Senator Coons statement on proposed renewable fuels volumes

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule that would increase Renewable Volume Obligations for 2023, 2024, and 2025:

“The renewable fuels volumes proposed by the EPA today are not achievable and do not reflect the challenges Delawareans face at the pump because of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The cost of complying with the RFS is at a record high because the volumes don’t align with what our country can actually produce and consume. I appreciate the administration’s recognition of the difficulties for independent refiners to comply with the RFS and the need to maintain our refining capacity, but I am disappointed by the uncertainty this proposed rule creates for Delaware’s skilled union workers. 

“I urge Delawareans to comment on this proposed rule. I remain committed to working with the Biden administration, my congressional colleagues, and our state’s organized labor and farming communities both to find a path forward on the RFS and to secure clean energy investments in our state that will support our union jobs and energy independence.” 

Under the RFS, refiners are obligated to either blend biofuels into their refined products or purchase Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). RINs have reached historically high prices in recent years, creating difficulties for independent refineries, such as the Delaware City Refinery, that have to purchase RINs because of limited capability to blend biofuels into their products. Senator Coons has advocated for solutions to these challenges for years, including supporting investments in the production of sustainable fuels that will help reduce exposure to volatile RIN prices. The EPA will take public comments on the proposed rule, and the final rule is due in June 2023.

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Senators Coons, Fischer introduce bipartisan legislation to boost law enforcement hiring and retention

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), introduced the Recruit and Retain Act to help law enforcement (LE) agencies grappling with recruitment issues. The legislation would boost law enforcement recruitment by significantly expanding the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants. This would help many agencies across the country that are both understaffed and struggling to attract new applicants. Additionally, the bill would create a new program to encourage partnerships between schools and police departments to foster a stronger local pipeline for law enforcement careers.

“Police departments in Delaware and across the country are facing real hiring and recruiting challenges that make it harder for them to keep our communities safe. As co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help these departments overcome those hiring issues and fill their ranks. The Recruit and Retain Act will provide resources to these understaffed agencies, help build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and have a tangible impact on public safety. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and send it to the President’s desk,” said Senator Coons.

“Law enforcement agencies across the country serving urban, rural, big, and small communities are struggling to enlist qualified candidates to help alleviate staffing shortages. Through important changes to the COPS Program, the Recruit and Retain Act would help remove financial obstacles to the law enforcement application process and aid in the recruitment of community police officers through the creation of a Pipeline Partnership Program. It also takes steps towards understanding how the profession found itself in this recruitment and retention crisis so we can get the tools and support we need to reverse it. NAPO thanks Senators Fischer and Coons for their support of the law enforcement community,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).

“Sheriffs appreciate the Senators’ recognition of the declining ability to hire qualified candidates for local LE agencies. Law enforcement has seen recruitment efforts falter as a result of economic and social policy decline. Additional assistance from the COPS program will help in reaching our recruitment and retention goals,” said Sheriff Jim Skinner, Chairman of the National Sheriffs Association Government Affairs Committee.

“Nearly every MCCA member agency is understaffed, and many are having difficulty finding people who want to serve as law enforcement officers. Retention is also a challenge, and many MCCA members have reported that officers are leaving for smaller agencies. The Recruit and Retain Act creates a new grant program that will help strengthen recruitment and retention efforts by fostering partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions. The MCCA thanks Senator Fischer and Senator Coons for introducing this important piece of legislation,” said Eddie Garcia, Chief, Dallas Police Department, and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).

“Law enforcement is struggling to recruit and retain officers now more than ever. In rural areas, departments are struggling to bring on new officers. Meanwhile, urban areas are struggling to keep officers amid increasing violence and attacks. More and more, federal law enforcement is being pulled in to bridge the gap. But public safety requires robust and professional law enforcement officers and agents serving across our ranks. This legislation will help make that happen. FLEOA proudly supports the Recruit and Retain Act to ensure careers in law enforcement is a desirable career for all Americans with a desire to serve. We applaud Senator Fischer and Senator Coons for leading this necessary effort to enhance community safety,” said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) President Larry Cosme.

The Recruit and Retain Act has received endorsements from the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Sheriffs Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

The text of the bill is available here.

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Senator Coons statement on the Halifax International Security Forum

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) participated this weekend in a bipartisan congressional delegation to the Halifax International Security Forum. At the forum, Senator Coons spoke at a session on foreign interference and disinformation. Senator Coons and the delegation also met with a wide range of senior leaders, including U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Estonian President Alar Karis, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces General Rajmund Andrzejczak, Swedish Minister for Defense Pål Jonson, Canadian Minister of National Defense Anita Anand, Taiwanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ming-Yen Tsai, Australian Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer, Members of the German Bundestag, and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

“Our bipartisan, bicameral delegation of nine members – representing many of Congress’ most important committees – went to the Halifax International Security Forum this weekend to send a clear message: America stands strongly behind Ukraine and will work closely with our allies and partners to defend freedom and strengthen the rule of law. We were inspired by hearing addresses from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska, and we pressed our allies to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. I’m grateful to Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) for leading the delegation, and I look forward to continuing these crucial dialogues with our international colleagues.

“While in Halifax, I also reaffirmed our close political and economic ties with Canada, Delaware’s largest international trading partner. I thanked U.S. Ambassador David Cohen and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman for their strong leadership strengthening our relations, and I met with members of the Canada-U.S. Business Council to discuss mutually beneficial job-creating opportunities between our two nations. Canada is one of our most important allies, and I appreciate every chance to remind members of both countries how much we gain from this strong relationship.”

Senator Coons is Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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Senators Coons, Wicker lead letter urging USDA to give farmers more time to comment on new rule with major impact for chicken industry

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Chicken Caucus, today sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging the agency to extend the time farmers have to comment on a proposed rule that would have a major impact on the poultry industry. Granting a 180-day extension, as the letter requests, would allow farmers and constituents to consider more carefully the new rule created through the Packers and Stockyards Act and provide the most substantive comments possible of the effects of the rule on the poultry, cattle, and hog industries.

“The proposed rule entitled ‘Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act’ introduces novel regulatory concepts, which would have wide-ranging impacts on the contracting of poultry, cattle, and hogs. … It is appropriate that additional time is allotted to stakeholders and our constituents so that they may provide the most substantive comments possible,” wrote the Senators.

“We respectfully request that USDA extend the comment period of the proposed rule for 180 days. This would allow stakeholders and constituents to study the impact that the Department’s full competition agenda would have on industry efficiency and compliance costs, food availability and hunger, and inflationary pressures on consumers. As you know, the chicken industry is essential to our domestic and global food security because of our significant exports. We therefore urge you to let stakeholders comment on all proposed rules together and to take steps to mitigate any interruptions to the poultry supply chain,” wrote the Senators.

A bipartisan group of 17 senators joined Senators Coons and Wicker in signing the letter, including Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

As representatives of states with substantial chicken operations, we respectfully request the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grant a 180-day extension of the comment period for the above-referenced proposed rule. We believe an extension is needed for stakeholders to consider and properly analyze the proposal.

The proposed rule entitled “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act” introduces novel regulatory concepts, which would have wide-ranging impacts on the contracting of poultry, cattle, and hogs. It would also establish broad recordkeeping obligations on each of these sectors. Additionally, the preamble to the proposed rule poses 44 detailed, technical questions regarding definitions of terms that require careful consideration and feedback. It is appropriate that additional time is allotted to stakeholders and our constituents so that they may provide the most substantive comments possible.

The proposed rule is the second installment in a three-part rulemaking intended to effect changes to the meat and poultry supply chains. On June 8, USDA published a proposed rule entitled, “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments,” and an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking entitled, “Poultry Growing Tournament Systems: Fairness and Related Concerns.” USDA has also stated its intent to promulgate another proposed rule entitled, “Clarification of Scope of the Packers and Stockyards Act.” Each of these rules are inexorably connected, and USDA has described them as a “suite of major actions under the Biden administration to create fairer marketplaces for poultry, livestock, and hog producers.” Therefore, to understand fully the economic, legal, and operational impacts of the proposed rule and to provide meaningful comments, stakeholders and our constituents must have the opportunity to consider USDA’s competition agenda in its entirety.

We respectfully request that USDA extend the comment period of the proposed rule for 180 days. This would allow stakeholders and constituents to study the impact that the Department’s full competition agenda would have on industry efficiency and compliance costs, food availability and hunger, and inflationary pressures on consumers. As you know, the chicken industry is essential to our domestic and global food security because of our significant exports. We therefore urge you to let stakeholders comment on all proposed rules together and to take steps to mitigate any interruptions to the poultry supply chain.

Thank you for your attention to this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information or have any questions.

Sincerely,

Christopher A. Coons                                                    Roger Wicker

United States Senator                                                   United States Senator

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[VIDEO] Senator Coons releases video statement commemorating Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released a video statement in commemoration of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day today, November 17:

“Many of us have been touched personally by this dreaded disease. I lost my own father in 2017 to pancreatic cancer, as well as my uncle, my pastor, friends who I have served with in the Senate, and many I’ve known in my community. It weighs heavily on my heart, and I just wanted to share with you a message of hope,” said Senator Coons in the video.

He continued, “I want to thank all of you, who are researchers, who are caring for those who are struggling with pancreatic cancer, or who have lost a loved one. … I look forward to working with you for many, many years to come, to make sure that we bring an end to a world with pancreatic cancer.”

Full video is available here.

Senator Coons statement on Pelosi announcement

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced she would not run for Democratic leadership next Congress:

“Today, we heard Nancy Pelosi take to the floor of the House and celebrate the legacy of Congress. ‘In this room,’ she said, ‘our colleagues across history have abolished slavery, granted women the right to vote, established Social Security and Medicare, offered a hand to the weak, care to the sick, education to the young, and hope to the many.’ It is a centuries-long history, and she has authored one of its most important volumes.

“Speaker Pelosi’s announcement today brings to an end one of the most remarkable chapters in American politics. Under her leadership, our nation expanded health care to millions, recovered from economic crises and pandemics, passed monumental legislation to address the climate crisis, and achieved countless other successes. For your public service, for your leadership, for your commitment to our nation: Thank you, Madam Speaker.”

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Senator Coons statement on the passing of Michael Gerson

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the passing of Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson, former speechwriter to President George W. Bush:

“Our world lost a special voice this morning when Michael Gerson passed from this life.

“As I got to know Michael in recent years, we had many conversations about the role of faith in public life, and our shared hope that we could sustain America’s most important humanitarian initiatives. Michael had a central hand in shaping our efforts in Africa going back to the George W. Bush administration, from the President’s Malaria Initiative to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which together have saved millions of lives.

“Michael was also a gifted writer, but more importantly, a humble, reflective person seeking to balance his faith as an evangelical Christian with the complex challenges of power and purpose, especially as a Republican in the President Trump years.

“I will miss him dearly and I only hope that his wife, Dawn, and his sons, Michael and Nicholas, know what a powerful impact his columns, his work, and his witness had on me and our nation.”

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Senator Coons statement on the passing of Linda Gray

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the passing of Wilmington City Councilwoman Linda Gray:

 “Annie and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Wilmington City Councilwoman Linda Gray. Linda was a friend and neighbor, as well as a beloved wife and civic leader. She was admired by many throughout her city and the entire State of Delaware, and she will be truly missed.

 “Our prayers are with her husband, Harold, and the entire Gray family as we mourn the loss of this devoted public servant.”

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Senator Coons urges Administration to champion human rights at COP27 in Egypt in new letter

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.); U.S. Representatives David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Bill Keating (D-Mass.); and 52 other congressional members in a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to raise human rights concerns with the Egyptian government ahead of this year’s Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, more commonly known as COP27. Senator Coons is the co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS).

“We are … deeply troubled by the message it sends to the world that the Egyptian government is hosting COP27 while imprisoning tens of thousands of political prisoners – including many environmental activists. With the world’s attention on Sharm el-Sheikh this month, COP27 presents a unique opportunity for the United States to press the Egyptian government to release these activists and demonstrate its commitment to inclusive engagement with the full range of stakeholders on climate solutions,” the lawmakers wrote.

“We urge the Administration to engage the Egyptian government to allow the full participation of civil society throughout this year’s summit. This includes ensuring that both participants and observers, including groups critical of the government, have access to engage and express their positions freely at COP27. This simply cannot occur with the unprecedented detention of leading environmental activists and prominent political prisoners.”                                                                                                      

The lawmakers highlighted Egypt’s egregious human rights violations, including widespread arbitrary detentions, restrictions on members of the media and nongovernmental organizations, and the government’s crackdown on political opponents. They called attention to the important role that civil society organizations play in the global fight against climate change, promoting government accountability, connecting grassroots efforts across the globe, and translating climate policies to the broader population. In October, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights criticized Egypt for cracking down on civil society and creating a “climate of fear for Egyptian civil society organizations to engage visibly at the COP27.”

The lawmakers also recognized that the Global South – including the Middle East and North Africa – is disproportionally affected by climate change, particularly the most vulnerable populations. Egypt itself suffers from issues like water scarcity, rising sea levels, air pollution, and record high temperatures. While Egypt has demonstrated a commitment to leadership on climate issues, its efforts are hindered by a refusal to allow meaningful participation of environmental and civil society groups, activists, and those most impacted by the climate crisis. The lawmakers also urged the Administration to call for the release of specific political prisoners.

Full text of the letter is available here.

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Senators Coons and Portman statement on congressional delegation to The Hague

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) issued the following statement today after participating in a congressional delegation to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, following their meetings in Kyiv, Ukraine: 

“During our visit to Kyiv, we saw compelling evidence that Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders are committing atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine. President Putin must be held accountable for these crimes. This is why we went to The Hague to meet with officials from the International Criminal Court and Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan to discuss how the United States can better support their efforts to deliver justice to the people of Ukraine. 

“We also met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and commended his government for its leadership role in the fight for justice. It is critical that we come together as a global community to hold Putin and his regime accountable, just as we have come together to support Ukraine’s fight to defend itself.”

Senator Coons is Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Portman is Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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