networking with companies looking to hire, job-seekers will also be able to participate in job-search skills workshops, receive career counseling, and have their resumes reviewed by experts.

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.

Senator Coons urges President Obama to ban federal contracts with companies that discriminate against LGBT employees

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) joined 36 of his colleagues on Thursday on a letter to President Obama urging the White House to issue an Executive Order to outlaw employment discrimination against LGBT Americans by federal contractors. Executive orders have banned other forms of employment discrimination by contractors for decades, but no such protections exist for LGBT workers.

“Issuing an Executive Order that includes sexual orientation and gender identity is a critical step that you can take today toward ending discrimination in the workplace,” the senators wrote. “By expanding protections for LGBT employees of federal contractors, you would be helping to ensure that all Americans get an equal opportunity to succeed and that federal taxpayer dollars are used to support companies with the best employment practices.”

Defense contractors have been prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race or national origin since World War II, and broader anti-discrimination bans have been in place on all contractors for almost 50 years. The letter to President Obama today asks him to issue a new Executive Order that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to these long-standing bans.

“An executive order from President Obama would ensure that hundreds of thousands of LGBT federal contract employees could go to work every day without fear of being fired for who they are or who they love,” Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said. “I am grateful to these leaders in the Senate for speaking out on behalf of LGBT Americans who want nothing more than a fair shot at a job.”

Modifying non-discrimination policies for federal contractors would simply speed up a process of modernizing anti-discrimination policies that has been underway in the private sector for decades. The five largest federal contractors already have LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies, as do the majority of the 25 largest federal contractors. However, despite advances in many American workplaces, rates of discrimination against LGBT people remain high. Research shows that up to 43 percent of LGB people and 90 percent of transgender people report having experienced some form of workplace discrimination.

The letter was organized by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the lead sponsor of Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2011, which outlaws employment discrimination against gay and transgender Americans. Senator Coons is a cosponsor of this bill.

Senators Coons and Merkley were joined by the following senators in sending this letter to President Obama:

Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Al Franken (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Carl Levin (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), William Cowan (D-MA), Mark Udall (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Begich (D-AK), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

Text of the letter from the senators is included below:

February 14, 2013

President Barack Obama

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write as supporters of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to ask that you issue an Executive Order to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by federal contractors. We are committed to enacting legislation to protect all Americans. In the meantime, you are in a position to protect millions of American workers immediately by including sexual orientation and gender identity alongside long-standing anti-discrimination protections.

As you know, ENDA would prohibit most workplaces in the United States from discriminating against potential and existing employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. From our perspective, ENDA’s premise is simple: it would make federal law reflect the basic principle that Americans should be judged on their skills and abilities in the workplace, and not on irrelevant factors such as their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Currently, an Executive Order prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Signed by President Johnson in 1965, the Executive Order continues to offer important employment protections for many Americans, and is currently enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the Department of Labor.

Issuing an Executive Order that includes sexual orientation and gender identity is a critical step that you can take today toward ending discrimination in the workplace. According to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity would extend equal workplace rights to more than 16 million workers, and would help ensure that they are not forced into the ranks of the unemployed based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. But doing so would also serve another important purpose, one that is always on our minds as appropriators of Americans’ taxpayer dollars, namely, making the most efficient use of federal government resources.

Corporate America continues to demonstrate that creating a level playing field for LGBT workers is a best business practice. In fact, amending the Executive Order would not impose a radical change on federal contractors but would simply speed up a process of modernizing anti-discrimination policies that has been underway in the private sector for decades. The five largest federal contractors – Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and General Dynamics – already have LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies, as do the majority of the 25 largest federal contractors. It only makes sense that our government should prioritize the awarding of billions of taxpayer dollars spent on government contracts to those companies with workplace policies proven to be the best.

Of course, making this important change is also a matter of basic fairness. Unfortunately, there are many examples of why issuing an Executive Order is so critically needed. Despite advances in many American workplaces, rates of discrimination against LGBT people remain high. Research shows that up to 43 percent of LGB people and 90 percent of transgender people report having experienced some form of workplace discrimination.

By expanding protections for LGBT employees of federal contractors, you would be helping to ensure that all Americans get an equal opportunity to succeed and that federal taxpayer dollars are used to support companies with the best employment practices. We believe that using our limited resources wisely and efficiently is a principle upon which all Americans can agree. We thank you for considering our request. We appreciate your leadership on ENDA and the many other steps your Administration has taken to ensure the LGBT population receives the same protections and opportunities that all Americans deserve as their birthright.

Sincerely,

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Startup Act 3.0 introduced by Senators Coons, Moran, Warner, and Blunt

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), today introduced Startup Act 3.0 – the updated version of their bipartisan jobs and high-skilled immigration plan to jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses.

Startup Act 3.0 creates both Entrepreneur and STEM Visas for highly-educated and entrepreneurial immigrants to stay in the United States where their talent and new ideas can fuel economic growth and create American jobs. The legislation also modifies the tax code to encourage investment in new businesses, accelerates the commercialization of university research that can lead to new ventures, and seeks to improve the regulatory process.

“America has long been seen as the land of opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs. We must do everything possible to make certain that remains true,” Sen. Moran said. “At a time when our economy needs jobs first and foremost, America’s archaic government policies have us falling behind. We are losing talent and jobs by the day to countries like Canada, Chile, and the United Kingdom that are aggressively courting the world’s best and brightest. We must pass Startup Act 3.0, or we risk losing the next generation of great entrepreneurs and the jobs they create to countries that have taken action to attract and better support these innovators.”

“With a renewed focus on comprehensive immigration reform, it is imperative that we take commonsense steps to help the U.S. compete and win the global competition for talented innovators and entrepreneurs,” Sen. Warner said. “Our bipartisan legislation provides greater support for high-wage, high-skill jobs. We also propose reasonable steps to reform our tax and regulatory policies to help promote investment and job creation, and Startup Act 3.0 also looks to accelerate the transfer of university R&D into the marketplace.”

“While our economic recovery is ongoing, we have a chance to look toward the future and build the kind of innovation-based economy that will help our kids and grandkids compete and succeed for generations to come,” Sen. Coons said. “Startup Act 3.0 will help us get there by bringing ideas and discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace, helping startups access the R&D Tax Credit which supports growth and job creation, and ensuring that when a foreign-born, American-educated graduate student in science, technology, engineering or math has a great idea to start a business, they do it here in the United States instead of going home to compete with us. Thanks to Senators Moran, Warner and Blunt for their hard work and leadership on this legislation.”

“Now more than ever, we simply cannot afford to lose American entrepreneurs as a result of anti-competitive domestic policies. I’m committed to fighting to remove barriers for job creators so they can grow and hire here in the U.S.,” Sen. Blunt said. “Countries like Great Britain and Canada are already promoting their low-tax, business friendly regulatory environments in hopes of attracting U.S.-based companies to relocate. This common-sense legislation will help us keep more American innovators here at home.”

Research shows that for close to three decades, companies less than five years old have created almost all net new jobs in America – averaging about three million jobs each year.

Additionally, immigrants to the United States have a long history of creating businesses in America. Of the current Fortune 500 companies – including Apple, Google and eBay – more than 40 percent were founded by a first- or second-generation American. These American companies employ more than 10 million people. Both American and foreign-born entrepreneurs are needed to jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses.

“I’m encouraged to see continued enthusiasm and momentum in Washington to support entrepreneurs,” said Steve Case, Revolution LLC CEO and member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. “With the reintroduction of the bipartisan Startup Act, Senator Moran, Senator Warner, Senator Coons, and Senator Blunt are demonstrating a real commitment to help the United States win the global battle for talent. By creating a new visa for foreign students with advanced STEM degrees and immigrant entrepreneurs, and by eliminating the per-country cap on employment-based visas, we will make it easier for the best and the brightest from across the globe to start businesses, innovate, and create jobs right here in the United States.”

Many of the principles included in Startup Act 3.0 are based on the research and analysis by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and have been endorsed by President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

“Kauffman Foundation research has highlighted the economic importance of new and young firms – they create jobs, introduce innovations, and drive economic growth,” said Dane Stangler, acting director of Research & Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. “Yet they continue to face many barriers to entry and growth, which policymakers can help address. Our research suggests that improving access to capital, creating new pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs, and regulatory reform will help address these barriers.”

The provisions in Startup Act 3.0 have been endorsed by CEA, TechAmerica, Financial Services Forum, the National Small Business Association, Google, CONNECT, CTIA, Engine Advocacy, Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Angel Capital Association , ITI, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Perceptive Software, Shenandoah Valley Technology Council, Silicon Valley Leadership Group , Tampa Bay Technology Forum, TechNet, Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Wichita Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to read a one-pager on Why Startup Act 3.0 Matters.

Startup Act 3.0 includes the following provisions:

Creates an Entrepreneur’s Visa for legal immigrants, so they can remain in the United States, launch businesses and create jobs;
Creates a new STEM visa so U.S.-educated foreign students, who graduate with a master’s or Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, can receive a green card and stay in this country where their talent and ideas can fuel growth and create American jobs;
Eliminates the per-country caps for employment-based immigrant visas – which hinder U.S. employers from recruiting the top-tier talent they need to grow;
Makes permanent the exemption of capital gains taxes on the sale of startup stock held for at least five years – so investors can provide financial stability at a critical juncture of firm growth;
Creates a limited research and development tax credit for young startups less than five years old and with less than $5 million in annual receipts. This R&D credit is designed to allow startups to offset employee taxes – freeing up resources to help these young companies expand and create jobs;
Uses existing federal R&D funding to support university initiatives designed to bring cutting-edge research to the marketplace more quickly where it can propel economic growth;
Requires all government agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of all proposed “significant rules” with an economic impact of $100 million or more. This new requirement will help determine the efficacy of regulations and their potential impact on the formation and growth of new businesses; and
Directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to assess state and local policies that aid in the development of new businesses. Through the publication of reports on new business formation and the entrepreneurial environment, lawmakers will be better equipped to encourage entrepreneurship with the most successful policies.

Delaware business leader joins Senator Coons for discussion on job creation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) participated in a roundtable discussion in the Capitol on Wednesday looking at innovation, job creation and economic growth. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured a dozen business leaders from around the country, including Ernie Dianastasis, the managing director of the Delaware Valley Region of Computer Aid, Inc. in Wilmington.

“With so many Delawareans out of work, Congress’ focus should be on helping businesses grow and create jobs,” Senator Coons said. “Today’s conversation was wide-ranging and thoughtful, and we are grateful to Ernie and other business leaders from around the country for sharing their on-the-ground expertise with us. Eight years of business experience in Delaware made it clear to me that Congress must take action to foster an environment that will fuel private sector economic growth and job creation.”

“It is extremely important for United States senators to conduct these meetings with business leaders to gain a better understanding of the current environment, particularly in these uncertain times,” Mr. Dianastasis said. “Hearing firsthand what the challenges are, where the opportunities are, what is working and what is not working will enable senators to better understand the current economic landscape. This information should enable them to consider legislation that promotes growth. I am pleased to say that Senator Carper and Senator Coons meet with business leaders in Delaware on a regular basis to seek their input on these important issues.”

Computer Aid, Inc. has grown significantly in the past four years, innovating to stay ahead of offshore competition and weathering dramatic changes in the industry. Ernie Dianastasis started as the Delaware Valley Region’s first employee by working out of his living room and 28 years later, runs a region with over 750 employees. He is also the founding chairman of First State Innovation, which works to help grow, attract, retain, and connect high growth technology based businesses in Delaware and the region.

Senator Coons has been working closely with Delaware businesses to find innovative ways to help them grow and create jobs, even in a tough economy. Along with the other members of the Delaware Congressional delegation, he hosted nine job fairs in two years, connecting employers ready to hire with 10,000 Delaware job seekers.

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Senator Coons votes to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised the Senate’s passage on Tuesday of a bill to reauthorize the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The legislation, which is similar to legislation passed by the Senate last year, has deep support from leaders in Delaware. It passed on Tuesday by a 78-22 vote.

“Domestic violence tears too many homes apart and rips at the fabric of our communities,” Senator Coons said. “The Senate again took a stand to end these horrific crimes by reauthorizing and strengthening the Violence Against Women Act. I urge the House to do likewise, because domestic abuse isn’t a partisan issue – it impacts men, women and children from all walks of life.”

Senator Coons is a cosponsor of the legislation, as he was during the previous Congress. Although a bipartisan coalition of senators passed the legislation 68-31 last April, the House of Representatives refused to take up the measure and put the programs supported by VAWA at risk.

“The scale of domestic violence work has dramatically changed over the last two decades,” Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Carol Post said. “This is due to many factors, but certainly the Violence Against Women Act is one of the major reasons for Delaware’s improved, strengthened, and coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. We cannot afford to lose the ground we have gained over the last 20 years. Since its last reauthorization, nearly 3,400 women and children sought the safety and security of local shelters in Delaware and over 21,000 calls were made to local hotlines. Although progress has been made, our work is not complete. VAWA’s reauthorization will ensure greater protections, services and justice to all victims. We are grateful for Delaware’s continued leadership in this cause to end violence towards women and urge Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act now.”

“The Violence Against Women Act has been a true asset to Delaware,” State Senate Majority Leader Patti Blevins said. “Thanks to VAWA, we have been able to send funding directly to service providers to give victims of domestic violence and sexual assault counseling, legal assistance, translation services and so much more. We have been able to train police, enhance prosecution efforts and assist our courts in providing more targeted services to victims. The loss of VAWA funding would be tragic to Delaware and our efforts to make our state safer for victims of violence.”

“Violence against women is a pervasive issue, not only in the City of Wilmington, but throughout the whole state of Delaware,” Wilmington Police Chief Christine Dunning said. “Last year, the Wilmington Police Department’s Victim Services Unit fielded over 1,500 reported cases of domestic violence, however, only a third of these reported victims accepted services. We believe these statistics only reflect the tip of the iceberg. Our Victim Services Unit advocates reported that women encounter multiple safety concerns and barriers that prevent them from reporting violence perpetuated against them. Some of these barriers are financial, where others may be due to limited English proficiency. It has been reported that the most dangerous time for a woman is after she initiates reporting violence inflicted against her. In order to combat this violence, additional resources must be dedicated to ensure women’s safety and the safety of future generations.”

The legislation would improve existing programs to address evolving needs in the fight against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The legislation supports training for those on the front lines of efforts to eliminate domestic violence. It takes the important step of explicitly preventing grant recipients from discriminating against victims who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The legislation also promotes accountability to ensure that federal funds are used for their intended purposes, and consolidates programs and reduces authorization levels to address fiscal concerns while focusing on the programs that have been the most successful.

The final bill also included the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which was filed as an amendment to the legislation and would combat modern slavery and strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

“The Violence Against Women Act has proven effective at empowering more individuals to report these crimes to their local authorities and providing our law enforcement officers with the resources and training they need to respond to domestic violence,” Senator Coons said. “Human trafficking is another serious problem that is underreported and highly prevalent. Reauthorization of VAWA is an indispensable part of our efforts to put an end to all forms of abuse.”

Originally drafted by then-Senator Biden, VAWA was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994, and has since been reauthorized twice: in 2000 and 2005. The law’s current authorization, however, expired in September 2011. Programs supported by VAWA have provided victims with critical services such as transitional housing, legal assistance, and supervised visitation services. VAWA has also encouraged communities to coordinate their responses to domestic and sexual violence by bringing together victim advocates, law enforcement, the courts, health care professionals and leaders within faith communities.

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Senator Coons votes to strengthen fight against slavery and human trafficking

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees, voted Tuesday to combat modern slavery and strengthen the fight against human trafficking. The legislation, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, was filed as an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which the Senate also voted to reauthorize on Tuesday. The final legislation now awaits consideration in the House, which last year refused to take up the Senate’s bill to reauthorize VAWA.

“Slavery is an abomination and must be eradicated from this earth,” Senator Coons said. “The United States has been a global leader in the fight against slavery and human trafficking, and this legislation will help us continue to be. It is truly shocking, but human trafficking is still a problem that needs to be confronted. Globally, as many as four million people are trafficked each year for sex exploitation, forced labor, or as child soldiers, making trafficking perhaps the biggest global human rights issue in our time. Trafficking generates an estimated $9.6 billion each year for criminal organizations and absolutely must be stopped. Vigilance against human trafficking is essential to our continual pursuit of justice.”

The amendment passed by a 93-5 vote Tuesday morning.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act was first passed in 2000 and was reauthorized in 2003 and 2008, but expired at the end of 2011. The bill was approved by the Judiciary Committee in October would extend its provisions until 2015, and:

Amends the RICO Act to include labor contract fraud under its scope to help prosecute forced labor trafficking;
Criminalizes the knowing destruction, concealment, removal, confiscation, or possession of a person’s immigration documents;
Increases the statute of limitations to 10 years for those bringing civil actions for injuries caused by forced-labor or sexual criminal actions against minors;
Improves the immigration system created to assist victims of trafficking and their immediate family members, known as “T visas” and “U visas”;
Increases accountability of participating programs;
Strengthens and regionalizes global anti-trafficking efforts;
Establishes a fund to assist other countries with urgent needs related to trafficking; and
Improves access to information about human trafficking laws and protections for victims through immigration authorities and the Department of Health and Human Services.

In November, Senator Coons helped found the bipartisan Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking and build support for the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

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Statement from Senator Coons on shooting at New Castle County Courthouse

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a former New Castle County Executive and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the tragic shooting Monday morning at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington that left two dead and two wounded:

“Words cannot express the shock and horror reverberating through our community today. Annie and I were shaken by the news, and are praying for the victims and their families. This kind of violence has no place in our society and no place in our community. While investigators search for answers, it’s up to us to come together to honor those we’ve lost and recommit ourselves to trying to prevent needless violence from shattering yet another Delaware family.

“Though we grieve the neighbors we lost today, we find solace in the two Capitol Police officers shot during the attack who, tonight, are already out of the hospital and at home with their families. This is a blessing and should serve as a reminder of the value of bulletproof vests to our law enforcement officers.

“All of those affected by this morning’s tragic shooting are in our prayers this evening.”

In immigration debate, Senator Coons seeks due process and human rights guarantees

WASHINGTON – A week before the first Senate hearing on immigration reform, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) in penning a letter to their Senate colleagues urging their support to ensure that the immigration reforms ultimately considered by the Senate remain “grounded in civil and human rights, and ensure due process, equal treatment, and fairness.” Senators Coons, Blumenthal and Hirono are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senator Leahy chairs the committee.

“Today, America is at a crossroads,” the senators wrote in a letter sent Wednesday morning. “The question we face is not only how much enforcement we need, but how we will bring our enforcement in line with our nation’s values.”

“Current immigration enforcement practices tear families apart and hurt people who know only America as home. More than one in every five people deported are parents of U.S. citizens. Thousands of people, including those seeking asylum, are unnecessarily detained at great expense to taxpayers even though they pose no threat to public safety. Our laws mandate detention or deportation for many people, denying them access to a hearing before a judge, without guaranteeing legal counsel for those who cannot afford it. Immigration enforcement measures frequently target minority and immigrant communities through impermissible racial profiling that instills fear and distrust of law enforcement and makes communities less safe. Our system is not fair. It is unnecessarily punitive and disproportionate.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold its first hearing on comprehensive immigration reform on Wednesday, February 13, at 9:30 a.m.

A PDF of the signed letter can be downloaded here:

http://www.coons.senate.gov/download/dear-colleague-immigration-reform

The text of the letter is below:

February 5, 2013

Dear Colleague:

As the 113^th Congress begins, the need to enact comprehensive immigration reform has never been more pressing. From top to bottom, our immigration system fails to reflect our national priorities, needs and values. The treatment of workers of all skill levels, a pathway to citizenship for law abiding immigrants already here, maintenance and restoration of family unity, asylum policy, and proper allocation of enforcement resources all deserve attention.

As part of this discussion, we declare our commitment to the passage of a common-sense bill that serves our nation’s interests and upholds our Constitution. America is a nation of values, founded on the idea that all people are created equal under God, no matter what they look like or where they came from. Our immigration laws should reflect our commitment to these values. They should be grounded in civil and human rights and ensure due process, equal treatment, and fairness.

When we examine our current immigration enforcement system through the lens of these values, substantial reforms are clearly needed. Current immigration enforcement practices tear families apart and hurt people who know only America as home. More than one in every five people deported are parents of U.S. citizens. Thousands of people, including those seeking asylum, are unnecessarily detained at great expense to taxpayers even though they pose no threat to public safety. Our laws mandate detention or deportation for many people, denying them access to a hearing before a judge, without guaranteeing legal counsel for those who cannot afford it. Immigration enforcement measures frequently target minority and immigrant communities through impermissible racial profiling that instills fear and distrust of law enforcement and makes communities less safe. Our system is not fair. It is unnecessarily punitive and disproportionate.

Our nation has committed substantial resources to immigration enforcement, now reaching $18 billion annually. The smart solutions to our broken immigration system do not require the blind commitment of additional precious resources. The answer lies with enacting immigration reform that is good for our communities, our economy, and our nation.

Today, America is at a crossroads. The question we face is not only how much enforcement we need, but how we will bring our enforcement in line with our nation’s values. We renew our commitment to fight for principled immigration reform that does the following:

Provides an enforcement process that matches our values. To the greatest extent possible, we should strive for a process that includes a fair hearing before a judge, a bond hearing, federal court review, and access to counsel.
Provides for the humane treatment of everyone detained by immigration authorities and ensures that no one is deprived of their liberty except as a last resort.
Reduces the impact of enforcement on children and families.
Clarifies that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that it should be administered uniformly across the country.
Explicitly rejects discrimination and racial profiling.
Ensures that all agencies charged with enforcement operate with accountability and transparency.

In this immigration reform effort, we must not lose sight of the imperative to create an immigration system that is worthy of our nation’s values and our Constitution.