Senator Coons cosponsors bill to promote state investment in early learning

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) is cosponsoring the Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act, which was introduced today by Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.), to establish an Early Learning Challenge Fund to help states build and strengthen systems of early learning. The goal is to provide more low-income children younger than five years old better access to high-quality learning and development opportunities.

“In child after child, we’ve seen proof that early education results in kids who are better prepared for the classroom and ultimately more successful in school,” Senator Coons said. “But there is a significant gap separating those who can afford such education and those who can’t. This bill will help bridge that gap and allow more low-income children access to the high-quality learning opportunities they need to succeed in school.”

According to a new brief released today by the Pew Center on the States, proven early childhood programs, like high-quality pre-kindergarten, are helping states like Delaware close the educational achievement gap, which helps produce the qualified workers that the state—and our nation—need for a prosperous future. The supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act was introduced to ensure these improvements continue. Specifically it will:

•        Help states raise the bar on program quality, improve workforce qualifications and create a seamless system of early care and learning that working families and children can rely upon.

•        Make funds available on a competitive basis to states that have demonstrated the greatest progress in establishing a system of high-quality early learning, as well as states that demonstrate a commitment to building a high-quality system of early learning.

•        Give priority to states that establish public-private partnerships and that leverage federal child care funds for the purposes of the Act.

•        Require that states provide a matching rate of 15 percent and an assurance that new funding will supplement and not supplant current funding used to support early learning programs.

“Education is a critical component of our strategy for making America more globally competitive,” Senator Coons said. “We need to make sure that the next generation of American inventors and entrepreneurs is given every opportunity to succeed, and that starts by making sure we get our children into learning environments as early as possible.”

The Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act is also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Al Franken (D-MN). 

The bill is endorsed by the Center for Law and Social Policy, Children’s Defense Fund, First Five Years Fund, First Focus, National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Women’s Law Center, Pre-K Now and Save the Children.

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Senator Coons teams up with moderate Democrats to work for pragmatic solutions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today issued the following statement on his membership in a coalition of moderate Democratic Senators committed to bridging the political divide in order to find pragmatic, responsible solutions for the challenges facing the nation.

“In the four months I’ve served the people of Delaware in the Senate, I’ve witnessed the extraordinary benefits of bipartisan cooperation and the regrettable consequences of political division. There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together. I look forward to working with my colleagues on legislation that will create jobs, reduce our deficit, improve our nation’s schools, and pursue alternative energy solutions that make our country more secure and more globally competitive.”

Last month Senator Coons was named an honorary co-chair of the moderate Democratic policy group Third Way.

Thursday’s news release from the leadership of the Moderate Senate Dems group is below:

Carper, Udall, Hagan to Lead Moderate Senate Dems Group in 112^th Congress

Moderate Dems Share Commitment to Pursue Pragmatic, Fiscally Sustainable Policies

WASHINGTON – A diverse coalition of moderate Senate Democrats today announced they have re-formed for the 112th Congress with new leadership and new members.  The Moderate Dems will be co-chaired by Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware, Mark Udall of Colorado, and Kay Hagan of North Carolina.  All three leaders are honorary co-chairs of Third Way, a leading moderate Democratic policy group.

The Senators’ goal is to work with the Senate leadership and the Administration to craft common-sense solutions to urgent national problems, including paying down the national debt, education reform, and energy policy.  As they did in the 111th Congress, the group will meet every other Tuesday before the Democratic Caucus lunch to discuss legislative strategies and ideas, including the importance of passing a fiscally responsible spending plan in the Senate.  

While the Senators acknowledged that such a large group won’t agree on everything, they share a commitment to pursue pragmatic, fiscally sustainable policies across a range of issues.

In addition to Sens. Carper, Mark Udall and Hagan, others joining the group include Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Mark Begich of Alaska, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Chris Coons of Delaware, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Jon Tester of Montana, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Mark Warner of Virginia.

“With the many challenges facing us today, Delawareans and all Americans need us to work together to get things done,” said Sen. Carper.  “While this group of moderate Democrats might not agree on everything, we do agree that we are here to solve problems, to bring common-sense solutions to Congress and to help reach out across the aisle to get pragmatic and fiscally responsible results. My hope is that our group can help bridge the gap that divides us by finding common ground. Some of the issues that this Congress will face have been on the agenda for Democrats and Republicans for a long time, issues such as budget reform, education reform and a common-sense energy policy. Now, more than ever, the Senate needs to put partisan gridlock aside in order to find consensus on critical issues and to deliver real results for the American people.”

“Coloradans want leaders who will work together to solve problems – and that’s what this group is all about,” said Sen. Mark Udall.  “We come from different areas of the country: Some from Blue states, some from Red, some from Purple, and we come from small states and big states.  But we share a desire to bring common-sense solutions to Congress.  This group made a difference last Congress – one of the most productive in history.  This Congress, it’s even more important to reach across the aisle to get things done.  I’m pleased to build on our experience from the 111th Congress and return as a co-chair for the 112th.”

“North Carolinians want balanced, pragmatic solutions to our country’s challenges,” said Sen. Hagan. “I am proud to join with Senators Carper and Udall in convening a group of moderate Senators who meet regularly to discuss commonsense policy ideas. Our group will advance moderate ideas in Congress and put our imprint on legislation. Working together, we will break through the Washington-as-usual partisan gridlock that so often grinds us to a halt.”

Senator Coons joins moderate Democratic colleagues in committing to education reform

WASHINGTON – A longtime advocate of education reform and college completion, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) joined other moderate Democratic Senators and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the Walker-Jones Education Campus in the District of Columbia on Wednesday to unveil a package of education reform principles designed to improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and better educate our children.

“The students here today are still living in an education system not yet aligned to give them the opportunities that they deserve in this country,” Senator Coons said. “At home in Delaware, we succeed in the Race to the Top competition, because of our tireless work to make education reform a top priority. I want to bring that type of dedication to fixing our national education system and correcting the obvious flaws of No Child Left Behind. If we don’t, we will be failing those very children that will gather here later today to read and to dream.”

Senator Coons and Secretary Duncan were joined at the event by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CN), Mary Landrieu (D-LA.), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). Also supporting these education reform principles are the following moderate Senators: Herb Kohl (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mark Begich (D-AK).

The moderate Senators are putting forth an innovative vision for education that sets a high bar for all students and attracts and supports the most talented teachers and leaders in our schools.  The Senators’ Statement of Principles addresses several problems in No Child Left Behind, including the lack of an accountability system that is accurate and fair in measuring student growth. The Senators support the development of meaningful ways to measure teacher and principal effectiveness, while providing necessary support for educators, especially those in high-need schools. They believe aggressive action is necessary if we are to turn around persistently low-performing schools, and that the federal government should support and encourage innovative state and local efforts to improve schools through programs such as the Race to the Top.

Below is a summary of the Senators’ principles:

Accountability Structure: Reward growth and progress. The No Child Left Behind Act treated all schools that failed to make adequate yearly progress the same and did not tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of schools. The old accountability system fails to recognize growth and constantly labels failure. A new accountability structure needs to provide more flexibility for schools to determine the best way to meet the needs of their students, instead of a one-size-fits all approach from Washington.

School Turnaround: Support bold, aggressive action to change the odds for students in schools that persistently fail to provide a quality education. Under current law, states and districts frequently choose the least intensive option for reform.

Teachers and Leaders: Dramatically improve our system for recruiting, training, supporting, retaining and paying teachers and leaders. Competitive funds to create and replicate effective teacher and leader preparation programs is an essential element. Require better teacher and leader evaluation systems that include examination of student learning gains and provide extra compensation for those who take on additional responsibilities.

Foster Innovation: Create opportunities for states, districts and schools that want to push beyond the status quo through innovative and promising new approaches.

Equity in Resources (Close the Title I Comparability Loophole):  Closing the loophole to require school districts to report actual expenditures at the school-level, including those devoted to salaries for teachers, when applying for Title I funding. Title I, the largest program in ESEA, provides grants to districts with children living in concentrated poverty. Closing this loophole will result in more equitable funding between schools.

The full text of those principles can be found here:

http://hagan.senate.gov/files/Statement_of_Principles_for_Education_Reform.pdf

The press conference came a day after Senator Coons participated in a hearing of the Senate Budget Committee to review the President’s FY2012 budget proposal for the Department of Education.

“I am extremely pleased to see that this budget continues on the President’s public commitment to invest in world-class education for all our students and I look forward to working with you [Secretary Duncan] on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization,” Senator Coons said during the hearing.

The Administration’s proposed budget for education echoes the President’s commitment to “winning the future” by ensuring the United States has a highly educated workforce of citizens who receive degrees in higher education. The budget proposes an increase in education spending by approximately $7.5 billion to $77.4 billion for FY2012.

The greatest funding increases in Delaware would be for programs for students with disabilities, a new Title I rewards program, school turnaround grants, and new student loans. 

YouTube video of Senator Coons’ remarks at the press conference is available here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ-r0W6Z8Sw

Video of yesterday’s budget hearing. Senator Coons appears approximately 60 minutes into the hearing: http://budget.senate.gov/democratic/index.cfm/committeehearings?ContentRecord_id=0a92e7d6-02b8-420c-9b8f-4bb9c48dac36

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Senator Coons statement on passage of continuing resolution

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement following the passage of H.J.Res. 44 to continue appropriations for the federal government through March 18, 2011:

“The spending cuts we came together to pass today are an encouraging step as we look for responsible, bipartisan solutions for reducing our deficit. But this country and this government are facing real financial problems and we’re not going to solve them by negotiating two weeks at a time with the threat of a government shutdown constantly looming overhead. We need a serious commitment to passing not only a long-term resolution for this year, but a responsible budget for next year that makes serious long-term progress in reducing our deficit.

“I welcome the President’s announcement that the White House will be more engaged in Congressional negotiations on more substantial deficit reduction strategies over the coming weeks.”

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Senate approves resolution condemning human rights abuses in Libya

WASHINGTON – The Senate this evening passed, by unanimous consent, a resolution applauding the courage of the Libyan people and condemning the gross and systemic violations of human rights.

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was an original co-sponsor of the resolution calling on Muammar Qadaffi to end the violence, resign, and permit a peaceful transition to democracy. It also welcomes the passage of UN Security Council resolution 1970, which referred Libya to the InternationalCriminal Court, imposed an arms embargo, froze assets, and banned international travel for Qadaffi, members of his family, and senior advisors. It also calls for Qadaffi to release prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained and ensure civilian safety by granting access to human rights and humanitarian organizations. The resolution also encourages the United Nations Security Council to take further action to protect civilians, including the potential imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.

In a statement issued onFriday, Senator Coons said: “I am deeply concerned about the human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Libyan people by Qadaffi and the possibility of a humanitarian disaster as he desperately struggles to hang on to his despotic regime.”  

The resolution, S.Res.85, was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and cosponsored by Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), in addition to Senator Coons.

America Invents Act will help create jobs and keep the U.S. globally competitive

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today reiterated his support for the America Invents Act, a comprehensive bill designed to update and streamline the patent system in the United States in order to stimulate investment, promote job creation, and increase competitiveness.

Speaking on the floor Tuesday morning, Senator Coons said, “to put it simply, this bill is about creating jobs. It’s about protecting and promoting American ingenuity, and giving American ideas the opportunity to become American products. The America Invents Act is about restoring American competitiveness and leadership in the global economy. “

Senator Coons – a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee – is an original cosponsor of the bill, which was originally named the “Patent Reform Act.” The America Invents Act, which could come up for a vote later this week, includes measures for improving patent quality and the process by which they are issued.

–       The Act transitions the U.S. to a first-inventor-to-file system to simplify the application system and bring it into better alignment with our international trading partners.

–       The Act will strengthen patent quality by allowing third parties to submit prior art with explanations as to its relevance, adding unprecedented depth to the application review process.

–       The Act will also strengthen patent quality by introducing a “first window” post-grant opposition proceeding for challengers, helping weed-out patents that should not have been issued.

–       The Act will improve the process for challenging a patent before a panel of administrative patent judges while at the same time including procedural protections so that these challenges are not used for purposes of harassment.

–       The Act prevents patents from being issued on claims for tax strategies.

–       The Act provides more certainty in the calculation of damages for patent infringement.

–       The Act will allow the Patent and Trademark Office to set its own fees and will end the practice of fee-diversion, thereby ensuring that PTO has the resources need to produce high-quality patents in an expeditious manner.

As many as 1.2 million patent applications await disposition by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with the average application taking almost three years and many applications taking much longer.

“The America Invents Act will create jobs in Delaware and throughout the United States by removing some of the administrative roadblocks currently preventing inventors from becoming successful entrepreneurs,” Senator Coons said in his remarks on the floor. “This bill will improve the speed, quality and reliability of the Patent and Trademark Office and it will ensure that America retains its place in the world as the leader of invention and innovative thinking.”

On Tuesday, Senator Coons introduced an amendment to S. 23 to remove the venue provision of the bill. Although venue shopping is a serious problem, the language in the bill would not have discouraged that practice, but rather would have risked injecting instability and unpredictability into courts’ treatment of motions to change venue. Senator Coons’ amendment was rolled into a manager’s amendment introduced by Senator Leahy that passed, 97-2, late Tuesday afternoon.

The full text of Senator Coons’ floor speech, as prepared, is available here:

http://www.coons.senate.gov/press/release/?id=f8795d8b-5899-4d5c-84bd-6639b6323d75

Video from Senator Coons’ floor speech will be posted this evening to his YouTube channel here:

http://www.youtube.com/senatorchriscoons

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Senator Coons statement commemorating Women’s History Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today issued the following statement to commemorate Women’s History Month, observed this March:

“Nearly 91 years have passed since women won the right to vote with the 19th Amendment, but it’s inconceivable that there was ever a time when that right was not inherent. The scope of the contribution made by women to American society exceeds any scale of measurement.

“We pause this month to remember the heroic work of women who came before, but we must be mindful that there remains work to be done. I believe strongly that my 9-year-old daughter deserves to grow up in a nation where she has the same rights and opportunities as my sons.

“Delaware has a long history of leadership from trailblazing women, like my friend Muriel Gilman of Wilmington, who passed away last week and whose life was celebrated by friends and family today. Muriel was a pioneer for working women, starting in the early 1960s when she began her work as the first professional woman at the United Way of Delaware. She served for 23 years, retiring as its executive vice president and helping pave the way for other working women.

“As we strive to form a more perfect union, we must remain committed to the cause of equality, indifferent to race, income, sexual orientation, and indeed, sex.”

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Senator Coons named chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will chair the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs during the 112th Congress after the committee unanimously approved its organizing resolution on Monday.

“I’m humbled and honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility by my colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee,” Senator Coons. “Africa is a continent of tremendous strategic global importance. The United States simply cannot afford to be disengaged from Africa given the threats it is confronting from Muslim extremism and the intense, ongoing competition for natural resources. I look forward to working with my colleagues to promote democracy and development on a continent that has long struggled to receive the attention and engagement from America and Europe that it has needed to thrive.”

“The challenges we face this year are enormous, and we have an outstanding group of subcommittee chairs to tackle the issues before us. Senator Coons is a welcome addition to the Committee,” said Chairman Kerry. “His experiences as a volunteer and relief worker living and working in Tanzania and Kenya will be invaluable as Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and we are fortunate that we can draw on his personal history as a resource. I’m glad we’ll have this opportunity to work together closely.”  

Senator Coons’ interest in Africa blossomed during his junior year of college while participating in a study abroad program at the University of Nairobi, traveling throughout Kenya and Tanzania to further experience African culture. After college, Senator Coons advised U.S. corporations and universities on anti-apartheid divestiture strategies while working as a research analyst for the Investor Responsibility Research Center in Washington, D.C. Senator Coons subsequently returned to Kenya as a volunteer relief worker for the South African Council of Churches.

Senator Coons is the only freshman to be selected to chair a subcommittee during the 112th Congress.

The last time a freshman was appointed chair of a Foreign Relations subcommittee was in 2001, when George Allen was named chair of the Subcommittee on European Affairs. The last time a freshman Democrat was appointed to a Foreign Relations subcommittee chairmanship was in 1987 when Terry Sanford was named chair of the Subcommittee on International Economy, Policy, Trade, Oceans and the Environment.

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Sens. Carper, Coons Urge Administration to Redirect Florida’s Rejected High-Speed Rail Funds to Northeast Corridor

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Barbara A. Milkulski (D-Md.), wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to request that the $2.4 billion in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program funds rejected by the State of Florida be redirected to high-speed rail projects on the Northeast Corridor. Secretary LaHood has stated that a new sponsor for the funds in Florida must be identified before March 4, 2011 or the funds will be redistributed to other states. The Senators noted that while the Northeast Corridor accounts for roughly one-fifth of the nation’s gross domestic product and twenty percent of the nation’s population and has the nation’s only operating high-speed train, to date it has received less than two percent of the $10.5 billion provided by Congress for the High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

“In order to ensure that our economy recovers in the short term and prospers in the long term, we must invest wisely and prudently, such as in our nation’s transportation infrastructure,” said Sen. Carper. “By redirecting these funds to the Northeast Corridor, the Administration will get a better bang for taxpayers’ buck. Passenger rail creates jobs, improves air quality, eases congestion and reduces our dependence on foreign oil—it is a wise investment all around, and one that would benefit the State of Delaware. The funds could be used to finance the construction of a new train station in Newark as well as a third track between Wilmington and Newark, which would extend SEPTA trains to Newark and ease congestion for Amtrak. This investment in the Northeast Corridor’s passenger rail system would mean more access and faster service for all Delawareans.”

“High-speed rail is an important part of the economy not only here in Delaware but up and down the Northeast Corridor,” said Sen. Coons. “In addition to reducing congestion on our roads, high-speed rail makes the cities and states it serves more appealing to businesses looking to open new facilities and put more people to work. If Florida isn’t interested in this funding, I’m certain that it can be put to good use up here in Delaware.”

A copy of the letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation follows: 

February 25, 2011

The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood,

In light of the State of Florida’s decision to reject $2.4 billion in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program funds, we urge you to reprogram these funds to projects on the Northeast Corridor.  Our states are ready to put these funds to good use to improve our existing high speed rail service, reduce congestion, and create jobs. 

As you know, the Northeast Corridor is critically important to our nation’s transportation infrastructure.  The region served by the Corridor accounts for roughly one-fifth of the nation’s gross domestic product and twenty percent of our nation’s population.  More than 250 million rail passengers use the Corridor annually and the Acela Express has built the foundation for high-speed rail service throughout the country.  In a recent report, America 2050 rated the Northeast Corridor as the region with the greatest potential to attract high-speed rail ridership in the United States.

Improving passenger rail service on the Northeast Corridor is necessary to accommodate the sixty percent increase in passengers expected by 2030 and will alleviate severe congestion on the region’s highways and airspace.  At a time when numerous states have rejected federal funding from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, we note that high-speed rail’s potential on the Northeast Corridor is proven.  For example, ridership on the Acela Express has risen six hundred percent during its nine years of service.  

Although the Northeast Corridor has the only operating high-speed train in the country, the Corridor has received less than two percent of the $10.5 billion provided by Congress for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program to date.   We believe that this is an insufficient investment in the Northeast Corridor, given our region’s position as a population and economic mega-region. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

Tom Carper

John F. Kerry

Joseph I. Lieberman

Richard Blumenthal

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Frank R. Lautenberg

Robert Menendez

Christopher A. Coons

Barbara A. Milkulski

Benjamin L. Cardin

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Senator Coons Statement on the Situation in Libya

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement Friday on the situation in Libya:

“I am deeply concerned about the human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Libyan people by Qadaffi and the possibility of a humanitarian disaster as he desperately struggles to hang on to his despotic regime.  

“I urge the international community and Obama Administration to take immediate action to ensure Qadaffi does not continue to use his nation’s military and mercenaries to massacre the Libyan people.  

“I support immediate and meaningful international action, including targeted sanctions and the introduction of human rights monitors, as well as the institution of an arms embargo and the freezing of assets. Actions to be considered must also include the imposition of a no-fly zone to provide protection to the Libyan people from aerial bombardment, and a multilateral force prepared to intervene to ensure peace and security.  

“I am encouraged that violence in Libya has been condemned by the United Nations Security Council, European Union, Arab League, African Union, Organization of the Islamic Conference, and other nations globally. Our words supporting human rights must be coupled with action, and the international community must move quickly to protect the Libyan people from Qadaffi.”

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