Statement from Senator Coons on independence of the Republic of South Sudan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statement welcoming independence for the Republic of South Sudan.

“This is truly a momentous day for the people of the newly independent Republic of South Sudan — a moment borne of decades of civil war, great suffering, and ultimately, a peaceful and democratic referendum. I am delighted to join the American people in congratulating South Sudan on this historic milestone and welcoming this new country to the community of sovereign nations. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee to nurture a close and productive relationship between the United States and Africa’s 54th nation. 

“As we celebrate, we also are mindful of the challenges that remain in Abyei, Southern Kordofan, Darfur and elsewhere. But today we celebrate and look toward building a future characterized by peace and development for all the people of Sudan and South Sudan.”

On Senate floor, Senator Coons warns of America becoming a bad investment with default crisis

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the floor today about the urgent need to reach a bipartisan budget compromise in order to avoid a default crisis.

– As Delivered on July 6, 2011 –

Madam President, I rise to follow the comments of my colleague from Colorado in emphasizing the sense of urgency — the sense of frustration and of deep concern that I know many of us feel in the Senate of the United States.

On the Fourth of July, as I went up and down the State of Delaware to different parades and picnics and gatherings, I had the opportunity to meet with and talk to thousands of Delawareans. Over and over I would go up to men who were wearing hats that showed that they served, whether in the Korean War, the Vietnam War or the second World War and thanked them for their service. Repeatedly I would hear the same thing back: “We’ve done our job. We hope you’ll do yours.”

When I was elected in 2010 to serve here in the United States, I heard the same message from the folks across Delaware that I just heard Senator Udall reflect from the people of Colorado: Help the private sector create good jobs, deal with the deficit and debt, and do it in a bipartisan and responsible way. And I am gravely concerned that we are on the verge of the most predictable financial crisis in modern American history as we slowly grind toward the predicted deficit – excuse me, the predicted default on America’s mortgage on August 2nd.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has warned us since the beginning of this year, with the letter that he sent us on January 6 — with repeated testimony before various committees of the Senate. We have gone well past the May 16 deadline and the Department of the Treasury is now using extraordinary measures to prevent us from defaulting on America’s commitments.

I have heard other analogies used, but they are mistaken. This is not about cutting up the credit cards or ending the blank check for our current president. This is about whether we will continue to meet the commitments America has already made. Whether we will continue to make the payments that we’re already committed to — for our troops in the field, for contractors who are providing military supplies and equipment, for our federal workforce, and for all the different programs and benefits the senators spoke before me mentioned. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and others.

We cannot afford the consequences of default. One study says we would lose 640,000 jobs. More than half a million Americans needlessly thrown out of work, just because of a foolish game of chicken. The cost of home mortgages to car loans to increases in the daily cost of living will go up needlessly if we simply fail to uphold the tradition of meeting our commitments as a nation.

I’m here to say today that we cannot afford to have America become a bad investment.

The best thing that we can do going forward is to restore certainty in our markets, to put some confidence back in the American economy, to make certain that the international community continues to regard us as the safest and best investment in the world and the way to do that is to come together in a bipartisan way around a big deal, around $4 trillion in savings at least.

The senator from Colorado went in some detail into the bipartisan debt and deficit commission chaired by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson — the Democrat former chief of staff and the Republican former Senator from Wyoming — and the 11 members of that commission, members of this body — currently serving senators, Republican and Democrat, who came together around a plan that would make $4 trillion in savings over the next decade. I think we should do no less than that. And I think the plan that we should be working on in detail now should include all four major areas where we have to have savings.

Reductions in discretionary domestic spending. Reform to our entitlement programs. Reductions in Pentagon spending, and increases in federal revenue through tax reform. All four of these have to be on the table. In my view, our values ask no less than that.

As we work through a recovery, we need to continue to invest in education, in infrastructure, in innovation; but we also need to responsibly put together a bipartisan path that will take on the sacred cows of this institution and of America’s tax code.

Just three weeks ago we had more than 70 senators cast votes to end the $6 billion in needless annual ethanol subsidies. I hope that was an opening door towards a recognition that on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of this Congress, we need to be willing to make the tough votes, even though they will upset treasured constituencies, even though they will end up causing us potential political harm, to reduce reckless federal spending, whether through the tax code or unsustainable federal programs.

In the end, Mr. President, I simply wanted to come to the floor today and add my voice to many of my colleagues’ on both sides of the aisle who are expressing our grave concern as the clock ticks away and as the hours left to August 2nd shrink, we need to come together.

What Americans have done for generations is sacrificed. What legislators need to do now is compromise. There are, in front of us reasonable, solid, bipartisan proposals that have been available to us since March and that this body and our leadership need to be willing to make responsible compromises to make happen.

With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

###

Delaware’s congressional delegation congratulates local unions on securing the work for the heavy overhaul of Amtrak’s Acela trains

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today congratulated five unions working out of Amtrak’s Wilmington and Bear shops on securing the work of overhauling all 20 Acela train sets for Amtrak. The estimated $125 million project is expected to take 3.5 years. 

Securing this project means around 30 local union employees will have steady work for the next several years. The engine work will be done in Wilmington and the passenger cars will be overhauled in Bear. Work is expected to begin in October.

“I welcome Amtrak’s decision to give local unions the heavy overhaul work on Acela trains, which will keep Delawareans working,” Senator Carper said.  “Delaware has a talented and highly skilled union workforce and these workers will be supplied with good jobs for years to come.”

“The awarding of this job by Amtrak to the Wilmington and Bear shops reinforces what we in the First State already know — that we have one of the most competitive and skilled union workforces in the country,” Senator Coons said.  “This is a strong shot in the arm for Delaware. This project is proof that Amtrak has established a pattern of investment here and that our partners in organized labor are eager to step up and work together for our shared goals.”

“It’s important that we continue making the investments that strengthen and enhance Amtrak’s infrastructure,” Congressman Carney said.  “No one is more qualified to do this work than Delaware’s well-trained, knowledgeable workforce.  I’m confident this will be a valuable partnership for both Amtrak and Delaware workers, and that they will continue working together to improve high-speed rail options in the region.”

“The major overhaul work to be performed by our skilled workforce in Delaware will benefit Acela passengers and demonstrates the deep knowledge and experience of Amtrak in operating and maintaining high-speed rail service,” said Amtrak Chief Mechanical Officer Mario Bergeron.

The unions tapped to work on overhaul include: American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association (ARASA), Transportation Workers of America (TWU), Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the International Association of Machinists (IAM).

###

In colloquy on Senate floor, Senator Coons warns of inaction on America’s debt

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined a colloquy on the Senate floor today, talking with Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall (both D-Colo.) about the urgent need to address America’s dangerous and staggering debt. Senator Coons urged his colleagues to join him in making the tough choices needed to take responsibility for our debt and chart a responsible, bipartisan path forward.

– As Delivered on June 30, 2011 –

 Mr. President, the two senators from Colorado have, I think, inspired me to come to the floor and join them in a colloquy about the challenges facing our country. And to the senators from Colorado, I am pleased and impressed with their leadership and have greatly enjoyed serving with them to date.

I agree that the vote on one of our tax expenditures, on the ethanol subsidy, was an encouraging and inspiring moment because we saw both Democrats and Republicans from all over the country casting a vote to end a tax expenditure — a subsidy – that many would argue has outlived its usefulness in the current marketplace.

In my home state, we recently saw the bankruptcy of our second-largest poultry company and they have communicated to me their grave concern about the ethanol subsidy. There are lots of folks on both sides of that particular debate. I think the larger point that is important to get to is certainty in the markets. I spent a number of years in the private sector, in business, before running for and being elected to office, and I know the mantra that Senator Bennet is well-familiar with, Senator Udall is well-familiar with, many of our colleagues from that both parties are well-familiar with — is that certainty is what the markets look for. Certainty is also what the people look for, and I think we have alarmed them — concerned them — by not being able to reach a broad, bipartisan, responsible plan that lays out a framework for how it is we’re going to address both the nation’s record deficits and record debt.

Our debt today, as you know, is roughly $14 trillion. Our deficit has hit an all-time record and we’re working on borrowed time.

I’ve heard some suggest that we need to better understand the situation we’re in. The situation we’re in, I believe, is that we are about to risk defaulting on America’s mortgage. We’ve made commitments as a nation. We’ve expended ourselves at home and abroad in a lot of different ways, and I’m worried that we are on the verge of failing to meet our commitments. Just as America’s households really hesitate before ever defaulting on their mortgage, I think we as a nation — as a people — have to hesitate — have to think deeply about the consequences of it.

I asked the folks who work with me on economic policy to quantify it. They looked at a number of different studies around the country and gave me some just chilling numbers. Should we fail to meet the August 2nd deadline that Secretary Geithner has repeatedly — since January — in writing and in testimony, suggested to us is the absolute last date by which we can reach a bipartisan compromise and a path forward — we’ll lose hundreds of thousands of jobs. One study said 640,000 jobs. The markets may lose as much as 10 percent of their value, which would mean loss of almost $1 trillion of market equity value. That means that pension funds, 401(k)’s, and personal savings would take an enormous hit.

The average homeowner would see an increase in the costs of, whether it’s their credit cards, or mortgages, or car loans. It’s easy to think this is an abstract problem, but in reality, I think the problem that we’re causing — the lack of confidence in the markets — could have a sudden, sharp, grinding effect on our economic world. And that’s because investors act more like animals than they do like machines and when spooked, they act the way herds do and they run off in a certain direction. And my concern is that we are so used as a country to have a Triple A bond rating, to being the world’s reserve currency, to being the gold standard for the most safe and most secure investment.

I am gravely concerned that intransigence — an unwillingness to come to a reasonable compromise — is putting us at real risk of spooking the markets, of harming the average American homeowner, of putting our rating at risk as a country. At the end of the day, I’ve observed some things about how Washington works so far that really worry me.

If I could offer a metaphor, it seems to me there are a lot of sacred cows here. It seems to me that the trillions of dollars that we spend in our tax code through tax loopholes and special tax provisions, and the trillions that we spend through direct spending are broken up into these sacred cows, and I feel as if I’ve gone into dairy. I feel as if I’m surrounded by a whole herd of sacred cows and that what we need is a deliberate and clear-eyed, bipartisan effort to thin the herd here, to make some tough choices.

As I know Senator Bennet said previously, I want to commend the hard work of the gang of six — the so-called “gang of six” — the bipartisan group that came up with both processes and a path forward. The Bowles-Simpson Commission that presented to those of us on the budget committee and to this body, a proposal.

There are paths forward. There are ways to make these tough choices. I hope that before the time runs out that this body will embrace these proposals, make the tough choices and the sacrifices we need to, come to the center, and lay out a path.

I frankly don’t think we’ve got until August 2nd. I think if we’re going to put at risk the markets by injecting uncertainty, I think frankly the timeline may be more like the middle of July. It is my hope, Mr. President, that the senators from Colorado will be joined by senators from both sides of this body and both sides of this Capitol in crafting a responsible bipartisan solution.

###

13 Senators team up to reassure LGBT youth that “It Gets Better”

WASHINGTON – Thirteen United States Senators have teamed up to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people not to give up, reassuring them in a video released Wednesday that they are working hard in the Senate to fulfill the promise of equality for all.

The video is part of the It Gets Better Project (http://itgetsbetter.org), which was founded last year after a series of tragic suicides by LGBT youth who were bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The inspiring It Gets Better Project is determined to help LGBT youth see a positive future beyond what is often a difficult adolescence.

A study released by the GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network last year found that nine out of 10 LGBT middle and high school students were harassed at school. Three-fifths reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and one-third reported admitted to skipping a day of school in the previous month because they felt unsafe.

More than 20,000 LGBT adults have produced videos around the “it gets better” message — a collection that has formed the heart of a global movement of support. President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, as well as the employees of a host of major companies including Apple, Facebook, and Google, have contributed heartfelt videos to the project.

Featured in the new video, which can be viewed at http://www.coons.senate.gov/itgetsbetter, are Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). All are co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, which was introduced in March to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and allow the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where it is already legal.

The video, which runs nearly five minutes, was assembled from individual messages recorded by each Senator over the last four weeks. It is being released to coincide with the end of National LGBT Pride Month, and comes just days after the New York State Legislature made legalized marriage for same-sex couples there.

“‘It Gets Better’ is more than a message,” Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) said. “It’s a movement. It Gets Better is telling a whole generation of LGBT youth that they are not wrong just for being who they are and that they should not give up. What we wanted to do with this video was to tell those young people that we are working hard in the Senate to try to make itbetter. It’s important they know that they’re not alone, that they have friends working for them in Congress and that it will most definitely get better. We’re going to make sure of it. I am proud to be one of the senators cosponsoring the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act in the Senate because marriage equality is one of the most important things we can do to make it better for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.”

“The ‘It Gets Better’ project was founded on the simple and powerful truth that no matter how hopeless today’s reality may seem, when we don’t give up – when we keep working for a better tomorrow – it gets better.  It’s true for any young person who may feel like they are in a hopeless situation and it’s true for our country and its struggle for equality,” Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said. “Last year’s repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and last week’s vote for marriage equality in New York are signs of progress.  The “It Gets Better” project is itself a sign of how powerful and compassionate Americans can be when they rally together.  Our video is our promise to LGBT youth and anyone else who feels alone in the face of discrimination that we stand with them, that we aren’t giving up and that we will keep fighting until it really does get better.”

“The old refrain of ‘growing up is tough’ is simply not enough to explain away the unacceptable bullying and discrimination that LGBT youth have to deal with.  I wanted to add my voice to the It Gets Better project because we need to speak louder than the bullies when we tell young people that they are not alone, and we can work together to make it better,” Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) said. “Last year, I was proud to help lead the fight to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and this year, 25 senators have already committed to doing the same to the Defense of Marriage Act.  That’s just the beginning of what we can and will do to make it better.  We hope this video will show LGBT youth that when it comes to putting an end to bullying and discrimination, we’re all on the same team.”

“Martin LutherKing, Jr. said the arc of history is long, but it bends in the direction ofjustice. Last week, my home state of New York took a giant leap in that direction by extending the freedom to marry to all New Yorkers,” Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said. “It is an honor to join Senator Coons and so many of my colleagues in unveilingthis video. To all the gay teens across the country who grow up witnessing an unequal world: look no further than the Empire State for proof positive that It Gets Better.”

“I hope that this this video serves as a reminder to young people in Connecticut and across the country that no matter how tough things may seem, they are not alone – and it does get better,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. “As lawmakers and parents, we can convey no more important message to kids: no matter who you are or whom you love, you are accepted, celebrated, and needed. The It Gets Better Project reassures Americans that the campaign for equality is strong. Recent suicides and staggering figures on bullying should inspire us with a renewed sense of urgency to fulfill the promise of equal treatment for all people. Progress toward equality can never happen fast enough, but it is a cause that I am confident can bridge the divide of partisanship – and I look forward to finding new allies in this fight.

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people deserve to work, worship, and study in asafe environment,” Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said. “We’ve made incredible strides in four decades – from the Stonewall Uprising to marriage equality in New York – but we must continue to move closer to fulfilling the promise of equality for all. This is our moment to make it better.”

“Throughout my career in the Senate, I have fought to afford all Americans the equal rights they deserve and to make our communities, schools and workplaces more tolerant and peaceful places,” Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said. “I am committed to this effort and will continue fighting to champion and protect the rights of all. Together we will continue to make history, and it will get better.”

“The equality movement is growing every day in Illinois and across the United States—it’s getting better,” Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said. “It’s up to all of us to speak out against hate when we see it, and I am proud to join Senator Coons and my Senate colleagues in this important video as we work to eradicate intolerance and bullying in schools.” Senator Durbin is the lead sponsor of the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act.

“Every American deserves equal treatment under the law,” Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) said. “Minnesota’s same-sex couples are as entitled to the right to marry as anyone else and LGBT youth should be able to learn in a bully free environment just like their peers. I was proud to introduce the Student Non-Discrimination Act and will work hard to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. I’m committed to doing whatever I can in the Senate to make things better.” Senator Franken is the lead sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act.

“I was proud to join my Senate colleagues to lend our voices to this worthwhile project and let young LGBT people know that Washington is working on equality for all Americans,” Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said. “I was also proud to see the San Francisco Giants recently became the first professional sports team to join in this important effort. At the heart of the ‘It Gets Better’ project are the thousands of videos from the president of the United States to your neighbor, who are offering LGBT youth encouragement, advice, compassion and the strength to carry on.” Senator Feinstein is the lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act.

“I am proud to be part of the powerful ‘It Gets Better’ movement to support our LGBT youth. Too many kids are forced to endure harassment, bullying, and discrimination just for being who they are, which is completely unacceptable,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said. “This project tells LGBT youth not to give up and lets them know that they have dedicated advocates on their side in Washington. New York State has sent a strong message to the rest of the nation in achieving marriage equality, and we will continue the fight in Washington by working to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.”  

“It is an honor to stand with my Senate colleagues to convey the important message to LGBT teens that life does get better. Teens across America, gay or straight, deserve to be treated with respect and should seek out help and support if they are beingbullied or feel unsafe,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said. “New Hampshire has a long history of leadership on issues of civil rights, and I’m proud to be working hard with my Senate colleagues in the fight for equality.”

“Few things are lonelier for a child than being the target of persistent bullying, and kids in those dark times need to have faith that it does get better,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who held a Senate field hearing this year in Pawtucket, RI about the dangers of bullying and dating violence.  “I applaud itgetsbetter.org for their work, and am proud to join in their efforts.”

“We’re proud so many elected officials are working to make it better for struggling LGBT youth and hope other leaders from both sides of the aisle will join them,” said Scott Zumwalt, a spokesperson for the It Gets Better Project.

Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), both of them also cosponsors of the DOMA repeal, had previously recorded videos for the It Gets Better Project. Senator Murray’s can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ddda02Rb_w. Senator Merkley’s can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFDctboQPGg.

HIGH-RESOLUTION STILL IMAGES of each Senator from the new video, as well as a transcript and other press resources are available for download here: http://www.coons.senate.gov/itgetsbetter/press/

# # #

Senate unanimously adopts bipartisan resolution honoring World Malaria Day introduced by Senators Coons and Wicker

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Working Group on Malaria, passed the Senate unanimously on Monday. The resolution supports the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, and affirmed support for U.S. leadership to combat malaria as a critical component of the President’s Global Health Initiative.

“During my time studying and working in Africa, I witnessed first-hand the havoc that malaria has had on entire villages, especially on women, children, and those most in need and susceptible,” said Senator Coons, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. “Three million people die yearly from this preventable disease. The best way to improve life expectancy and engage in effective prevention efforts is to empower communities and governments with the tools and resources they need to save the lives of their people.”

“Malaria is devastating, but it can be prevented,” Senator Wicker said.  “It is important to bring attention to the efforts that have been made toward eliminating this terrible disease.”

Malaria is an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, found most prevalently in the developing world. Ninety percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa and the majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old.  

The resolution aims to raise awareness about malaria prevention efforts. Specifically, it expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the following issues:

• Supports the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, including the achievable target to ending malaria deaths by 2015;
• Recognizes the importance of reducing malaria prevalence and deaths to improve overall child and maternal health, especially in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Commends the recent progress made towards reducing global malaria deaths and prevalence, particularly through the efforts of the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria;
• Welcomes ongoing public-private partnerships to research and develop more effective affordable tools for malaria diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination;
• Recognizes the goals to combat malaria in the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-283);
• Supports continued leadership by the United States in bilateral and multilateral efforts to combat malaria as a critical part of the President’s Global Health Initiative;
• Encourages other members of the international community to sustain and scale up their support and financial contributions for worldwide efforts to combat malaria.

The bipartisan resolution, S.Con.Res.15, was cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

###

Senator Coons praises confirmation of Delaware’s Virginia Seitz as Assistant Attorney General; Applauds other DOJ confirmations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, issued the following statement after the Senate’s confirmation of Wilmington-native Virginia Seitz to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel:

“Virginia Seitz has had a distinguished legal career and will make a fine Assistant Attorney General, and I applaud the Senate’s confirmation of her today,” Senator Coons said. “Ms. Seitz’s career as a major law firm partner and as a Supreme Court clerk, along with her unimpeachable credibility, gives me confidence that she will provide the President with sound legal judgment. I’m proud that the first Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel confirmed by the Senate in more than six years will be a Delawarean.”

The Senate also confirmed two other nominees to Department of Justice positions, James Cole as Deputy Attorney General and Lisa Monaco as Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

“Because of the unfortunate obstructionism in the Senate over matters completely unrelated to Mr. Cole’s qualifications, the Department of Justice has been without a confirmed Deputy Attorney General since February 2010, far too long for such a key national security nominee,” Senator Coons said. “Mr. Cole and Ms. Monaco are both extremely qualified to serve and will do an outstanding job protecting our national security and ensuring justice is upheld across our country. I applaud my colleagues’ votes to confirm both nominees today.”

###

Senator Coons cosponsors bipartisan bill to promote electric vehicles and expand infrastructure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, last week joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) on the bipartisan Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2011 — a critical step forward in the effort to end America’s dependence on foreign petroleum and to support the emerging electric car industry.

“Investing in alternative technologies in the transportation sector is an investment in our country’s economic future,” Senator Coons said. “This legislation will not only make our country more secure by helping to end our addiction to foreign oil, but it will also improve our economy by creating jobs. Delaware has a long history at the forefront of alternative energy and innovation, and this bill will help our state become the launching pad for the emerging electric vehicle sector.”

Key elements of the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2011 is the creation of the National Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Program, an assessment of fleets owned by the federal government, and innovative research and development for advanced batteries.

The National Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Program gives assistance toward providing electric cars to state, local, and tribal governments that want to create deployment programs for plug-in electric drive vehicles in their communities, as well as to synthesize and improve their efficiency.

A number of interests in Delaware have been actively working on vehicle electrification, grid integration and infrastructure projects.  The state is uniquely poised to excel based on the range of state and local authorities, private sector companies, and university expertise that are hard at work on such promising alternative options.    

###

Senator Coons praises Delaware’s continued leadership role in the advanced sciences

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today praised Delaware’s ongoing leadership role in space-age research and development after two separate University of Delaware education research programs were tapped by NASA this week to do research through its Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). 

“Every time I learn about another Delaware innovation finding application in the space sciences, I get filled with pride about our state’s extraordinary potential,” Senator Coons said Friday. “After working for eight years at one of Delaware’s most innovative materials-based science companies, I know well that the First State is an ideal place for advanced science research. Clearly, so does NASA. Researchers in Delaware are not only highly skilled and well educated, but that they have an established reputation as pioneers in space science research. I applaud NASA for recognizing the cutting edge research being done here in our state. ”  

The first project, developed by University of Delaware Chemical Engineering Professor Norman Wagner, would make space suits even safer.  Wagner created a thickening fluid that can be spread on materials like Kevlar to make the suits more puncture-resistant. ILC Dover, which designs and produces space suits for NASA, will collaborate on this research project titled, “Flexible, MMOD- and Puncture-Resistant Shear Thickening Fluid/Textile Composites for EVA Suits.”

For a photo of Senator Coons with Professor Wagner at “UD in DC Day” in March, click here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/senatorchriscoons/5513004292/in/set-72157626107098569

A second research project, headed by University of Delaware Physics and Astronomy Professor John Xiao, will take advantage of cutting-edge physics to allow scientists to see things in a more detailed manner than they have ever been able to see before.  This project is titled, “Sub-wavelength structures based on metamaterials and spintronic device for microwave detection and imaging.”

Each of the University of Delaware research project will receive EPSCoR Research Awards in the amount of $750,000. EPSCoR Research Awards solicit topic-specific proposals addressing high-priority NASA research and technology development needs.

###

Statement from Senators Coons, Isakson on security situation in Sudan

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, issued the following statements in response to recent events in Sudan:

“I welcome the signing of a security arrangement between North and South Sudan aimed at ending violence in the disputed border region of Abyei,” Senator Coons said. “It’s my hope that the agreed withdrawal of Sudanese armed forces and deployment of peacekeepers from Ethiopia will stabilize the area and allow for the return of those displaced by violence in May. I call on both parties to reach a permanent agreement on the status of Abyei and security arrangements for Southern Kordofan prior to the independence of South Sudan on July 9.  The governments in Khartoum and Juba must use peaceful means to resolve any future conflicts as Sudan transitions toward two independent states.”

“As South Sudan’s independence quickly approaches, it is increasingly critical that the conflict over Abyei is resolved and the violence in Southern Kordofan ceases immediately,” Senator Isakson said. “I am encouraged by Monday’s agreement brokered in Addis Ababa, and I am hopeful that the Government of Sudan and the Southern People’s Liberation Movement will continue discussions to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.”

###