Senators Coons, Cornyn introduce bipartisan bill to invest $1 billion annually in civics education

WASHINGTON – This week, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) reintroduced legislation to expand access to civic education with a $1 billion investment across K-12 and higher education. The Civics Secures Democracy Act will expand educational programming in history and civics, with funding available for state education agencies, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education and research. In addition to Senators Coons and Cornyn, the legislation is led by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Civics Secures would help states close key gaps in students’ history and civics educations. Only nine states and the District of Columbia require a full year of civics or government studies, and 10 states have no requirement at all. At the same time, American trust in public institutions is near all-time lows.

“I have long believed that equipping students with robust understandings of their government and history is a critical step toward building a stronger, more resilient America,” said Senator Coons. “I am particularly heartened that the spirit of this legislation is reflected in the diverse backgrounds and ideologies of the co-sponsors of this bill, and I thank my colleagues for their work to move this effort forward. By making historic investments in the history and civics education of our children, we will help ensure that the next generation of Americans have the tools they need to be good neighbors and citizens.”

“As President Lincoln said, ours is a government of the People, by the People, and for the People, but we can’t govern ourselves if we don’t have knowledge of our foundational principles or our history,” said Senator Cornyn. “This bill would help our schools inspire the next generation of public servants and teach all young Texans the value of freedom, and I’m glad to work with Sen. Coons on this bipartisan legislation.”

“American democracy is an anomaly in world history, and its future relies on each generation understanding our shared history and founding ideals,” said Senator King. “Supporting civics education is one of the most important investments we can make to protect this system of government for the generations to come. With our nation facing deep divisions, I hope this bipartisan legislation can help bring us together around core principles, support Maine educators, and teach young Americans about what makes our system of self-government so precious.”

“There is an old document around that nobody reads anymore called the Constitution,” said Senator Inhofe. “It established the basis and formation of our nation: that we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Yet, too often, students aren’t taught about the Constitution, its history or its principles. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which incorporates my CIVICS Act, alongside Sens. Cornyn and Coons to expand civics education. We must do all we can to encourage more young Americans to be active participants in our democracy by communicating with their elected officials, engaging in advocacy and, when eligible, voting in state, local and federal elections.” “America’s history unites us as Americans. Civics education tells that story. As we seek to overcome our divides, telling this story is essential,” said Dr. Cassidy.

The Civil Secures Democracy Act helps support educational programs in civics and history by:

Creating a Civics Secures Democracy Fund supported in the first instance using COVID relief funds for programs that have since expired, providing $1 billion annually for civics and history initiatives. These initiatives are broken out as:

$585 million for state education agencies, which would be awarded by formula and passed on to districts to support civics and history education programs, especially with a lens to closing civics achievement gaps;
$200 million for nonprofit organizations, which would be awarded competitively and used to develop and provide access to evidence-based civics and history curricula and programs;
$150 million for institutions of higher education, which would be awarded competitively, used to support civics and history educator preparation and ongoing development;
$50 million for researchers, which would be awarded competitively and used to assess and evaluate civics and history education programs and identify best instructional practices; and
$15 million for a new Prince Hall Civics Fellowship program, which would diversify the civics and history education workforce by recognizing outstanding educators from underrepresented communities and providing a supplemental stipend in exchange for a five year teaching commitment.

Incorporating the USA Civics Act and CIVICS Act, both bipartisan, updating existing K–12 and higher education civics grant programs.
Encouraging the biennial administration of the civics and history NAEP in grades 4, 8, and 12.
Strengthening and making the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and James Madison Fellowship Program sustainable by recapitalizing their respective trusts and providing them broader investment authorities.

“As an association that represents the thousands of state and local historical sites that regularly preserve and teach our states and local communities’ histories, the AASLH is proud to support the Civics Secures Democracy Act,” said John Dichtl, President and CEO, the American Association of State and Local History. “We applaud Senators Coons and Cornyn for leading this needed bi-partisan effort. Knowledge of our history does not reside in our DNA or bloodstream. This bi-partisan bill empowers local and state historical sites and museums to partner with our schools and ensures the next generation understands the cultural heritage that makes us who we are.”

“For better or for worse, the quality of civics education directly influences the political environment of our nation and strength of our democracy. In 2018, less than one-quarter of eighth-graders performed at or above proficient in civics, and just 15% of students perform at or above proficient in U.S. history. This isn’t something either side of the aisle can afford to ignore,” said Jason Grumet, President, Bipartisan Policy Center.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country a core tenant of our mission is preparing our youth to be responsible, caring and engaged members of society,”said Jim Clark, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We are grateful to Senators Chris Coons and John Cornyn for their commitment to ensuring greater access to civics and history education through their reintroduction of the Educating for Democracy Act. America’s youth must have the opportunity to learn about our history and government to inform and empower them to lead us into the future.”

Continued neglect of civics education will further weaken both our democratic institutions and our economic competitiveness,” said Sarah Bonk, Founder, Business for America. “An investment in civics education produces a more informed and engaged citizenry, which leads to a more educated workforce, greater market stability, and better economic outcomes.”

“We are at a critical time in our history where we must do everything in our power to invest in a quality civic education for all,” said Christopher R. Riano, President Center for Civic Education. “The Center has a long and very proud history of supporting bills like the Civics Secures Democracy Act, and we again join with Senators and Representatives from all corners of our nation to speak in one united voice in support for this singularly transformative piece of legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to a civic education in the years to come.”

“The First Amendment is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and remains a beacon of hope abroad. Still, it only sustains its power through an informed and knowledgeable citizenry who knows its history and has the skills to responsibly exercise the freedoms it protects,” said Max Nosbisch of the First Amendment Museum. “We applaud Senators Coons and Cornyn for the bipartisan investment they are putting forth through the Civics Secures Democracy Act. If passed, it will go a long way to ensure the next generation is prepared to sustain and live our freedoms in an everlasting pursuit of a more perfect union.”

“For more than a century, Girl Scouts has been at the forefront of civics education,” said Sofia Chang, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA.“Community engagement, education, and action are a core part of the Girl Scout experience, and though many may not be able to vote yet, it is an imperative that girls understand the levers of our political system and how change is made so they can effectively make their voices heard. The Civics Secures Democracy Act will open opportunities for civics learning everywhere, ensuring Girl Scouts and our nation’s youth, are prepared to go out into the world as informed and engaged citizens, now and for the rest of their lives.”

“Happily the Civics Secures Democracy Act provides significant federal funding to improve civic education while leaving the curricular and teaching decisions where they belong, in the states and local districts,” said David Davenport, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institute. “Formula grants to states help assure that this is federal support but not a federal takeover.

“If we are to find a peaceful path forward for America, we must develop a critical mass of young people who are civically well-informed, productively engaged for the common good, and hopeful about the future of democracy,” said Rajiv Vinnakota, President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. “The Civics Secures Democracy Act tackles the severe underinvestment in K-12 civic learning and has the potential to restore a spirit of civic participation, cooperation, and belonging we haven’t seen in generations.”

“Introduction of the bipartisan Civics Secures Democracy Act is a long-overdue initiative to invest in our nation’s civic education,” said Lewis F. Larsen, President, James Madison Foundation. “For more than three decades, the James Madison Foundation has promoted the U.S. Constitution through its fellowship program and this legislation will ensure that our efforts will continue for years to come.”

“James Madison’s Montpelier applauds Senators Coons and Cornyn for taking this needed, transformative and bi-partisan step to support civics and history education,” said Elizabeth Chew, Interim President and CEO, James Madison’s Montpelier. “The legacy of President Madison and other founders is not simply history; their challenges and transformative thinking are still applicable and animate our daily experience as Americans. We support the efforts and goals of the Civics Secures Democracy Act because exposing young people to the history and the associated accomplishments and challenges is the best way we know to preserve the democratic experiment that President Madison and his contemporaries gave so much of their lives to.”

“The League of Women Voters of the United States applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Civics Secures Democracy Act, as it complements our mission to empower voters and defend democracy. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit voting rights and democracy policy organization, the League values equipping future generations with the tools to inherit and lead a healthy American democracy,” said the League of Woman Voters. “All students have the right to an education that prepares them to participate effectively in our democracy. The League supports bringing the Civics Secures Democracy Act for debate and passage to promote an informed citizenship through K-12 education around the country.“Local Civics believes that the Civics Secures Democracy Act is vital to prepare the next generation of Americans to effectively engage in all dimensions of our civic life and lead our nation,” said Beverly DeLeon, Founder and CEO, Local Civics. “This bill will empower local and state education agencies as well as local communities to determine how to best educate our youngest citizens about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, helping these citizens to acquire the skills to be trusted stewards of American Democracy. Local Civics encourages Congress to support the future of our democracy through this critical investment in civics education.”

“America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government that sparked the American Revolution is something that each generation must learn anew,” said R. Scott Stephenson, PhD, President and CEO, the Museum of the American Revolution. “The fact that we spend only 5 cents on civics and history education for every $50 we spend on STEM makes that work difficult; Like STEM, we need to invest in our young people’s historical and civic knowledge. We affirm and applaud Senators Cornyn and Coons for coming together around this bi-partisan effort to reinvest in our students and the American experiment.”

“This bill follows the important work of the Commission on Military, National and Public Service by offering a bold and inclusive vision to significantly strengthen the culture of service in our nation, which begins with comprehensive civic education and service learning starting in kindergarten through high school,” said Dr. Joseph Heck, former Republican Congressman from Nevada and Chair, National Commission on Military, National and Public Service.

“A hallmark of rural areas is the sense of connectedness and community pride,” said Allen Pratt, Executive Director, National Rural Education Association. “A big part of that is education and, in particular, civics and history education. Unfortunately, rural schools and communities have not had the resources to fully fulfill our schools’ vital civic mission. This bipartisan, common-sense bill would go a long way in addressing that reality and give local decision-makers the tools they desperately need. We are proud to support it and commend Senators Cornyn and Coons for leading the effort.”

“Civic education is a pillar of American society,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO, With Honor Action. “The bipartisan Civics Secures Democracy Act is an invaluable piece of legislation that will ensure a new generation of Americans has access to civics education. With Honor Action is grateful to Senator Chris Coons and Senator John Cornyn for their leadership in making this critical investment a reality.”

A section-by-section summary of the Civics Secures Democracy Act is available here.

A one-pager for the Civics Secures Democracy Act is available here.

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ICYMI: On Fox News Sunday, Senator Coons highlights importance of January 6 hearings, touts President Biden’s accomplishments

WILMINGTON, Del. – In case you missed it, Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Fox News Sunday with Bret Baier yesterday shortly before the announcement of a landmark framework on gun violence prevention legislation, where he praised the hearings into the January 6 insurrection and discussed President Biden’s record in the White House. You can see the whole interview here.

SENATOR CHRIS COONS: Look, I think what impressed me about those January 6th hearings, about the first hearing that I watched, was how clear and nonpartisan and thoughtful and directed it was… I think the point here has been to take a hard and clear-eyed look at what happened on January 6th and new evidence that they’ve uncovered about the role of the former president’s close advisors in how they shaped the events that led to that really critical moment in our modern American history. We’ve never had our Capitol stormed by Americans. We’ve never had an attempt through an insurrection, through a riot, to try and interrupt the peaceful transfer of power, and, Bret, right now I’m working with a bipartisan group of senators to try to make reforms to the Electoral Count Act to make it clear that Vice President Pence did the right thing on the night of January 6th—that no Vice President has the power, nor should they, to unilaterally overturn the will of the American people.

…

SENATOR CHRIS COONS: As of now, it’s my understanding that the president intends to seek a second term, and I understand why. His leadership on the world stage has been impressive. He’s just returned from a successful Summit of the Americas. He’s pulled together four critical partners in the Indo-Pacific in a new organization called the Quad…. and in the face of Russia’s brutal invasion, their aggression against Ukraine, President Biden has shown a masterful skill at pulling together the EU and NATO in order to push back, in order to support Ukraine’s brave resistance to Russian aggression. Here at home, his predecessor talked about infrastructure over and over, was never able to get a bill on infrastructure to the floor and to his desk. President Biden signed into law one of the biggest investments in infrastructure in American history, and President Biden and Democrats in the Senate have a plan for how to reduce prescription drug prices, [and] how to tackle health care costs that I remain optimistic we will get done. The deficit is coming down. He’s got clear plans for how to tackle inflation, and he’s helping lead the United States to a position of strength on the world stage. I can understand why he might think running for reelection is a good idea.

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Senator Coons introduces resolution with bipartisan group of senators to promote nearshoring, strengthen economic relations with Latin America, Caribbean

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) in introducing a Senate resolution calling for greater support for reshoring and nearshoring initiatives to relocate global supply chains to the United States and partner countries in the Western Hemisphere. The bipartisan resolution also underscores the risks that continued overreliance on supply chains based solely or mainly in China poses to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity.

As countries come together for the upcoming Ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, the resolution recognizes that the United States has a unique opportunity to work alongside our neighbors to increase supply chain resiliency and security and contribute to the post-pandemic economic recovery of Latin America and the Caribbean. The resolution expresses support for United States’ coordination with the Inter-American Development Bank, regional governments, and the private sector, to attract foreign direct investment to the Western Hemisphere and facilitate regional economic integration. The resolution also calls for efforts to address ongoing barriers to nearshoring in Latin America and the Caribbean, including underdeveloped physical and digital infrastructure, concerns about the rule of law in several countries, and the need for greater compliance with international labor and environmental standards.

“Building economic ties between the United States and our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean promotes regional strength and unity,” Senator Coons said. “This resolution reflects a bipartisan commitment to these partnerships and the value of reshoring and nearshoring initiatives for U.S. national security.”

“I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution to deepen economic relations with Latin America and the Caribbean and strengthen our hemispheric partners’ participation in global supply chains,” Chairman Menendez said. “Our Latin American and Caribbean neighbors share strong cultural, economic, and democratic ties with the United States and serve as a crucial source of critical goods, making them ideal partners as we work together to create more diverse, resilient, and secure supply chains outside of China. I look forward to securing our resolution’s passage on the Senate floor, and I remain deeply committed to advancing U.S. economic diplomacy by bolstering U.S. engagement with the Inter-American Development Bank and regional governments on reshoring and nearshoring initiatives.”

“China, Russia, and COVID have demonstrated only too well the significant threats facing our global supply chains. Partnering with allies in our own hemisphere and here at home to build the economy of the future reduces these risks and bolsters our national security,” said Senator Young.

“As the Ninth Summit of the Americas begins, the United States has a unique opportunity to engage with our partners in the Western Hemisphere and address collective challenges in the region,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud to be introducing this resolution to reaffirm the importance of bolstering economic relations and strengthening initiatives to relocate supply chains and business to the Western Hemisphere.”

“The United States must use diplomacy, development, and economic statecraft to support reshoring and nearshoring of critical supply chains to our country and our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere, including Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased to join this timely bipartisan effort.”

“This timely, bipartisan initiative offers meaningful ideas to strengthen the economic partnership between the United States and our democratic neighbors,” said Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas. “At a time when our region faces many challenges, it is a strategic approach that builds our hemispheric community by encouraging the sort of private sector led growth the region needs and deepening cooperation across a broader range of important issues.”

Find a copy of the resolution HERE.

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Sen. Coons: “We in the Senate need to have a better answer” on gun violence prevention

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, discussed the shooting in Uvalde, Texas during a Judiciary Committee nomination hearing for ATF Director nominee Steven Dettelbach. His remarks are below.

WATCH HERE

Sen. Coons: …I have genuinely struggled today. As a number of reporters were just talking to me in the hallway, I, my wife, and my whole family– our heart is broken for parents, and teachers, and faculty, and community members, and school children, who are today, living through every family’s worst nightmare. To have, again, 19 elementary school students massacred in their classroom–to have their teachers killed defending them, and to have some describe this as unthinkable, unimaginable, when in fact it is entirely too predictable now.

The pain that the Robb Elementary School community and that Uvalde, Texas is living through today is perhaps incomprehensible for those of us who have children, but it is entirely predictable. So I’ll make a bold prediction. It will happen again, and again, until we collectively decide to find a path forward to responsibly address it.

And we in the Senate need to have a better answer. While I am a praying man and believe in the power of prayer, I am sick to death of saying that my thoughts and prayers are with parents who are today waking up to the incomprehensible horror of having their child massacred at school.

So we can’t pretend that we didn’t see this coming. We can’t pretend that this isn’t a pressing issue. And while I respect as strongly as any member of this committee, the constitutional rights protected by our Bill of Rights, we need to act to ensure that tragedies like this do not continue happening with astonishing, embarrassing, gut wrenching regularity.

I know not one particular law that we could pass here will prevent every such tragedy. But we have to do more. We have to make it harder for individuals to get access to weapons who have demonstrated the capacity, or the potential, to use them to harm themselves or their families. And we have to do more to address gun violence.

Every week in my hometown, and in home cities, and communities all over this country, gun violence takes lives in communities of all types and all backgrounds. We cannot become numb to this.

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Sen. Coons joins colleagues to introduce resolution in support of Finland, Sweden joining NATO

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined colleagues last Thursday in introducing a resolution in support of Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO. Joining Senator Coons in the resolution were Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.).

“My visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels last week underscored the historic strength and unity of the alliance, which will only be bolstered when Finland and Sweden gain membership with their advanced economies, experienced militaries, and commitment to our shared values and priorities,” said Senator Coons. “I’m glad to join my Senate colleagues in this resolution and will work toward a swift ratification process for both nations’ accession into the alliance.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this Resolution as a testament to our commitment to revitalize our rock solid bond with NATO as the most powerful alliance in the history of the world and an absolutely essential pillar of U.S. national security,” said Chairman Menendez. “Putin has empowered NATO’s mission and the world’s resolve to stand united against his aggression. As I expressed to President Niinistö of Finland and Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden during our meeting in the Capitol last week, we fully support their application to become NATO members and are looking forward to their swift ascension in the coming months.”

“Last week, I was honored to meet President Niinistö of Finland and Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden here at the Capitol. Both Finland and Sweden have been longtime friends and partners to both the United States and to NATO, and I am fully confident that their inclusion will strengthen and add new capabilities to the alliance,” said Ranking Member Risch. “To welcome their mutual decision to apply for membership in NATO, something that I have long-encouraged them to do, I’ve introduced a bipartisan resolution with Senator Menendez and others in support of their speedy accession. This resolution highlights both nations’ political and military successes, and calls on the Senate to ratify their accession to NATO as soon as possible.”

“NATO has been the cornerstone of Western defense since World War II, and President Niinistö of Finland and Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden are showing strong leadership in joining the United States and its allies against Putin’s deeply immoral campaign of violence,” said Leader Schumer. “As the world’s democracies unite against Putin and his crony oligarchs, Finland and Sweden’s ascension into NATO will be a further rebuke of Putin’s murderous attack on Ukraine. As Majority Leader, I commit to moving their acceptance into NATO swiftly through the Senate and expect broad bipartisan support. The people of Ukraine continue to fight bravely against Russian aggression and every democracy across the globe has an obligation to stand with Ukraine.”

“Finland and Sweden are strong countries with formidable military capabilities that surpass many existing NATO allies. Both nations’ robust defense funding means their accession would meaningfully bolster our pursuit of greater burden-sharing across the alliance. I fully support the Senate providing its advice and consent as quickly as possible,” said Republican Leader McConnell.

“As the Ukrainian people fight for their lives and freedom, Finland and Sweden’s commitment to join the transatlantic alliance at this pivotal time matters not just for Ukraine, but for Europe, global stability and the future of liberal democracies around the world. As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I’m proud of the continued bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure that Senate support for NATO remains strong, especially amid Putin’s unprovoked, bloody invasion of Ukraine,” said Senator Shaheen. “This new bipartisan resolution builds on that progress and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ratify Sweden and Finland’s accession into NATO as soon as possible, and I encourage other NATO allies to do the same.”

“At a time when Russia is committing war crimes against its neighbor and is engaged in other malign activities in Europe, the expansion of NATO is both justified and imperative. The addition of Finland and Sweden to the alliance will strengthen the alliance and underscores Putin’s strategic blunder in invading Ukraine. He has accomplished exactly the opposite of what he intended,” said Senator Johnson.

“Finland and Sweden are strong democracies with highly capable militaries and defense industries. Finland shares an 830-mile border with Russia. The addition of these two nations to NATO makes the United States more secure, NATO more powerful and will enhance the free world’s support for Ukraine at this critical moment,” said Senator Cardin. “I’m proud to join with bipartisan colleagues in welcoming these new partners at this pivotal time for democracy and the sovereignty of nations.”

This resolution:

Welcomes and supports Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to join NATO;
Acknowledges that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe, and the reform and expansion of NATO is key to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for the United States and critical allies and partners;
Recognizes that Finland and Sweden have surpassed the qualifications expected of prospective members, and that both countries have much to contribute and gain from NATO membership;
Reaffirms support for NATO’s collective security commitment and for maximizing our allies’ combined defense capabilities through NATO coordination and cooperation;
Calls on the Biden Administration to move expeditiously to complete all documents and reports needed to support the Senate’s approval of the accession protocols; and
Calls on all NATO members to move rapidly to complete their ratification process.

Text of the resolution can be found here.

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Coons, Whitehouse introduce legislation to accelerate carbon dioxide removal

WASHINGTON – This week, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced legislation to reduce emissions by accelerating U.S. global leadership in carbon dioxide removal technologies and help tackle climate change.

“Meeting our climate goals will require developing a robust market for technologies that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” said Senator Coons. “The United States has the resources, expertise, and vision to be a global leader in this space and provide robust climate solutions for the planet. This legislation will promote American competitiveness, create good-paying jobs, and help secure a low carbon future.”

“We will fail to meet our climate safety targets through emissions reduction, so carbon removal is a necessary part of safety planning for the future. Our bill would help position the U.S. as a world leader in pioneering carbon dioxide removal technology,” said Senator Whitehouse.

“To meet climate goals, we must rapidly and thoughtfully scale carbon removal. The United States leads the world in R&D investments in this field and the Federal CDR Leadership Act represents the most important next step for this vital climate solution. Federal procurement can leverage growing private sector investments, set rigorous standards, and spur continued innovation. Senators Coons and Whitehouse have long been champions on climate and carbon removal and we strongly support this bill,” said Erin Burns, Executive Director, Carbon180

“CATF thanks Senators Coons and Whitehouse for their ongoing climate leadership. The Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act demonstrates their commitment to ensuring we develop a diversity of critical climate technology options, including permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We know that federal procurement can play a key role in creating a market for much-needed CDR technologies, and this new legislation helps create that market and spurs innovation so that we can achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible,” said Matt Bright, Carbon Capture Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force

“The latest IPCC report states that large-scale carbon dioxide removal is now ‘unavoidable’ if we’re to meet our climate commitments. The good news is that by adding carbon removal to our other efforts on climate change, we can accelerate action and reduce overall costs. The Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2022 can help America get an early start, and by directly incentivizing the deployment of carbon removal facilities in the United States, this bill will also stimulate investment and create high-quality jobs. Carbon Engineering appreciates the leadership of Senators Coons and Whitehouse on this important measure,” said Geoff Holmes, Director of Government Relations, Carbon Engineering

The United States stands to be a global leader in carbon dioxide removal due to our vast geological storage and technical expertise. However, projects in this growing field face cost burdens associated with first-mover risks and a lack of demand-side incentives. As a result, most carbon dioxide removal technologies are only feasible at prices exceeding $500 per ton—far too expensive to attract large-scale private procurement. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Carbon Negative Shot calls for rapid innovation to reduce the cost of carbon dioxide removal to less than $100 per ton by 2030. Achieving this ambitious goal will necessitate the rapid build-out of facilities with multi-million ton capacities that can only be achieved by market-wide driving forces.

Representatives Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Scott Peters (CA-52) are leading a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

This bill would leverage federal procurement to create a market for carbon dioxide removal. Specifically, the bill would:

Require DOE to remove an increasing amount of carbon dioxide using direct air capture or other technology-based removal solutions;
Set aside 20% of funds for promoting newer, innovative technologies;
Prioritize creating jobs domestically, supporting American competitiveness in developing climate solutions, and maximize the efficacy of carbon dioxide removal techniques.

Senator Coons has long been a leader in fighting for common sense solutions to the climate crisis. He is co-chair of the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, and previously introduced and passed into law the SCALE Act to build-out domestic infrastructure for the transport and storage of captured carbon dioxide.

A one pager on the Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act is here.

The full bill text is available here.

Full list of supportive quotes is available here.

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Coons joins Senate colleagues to commemorate National Police Week

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate last night unanimously adopted a resolution cosponsored by Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, marking National Police Week and reiterating the nation’s support for the men and women in law enforcement. The bipartisan resolution was led by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

“The men and women who protect and serve our neighborhoods in Delaware and across the country deserve our thanks, but more than that, they deserve representation in the Senate who recognize the fact that the more we put into our law enforcement officers, the more they’re connected to our neighbors and the more they help to sustain our communities. This week and every week, I promise I’ll continue funding the police and working to get the support and resources they need to serve and protect every Delawarean,” said Senator Coons.

“Putting on the badge to protect and serve our communities has always been a difficult and dangerous vocation, but last year has been one of the toughest. While the ongoing pandemic added a new risk to the job, violent crime and attacks targeting police have spiked in recent years. Now, more than ever, we owe law enforcement our gratitude and our support,” said Grassley.

“I could not be more grateful for the bravery federal, state, local, and tribal police have shown during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As our country discusses how to best ensure accountability in our justice system and make our communities safer, it is important that we continue offering support for law enforcement officers who are serving us with dignity and integrity,” said Durbin.

The resolution honors the 576 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2021, including nearly 400 who died from COVID-19, as well as the 92 lost to date in 2022.

The resolution designates the week of May 15 through May 21, 2022, as “National Police Week,” and expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities.

Along with Coons, Grassley, and Durbin, the resolution is cosponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Gary Peters (R-Mich.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Conn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Kennedy (R-La.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Hickenlooper (Colo.).

Text the resolution is available HERE.

Senator Coons on passage of Ukraine supplemental

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS), released the following statement today after the Senate passed and sent to President Biden’s desk a $39 billion emergency spending bill to aid the Ukrainian people, nearly half of which is SFOPS funding:

“For months, the Ukrainian people have bravely defended their homeland in the face of a brutal invasion by Putin’s military. Today the United States has sent a clear message that we will continue to stand with Ukraine against tyranny and in defense of the rule of law by sending them an additional $39 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid.

“I am especially pleased that more than $5 billion is included in this bill for food security. Ukraine, the bread basket of Europe, will grow at least one-third less wheat this year. Unless we act now, this will have destabilizing effects in Eastern Europe and countries around the world that depend on their grain exports. This funding is a needed step towards preventing a regional and global hunger crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion, made worse by prolonged droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, that would have devastating consequences for hundreds of millions of people.”

“Congress still has more work to do, however. There were crucial provisions that should have been in this package that we must immediately turn to, such as the Afghan Adjustment Act that will provide a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans evacuated and resettled in the United States who supported U.S. forces for 20 years at great personal risk. Congress must also pass a COVID-19 supplemental that includes funding to combat the pandemic globally. America may want to be done with the pandemic, but the pandemic is not done with us, and the worst of this virus may still be ahead unless we act now to provide the funding to contain new variants at their source before they arrive at our shores. Our nation’s moral and global leadership depends on us taking up and swiftly passing these two bills as well.”

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Senate unanimously passes resolution to designate May as ALS Awareness Month

WASHINGTON – This week, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), to designate May 2022 as ALS Awareness Month. Text of the resolution may be found here.

“ALS is a cruel disease that takes the lives of thousands of Americans every year, and we must work together by sustaining research and expanding treatment and therapy options. That’s why I worked so hard to secure passage of my bipartisan ACT for ALS bill, which President Biden signed into law last year, and continue to work with my colleagues to secure full funding for that law today,” said Coons. “I hope that with more awareness around ALS, we will be able to better support patients and their loved ones while we continue to ceaselessly search for a cure.”

“Each year, thousands of Americans are diagnosed with ALS—a progressive and disabling disease for which there is no cure. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to raise awareness about ALS and help bring relief to Americans living with the disease,” said Cotton.

“It takes tremendous courage from patients, families, and friends to cope with an ALS diagnosis – a relentless and debilitating disease,” said Whitehouse. “It’s my hope that by passing this ALS Awareness Month resolution, we will draw attention to those affected by ALS and the researchers working on new treatments on the path to a cure.”

“There is no ALS survivor community, so it’s a top priority for me to advocate in Congress for those that are diagnosed with this devastating disease. As a co-founder of the first Senate ALS Caucus with Senator Coons, I am proud to join my Senate colleagues in designating May as ALS Awareness Month,” said Braun.

Senator Coons is a strong advocate for ALS patients and access to treatment. His bipartisan legislation, the ACT for ALS Act, funds essential research into rare, neurodegenerative illnesses such as ALS, and was signed into law by President Biden late last year.

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Sen. Coons, Senate NATO Observer Group issue joint statement of support for Finland and Sweden

WASHINGTON —Senator Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate NATO Observer Group, joined his colleagues today in a joint statement of support for Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO in response to the respective nations announcing their intent to join the transatlantic alliance:

“The Senate NATO Observer Group welcomes today’s announcement by Finland and Sweden that they will begin the formal application process to join the NATO Alliance in pursuit of peace and prosperity in Europe. NATO has helped preserve our world order for more than 70 years, but as Putin’s campaign of violence in Ukraine continues and as he looks elsewhere to spread his malign influence, Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO at this moment is paramount to countering his threats to global security, and especially to nearby, vulnerable nations,” said the Senators. “Finland and Sweden are longstanding NATO partners who already share the collective values that guide our alliance. This demonstration of their intent proves that there are different paths to NATO membership, and we welcome the addition of two highly-capable and enduring partners to join the alliance officially.”

The Senate NATO Observer Group was first established over twenty years ago in 1997 by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to serve as a connection between the administration, NATO and the U.S. Senate. After being disbanded in 1997 due to a lack of NATO enlargement rounds, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) re-established the Group in 2018 with an expanded mission to closely monitor and inform senators outside of national security committees about defense spending commitments of Alliance members, the process of upgrading military capabilities, the Alliance’s counter-terrorism capability, NATO enlargement and the ability of NATO member states to address non-conventional warfare. The Group has 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans, including U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Angus King (I-Maine) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)

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