Senators Coons, Rubio reintroduce bipartisan legislation to accelerate commercialization of technology by small businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced legislation to help small businesses commercialize and scale up production of their technologies. The Research Advancing to Market Production (RAMP) for Innovators Act would support American innovation by expediting the application processes for two federal small business technology programs, making small business federal grantees eligible for fast-tracked U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) services, and improving technical and business assistance. Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Congressman Troy Balderson (R-Ohio).

“The RAMP for Innovators Act will drive job growth and strengthen economic security for states like Delaware whose economies are built upon the innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge research of small businesses,” said Senator Coons. “As a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I am glad to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation that makes it easier for small businesses and startups to access the technical and business support to commercialize their brilliant ideas and keep America competitive and secure in the 21st century.”

“The pandemic highlighted America’s supply chain vulnerabilities and our overreliance on countries like China. It is more important than ever that we harness the strength and ingenuity of small businesses across the country to scale up our domestic manufacturing and innovation. This legislation would help startups and other small business innovators access federal research and development dollars, protect their intellectual property, and commercialize,” said Senator Rubio.

“We have amazing small businesses across our commonwealth and country, but without some support from the federal government, some of these businesses may struggle to thrive and survive,” said Congresswoman Houlahan. “We must continue to provide essential support to our innovative entrepreneurs to ensure they can succeed. The RAMP for Innovators Act will provide our small business owners access to resources to implement and commercialize new ideas, as well as faster access to capital and better protection of their intellectual property. As an entrepreneur myself, I know there are many challenges to operationalizing a great idea to becoming a salable and marketable product, so I’m proud to lead on this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support small business owners.” 

“America has long been the world’s leader in research and development of new tech innovations. The vulnerabilities of supply chain disruptions and overreliance on foreign producers has led to a renewed bipartisan commitment to reclaiming our role in production, too,” said Congressman Balderson. “I am proud to join my colleagues, at this critical moment for our country, to reintroduce the RAMP for Innovators Act, which ensures our best and brightest minds in the tech sector have the resources necessary to bring new concepts to market and in turn create jobs and begin production here in America.”

The RAMP for Innovators Act builds on the success of two well-regarded, competitive federal programs for developing small business innovation: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The two programs are managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and are often called “America’s seed fund.”

The RAMP for Innovators Act would:

• Accelerate the evaluation timeline for SBIR/STTR applications and consider technology commercialization potential in grant decisions;
• Expand the allowable uses of grant funds, including bringing new products or services to market through production, distribution, marketing, sales, or other means;
• Reduce the average time from research project to marketable product by streamlining the application process;
• Provide agencies with a fast-track option for qualified projects that demonstrate commercial potential;
• Provide reliable technical assistance and support to grantees to bring their new products or services to market across all agencies; and
• Provide accelerated patent pipelines for SBIR/STTR grantees.

Throughout his time in office, Senator Coons has championed high-tech small businesses and innovative entrepreneurs across Delaware. Last month, he introduced the Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act to strengthen the supply of skilled trade workers across the United States and connect them to high-demand, good-paying jobs. In December, he introduced the SCORE for Small Business Act to reauthorize and improve the SCORE program to provide small businesses with mentoring, training, and local workshops.

This bill has been endorsed by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the Small Business Technology Council, the University City Science Center, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center.

“ITIF supports RAMP for Innovators, the Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act, which will further bolster the commercialization potential of SBIR/STTR programs through improvements such as making commercialization potential a stronger consideration in project selection, clarifying that all awardees may use a share of Phase I and II funds for commercially oriented activities, and supporting the ability of innovators to secure intellectual property rights underpinning their inventions through stronger linkages with the PTO,” said Dr. Rob Atkinson, President of ITIF. 

“The University City Science Center heartily endorses the Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act introduced by Senators Coons and Rubio and Representatives Houlahan and Balderson. This legislation would codify language that has already been signed into law to ensure that commercialization is central to the goals of SBIR and STTR. The RAMP for Innovators Act fulfills the mission of the 2016 SBIR/STTR recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) at the Department of Commerce. I was honored to serve as a member of NACIE during this time and believe these recommendations are necessary to fulfill our commercialization needs in this country,”said Tiffany Wilson, CEO of the University City Science Center. 

“The RAMP for Innovators Act will further strengthen the commercialization opportunities from SBIR and STTR, and will enact several key changes to help small businesses better transition their technologies to the marketplace,” said Jere Glover, Executive Director of the Small Business Technology Council. 

Bill text is available here. Full list of support is available here. A one-pager is available here.

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Senator Coons celebrates workforce reinforcement with New Castle County Vo Tech Signing Day

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) celebrated the annual New Castle County Vo-Tech Signing Day at Delcastle Technical High School today to highlight apprenticeship programs, vo-tech education and the reinforcement of Delaware’s workforce. Around 200 young men and women attended and signed letters of intent to join industries across the state, including businesses and organizations like MDavis, Nowland and Associates, Preferred Electric, Nickle, Nemours, and ChristianaCare.  

“I was thrilled to celebrate another Vo-Tech Signing Day at Delcastle High School as young Delawareans take the next steps in their future careers,” said Senator Coons. “You don’t need a college degree to secure a good-paying job, and many of the students I met with today will go on to meet critical needs in industries across the state with or without a four-year degree. Apprenticeships and vocational programs are critical to Delaware’s economy, and I look forward to fighting for additional training programs so we can develop the First State’s next generation of workers.”

“Our primary mission in New Castle County Vo Tech is to equip students with the 21^st century skills they will need in order to be successful,” said Superintendent Joe Johns. “We do this through world-class career and technical programs combined with rigorous academic curricula. The students who signed job offers today have excelled in both their CTE and their academic classes, which has given them the opportunity to participate in cooperative employment during their senior year and ultimately has led to job offers to continue in those positions. We could not be more proud of their success.”

Senator Coons has repeatedly fought for workforce development in the Senate, including leading a resolution to honor September as National Workforce Development Month that passed the Senate last fall. He has previously led legislation to expand registered apprenticeships to new job sectors. He is a member of the U.S Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.  

For photos, speaker clips, and B-roll of today’s event, follow this link.

Senator Coons statement on Senator Cardin retirement

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today after Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced he would retire at the end of his current term:

“Senator Cardin is one of the most seasoned and skilled legislators in Congress, and I have long valued working with him on a range of issues affecting Delmarva, the country, and people around the globe. He will leave behind an impressive legacy, including his work to strengthen human rights, transparency, and democracy internationally, as well as the historic legislation he authored as Chairman of the Small Business Committee to provide vital relief to small businesses during the pandemic. Marylanders will remember his tireless advocacy for so many important issues, but Delawareans in particular have valued and benefited from everything he has done to fight climate change and help restore the Chesapeake Bay.

“As a colleague, friend, and resident of a neighboring state, I will miss Senator Cardin’s presence in the Senate. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him over the rest of this Congress, and I wish him and Myrna all the best.”

Senator Coons is a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Senators Carper, Coons address Delaware Bar at District Court Judge Williams investiture ceremony

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) today spoke in Wilmington at the investiture ceremony of Judge Greg Williams of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware following the start of his service on the federal bench in August 2022.

“Judge Greg Williams is an outstanding lawyer, judge, and father. It was an honor to recommend him to the President for this role,” said Senator Carper. “His decades of experience, combined with his expertise on complex intellectual property and corporate law issues, make him the perfect fit for this role. As the only judge of color serving on the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, today’s celebration marks an important moment for our state and reminds us why it is critical to confirm upstanding judges like Judge Williams to our nation’s courts.”

“The District Court of Delaware is one of the busiest courts in the nation, and it’s fortunate to have someone with Greg’s experience and legal acumen joining the bench,” said Senator Coons. “I’m looking forward to him bringing the depth of his experience with the law, including his years as President of the Delaware State Bar Association, to improve jurisprudence in Delaware for years to come.”

Williams is the only judge of color serving on the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, and the second African American judge to ever serve on that court. He was nominated for the judicial vacancy created when Judge Leonard Stark was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Williams was confirmed as a District Court Judge for Delaware on July 21, 2022. Prior to his confirmation, he practiced in the Wilmington office of Fox Rothschild LLP. He joined the firm in 1995 as an associate and was elevated to partner in 2003. Williams served as a special master in complex civil cases for the District of Delaware from 2020 to 2022. From 1986 to 1992, Williams served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He received his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1995 and both his B.A. and B.S. from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1990.

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Senator Coons, Judiciary Democrats ask Chief Justice Roberts for information regarding Supreme Court ethics ahead of hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats on a letter to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts seeking additional information on the “Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices” the Chief Justice attached in a letter to Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in which he declined the Judiciary Committee’s invitation to testify before the committee on May 2 at a public hearing regarding Supreme Court ethics reform.

“On April 25, you sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee declining an invitation to appear, or to designate a Justice to appear, in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the Supreme Court’s approach to ethics matters,” the Senators wrote. “It is noteworthy that no Justice will speak to the American people after numerous revelations have called the Court’s ethical standards into question, even though sitting Justices have testified before Senate or House Committees on at least 92 occasions since 1960.”

The Senators’ letter continues, “Your letter states that ‘[i]n regard to the Court’s approach to ethics matters, I attach a Statement of Ethics Principles and Practices to which all of the current Members of the Supreme Court subscribe.’ The statement of principles raises more questions than it resolves, and we request that you respond to several key questions. Your answers will inform the Committee’s work on legislation that seeks to ensure that the ethical obligations and practices of the Justices are at least on par with those that govern the rest of the federal judiciary and the federal government generally.”

The questions in the Senators’ letter ask: (1) on what date the justices subscribed to this statement and whether the justices had subscribed to any previous statement of ethics principles; (2) whether the court requires unanimity among the justices in order to adopt resolutions to follow ethics regulations; (3) whether the justices receive guidance on which authorities to consult on ethical issues and whether this consultation is documented; (4) whether justices currently face any consequence for errors or omissions in the filing of their financial disclosure reports; and (5) whether under the statement there is any process for the public to file complaints that a justice has failed to abide by the principles in the statement and any penalty imposed on a justice for failure to abide by the principles. The Senators requested a response by May 1, in advance of the May 2 hearing on legislation to reform Supreme Court ethics.

According to the Congressional Research Service, since 1960, Supreme Court justices have appeared before Congress to testify in at least 92 hearings, addressing such issues as the constitutional role of judges, judicial security, annual appropriations for the courts, and judicial compensation. 

On April 10, Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic colleagues sent a letter to the Chief Justice urging him to take swift action to address reported conduct by Supreme Court justices that is inconsistent with the ethical standards the American people expect of public servants. The letter noted that as far back as 2012, Judiciary Committee Democrats had written the Chief Justice urging that the court adopt a resolution binding the justices to the same Code of Conduct that binds all other federal judges. The letter advised that the committee would hold an upcoming hearing, and that if the court doesn’t resolve this issue on its own, the committee will consider legislation to resolve it.

The Senate Judiciary Committee received a response letter from the Secretary of the Judicial Conference of the United States that stated that the Senators’ April 10 letter was referred to the Judicial Conference and forwarded to the Judicial Conference Committee on Financial Disclosure.  

The full text of today’s letter is available here and below:

April 27, 2023

Dear Chief Justice Roberts:

On April 25, you sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee declining an invitation to appear, or to designate a Justice to appear, in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the Supreme Court’s approach to ethics matters. It is noteworthy that no Justice will speak to the American people after numerous revelations have called the Court’s ethical standards into question, even though sitting Justices have testified before Senate or House Committees on at least 92 occasions since 1960.

Your letter states that “[i]n regard to the Court’s approach to ethics matters, I attach a Statement of Ethics Principles and Practices to which all of the current Members of the Supreme Court subscribe.” The statement of principles raises more questions than it resolves, and we request that you respond to several key questions. Your answers will inform the Committee’s work on legislation that seeks to ensure that the ethical obligations and practices of the Justices are at least on par with those that govern the rest of the federal judiciary and the federal government generally. We request that you provide these answers by May 1, so that they may be discussed during the Committee’s hearing the following day.

1. On what date did the Justices subscribe to the Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices that you attached to your letter, and had the Justices subscribed to any previous statement of ethics principles and practices before that date? If so, please provide any such statement.

2. The Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices notes that “[i]n 1991, Members of the Court voluntarily adopted a resolution to follow the substance of the Judicial Conference Regulations.” Does the Court currently require unanimity among the Justices in order to adopt a resolution to follow the substance of ethics regulations?

3. The Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices provides that “Justices, like other federal judges, consult a wide variety of authorities to address specific ethical issues.” What guidance do Justices receive on which authorities to consult, and how is this consultation process and any final decision on a particular matter documented?

4. The Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices provides that “[a]llegations of errors or omissions in the filing of financial disclosure reports are referred by the Secretary of the Judicial Conference to the Committee on Financial Disclosure. The Committee may send the filer a letter of inquiry, providing an opportunity for the filer to respond as appropriate.” What is the consequence, if any, for a sitting Justice who does not respond as appropriate to such a letter of inquiry? 

5. Has there ever been any censure, reprimand, admonition, sanction, or other penalty imposed on a Justice for failure to abide by any of the principles and practices now contained in the Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices? If so, what types of penalties have been, or may be, imposed? Is there a process by which the public may file, and the Supreme Court may receive, complaints that a Justice has failed to abide by these principles?

Thank you for your prompt attention to these questions. We look forward to your responses as we work to craft legislation that will help ensure public confidence in the Court’s approach to ethical obligations. 

Sincerely,

[All Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee]

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Senators Coons, Risch, Booker, Scott introduce resolution condemning Eswatini’s human rights record

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution today that condemns the human rights record of the government of Eswatini and the killing of Eswatini human rights activist Thulani Maseko in January. Today’s resolution urges Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to consider targeted sanctions against any individuals or entities committing gross human rights violations in Eswatini. Additionally, it calls on the government of Eswatini to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the assassination of Thulani Maseko.

Eswatini is one of the world’s last absolute monarchies and is currently ruled by King Mswati III. Eswatini’s government remains repressive, and human rights defenders in Eswatini still face repression and persecution today. On January 21, 2023, Thulani Maseko, a prominent human rights lawyer in Eswatini, was shot and killed by an unknown gunman. Eswatini authorities have failed to announce progress on an independent investigation to identify those responsible for this crime and bring them to justice. Advocates believe Maseko was killed by pro-government forces because of his agitation for human rights.

“Thulani Maseko was a champion of social justice and human rights in Eswatini, one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. I strongly condemn Thulani’s brutal killing and the Eswatini government’s failure to undertake a full, transparent, and impartial criminal investigation into his assassination,” said Senator Coons. “I join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning the human rights record of the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the murder of Maseko on January 21.”

“The introduction of this bipartisan resolution is an important signal from Congress that we have not forgotten the assassination of Thulani Maseko and are aware of the dire human rights situation in Eswatini under King Mswati III,” said Senator Risch. “The United States must continue to call for an independent and credible investigation into Maseko’s murder and accountability for those responsible.”

“Human rights defenders in Eswatini and countries around the world have faced repression and persecution for many years, and we must speak out when those human rights defenders are under threat,” said Senator Booker. “In addition to bringing attention to the unresolved death of Eswatini human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, this resolution underscores the deterioration of human rights in one of the world’s last absolute monarchies.”

“‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves’ is a constant reminder in Scripture for the role of any public servant,” said Senator Scott. “That is why I join my colleagues in expressing deep concern over the worsening cycle of political violence and suppression of free speech in Eswatini. Transparency and accountability must be restored with respect to public officials complicit in extrajudicial killings, torture, and other egregious human rights violations.”

Senator Coons is Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Co-Chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus.

The text of the resolution is available here.

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Senator Coons statement on Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address to Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today after Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed a joint meeting of U.S. Congress: 

“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s address to Congress underscored the importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which serves as a foundation for security in East Asia. As President Yoon said, our close economic ties and shared democratic values are more important than ever at a time of heightened global conflict and regional tension.

“In the 70 years since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, the U.S.-South Korea relationship has only grown closer, and our commitment to South Korea is as strong as ever. President Biden’s recently announced measures to deter North Korean aggression, which include the docking of a nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in 40 years, demonstrate the serious and robust leadership required to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

Senator Coons is Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

GALLERY: Senator Coons welcomes 140 statewide students for his annual Delegation Youth Conference alongside Senator Carper, Representative Blunt Rochester

DOVER, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons welcomed 140 high school juniors and seniors from 20 different schools across all three Delaware counties to his annual Delegation Youth Conference at Delaware State University alongside U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) yesterday. The students spent the morning engaging with their federal elected officials in town-hall-style discussions, where they read letters addressed to the delegation about a variety of topics and issues they are interested in as students of the First State.

The students had the opportunity to participate in a service project designed to have real impact on their own communities, as they joined the Food Bank of Delaware for a backpack-stuffing event to provide direct aid to nutritionally insecure students in Delaware. In the afternoon, students joined breakout sessions they selected based on topics of interest. Sessions included a discussion on local government with State Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker (D-Wilmington) and State Representative Mike Smith (R-Pike Creek); a panel on social media and news literacy from WDEL News and Programming Director Chris Carl, DETV Cofounder and Executive Director Ivan Thomas, and Community Issues Reporter at Delaware Online/The News Journal Krys’tal Griffin; and a panel on protecting and preserving the environment with Deputy Director for the Delaware Center for Inland Bays Anna Fagan and Beth Chajes of the Delaware Citizens Climate Lobby, among others. 

“My annual youth conference is truly one of my favorite events, and I’m excited I was able to return to hosting a full, in-person youth conference today for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Chris Coons. “Providing high schoolers with direct access to their local, state, and federal representatives shows these students that their voice matters no matter how old they are. It reminds them that the concepts they learn about in civics classes aren’t just words on a page, and teaches them that there’s rewarding value in civic engagement, whether they pursue careers in public service or not. I enjoyed talking with students from across the state and I hope they left today with a better understanding of the world around them and newfound belief that not only do they belong in these spaces, but are the future leaders of them.”

“Delaware’s students are some of our nation’s brightest, and it is such a pleasure to join them at the Delegation Youth Conference every year,” said Senator Tom Carper. “It is wonderful to see so many students from all over our great state with an interest in public service, and it was inspiring to hear from them about issues they are passionate about. We are in great hands with these young leaders and I look forward to seeing everything they will accomplish.” 

“Each year, I look forward to joining Senator Carper and Senator Coons at the Delegation Youth Conference to hear from Delaware high school students about the issues that are most important to them and to share with them our own experiences with public service,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “I was so impressed by the drive and dedication that were on full display yesterday from the students and am hopeful they found the conference as engaging as it was informative. These students are the key to our future – and the lessons they learned, skills they gained, and opportunities they discovered yesterday will help them grow into the future leaders our state and nation need.”

“Today is a great opportunity to see some of the people who are already leaders in their schools – and are going to be leaders in Delaware and in the country in the future – and hear from them about their ideas, so we can take their vision back to D.C.,” said Anna Yelverton, Deputy Legislative Director for Senator Coons. “It was exciting to share with them insight into how the legislative process works and connect with them to figure out our mutual priorities and see what we could be doing better.” 

Click here for more photos of the event.

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Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester celebrate more than $1.6 million in federal funding for Delaware State University

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.), today celebrated the more than $1.6 million in federal funding they secured for Delaware State University (DSU) through the federal appropriations process. 

“I am very proud to join Senator Coons and Congresswoman Blunt Rochester to deliver more than $1.6 million for Delaware State University, the No. 2 HBCU in the country!” said Senator Carper. “This investment will help DSU in the areas of agriculture research and education, economic development, student mentoring, and even space exploration! Hornets rising!”

“The hard work of our delegation is paying dividends for schools like Delaware State University,” said Senator Coons. “This funding will help DSU train the next generation of young farmers, support and recruit young men into teaching, and help launch research partnerships with NASA to ignite the passion of young potential scientists. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, I often see firsthand the powerful work already done at DSU, and I know this funding will unlock even greater possibilities for the future.” 

“For years, HBCUs across the country were underinvested in. That’s why Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and I made it a priority – along with President Joe Biden – to bring more funding and resources to Delaware State University,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “From agriculture to career development to space education, these federal dollars will be instrumental in strengthening DSU’s ability to prepare young people for their futures while investing in our collective future.”

The funding for Delaware State University includes:

•                  $866,000 to build an agriculture incubator;

•                  $300,000 to stand up a mentoring project for young Black men and provide summer jobs to 80 Black male DSU students; and 

•                  $900,000 – shared with the University of Delaware (DSU’s portion is $490,000) – to establish a Space Center within the existing Optical Science Center for Applied Research.

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Senator Coons applauds Senate passage of Fire Grants and Safety Act to fund and support local fire departments

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined his colleagues in celebrating the Senate passage of the Fire Grant and Safety Act, S. 870, which would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). These grant programs provide hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance to fire companies across the country each year. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 95-2 earlier today.

“In Delaware and across the country, fire and emergency services are facing near-record-high call volumes, and local fire departments depend on these funds to fully staff up, invest in new equipment, and make sure they’re ready to respond to emergencies. That’s especially true for volunteer fire departments that account for so many first responders across Delaware,” said Senator Coons. “The Fire Grants and Safety Act reauthorizes critical funding to ensure our firefighters have all the tools and resources to recruit, train, and prepare the best response possible. I am proud to have voted for this bill in the Senate, and I look forward to swift House passage so that President Biden can sign it into law.”

With emergency calls at near-record highs, this bill will provide critical resources to communities across the nation for firefighters, facilities, equipment, and training. The SAFER program provides federal grants to career and volunteer local fire departments to hire more firefighters and attain 24-hour staffing to protect local communities from fire hazards. The AFG program provides federal grants to local fire departments and unaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to help address a variety of equipment, training, and other firefighter-related and EMS needs. The USFA is the primary representative of fire and emergency services in the federal government and provides fire research, public safety education, and data collection to help train departments across the nation.

Senator Coons has advocated for supporting and expanding benefits for first responders in Congress with bipartisan bills. Senator Coons led the introduction and unanimous Senate passage last year of the bipartisan Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act to aid police, fire, emergency medical, and 911 personnel who face long-term mental health effects as a result of providing life-saving services.

The Fire Grants and Safety Act is supported by numerous fire groups, including the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Fire Council, the Congressional Fire Service Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. 

The current authorization of appropriations for the AFG program, SAFER program, and USFA expires in 2023, and the AFG and SAFER programs sunset in 2024. The Fire Grants and Safety Act extends funding until 2040 and extends the sunset clause for the AFG and SAFER programs until 2032.  

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