Senator Coons joins colleagues to recognize National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) were joined by Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) in celebrating the eighth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. The members introduced bipartisan, bicameral resolutions designating today, October 8, 2022, as “National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.”

“In Delaware and across our nation, innovators and workers are building the future of our nation’s economy and energy security with the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies,” said Senator Coons, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. “I am proud that our Delaware delegation recently hosted Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi to demonstrate that Delaware is leading the way in advancing clean and reliable hydrogen technologies and excited that Congress came together to recognize National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.”

“The hydrogen and fuel cell industry provides immense economic and environmental benefits to Connecticut and our country,” said Senator Blumenthal, Co-Chair of the Senate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus. “Cutting-edge fuel cell and hydrogen technologies bolster our energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost job creation, and strengthen our power grid. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution and to join my colleagues in marking National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.”

“I’m proud to lead my colleagues in commemorating National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day,” said Senator Graham, Co-Chair of the Senate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus. “Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are boosting manufacturing and economic growth in South Carolina and across the country.”

In March, Senator Coons and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Hydrogen for Trucks Act, a bipartisan bill to support the adoption of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fueling stations. The Hydrogen for Trucks Act is the part of the Coons-Cornyn Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative, a package of bills to support the deployment of hydrogen technologies and cut emissions in hard-to-abate sectors. These carbon-intensive sectors — such as global shipping or the production of steel, cement, glass, and chemicals — face technological barriers that limit the adoption of other forms of clean energy.

This important day marks the growth of the industry by raising awareness of the benefits that hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies provide in reducing emissions while driving economic growth. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed on October 8 (10.08), in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen: 1.008. Hydrogen is already providing fuel, feedstock, and power to wide-ranging sectors of the United States. This year’s celebration comes on the heels of significant investments in clean hydrogen and actions by the Department of Energy to fulfill hydrogen provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the release of a Funding Opportunity Announcement for its new H2Hubs program and a draft National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap.

For more information on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, please visit www.hydrogenandfuelcellday.org. You can view photos from the visit to Delaware by Secretaries Granholm and Walsh and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi here.

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Senator Coons and fellow HBCU Caucus co-chairs urge DOJ and FBI to support HBCUs impacted by continuing bomb threats

WASHINGTON – Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Congressman French Hill (R-Ark.) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-N.C.) — co-chairs of the Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus — sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray urging them to provide additional information about the ongoing bomb threats against HBCUs and requesting they outline resources available to HBCUs to protect against these threats, including funding and training opportunities.

The members wrote, “As you know, at least 57 bomb threats have been made to HBCUs across the country. Notably, Howard University has received eight bomb threats, including two recently within the same week. Bomb threats should not be a normal part of the campus experience. As the co-chairs of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, we are concerned that the ongoing nature of these threats may embolden others who wish to do these schools, and their students, harm. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure institutions receive timely and relevant communications to ensure school leaders and law enforcement officials have all they need to keep safe as you work expeditiously to identify those responsible.”

At least 57 bomb threats have been made against HBCUs in 2022, including to Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. No arrests have been made yet in connection to these threats.

As a Congressional HBCU Caucus co-chair, Senator Coons has been working to ensure students feel safe as they continue their education. To that end, the senator:

Sent a letter to the Biden administration, alongside the other Congressional HBCU Caucus co-chairs, requesting information about the bomb threats; and
Introduced a Senate resolution condemning these bomb threats and reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to combating violence against HBCU students, staff, and faculty.

Full text of the letter is available here.

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Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester announce $8 million federal grant to protect New Castle County families from lead

WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware’s congressional delegation of U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.), today announced an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to New Castle County as part of the federal government’s mission to abate lead and make homes safer and healthier for low-income families.

“Today’s grant announcement is a big step forward in strengthening our communities and improving the lives of so many families,” said Senator Carper. “Across the country, we’ve seen the terrible effects of lead – especially in our most vulnerable communities. I’m proud of the steps this administration has taken to help our residents have a safe and healthy home.”

“For far too long, our nation has allowed children in underserved communities in Delaware and across the country to live in homes where they’re dangerously at risk of lead poisoning that can stunt their physical and mental development and lead to lifelong sickness or death,” said Senator Coons. “I’m glad that the Biden administration has finally made lead remediation for our most vulnerable children a priority, and I hope that this funding will make homes in New Castle County safer places for Delawareans to raise their families with dignity and security.”

“There should be no higher priority for government than protecting the health and safety of its citizens. Today’s announcement by the Biden administration is another example of their commitment to protect underserved communities throughout the United States,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “This investment of $8 million will go directly to protecting families in New Castle County who have lived with lead exposure – creating safer homes and, ultimately, safer communities.”

“We’re excited to learn about this critical investment to help us continue our fight against lead paint in our communities,” said County Executive Matt Meyer. “I am especially thankful to our federal delegation in securing the funds for this program.”

“Today, we are extending our efforts to improve the health and safety of children and other members of families with low incomes,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The funding provided today will help these families – especially their children – to be healthier and to improve their attendance and experiences in school and work over the coming decades.”

Last week, HUD announced over $125 million in grants, including $13 million in HUD’s Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, that went to 26 state and local government agencies to protect children and families from lead-based paint hazards and additional home health hazards. Included in that funding was $8 million that will go to New Castle County through the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program. The HUD investment will remediate 325 units across the county.

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Senators Carper, Coons announce almost $2 million in federal funding secured for Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) today announced two Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) federal grants with a combined worth of nearly $2 million that went to two Delaware educational institutions.

The first CDS grant, $800,000 to be split evenly across vocational schools in all three Delaware counties, will strengthen the First State’s transportation and logistics sectors by funding adult education programs that will also improve high school students’ learning experiences. The size of this grant was nearly three times the initial request by these vocational schools and will help them train Delaware workers to fill good-paying jobs for years to come.

The second CDS announcement, $1,016,000 to support the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI), will help DATI achieve its goal of providing specialized tools to Delawareans with disabilities so they can more quickly, safely, and independently complete tasks in their lives and livelihoods.

“I am proud to work with my fellow congressional delegation members to deliver this funding to Delaware,” said Senator Carper. “From workforce development to helping our children solve problems and communicate, today’s announcements will make Delaware a better place to live, work and go to school.”

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m glad I was able to deliver crucial funds for these important programs in Delaware that will significantly improve how these institutions can impact our communities,” Senator Coons said. “From improved training for our workforce to improved equipment and access to adaptive technologies, this funding benefits so many people across Delaware.”

“Support to increase educational opportunities and resources to grow our workforce is critical to meet the needs of Delawareans,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. “I was proud to work alongside Senators Carper and Coons to secure federal funding for these projects that will strengthen our communities for generations of Delawareans to come.”

For photos from the day, click here.

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ICYMI: Coons and Lankford lead resolution to condemn Iran over death of Mahsa Amini

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced a bipartisan resolution this week to condemn the Iranian government over the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of Iranian morality police and its subsequent violent crackdown on protesters. See the text of the resolution here, and read more below:

Associated Press: Bipartisan group of senators condemns Iran over Amini death

By Farnoush Amiri

A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday introduced a resolution condemning the detention and death of Mahsa Amini, who was held by Iran’s morality police this month for allegedly wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf too loosely.

The 22-year-old’s death sparked large-scale protests across Iran that have captured the world’s attention, with women protesters making a show of taking off their headscarves and cutting their hair in solidarity with Amini.

“As co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, I commend the thousands of brave protesters who are risking their lives to advocate for human rights in Iran, including the human rights of Iranian women,” Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said in a statement. “The public response to Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands Iran’s morality police makes clear that the Iranian government’s oppression is no match for the demands for dignity and respect by the Iranian people.”

Senator Coons statement on Senate passage of short-term spending bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate voted 72-25 to continue existing funding levels for the federal government through December 6, 2022. Senator Coons is Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS):

“This continuing resolution is a bipartisan step forward that keeps the government open and funds a number of pressing priorities for our country.

“It provides $1 billion in heating assistance this winter, so working families in Delaware can keep their homes warm; $2 billion for disaster relief as climate change makes disasters like Hurricane Ian more common; and $20 million to fix the broken water system of Jackson, Mississippi, whose residents have been without drinking water since this summer.

“Notably, this legislation continues to support the brave Ukrainian people as they push back on Russia’s brutal and immoral invasion with an additional $12.35 billion in funding for Ukraine. In recent weeks, Ukraine has made substantial progress in regaining territory east of Kharkiv, and now is the right time to redouble our support.

“I am glad we are on a path to easily avert a government shutdown. We have 10 weeks to complete the appropriations process for fiscal 2023, which is critical to ensure that we appropriately fund the countless federal programs which our constituents and our nation’s security depend on.”

Senators Coons, Shaheen introduce legislation that ensures small business access to loans

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced legislation this week to ensure that American small businesses have access to low-cost, fixed-rate, long-term loans. The 504 Loan Availability Act will prevent the Small Business Administration (SBA) CDC/504 loan program from becoming temporarily unavailable near the end of each fiscal year, and help guarantee that small businesses can invest in themselves and grow. The bill provides flexibility by combining the authorization of regular 504 loans and 504 refinancing loans under a single authorization cap. Combining these authorizations—without increasing the overall authorization level—will help prevent either program from hitting its cap partway through the fiscal year and becoming temporarily unavailable until the new fiscal year begins.

“Small businesses form the backbone of American manufacturing, and when they have reliable access to capital to grow their operations, they strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and expand production right here in America,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Shaheen to ensure that there are no further interruptions to the 504 program so that business owners nationwide can be confident in this reliable source of affordable financing.”

“The 504 loan program is one of the premier tools available for small businesses to access capital to invest and expand operations,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ve long fought for increased flexibility for this program, including allowing borrowers to refinance existing 504 loans, and this simple fix will ensure these critical programs remain available to small businesses for years to come, under all market conditions.”

“Senator Coons has been a forward thinking leader on a myriad of small business issues over the years and we’re grateful for his continued leadership to ensure small businesses recovering from the pandemic have access to the capital they need through the Small Business Administration’s 504 loan program. Since 2020, the 504 program has assisted a record number of small businesses, and through the economic development tenets of the program, supported recovery and job creation in local economies. The 504 Loan Availability Act creates certainty for the availability of this integral economic development program now and for the future,” said Rhonda Pointon NADCO’s President & CEO.

“The 504 Loan Availability Act is a critical piece of legislation which will allow the 504 Program to be even more impactful for the economy as we emerge from the pandemic.”,” said Jim Conroy, President of Pursuit CDC. “Moreover, it is especially critical now as it will help the program help more small businesses by offering better financing terms in a rising rate environment and as recessionary concerns tighten bank lending.”

“The 504 Loan Availability Act will have a significant impact in New Hampshire and across the country by providing better access to capital for growing small businesses. We applaud Senators Shaheen and Coons for their diligent work supporting small businesses,” said Scott Gardiner, President & CEO of Granite State Development Corporation

The SBA 504 Certified Development Company Loan program provides SBA-backed loans for applicants that might not qualify for conventional financing and conserves working capital by requiring only a 10 percent borrower contribution. Certified Development Companies (CDCs) are SBA-authorized nonprofit corporations that work with third-party lenders to promote economic development within their communities through 504 loans. 504 loans feature 10, 20 or 25 year terms and below-market fixed interest rates. Loan amounts are generally capped at $5 million, though certain eligible energy-efficient or manufacturing projects may qualify for up to $5.5 million each.

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Senators Carper and Coons statement on committee vote for Tamika Montgomery-Reeves for Third Circuit

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) released the following statement today after Tamika Montgomery-Reeves was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to serve as U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 13-9. Senator Coons is a member of the committee.

“We’re glad that a bipartisan majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee has recognized that Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves’ experience as a distinguished litigator and inspirational trailblazer in the Delaware state courts will make her an excellent Federal Appellate Court Judge,” said the Senators. “Our Federal Judiciary would be strengthened by Tamika’s unmatched reputation as a compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful jurist. Her confirmation to the Third Circuit would be a positive step toward ensuring that our federal judiciary reflects the diversity of our nation. We hope she will swiftly come before the full Senate and our colleagues will join us in confirming her to the bench.”

Bipartisan leaders from Delaware have written over a dozen letters to the Senate in support of Justice Montgomery-Reeves due to her extensive record of service. Governor John Carney and former Governor Jack Markell both sent letters of support, and the Delaware State Senate also submitted a bipartisan letter “unequivocally endors[ing]” her nomination.

On June 29, 2022, the White House announced it was nominating Justice Montgomery-Reeves, who was recommended by Senators Carper and Coons, for a judgeship on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Justice Montgomery-Reeves has been nominated for the judicial vacancy that will be created when Judge Thomas L. Ambro occupies senior status.

Justice Montgomery-Reeves has served Delaware state courts for seven years. She is the first Black person to serve on the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court, where she has served as an Associate Justice since January 2020. Prior to that, Justice Montgomery-Reeves was the first Black woman to serve as the Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery from November 2015 to November 2019. Before her public service, she was a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Wilmington, Delaware.

Justice Montgomery-Reeves graduated from the McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi in 2003. She received her law degree in 2006 from the University of Georgia School of Law. Justice Montgomery-Reeves served as a law clerk for Chancellor William B. Chandler of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

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Senators Coons, Lankford introduce resolution to condemn Iran for systemic persecution of women and peaceful protestors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced a resolution today condemning the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman whose killing last week by Iran’s “morality police” sparked nationwide protests, and calling on the government of Iran to end its systemic persecution of women. The resolution also celebrates the bravery of the Iranian people protesting Amini’s death despite a violent crackdown by the Iranian government. Senator Coons is co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus.

“As co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, I commend the thousands of brave protesters who are risking their lives to advocate for human rights in Iran, including the human rights of Iranian women. The public response to Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands Iran’s morality police makes clear that the Iranian government’s oppression is no match for the demands for dignity and respect by the Iranian people,” said Senator Coons. “This resolution sends a clear message that the United States stands behind the rights of women and peaceful protesters in Iran and reaffirms that our commitment to human rights, women’s rights, and democratic freedoms is core to our values and foreign policy.”

“We stand with the courageous Iranian people who are at this moment risking their lives to stand up for their freedom and the right to live their faith,” said Senator Lankford. “The U.S. Senate should send a loud and clear message that we support the basic human rights of all people around the world, including the oppressed people of Iran living under a repressive regime.”

In addition to Lankford, the resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

For additional quotes from cosponsors, click here.

For the full text of the Senate Resolution, click here.

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Senator Coons celebrates passage of resolution recognizing September as National Workforce Development Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) celebrated the passage of their Senate resolution recognizing September 2022 as National Workforce Development Month.

“Delawareans up and down the state deserve quality, good-paying careers that utilize their skills and build on their interests. Thanks to concentrated efforts to prepare our kids for the workforce, Delaware’s high school students have the chance to earn early college credits, participate in a certificate program or an apprenticeship, and begin a pathway to a successful career,” said Senator Coons. “This month, let’s acknowledge the success of workforce development programs across the country and think of ways to continue to build up the next generation of workers.”

“From clean energy and advanced manufacturing to sustainable agriculture and innovative technology, we need to ensure that the American workforce is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy,” Senator Feinstein said. “Our resolution recognizes the vital role workforce development plays in growing America’s next generation of workers as well as supporting the advancement of current professionals looking for new employment opportunities.”

“Americans know that, in order to compete on the global stage, we must train our workers for the jobs of tomorrow. By investing in workforce training, we are investing in ourselves,” said Senator Young. “This resolution highlights the importance of workforce development in providing a pathway to a meaningful career and a chance to live the American Dream.”

“I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to highlight the importance of investing in workforce development programs, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. We know that we can meet workforce readiness challenges effectively if we support students, workers, and businesses and have strong public-private partnerships at the local level that are backed by a Congress working across party lines. This bipartisan resolution shows our commitment to being a federal partner to help make sure our workforce is better equipped for high-skilled, good paying jobs that will help raise incomes for workers and boost economic growth for businesses,” Senator Baldwin said.

In addition to Coons, Feinstein, Young, Baldwin, and Scott, the resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.).

Full text of the resolution is available here and below:

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