Senator Coons urges for voters’ rights during Judiciary Committee hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke of the important role the judiciary system plays in safeguarding the political process against the evils of corrupt, closed, or fraudulent elections.

“Yesterday, I had the chance to host the chief justice of Kenya who is literally risking his life for judicial reforms to ensure free, fair and safe elections in Kenya in the upcoming year,” Senator Coons said during a Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday morning. “It’s just a bracing reminder of how uncertain the path towards democracy is in other parts of the world.”

Senator Coons’ questioning at Wednesday’s hearing expressed his concern that the Supreme Court in recent years has reviewed laws designed to ensure that the least powerful citizens are empowered to participate in the political process with skepticism, whereas election laws that may impair the rights of the least powerful to participate are given much more deference, like the Voting Right Act of 1965.  Although that bill was reauthorized in 2006 by overwhelming bipartisan majorities, recent decisions by the Supreme Court have questioned whether the Act’s requirement that certain jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination must “preclear” changes to their voting procedures with the Department of Justice.

Senator Coons asked Anthony Johnstone, an assistant professor at the University of Montana School of Law, why the Supreme Court wouldn’t show greater deference to the Voting Rights Act, which passed the Senate in 2006 by a vote of 98-0.

Dr. Johnstone replied that, “With the Voting Rights Act you have the perfect example of an extensive record developed here with an overwhelming approval of not just Congress, but majorities of every delegation of the states subject to the preclearance requirement. If that political process can’t be trusted to express Americans constitutional values through this article one body intended to express it, I don’t know what would. If that Act is subject to suspicion, it’s very hard to understand when Congress is acting within its authority to develop facts and reflect the constitutional judgment of the American people.”

Senator Coons also raised the issue of a controversial Florida law that threatened volunteers in voter registration drives with stiff fines if they did not adhere to stringing procedures relating to the submission of completed voter registration.  That law caused the League of Women Voters, which has conducted voter registration drives for almost 100 years, to suspend its operations in Florida. Senator Coons asked Elisabeth MacNamara, the president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, if there was evidence that Florida’s voter registration law was necessary or simply an effort to prevent specific populations from increasing their registration.

Ms. MacNamara responded that, “It’s part of our mission to make sure that every voter is registered. You pointed out that for 92 years we’ve been seeking out and researching laws that make it more difficult or less difficult for voters to register to vote. We understand, based on our own history, what it’s like not to have a voice in our democracy. We have seen little to no evidence of this kind of voter misbehavior. Nor have any studies that we are familiar with confirmed any kind of widespread problem.”

Senator Coons is an advocate for protecting voters’ rights. He is a cosponsor of the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011, which would amend federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly misleading voters regarding: the time or place of holding any federal election, the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election, or an endorsement.

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Senator Coons calls on Congress to act to prevent credit rating downgrade

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and of the bipartisan group of senators seeking balanced deficit reduction, issued the following statement after Moody’s Investors Service warned that if Congress fails to take the actions necessary to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff” and stabilize our nation’s debt, the United States’ credit rating will likely be lowered.

“The warning from Moody’s today is just the latest in a long line of reminders that it is long since time that Washington gets serious about the dangerous deficits and staggering debt that loom over our economic recovery. I hear regularly from business leaders, local government officials and community leaders in Delaware who are wondering why Congress doesn’t appear more concerned about the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made in rebuilding our economy. It is frustrating that so many in Washington seem willing to wait until after the election to address this crisis. We need to act now. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to heed the warning from Moody’s today and join me in working seriously on solutions for steering clear of the ‘fiscal cliff’ and confronting our deficits in a balanced and responsible fashion.”

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Statement from Senator Coons on murder of U.S. ambassador to Libya

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the deaths of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, during anattack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

“I join President Obama, Secretary Clinton and my colleagues in the Senate in strongly condemning the horrific attack targeting American diplomats and personnel in Libya. My heart goes out to the families of Ambassador Stevens and the other brave Americans who were killed in this senseless act of violence. They were committed public servants who courageously risked theirlives supporting the Libyan people and political transition. The service ofthese brave Americans epitomizes the best of our values, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

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Senator Coons praises progress on veterans jobs bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded the Senate’s 95-1 vote on Tuesday afternoon on the motion to proceed to the Veterans Jobs Corps Act (S. 3457). This bill would invest in our veterans and ease their transition back to civilian life by increasing training and creating job opportunities in conservation and resource management jobs, and give veterans prioritized placement in first responder positions like polic,e firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.

“Veterans are tested leaders who have learned how to manage people through some of the most difficult situations imaginable,” Senator Coons said. “The men and women of our armed forces work hard protecting our nation during their tours of service, and it’s our responsibility to help ensure that they find employment once they return home. The Veterans Jobs Corps Act will help ease our returning soldiers’ transition from combat to civilian life by providing them with the training and tools they need to secure high-quality jobs here at home. With more than 225,000 unemployed post-9/11 veterans all across this country, including thousands in Delaware, we cannot turn our backs on those who fought for our freedom. I applaud my colleagues for coming together to advance this important legislation and I urge them to vote in favor of final passage later this week.”

Specifically, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act would: 

• Create a veterans jobs corps to employ veterans in conservation and resource management jobs;
• Establish a pilot program to provide veterans with access to the Internet and computers to assist in job searches;
• Offer the military’s Transition Assistance Program to eligible veterans and their spouses at sites outside military installations in order to make it easier to relocate in pursuit of job opportunities;
• Give veterans prioritized placement in first responder positions, such as police and firefighters;
• Require minimum funding levels for veterans’ outreach and employment programs.

Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for enhancing veterans’ opportunities for employment. In May 2011, he joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in introducing the Hire America’s Heroes Act, which requires broad job skills training for all service members returning home and improves direct federal hiring so more service members have jobs waiting for them when they leave the military.  He was also a cosponsor of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which included provisions of the Hiring Heroes Act and provides tax credits to businesses that hire veterans who have been looking for work for more than four weeks and provides nearly 100,000 veterans with an extra year of GI Bill education benefits.  The Vow to Hire Heroes Act was signed into law on November 21, 2011.

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Statement from Senator Coons on the anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement marking the 11-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks:

“On this day 11 years ago, an attack on innocent Americans changed the course of our nation and our world. As we pause to mark this solemn day, we remember the 2,977 lives that were lost and the families that continue to mourn their loved ones absence. Those who were lost are not forgotten – they live on in our memories, our stories, and our hearts.

“Americans have always been resilient when faced with adversity and hardship, which is why the terrorists who destroyed our planes and shattered our buildings 11 years ago were unable to shatter our resolve. The systematic capture and killing of al Qaeda’s leadership and dismantling of its organization is proof of that resolve, and of America’s unshakable commitment to the protection of its citizens. Coupled with the outstanding work of our armed forces, today not only serves as a day to remember those we’ve lost, but as a reminder to those who would do us harm that there is no length the United States will not go to for justice.

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Senator Coons stands behind President’s call for accelerated investments in industrial energy efficiency

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy Committee, expressed strong support on Thursday for President Obama’s plan to speed up investments in America’s industrial energy efficiency, including combined heat and power. The Executive Order will enhance American manufacturing competitiveness and create jobs, while also improving our nation’s energy system and reducing harmful emissions. 

“Continuing to develop our industrial energy efficiency standards will better ensure American manufacturing remains competitive in today’s international market,” Senator Coons said. “Our manufacturing sector is the backbone of our economy, and it’s imperative that we do all we can to help our businesses succeed and create jobs. President Obama’s proposal is an investment in our economy, our environment, and our energy security. I applaud President Obama for this Executive Order and look forward to continuing to advocate for the development of clean, safe, reliable energy sources.”

The Executive Order will:

• Set a national goal of 40 GW of new combined heat and power installation over the next decade;
• Direct DOE and EPA to convene stakeholders through ongoing regional workshops to foster a national dialogue to identify, develop, and encourage the adoption of best practice policies and investment models;
• Direct all Federal agencies to use existing federal policies to support investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP, provide public information on the benefits of unlocking investment in industrial energy efficiency, and support manufacturers and states to share best practices and access technical assistance.

Investments in industrial energy efficiency, including combined heat and power, offer significant benefits to manufacturers, utilities and communities across the country, including: Improving U.S. manufacturing competitiveness; creating jobs now through investments upgrading our manufacturing facilities; offering a low-cost approach to new electricity generation capacity to meet current and future demand; significantly lowering emissions; and enhancing grid security.

For more details on the President’s plan, please visit: http://1.usa.gov/TzmAcC.

Senator Coons, an outspoken advocate for enhancing our national energy efficiency standards, is a cosponsor of the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, which aims to set strategic, practical clean energy standards on the largest utilities.

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Senators call on USDA to do more to help poultry growers survive drought

WASHINGTON – Five senators from poultry-growing states — Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) — sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Monday urging the federal government to do more to help poultry growers survive the emergency drought now gripping the nation.

“As senators from poultry-producing states, we urge you to do everything you can to provide tools and assistance for the poultry industry to manage risk during this crisis,” the senators wrote. “We encourage you to use your existing authority to explore as many options as possible, including reprogramming funds, providing additional loan options, providing compensation for economic losses, enhancing corn supplies, compensating for feed and poultry transportation costs, and a bonus purchase of turkey products in order to assist poultry producers and companies.”

The severe drought in the Midwest has caused corn prices to go up by as much as 60 percent, making it harder for poultry growers to feed their flocks.

The letter can be downloaded as a PDF here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/download/vilsack-letter

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Senator Coons calls for the U.S. Justice Department to revise hate crime laws to protect Sikhs

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined 18 of his Senate colleagues on Thursday in sending a bipartisan letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder calling for the Justice Department to allow for the collection and tracking of hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans.

The letter comes following the August 5th tragedy in which white supremacist Wade Michael Page killed six and wounded four other members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

“This tragic shooting is the latest hate crime committed against Sikhs in the United States,” the senators wrote.  “Because many Sikhs wear turbans and do not cut their facial hair, they are often viewed as foreign and are easy to target for harassment and crime.  Thus, Sikhs are particularly susceptible to violence committed because of their Sikh identity, even if the perpetrator does not understand that the victim is a Sikh.”

According to the Sikh Coalition, approximately 500,000 Sikhs live in the U.S.  The Justice Department, through the FBI, tracks crimes committed against Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, atheists, as well as those with “other religion” or “multiple religions,” but does not currently track crimes against Sikhs.

“It is important to collect data on hate crimes committed against Sikhs because this data can identify trends and help federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies properly allocate resources,” the senators continued.  “Until we have a more comprehensive understanding of the number and type of hate crimes committed against Sikhs, our law enforcement agencies will not be able to allocate the appropriate level of personnel and other resources to prevent and respond to these crimes.”          

Three days after the attack on the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Senator Coons attended a candlelight vigil at the Sikh Center of Delaware. Click here for pictures from the vigil.

Full text of the letter follows:

August 23, 2012

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General of the United States

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20530-0001

Dear Mr. Attorney General:

We write to respectfully request that you revise the Hate Crime Incident Report form (1-699) to allow for the collection and tracking of hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans.

As you are well aware, on August 5th, Wade Michael Page killed six and wounded four other members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  From all indications, Page targeted members of the Sikh Temple because of their religion.

This tragic shooting is the latest hate crime committed against Sikhs in the United States.  Over the past two years, two Sikhs in California were murdered, a Sikh temple in Michigan was desecrated, a Sikh transit worker in New York City was assaulted, and a Sikh taxi driver in California was severely beaten.  According to a recent survey of 1,370 Sikhs living in the California Bay Area, 10% reported being the victim of a hate crime.  Sixty-eight percent of those crimes were in the form of physical attacks.

Because many Sikhs wear turbans and do not cut their facial hair, they are often viewed as foreign and are easy to target for harassment and crime.  Thus, Sikhs are particularly susceptible to violence committed because of their Sikh identity, even if the perpetrator does not understand that the victim is a Sikh.

Although the limited data available suggests that a disproportionately high rate of violence and other crimes are committed against Sikhs, it is difficult to understand the true scope of the problem because the Department of Justice does not specifically track hate crimes against Sikhs.  The Hate Crime Statistics Act requires the Department to maintain data on crimes committed on the basis of religion.  Pursuant to this law, the Department publishes the Hate Crime Incident Report for law enforcement agencies to complete when they investigate a suspected hate crime.  That form allows a law enforcement officer to denote that a crime was motivated by a bias against Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, or atheists, among others.  The form does not allow an officer to denote that a crime was motivated by a bias against Sikhs.

It is important to collect data on hate crimes committed against Sikhs because this data can identify trends and help federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies properly allocate resources.  Until we have a more comprehensive understanding of the number and type of hate crimes committed against Sikhs, our law enforcement agencies will not be able to allocate the appropriate level of personnel and other resources to prevent and respond to these crimes.  Moreover, the collection of this information will likely encourage members of the Sikh community to report hate crimes to law enforcement officials.

We urge you to take prompt action to ensure that hate crimes against Sikhs are recorded and tracked.  Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

  

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)                                             

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)

U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)                                           

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)                                       

U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.)

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)                                                

U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (D-Mass.)

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)                                               

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.)                                       

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)                                              

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.)

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)                                    

U.S. Senator Scott P. Brown (R-Mass.)

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) 

Cc:      The Honorable Robert S. Mueller, III

            Director

            Federal Bureau of Investigation

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Statement from Senator Coons on the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement Tuesday on the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawai.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Prime Minister Meles’ family and the Ethiopian people during this difficult time. Prime Minister Meles was an important partner of the United States who demonstrated leadership in promoting shared regional security, food security, and development goals. I look forward to working in partnership with the future leaders of Ethiopia to enhance regional security and promote democracy, good governance, human rights, and economic growth.”

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Senator Coons highlights new report on increased U.S. wind energy production

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised a new U.S. Department of Energy report issued on Tuesday that highlights strong growth in the U.S. wind energy market in 2011, which supports tens of thousands of American jobs. The report also underscores the importance of continued policy support and clean energy tax credits to ensure that the manufacturing jobs associated with this booming global industry remain in the United States.

According to the 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report, the United States remained one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing wind markets in 2011. Wind power has constituted a remarkable 32 percent of all new electric capacity additions in the United States last year and accounted for $14 billion in new investment. The wind sector employs 75,000 American workers, according to industry estimates.

The report can be downloaded by clicking here: http://1.usa.gov/PU0IpB (PDF)

“Investments made in clean energy production not only protect our environment, they also protect and grow our economy,” Senator Coons said. “This report clearly demonstrates that the wind industry is a vital part of America’s clean energy production and supports tens of thousands of jobs across the nation.”

Despite these recent technical and infrastructure improvements and continued growth in 2012, the report warned of a dramatic slowing of domestic wind energy deployments in 2013 due in large part to the possible expiration of federal renewable energy tax incentives. Senator Coons is a strong advocate for the Production Tax Credit (PTC), which provides an important tax credit to wind producers in the United States and has helped drive the industry’s growth, and is set to expire at the end of this year. The wind industry projects that 37,000 jobs could be lost if Congress allows the PTC to expire.

“Continued leadership in the burgeoning wind energy industry is a smart investment for our country,” Senator Coons said. “Now is not the time to turn our back on the companies who have already made great progress in creating jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The market instability created by repeated partisan threats to the PTC is coming at a costly price. It is imperative that we provide certainty in the energy market and extend the Production Tax Credit before it expires.”

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