Resolution honoring C&D Canal anniversary expected to pass Senate tonight

WASHINGTON – A resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to honor the 182nd anniversary of the opening of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, is expected to pass the Senate by unanimous consent on Monday evening. The C&D Canal first became operational with the support of federal and state governments on October 17, 1829.

“The 182nd anniversary of the opening of the C&D Canal is a great opportunity to reflect on the innumerable contributions this waterway has made to our state,” Senator Coons said. “The C&D Canal has played an important role in the growth of the prosperous mid-Atlantic ports, bringing jobs and business to the region, and further strengthening the economic and cultural bond between Delaware and Maryland. The C&D provides many outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors, which will expand after the completion of the C&D Canal trail. I look forward to exploring the new trail with my family, and will continue to work to preserve the Canal and its surrounding area for future generations to enjoy.”  Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“The C&D Canal is a treasured resource that has benefited Delawareans for generations,” Senator Carper said. “For nearly 200 years, the Canal has served as an economic engine for our region, as well as a scenic and safe recreational area for Delawareans of all ages to enjoy. Today, I join Senators Coons, Cardin and Mikulski in saluting this waterway as it continues to prosper and provide for our region for decades to come.”

The C&D Canal has been in operation since 1829, and today it is one of the busiest working waterways in the world, with more than 25,000 vessels passing through it each year.  The Canal is a critical commercial waterway serving the Ports of Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

The resolution expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the following:

• Commemorates the 182nd anniversary of the opening of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal;
• Celebrates the history of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal as a facilitator of trade and economic development in the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic regions;
• Honors the ongoing role that the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal plays in supporting commerce by linking the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay to ports around the world; and
• Recognizes the potential for recreation on federally owned land along the banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to encourage job creation, outdoor engagement, wellness, and fitness.

The full text of the resolution can be provided as a PDF upon request.

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Senator Coons offers support for U.S. efforts to counter the Lord’s Resistance Army

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement regarding the announcement by the Obama administration authorizing the deployment of U.S. forces to central Africa to assist regional militaries in countering the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2005, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for LRA leader Joseph Kony and four other LRA commanders on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“For more than 20 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of innocent people. It has forced thousands of abducted children to become child soldiers, has displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, and has destabilized the region. Joseph Kony and his followers are guilty of horrific crimes against humanity, and the international community has a responsibility to help protect innocent civilians. That’s why I support President Obama’s decision to deploy U.S. military personnel to central Africa to advise regional forces in their effort to counter the LRA and capture or kill Joseph Kony.

“Early and effective consultation with Congress on the deployment of American forces into new theaters of potential conflict is critical to sustaining bipartisan support for our security efforts around the world. I appreciate the Administration’s efforts to engage Congress and the public early in this deployment, and intend to press for greater clarity about the scope, duration and risks inherent in this mission when we convene a secure briefing for the full SFRC on Thursday.” 

Judiciary Committee to take important next step toward repeal of Defense of Marriage Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and an original cosponsor of S. 598, the Respect for Marriage Act, today praised Chairman Pat Leahy’s announcement that the bill, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, would be brought up for Judiciary Committee consideration in November.

“The Respect for Marriage Act is landmark legislation and I’m proud that it will take a major step forward when the Judiciary Committee brings it to mark-up next month,” Senator Coons said. “This is the most progress we’ve ever made in repealing DOMA, and it can’t come soon enough. It should not be the policy of the federal government to discriminate against its citizens based their sexual preference or gender identity. It has had a corrosive effect on our country and must be repealed. I look forward to working with Chairman Leahy and Senator Feinstein to ensure the Respect for Marriage Act is successfully reported out of committee.”

The Respect for Marriage Act (S.598) was introduced in March by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and 18 original cosponsors. Since then, the roster of cosponsors has grown to include 29 senators. As part of a hearing to consider the bill in July, Senator Coons led the Judiciary Committee in its questioning of four prominent advocates for and against marriage equality.

In addition to the Respect for Marriage Act, in the current Congress, Senator Coons has cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the Uniting American Families Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act. During the lame duck session of the previous Congress, Senator Coons cosponsored and worked hard to pass the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Earlier this year, Senator Coons recruited 12 of his colleagues for a video for the It Gets Better Project, in which they encouraged lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people not to give up and reassured them that the senators were working hard in the Senate to fulfill the promise of equality for all. That video can be seen at http://www.coons.senate.gov/itgetsbetter.

Senator Coons praises progress on bill to strengthen the fight against human trafficking

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a cosponsor of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011, praised the committee’s action in reporting the bill out of committee Thursday morning.

“The United States has been a global leader in the fight against slavery and human trafficking, and the bill we reported out of committee today will help us continue to play that pivotal role,” Senator Coons said. “Vigilance against human trafficking is essential to our continual pursuit of justice. 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.”

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act was first passed in 2000 and was reauthorized in 2003 and 2008, but is due to expire at the end of 2011. The bill approved by the Judiciary Committee on Thursday would extend its provisions until 2015. It also:

• Amends the RICO Act to include labor contract fraud under its scope will 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.

“It’s easy to think of trafficking as a problem that doesn’t reach our shores, but nearly 20,000 people are trafficked in the United States each year,” Senator Coons said. “I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.”

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011 was introduced by Senator Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) and is cosponsored by 21 senators — 15 Democrats and six Republicans. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

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Senator Coons calls for coordinated national energy review

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, joined Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today in introducing legislation to develop a coordinated national energy strategy for meeting America’s energy needs.

The Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2011 authorizes a high-level, government-wide working group to submit a comprehensive review of current domestic capabilities and future energy needs, as well as the resources, technologies, and policy recommendations to meet them.  The first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) would be submitted to Congress by February 1, 2014, and every four years thereafter.  The reviews will offer a strategic roadmap to drive innovation in domestic energy sources in order to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and improve economic competitiveness and security in the United States.

The proposal is modeled after the highly regarded Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), a legislatively mandated review of defense strategy and priorities. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), QDRs set a long-term course for DoD as it assesses the changing threats and challenges that the nation faces. It allows DoD to re-balance its strategies, capabilities, and forces to address today’s conflicts and tomorrow’s threats.

“Leadership in energy innovation is critical to America’s long-term economic competitiveness,” Senator Coons said. “A quadrennial review of our energy strategy will yield a balanced, integrated assessment of our national energy policies and will strengthen our path forward. It is time for Congress to put aside partisan debates and embark, as a nation, on a path that creatively and efficiently meets our energy needs. This bill will help us do that.” 

“Our energy capabilities will continue to impact economic growth. That’s why we need to fully assess where we are now and where we need to be in the future,” Senator Pryor said. “This review will provide us with a roadmap for developing a national energy plan, along with the jobs created through innovation and the security that domestic energy can provide to our nation.” Senator Pryor is the lead sponsor of the bill.

“The Quadrennial Energy Review provides a framework for balancing our country’s energy technology goals with its economic, environmental and security priorities,” Senator Bingaman said. “I’m glad to co-sponsor this bill — the product of input from a diverse mix of public and private groups – because it will lay out a foundation for developing a more effective and cohesive national energy policy.” Senator Bingamen is chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“Energy is critical to almost everything we do, and the federal government has implemented a wide variety of subsidies, regulations, and mandates in this area over the years,” Senator Murkowski said. “Despite this, we have fallen short in evaluating how effective our policies have been.  There is no regular assessment of whether our policies can be consolidated, improved or repealed. That’s why it makes sense to develop a coordinated, long-term strategy to help guide and review our policymaking efforts.” Senator Murkowski is the ranking member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee

“Our nation needs an energy plan, plain and simple, and this is a good step in that direction,” Senator Begich said. “This bill will help focus our limited dollars on the right types of technologies across a range of energy sources and efficiencies. Alaska has enormous energy potential, let’s identify the best ways to go about tapping into it and get to work.”

“A clear, long-term plan for our energy future will create jobs and lead our nation toward energy independence,” Senator Tester said.  “This bill is an important step in developing that plan, and I hope the Senate passes this common-sense bill as soon as possible.”

Margot Anderson, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Project, added, “A QER that develops analysis-based, government-wide energy goals and fosters better coordination across Federal agencies would be of great value to investors, producers, and consumers and would help put the U.S. on the right track toward addressing our long-term energy and environmental challenges.”

“The U.S. needs a national strategy to create and win the global $2.3 trillion clean energy race and grow energy sector jobs here at home. The creation of a Quadrennial Energy Review is a significant step to accomplish this. We are pleased to see such strong leadership from the Senate on this important issue,” said Robert Walther, Senior Energy Advisor of the Third Way Organization. 

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Senator Coons votes for free trade agreements with South Korea and Panama

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement Wednesday night following the Senate’s votes on trade agreements with the Republic of Korea, Panama, and Colombia:

“Tonight, the Senate came together across party lines to support trade agreements that will improve America’s competitiveness and extend our reach in the global economy.  I weighed each of the three trade agreements individually, considering a range of factors beyond simply the size of the market opportunity for Delaware companies and manufacturers. Protections for labor rights, respect for the environment, and defense of U.S. intellectual property rights were a substantial part of my deliberations. That’s why I voted today in support of two trade agreements that hold promise for American jobs without compromising essential American values.

“Free and fair trade with the Republic of Korea means jobs in Delaware as more businesses join the hundreds of Delaware companies already exporting their products to the growing Korean marketplace.  Harim’s recent investment in Delaware’s poultry industry demonstrates the benefits to be gained by improving our trade relations with Korea, and today’s move to lower some of the barriers to trade there will take it a step further. Similarly, the agreement with Panama is a good opportunity for American businesses in another growing market. Panama has taken significant steps in the last few years to strengthen the rights of workers and its transparency on tax matters. Both of these agreements will help Delaware and that’s why I voted for them tonight.

“However, I had serious reservations about entering into a trade agreement with Colombia, the most dangerous country in the world in which to work as a trade unionist. Free trade with Colombia in the current environment does not mean fair trade for American workers, and I urge the Colombian government to address its pressing human rights issues by pursuing and prosecuting criminals who choose violence as a means of negotiating with trade unions.

“None of these agreements, however, will be worth the paper they’re written on if we don’t follow up with adequate enforcement. Free trade can never be fair trade without robust enforcement that includes strong protections for American intellectual property and a continued commitment to labor rights for all.”

Senators team up for first ever bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of 18 senators today launched the first ever U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus to educate and inform their colleagues and staff about the programs and initiatives that are keeping our communities safe, while advocating for the policies and resources law enforcement agencies need to carry out their missions.

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the founders and co-chairs of the new caucus, made the announcement at an event in the Capitol on Tuesday. Other founding members of the caucus include Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mark Kirk (R-IL), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.).

“While the brave men and women of law enforcement are doing everything they can to keep our communities safe, Congress ought to be doing everything it can to support their work,” Senator Coons said. “In this challenging economic time we may not be able to provide them all the resources they deserve, but we can still provide support by advocating on their behalf in Washington, by strengthening relationships between local, state, and federal agencies, and by highlighting best practices. This caucus will help us do all three.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to kick off this bipartisan caucus, which is aimed at strengthening support and communication between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide,” Senator Blunt said. “These men and women play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, and I believe this will be a valuable forum for us to facilitate a discussion about the important issues facing America’s law enforcement community.”

The U.S. Senate Law Enforcement Caucus will primarily serve as a forum for officials, community groups, and other stakeholders to meet with legislators, staff, and one another to share experiences and develop strategies for fostering effective law enforcement. It will highlight ways in which the federal government can better assist agencies at the state and local levels, and will help circulate proven best practices in administering law enforcement programs during a time of severely limited budgets.

The goals of the caucus are to:

• Raise awareness and support for beneficial law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives in the Senate
• Reinforce the federal commitment to assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in the performance of their duties
• Strengthen working partnerships between national, state and local law enforcement agencies
• Facilitate an exchange and debate of information, ideas, and concerns within law enforcement
• Promote an inclusive and collaborative approach to combating crime and promoting community safety
• Advocate policies and measures that emphasize and enhance officer safety
• Highlight and promote professional careers in law enforcement

The caucus plans to hold regular briefings on pressing law enforcement issues for U.S. senators and staff, as well as to meet regularly with law enforcement officials to learn about best practices and the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

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Senator Coons announces toll-free number for Delawareans seeking assistance

DOVER, Del. – Delawareans looking to connect with U.S. Senator Chris Coons about issues important to them and situations where they need his help can now reach his office toll-free by calling 877-668-3368.

“It’s important to me that Delawareans are able to connect with me and my office easily and conveniently,” Senator Coons said. “Whether it’s to offer an opinion on the policy issues important to them or to get help with a specific personal issue involving a federal agency, I hope that having a toll-free number will invite more Delawareans to reach out.”

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Statement from Senator Coons on vote for American Jobs Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement Tuesday evening after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the American Jobs Act:

“There should be no higher priority for this Congress than creating jobs, so the outcome of tonight’s vote is certainly disappointing. I voted for the American Jobs Act because it would have helped our neighbors who are looking for work and boosted our nation’s economic recovery. It’s frustrating to me that when I head home tonight, it will be after another day of this Congress failing to take decisive action on America’s jobs crisis. While I welcome plans to break up the legislation into smaller pieces for individual votes, it is critical that those votes happen urgently. The millions of Americans looking for work simply cannot afford for Congress to continue to waste time like this.”

Delaware Congressional Delegation announces grant award to help combat Medicare waste, fraud and abuse

WILMINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) announced a grant to help combat waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system. The Department of Health and Social Services has awarded $50,000 to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services for the Delaware Partners of the Senior Medicare Patrol Project.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national organization that enlists retired senior citizens to serve as volunteers to provide information and help other Medicare beneficiaries seek appropriate courses of action when they suspect fraud, waste or abuse of the Medicare program. This year, the Delaware Partners of the Senior Medicare Patrol has held more than 100 one-on-one counseling sessions and more than 45 group sessions across the state of Delaware to help seniors who have suspected waste, fraud, abuse and problems with their Medicare billing.

“This grant will allow the Delaware Partners of the Senior Medicare Patrol to continue their important work of empowering seniors to fight fraud when it comes to their health care,” said Sen. Carper. “Through the help of staff and volunteers, seniors up and down the state of Delaware are learning how to look for waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare bills, and how to report it. These are small victories in the big battle to control health care costs in our country.”

“The Delaware Partners of the Senior Medicare Patrol is a wonderful example of an effective program that is helping to control rising health care costs by protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens from waste, fraud and abuse,” Sen. Coons said.  “I am proud to continue supporting this project which has already proven successful in each of Delaware’s three counties.  We have an obligation to support and protect our senior citizens from waste, fraud and abuse, and this volunteer program is accomplishing that.”

“Healthcare costs are rising at an unsustainable rate. Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse from the system is a critical first step to containing those costs while ensuring that Americans have access to quality care,” said Congressman Carney.  “The Delaware Partners of the Senior Medicare Patrol are a valuable resource to ending unnecessary Medicare spending, and I’m glad that this grant will allow their work to continue throughout the state.”

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