Senators reintroduce the FAST Voting Act to help states improve their elections

WASHINGTON – Just two days after President Obama used his second inaugural address to renew his call for election reform, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced their legislation to make substantial improvements in the states’ administration of their elections and to make voting faster and more accessible to all voters. The Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act would create a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election reform. The states that demonstrate the most comprehensive and promising reform plans will earn a greater portion of the grant funding.

“Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote,” President Obama said in his second inaugural address Monday, renewing a call he made the night of the 2012 election for reforms to fix how our nation’s elections are run.

“Making it harder for citizens to vote is a violation of their civil rights,” Senator Coons said. “The 2012 elections were a wakeup call. All over the country, in red states and blue states, Americans saw their fundamental right to vote eroded by exceptionally long lines, confusing rules and voting machine malfunctions. We have to do better than this. The FAST Voting Act is a creative way to jumpstart states’ election reform efforts and ensure that what happened last week doesn’t happen again.”

“The extremely long lines and wait times that many Virginia voters experienced at the polls last November were unacceptable,” Senator Warner said. “The FAST Voting Act addresses the issue in a responsible way: it does not impose new mandates, and authorizes additional resources for states that step-up with commonsense reforms to make voting faster and accessible to more voters. We should be looking for opportunities to improve voting access, and voters should not have to wait in line for hours to exercise this fundamental right.”

“The sight of countless Americans standing in line for hours to vote this past Election Day should remind us that our election system needs to be fixed,” Senator Whitehouse said.  “The FAST Voting Act is an important first step, providing incentives for states to take common sense steps to make voting easier for everyone.”

“We cannot permit voter suppression and intimidation, which persist in long lines, ballot shortages, machine malfunctions, bully billboards, and intrusive ID requirements,” Senator Blumenthal said. “Voting is a fundamental aspect of the electoral process that should be protected at all costs, and the FAST voting Act seeks to do exactly that by providing states with resources to reform their election processes.”

The bill was originally introduced in November 2012, just over a week after an Election Day that saw extraordinarily long lines and a myriad of voting issues in more than a dozen states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia, South Carolina, Montana, Tennessee, Hawaii, Arizona, Rhode Island and more.

This bill authorizes a federal program that would award grants based on how well applicant states are able to improve access to the polls in at least nine specified ways, including:

• Providing flexible registration opportunities, including same-day registration;
• Providing early voting, at a minimum of 9 of the 10 calendar days preceding an election;
• Providing absentee voting, including no-excuse absentee voting;
• Providing assistance to voters who do not speak English as a primary language;
• Providing assistance to voters with disabilities, including visual impairment;
• Providing effective access to voting for members of the armed services;
• Providing formal training of election officials, including State and county administrators and volunteers;
• Auditing and reducing waiting times at polling stations; and
• Creating contingency plans for voting in the event of a natural or other disaster.

The program also requires an assessment of steps the state has taken to eliminate statutory, regulatory, procedural and other barriers to expedited voting and accessible voter registration.

The New York Times offered its support for the FAST Voting Act in November: http://nyti.ms/T5DvnK

As did the Washington Post in December: http://bit.ly/TmwS6b

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Statement from Senator Coons on end of hostage crisis in Algeria

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement after Algerian forces ended a four-day hostage crisis at a gas facility in Algeria. At least one American who worked at the eastern Algeria gas facility was killed after Islamic extremists took over the complex in response to French anti-terror operations in neighboring Mali. The extremists have been linked to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which currently controls two-thirds of Mali and last week launched attacks pushing southward toward Bamako.

“My heart goes out to the families of those lost in this heinous act of terror in Algeria. Like too many before them, they are victims of a growing global threat of extremism too often thought to be of only local or regional concern. We’ve seen time and time again that it is possible to attack the United States without stepping foot on American soil. Our interests abroad — which certainly include Americans working around the world — are vulnerable to extremists who do not value human lives above their own political objectives. 

“While the complete picture of the casualties from this assault remains unclear, we know that at least one American was killed. The family and friends of Frederick Buttaccio, who worked at the In Amenas facility and was among those taken hostage, have my deepest condolences. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

“This tragedy should not shake the resolve of those committed to ending the extremist threat taking root in the Sahel and Maghreb regions. Rather, it is precisely the reason the world must take greater notice of the escalating terrorist threat in Mali and commit to confronting it. The threat posted by AQIM is real and it is growing. With the French now leading combat operations in Mali, it is important that the United States expedite its support for those operations and for African nations to accelerate the deployment of forces to the region. This threat must be confronted urgently and decisively.”

Senator Coons welcomes U.S. recognition of the Government of Somalia

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement Friday on the United States’ formal recognition of the Government of Somalia for the first time since 1991:

“This week, the Obama Administration formally recognized the Government of Somalia, and I applaud this critical step in forging a new path in bilateral relations with Somalia after it has faced more than two decades of conflict and war. Over the past year, the Somali people have made significant and courageous progress in improving security and governance, and I hope our renewed diplomatic ties can help to sustain and build on those gains. While several challenges remain, I am both optimistic and hopeful about Somalia’s potential. The United States will continue to work closely with President Sheikh, the Somalia government, and our international partners to help the Somali people continue on a positive trajectory toward a more stable, secure, democratic, and prosperous future.”

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Senator Coons to host second annual Opportunity: Africa conference in Dover

DOVER, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, will host the second annual Opportunity: Africa conference on Monday, February 11 at Delaware State University in Dover.  The conference will link Delaware businesses, faith communities and individuals with top experts on Africa and provide insight on trade opportunities and issues such as human rights challenges, sustainable development, food security and global health.  Last year’s conference drew nearly 500 attendees.

“As home to many of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Africa is a continent of enormous opportunity and is quickly becoming central to our economy and national security,” Senator Coons said. “This year’s Opportunity: Africa conference will pick up where last year’s left off, with hundreds of Delawareans exploring U.S. diplomatic, economic and humanitarian engagement with Africa.  This conference will put Delawareans on the cutting edge of some of the most important economic and policy ideas of the years to come.”

Opportunity: Africa will feature a series of plenary sessions and workshops on specific aspects of U.S. diplomatic, economic and humanitarian polices toward Africa.  Two prominent voices on Africa will keynote the conference:  His Excellency Elkanah Odembo, Kenyan Ambassador to the United States, and Michael Gerson, author, nationally syndicated columnist and policy fellow with the ONE Campaign.

Opportunity: Africa is free and open to the public. It will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 11 at Delaware State University in Dover.  Delawareans can RSVP online at:

http://www.coons.senate.gov/opportunityafrica/

A PDF of the save-the-date for the conference can be downloaded by clicking here.

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Senator Coons urges halt to deportation of foreign-born same-sex spouses until Supreme Court rules on marriage equality

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and an original co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), sent a letter with 11 of his colleagues Thursday to Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urging them to temporarily put on hold immigration cases involving permanent resident status and deportation orders regarding same-sex foreign-born spouses of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of DOMA later this year.

Currently, federal immigration benefits do not extend to same-sex couples under DOMA, which places undue hardship on these families, who could earn relief if the high court invalidates the statute. Already, first and second circuit federal appeals courts have deemed DOMA unconstitutional, as has the Obama administration, whose policy is to no longer defend DOMA in the courts. 

“We urge DHS to hold marriage-based immigration petitions in abeyance until the Supreme Court issues its ruling on same-sex marriage,” the senators wrote. “Holding these cases in abeyance for a few months will prevent hardship to LGBT immigrant families.  We also call upon the Department of Justice to institute a moratorium on orders of removal issued by the immigration courts to married foreign nationals who would be otherwise eligible to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident but for DOMA. By taking these interim steps, vulnerable families affected by DOMA can remain together until the Supreme Court issues its decision.” 

DOMA currently prohibits federal immigration benefits for bi-national LGBT couples, including the ability of a U.S. spouse to petition on behalf of a foreign-born spouse for a permanent resident visa. As a result, officials have consistently denied same-sex couples’ applications, leaving many in immigration limbo without legal status, in fear of separation from their loved ones and potential deportation.

To ensure that foreign-born LGBT spouses would be able to remain with their families in the U.S. and be allowed to work and freely travel during the time leading up to the Supreme Court verdict, the Senators urged Homeland Security Department to “hold in abeyance” bi-national LGBT couples’ immigration petitions and applications and called on the Justice Department to issue a moratorium for deportation cases involving bi-national LGBT couples who would be eligible for U.S. residency if DOMA is invalidated.

Senator Coons was joined on the letter Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). 

Full text of the senators’ letter is below:

January 17, 2013

Dear Mr. Attorney General and Madam Secretary:

We continue to applaud the President for his decision not to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (‘DOMA’) in federal court. We also applaud the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for including “long-term same-sex partners” under the Administration’s policy that suspends deportations of some immigrants who pose no security risk. These developments are steps in the right direction, but DOMA is still the law of the land and continues to discriminate against a class of Americans.

Following the 2012 election, there are now nine states and the District of Columbia recognizing same-sex marriage with several other states granting similar rights. However with DOMA as law, we are creating a tier of second-class families in these States. DOMA prevents same-sex immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens from applying for permanent resident visas. Fortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Windsor v. U.S. and will determine the constitutionality of DOMA in the next term; by June we will know whether or not applications for lawful permanent residence for lesbian and gay spouses will ultimately be approvable.

Given the historic nature of Windsor v. U.S., we urge DHS to hold marriage-based immigration petitions in abeyance until the Supreme Court issues its ruling on same-sex marriage. Holding these cases in abeyance for a few months will prevent hardship to LGBT immigrant families.  We also call upon the Department of Justice to institute a moratorium on orders of removal issued by the immigration courts to married foreign nationals who would be otherwise eligible to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident but for DOMA. By taking these interim steps, vulnerable families affected by DOMA can remain together until the Supreme Court issues its decision.

Preserving family unity is a fundamental American value and is the cornerstone of our nation’s immigration law.  Thank you for your decision not to defend the constitutionality of a law that hurts so many families and for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

 

Senator Coons announces Class of 2017 U.S. Service Academy Nominations

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons today announced his U.S. Service Academy nominations for the Class of 2017.  Four students have earned the Senator’s 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 25 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 

Principal Nominee: Haley Wahrhaftig of Bear, Appoquinimink High School

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs  

Principal Nominee:  Asher Bovankovich of Newark, Delaware Military Academy

United States Military Academy, West Point

Principal Nominee: Anne Reidinger of Wilmington, St. Marks High School

Principal Nominee: Jacob Mocci of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School

Alternate Nominees:

Bowman Benge of Hockessin, Wilmington Friends School

Carey Blackwell of Bear, The Tatnall School

Patrick Boyd of Wilmington, Salesianum School

Nathan Buxton of Wilmington, Charter School of Wilmington

Ian Cain of Georgetown, Sussex Central High School

Christopher Clifton of Bridgeville, Sussex Technical High School

Patrick Coleman of Smyrna, Polytech High School

Matthew Conlin of Lewes, St. Thomas More Academy

Madelyn Crimmins of Millsboro, Valley Forge Military Academy

Nicholas DeLissio of Middletown, St. Thomas More Academy

Joshua Elliott of Laurel, Delmar High School

Albert Green of Millsboro, Sussex Technical High School

Aaron Greenbaum of Wilmington, Tower Hill School

Darnell Jones of Dover, Polytech High School

Peter Kolakowski of Dover, Caesar Rodney High School

Michael McLaughlin of Newark, Salesianum School

Aiden O’Sullivan of Wilmington, Salesianum School

Bryan Panaccione of Newark, St. Marks High School

Jack Partlow of Middletown, Caravel Academy

Eric Polk of Newark, Cab Calloway School of Arts

Jessica Ringer of Hartly, Caesar Rodney High School

Michael Scott of Townsend, Middletown High School

Dylan Varrato of Georgetown, Sussex Technical High School

Donald Wiegner of Middletown, Delaware Military Academy

Joseph Yawn of Laurel, Sussex Technical High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point:

Patrick Boyd of Wilmington, Salesianum School

Matthew Conlin of Lewes, St. Thomas More Academy

Kees Elling of Ocean View, Indian River High School

John Hearn of Lewes, Sussex Technical High School

Micheal Miller of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School

Connor Orton of Lewes, Cape Henlopen High School

Aidan O’Sullivan of Wilmington, Salesianum School

Michael Scott of Townsend, Middletown High School

Donald Wiegner of Middletown, Delaware Military Academy

Joseph Yawn of Laurel, Sussex Technical High School

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

Capt. Emily Arthur

LTC Karen Berry

James Brown, Esq.

Ted Fischer

Scott Kessel

Wanda Lopez

Jonathon Stolson

LTC Rita Wiley

“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.”

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Senator Coons offers support for French-led military operation in Mali

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released the following statement Wednesday on the situation in Mali:

“The deplorable attacks that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and affiliated extremists have launched in Mali in the last week have been deeply troubling and must be stopped. The U.S. and international community cannot and will not sit back as these forces terrorize Mali and establish a regional safe haven and base of operations from which they could launch attacks throughout the Sahel. AQIM is a threat to U.S. interests in the region and around the world, and we will work with our allies to confront these terrorists.  

“I join the Obama Administration in welcoming French military action in Mali and strongly support the immediate deployment of an African-led force in Mali. I applaud the Administration’s decision to provide intelligence and logistical support to the French-led operation, and to help accelerate the deployment of African forces in theater by training and equipping regional militaries. This is consistent with the resolution unanimously passed by the U.N. Security Council last month authorizing an African-led international support mission in Mali.

“A military response alone will not solve the complex challenges facing Mali, however. In addition to addressing the security situation in the North, it is critical that the Malian interim government establishes a roadmap to restore democracy and conducts elections as soon as possible. Elections remain an essential step toward increasing the credibility and legitimacy of the government in Bamako, to restoring Mali’s territorial integrity, protecting Malian democratic institutions, and resuming American and international aid to Mali. These goals were clearly articulated by U.S. officials at a hearing I chaired in the Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs subcommittee last month, and they remain our goals today.

“With the State Department expected to ask Congress in the coming days for additional funding for the African-led international support mission, I look forward to working with my colleagues to closely examine, consider, and support U.S. funding for the mission. Together with French and African forces, the U.S. must continue to confront the growing threat posed by AQIM, encourage Mali to restore its democracy, and help Malians preserve and restore government control over the entire country.”

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Statement from Senator Coons on Delaware leaders’ gun safety proposals

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, issued the following statement after Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Lt. Governor Matt Denn, and Attorney General Beau Biden proposed a series of measures on gun safety.

“In the month since the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, our country has taken a sober look at the causes of and remedies to this violence. Too many families across our country, including right here in Delaware, have endured the pain caused by gun violence in our communities. But it’s not enough to simply express our disdain for these tragedies — we must come together to confront them. That’s what Governor Markell, Lt. Governor Denn, and Attorney General Biden have done today. These ideas should be part of a constructive debate and discussion here in Delaware, and it is my hope that they result in progress that ensures fewer Delaware families will have to grieve the loss of a loved one to gun violence. I am optimistic that the sponsors of this legislation in the General Assembly will work with leaders in law enforcement and all interested communities throughout the state to move forward together.”

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Senator Coons receives the National Guard’s Charles Dick Medal of Merit

DOVER, Del. — U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a leading Senate voice on the critical role the National Guard plays in our security, received the National Guard Association of the United States’ Charles Dick Medal of Merit on Saturday at Dover Downs.  The prestigious award, also given to Governor Jack Markell, was presented at the Delaware National Guard’s Annual Senior Leaders Conference.

“Today’s National Guard delivers on its unique dual mission of keeping us safe both at home and abroad by standing ready to respond to domestic emergencies like natural disasters and deploying overseas to serve our country in foreign conflicts,” Senator Coons said. “If we are going to meet the complex national security challenges of the 21st century, we need the National Guard. I am honored to accept the Charles Dick Medal of Merit on behalf of all of the Delaware National Guard troops who sacrifice so much for our state and our country. I am committed to continuing to work together to ensure the National Guard has the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

“We in the Delaware National Guard have always recognized and appreciated the ardent support of Senator Coons,” said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard.  “Receiving this award shows his support is also being recognized on a national level.”

Criteria for the award state that:

• An individual must have distinguished him/herself over an extended period of time in their support to the National Guard through service in a state or national elected legislative body.
• Superior performance of normal duty alone does not justify award of this medal.  An individual must have provided exceptionally strong support to the National Guard to clearly merit this medal.
• The support of the individual must be such that it has had a lasting effect on the future of the National Guard.  The positive affect and the results of the act should outlast the tenure in office of the individual.

Former Delaware winners of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit include Mike Castle, Joe Biden, Tom Carper and Ruth Ann Minner.

The Charles Dick Medal of Merit was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels.  The medal is named in honor of Major General Charles Dick, National Guard Association of the United States president from 1902 to 1909, a major general in the Ohio National Guard, a Congressman and later a Senator.  Major General Dick was responsible for the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 that established the foundation of the modern National Guard.

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Statement from Senator Coons on nomination of Jack Lew as next Secretary of the Treasury

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama announced he was nominating Jacob Lew as the next Secretary of the Treasury.

“The responsibility for managing our nation’s economic recovery and continuing the momentum we’ve built these last four years is critically important. It calls for someone with a keen intellect, broad vision for fulfilling our country’s economic potential, and a deep passion for protecting our most vulnerable. In Jacob Lew, President Obama has named someone capable of not only meeting those standards, but exceeding them. Jack Lew is respected on both sides of the aisle for his deep knowledge on fiscal matters and his strong commitment to public service. From Wall Street to the West Wing, his expertise and calm, rational temperament have made him a trusted advisor and respected leader. I’m confident he will continue to serve our country with distinction and will be an excellent Secretary of the Treasury.”

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