Coons joins colleagues to introduce bipartisan resolution to commemorate World Press Freedom Day

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee joined colleagues in introducing a Senate Resolution to commemorate World Press Freedom Day and to recognize growing threats to press freedom and free expression worldwide. The bipartisan resolution reaffirms the vital role that a free and independent press plays in combatting the growing threat of authoritarianism, countering misinformation and disinformation, documenting human rights abuses, informing local and international audiences about public health crises, and furthering discourse and debate to advance healthy democracies. Also introducing the resolution are Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jim Moran (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is just the most recent reminder of how important it is to have a free press that can report on the truth and hold leaders accountable so the world can know the unvarnished facts on the ground,” Senator Coons said. “On World Press Freedom Day, we must recommit ourselves to standing up to autocrats who clamp down on independent journalists, working to ensure reporters around the world can do their jobs without fearing for their personal safety, and vigilantly defending first amendment rights here at home.”

“This World Press Freedom Day, I am proud to once again be joined by my colleagues in recognizing the immense strength of an informed public and the importance of free press as a foundational pillar of democracy,” Chairman Menendez said. “As we witness more governments and malign actors across the world desperately try to muzzle the press to prevent the facts from reaching their own people, our support for the brave journalists risking everything to advance truth, transparency and accountability has never been more critical.  From Moscow to Washington D.C., free expression and a free and independent press are not only central to the health of a society, but are at the forefront of our efforts to protect and advance human rights and good governance worldwide.”

“Journalists provide crucial insights into human suffering, corruption, and unrest worldwide,” Senator Rubio said. “Sadly, authoritarians such as those in the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and Nicaragua are fiercely determined to censure any voice that challenges their own twisted narratives. I am proud to introduce this resolution and lend my unwavering support to the cause of press freedom worldwide.”

“On this World Press Freedom Day, we are confronted by the very real dangers facing professional journalists every day in war zones like Ukraine and repressive, autocratic regimes like Russia. The men and women who continue to report despite the hardships and risks, are guardians of the truth and democracy,” said Senator Cardin. “The United States is not immune from efforts to limit open reporting and spread disinformation, even violence against members of the media. We must continue to support journalists as they carry out their work to report the truth here at home and around the world.”

“This resolution sends the important message that press freedom remains essential and attempts to threaten the rights of journalists represent a serious affront to universal human rights,” said Senator Kaine. “Those principles must stay top-of-mind not only on World Press Freedom Day, but every day.” 

“A free press serves as a check on tyranny and authoritarianism around the globe. But recent attacks on the media and journalists have put this freedom under great threat. We must stand in solidarity with all those who report the truth and especially those who do so in the face of repressive regimes. No one should ever have their rights threatened for telling the facts,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Journalists in Ukraine risk their lives to help pull back the curtain on the atrocities being committed by the Russian military against civilians,” said Senator Moran. “While freedom of the press is enshrined in our Constitution, members of the press in many places around the world do not enjoy the same protections. We must do our part to cultivate freedom for the press around the globe.”

“Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are both vital to democracy and we should do everything we can to protect it,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to raise awareness around this universal freedom and to recognize those journalists who deliver the truth to the people every day, especially those who lost their lives doing so.”

Find a copy of the resolution HERE.

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Coons joins colleagues in urging release of UN Human Rights report on Uyghur genocide ahead of UN official’s visit to Xinjiang

WASHINGTON — Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined colleagues in sending a letter to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), regarding the release of the UN’s long-delayed report on the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The senators urged Guterres to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to immediately release the report. High Commissioner Bachelet’s office signaled in December 2021 that the report would be released within weeks, but has been delayed for unspecified reasons. Ms. Bachelet is scheduled to visit Xinjiang this month. Leading the letter were U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). 

“We are now five months into 2022 and are concerned that the report may be delayed because of [Bachelet’s] agreement with the Chinese government to visit the XUAR this month,” the senators wrote. “It is imperative that the report be released quickly and not be dependent on, nor delayed because of, a planned trip to the XUAR. Either of those scenarios would send a terrible message that Beijing is able to delay and evade international scrutiny of its heinous crimes by staging what will likely be a limited trip with access only to areas hand selected by the CCP.”

Joining Coons, Rubio and Merkley in sending the letter were Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS). 

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Mr. Secretary-General:

We write to respectfully urge you to address the human rights crisis in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Specifically, we ask that you work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Michelle Bachelet to release the report on the human rights situation in the XUAR without delay. The ongoing atrocities and genocide that are occurring against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must continue to be documented, exposed, and provided to the public to ensure justice and accountability. 

As you know, in 2018, the High Commissioner committed to release a report on the ongoing human rights violations targeting Uyghurs, and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups, in the XUAR. In December 2021, the office further signaled the report would be released in a matter of weeks. In January 2022, the chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China asked for the report to be released before the Beijing Winter Olympics. In March 2022, almost 200 organizations wrote to the High Commissioner expressing concerns about the relative silence in the face of these grave violations and urged Ms. Bachelet to release the report. 

We are now five months into 2022 and are concerned that the report may be delayed because of her agreement with the Chinese government to visit the XUAR this month. It is imperative that the report be released quickly and not be dependent on, nor delayed because of, a planned trip to the XUAR. Either of those scenarios would send a terrible message that Beijing is able to delay and evade international scrutiny of its heinous crimes by staging what will likely be a limited trip with access only to areas hand selected by the CCP. 

We remain united in our goal to see the Chinese government and its enablers held accountable for the well-documented human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other groups in the XUAR. U.S. administrations of both parties have determined that the CCP’s system of mass surveillance and internment, denial of the Uyghurs’ right to peacefully practice their religion, and use of forced labor, sexual violence, forced abortion, and forced sterilization of women constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. Elected bodies from other United Nations member states, including Canada, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, have condemned the CCP’s genocide and crimes against humanity. It is time for the United Nations to fully recognize the evil of these crimes and stand with the victims, instead of bowing to any political pressures.

The United Nations was founded, in part, to reaffirm fundamental human rights and prevent the scourge of genocide the world witnessed in World War II. As the United Nations’ principal founding member and largest contributor, the United States expects the United Nations’ senior human rights officials to live up to this mandate and lead the moral charge against ongoing human rights abuses. By releasing the report without delay and ahead of any potential trips to the region, the High Commissioner can unequivocally show that the Chinese government and CCP had no part in influencing the report’s findings and failed to avoid accountability for their crimes. It can prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council does not give any country license to commit grave human rights violations with impunity. 

We stand ready to work with you and the High Commissioner to take this first step in bringing an end to the atrocities committed against the Uyghurs once and for all. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely, 

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Sens. Coons, Blunt, Durbin, and Portman introduce Senate Resolution to recognize Poland’s support of Ukrainian refugees and resistance to Russian aggression

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Dick Durbin (D-Il), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced a resolution in the Senate yesterday in recognition of Poland’s efforts in welcoming Ukrainian refugees and supporting the Ukrainian resistance. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over three million Ukrainians have fled across the border into Poland. Poland continues to accept the highest number of Ukrainian refugees of any country since the war started, and provides critical military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Yesterday marked Poland’s Constitution Day, the annual celebration around the declaration and adoption of Poland’s first constitution in 1791.

 “The people of Poland are demonstrating to the world what it means to care for the stranger, the widow, and the orphan in our midst,” said Senator Coons. “When I was in Poland in February, I witnessed firsthand the strength of our alliance and commitment to standing behind the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. Their generosity, their role in arming the Ukrainian military, and their relentless efforts in support of displaced Ukrainian refugees, accepting over 3 million of those displaced by the conflict and welcoming many into their own homes, is a moving example for the rest of us. I am glad to join with Senator Portman and Senator Blunt on Poland’s Constitution Day in recognition of these efforts.”

“In the two months since Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, more than five million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country; over three million of those refugees have traveled to Poland. It has been incredible to see the response by Poland, doing everything they can do to help their neighbors escape violence,” said Senator Portman. “I want to thank the Polish people for opening their hearts and homes and continuing to donate their time and resources to help these refugees. Also, to the Polish government for giving $1.6 billion worth of military aid, which has been vital to Ukraine’s efforts to defend its homeland.”

“During my recent visit to the Ukrainian border, I saw first-hand the incredible generosity that Poland and its citizens have shown to the millions of Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s brutal war,” said Senator Blunt. “On top of providing humanitarian assistance like food, shelter, and health care to refugees, Poland has played a vital role in the international effort to arm the Ukrainian fighters. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this resolution expressing our immense gratitude to Poland for its commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”

You can find the text of the resolution below:

Title: Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Republic of Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees and support the sovereignty of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Whereas, on February 24, 2022, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin instigated an unprovoked, unjustified, and unlawful war by violating the territorial integrity of the sovereign country of Ukraine;

Whereas, as of May 3, 2022, more than 5,500,000 Ukrainians have fled Ukraine since the Russian Federation began its invasion;

Whereas the Republic of Poland has played a critical role in responding to the influx of Ukrainian refugees into Europe, admitting more than half of the Ukrainians who have fled from the conflict;

Whereas the Republic of Poland has accepted more Ukrainian refugees than any other country, admitting more than 3,000,000 Ukrainian refugees as of May 3, 2022;

Whereas, prior to the invasion, the Republic of Poland had admitted more than 1,500,000 Ukrainians since 2014, when the Russian Federation illegally annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine and started a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine;

Whereas the Republic of Poland continues to provide critical services to Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Poland, including access to the Polish labor market, health care system, education, and social benefits;

Whereas the people of the Republic of Poland have joined their government in responding to Ukrainian refugees with generosity, leadership, and resolve, including by welcoming Ukrainian refugees into their homes;

Whereas the leaders of the Republic of Poland supported Ukrainian sovereignty and advocated for the need for a united front against Russian aggression prior to the invasion of Ukraine;

Whereas the Republic of Poland has facilitated the shipment of humanitarian assistance into Ukraine by collecting and sending aid into Ukraine and by serving as a transit hub, simplifying border crossing procedures, and waiving road tolls for aid trucks;

Whereas the Republic of Poland continues to provide vital military assistance to Ukraine and serves as a crucial transit hub for sending international military supplies and equipment into Ukraine;

Whereas the Republic of Poland is a key partner in deterrence efforts against additional Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, including through their hosting of approximately 10,000 United States troops;

Whereas the Republic of Poland has hosted the United States Embassy Kyiv during its temporary relocation, supporting the vital work of the Department of State of assisting United States citizens and their families departing Ukraine;

Whereas Poland is a crucial member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance and a historic friend of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) thanks the Republic of Poland for its pivotal role accepting Ukrainian refugees; and

(2) appreciates the ongoing support of the Republic of Poland for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance.

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Sen. Coons Statement on Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON—Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the publication of a purported draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was released that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

“Reversing the long-settled protections in Roe is outrageous. Every woman in America deserves the chance to make their own reproductive health care choices. Should this decision become law, roughly half the states in our country will make all or nearly all abortions illegal, leading to gross inequalities in health care access. This decision would be the end result of a decades-long conservative campaign to construct a Supreme Court that would gut the right to choose, put at risk women’s access to birth control and allow states to criminalize women seeking access to reproductive health care, even in cases of rape or incest. 

“This country cannot return to a time of unsafe, back-alley abortions. It’s more important than ever that we work to make sure women broadly have access to reproductive health care.”  

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Sen. Coons, Rep. Blunt Rochester visit Air Liquide Innovation Campus to support use of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles

NEWARK, Del. – Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.) joined Air Liquide and Toyota at Air Liquide’s Delaware Innovation Campus today to highlight the future of hydrogen energy and support the use of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and fueling stations in Delaware and across the United States.

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 latest addition to 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.

“Air Liquide’s and Toyota’s collaborative work to develop trucks and cars that use hydrogen, the most abundant element in our universe, is the future of our economy and the next chapter of energy innovation and development,” said Senator Coons. “I am proud to be working with Senator Cornyn on four bills that would incentivize the development and delivery of commercial scale hydrogen deployment to make sure that the hydrogen hub of the future is built right here in Delaware.”

“I was proud to join Senator Coons and the leadership at Air Liquide this morning to see the enormous potential of hydrogen as a fuel source put into action,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Ensuring that Delaware is a central hub of hydrogen deployment for decades to come is a top priority of our congressional delegation, and working with innovative companies like Air Liquide, I’m confident that we’ll be able to realize that better – and cleaner – future.”

“Air Liquide thanks Senator Coons for his commitment to the role of hydrogen in supporting a U.S. clean energy transition. The development and deployment of hydrogen is essential to decarbonizing sectors across our economy, and through innovation and critical R&D, Delaware is playing an important role,” said Katie Ellet, president, Hydrogen Energy and Mobility, Air Liquide. “The growth of a domestic hydrogen mobility market will go a long way in lowering our carbon emissions, while creating new jobs, revenue, and opportunity in Delaware and across the country. The leadership of our policymakers, like Sen. Coons and Rep. Blunt Rochester, helps ensure that the United States unlocks the full benefits of a clean energy economy with hydrogen at its core.”

Hydrogen offers significant potential to contribute to the energy sector and our economy. Offering the highest energy content of any fuel on the market, hydrogen in transportation applications emits only water as a byproduct. This allows hydrogen to contribute as a fuel for zero-emission fuel-cell powered vehicles. Air Liquide has been collaborating with Toyota to support their hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the “Mirai.” To support the Mirai’s sales in the U.S. as well as future hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, Air Liquide has built and supplied hydrogen fueling stations in the Northeast U.S., and has a number of stations ready for commercial operation.

Coons, Cornyn bill to apply STOCK Act requirements to federal judges heads to President’s desk

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) released the following statements after the House of Representatives passed their Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act, which would require online publication of financial disclosure reports for federal judges and mandate they submit periodic transaction reports for certain securities transactions:

“I’m proud to see the bipartisan Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act pass the House and head to the President’s desk for signature. This law will help protect our legal system from conflicts of interest by increasing transparency around federal judges’ financial interests. It’s an important step toward ensuring equal justice under the law. I thank Senator Cornyn and Reps. Ross and Issa for their partnership in moving this legislation across the finish line, and I look forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law,” said Sen. Coons.

“One of the bedrocks of American democracy is our independent judiciary, and it is imperative that federal judges are held to the same standard of transparency as other federal officials under the STOCK Act,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation will help bring potential conflicts of interest to light and bolster public trust in our judicial system, and I’m glad it is on its way to the President’s desk.” 

The legislation is cosponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

Background:

The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act would require that federal judges’ financial disclosure reports be made publicly available online and require federal judges to submit periodic transaction reports of securities transactions in line with other federal officials under the STOCK Act. The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in February, would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to:

• Require the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to create a searchable online database of judicial financial disclosure forms and post those forms within 90 days of being filed, and
• Subject federal judges to the STOCK Act’s requirement of filing periodic transaction reports within 45 days of securities transactions over $1,000.

Importantly, the bill also preserves the existing ability of judges to request redactions of personal information on financial disclosure reports due to a security concern.

Under current ethics guidelines and federal law, federal judges are prohibited from hearing cases that involve a party in which they, their spouse, or their minor children have a financial interest. Federal judges are instead supposed to disqualify themselves in any proceeding in which their impartiality may be questioned. Despite this, a recent report from the Wall Street Journal found that between 2010 and 2018, more than 130 federal judges failed to recuse themselves in nearly 700 cases in which they or an immediate family member held stock in a company involved in the case.

While federal judges are required to submit financial disclosure reports, current law does not provide sufficient transparency or certainty for litigants to discern if the judge has a conflict of interest. The current process for obtaining judicial financial disclosure forms can be cumbersome and take months or even years. By contrast, financial disclosure reports for the President, Members of Congress, and Presidential-appointed and Senate-confirmed officials are readily available online.

Litigants need real-time access to judges’ financial disclosures and securities transactions in order to preserve the integrity of the proceedings and ensure a recusal when there’s a potential conflict of interest in their case. The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act would enact necessary updates to disclosure rules and provide litigants and the public with greater confidence in the judicial system.

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Coons leads congressional delegation to Europe

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will lead a congressional delegation this week to France, Georgia, and Italy. Joining Senator Coons’ delegation are Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, and Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Representatives Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), David Cicilline (RI-01), and Ted Deutch (FL-22).

The delegation will meet with U.S. diplomats, senior government officials, and civil society leaders in each country to discuss the importance of sustaining and strengthening the trans-Atlantic alliance, maintaining an forceful response against Russia’s war against Ukraine, and bolstering European security. The delegation will also address global issues of mutual interest and concern, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global hunger, the refugee crisis, climate change, and non-proliferation.

“I am proud to join my colleagues on a congressional delegation to Europe at a critical moment on the continent and for the trans-Atlantic alliance,” Senator Coons said. “The United States must lead the way in addressing the global challenges and opportunities before us, from global security to the COVID-19 pandemic to developing a 21st century global agenda built on democratic values, but we can only do that together with our friends and allies. I look forward to engaging with key U.S. partners on these critical issues over the coming week.

“The Russian government’s aggression against Ukraine has only reaffirmed the need to further strengthen our close partnership with our European allies,” Senator Peters said. “The trans-Atlantic alliance has been steadfast and in lock-step in responding to Vladimir Putin and supporting the Ukrainian military and people. I look forward to meeting with our partners and allies in Europe to build off our joint efforts and continue upholding our mutual democratic values.”

“As Putin continues to attack Ukraine, our trans-Atlantic alliances are as important as ever. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, they are also stronger than ever,” Senator Casey said. “Putin may have thought he could damage democracy, but the world stands united against him. I look forward to engaging with key allies as we continue to address global challenges and uphold our shared values.” 

“I am honored to take part in this important delegation to reaffirm the strength of our relationships with our European allies during this time of unrest,” Congresswoman Rice said. “International alliances are the United States’ greatest tool in maintaining global peace and stability, and I look forward to discussing how we can best come together to support the Ukrainian people and end this needless violence.”   

“Thanks to President Biden, the United States has reclaimed its place as a leader on the world stage. With this delegation, we are reinforcing the importance of our alliances, especially as we work together in a unified response against Russia’s illegal, unwarranted invasion of Ukraine,” Congressman Cicilline said. “I look forward to our meetings and to discussing how we can continue building a better future as we all recover from the economic and health crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“In the wake of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s critical for America’s leaders to consult, show unity with, and reassure our European allies and partners,” Congresswoman Murphy said. “Our delegation will travel to France and Italy, two of America’s strongest allies, and Georgia, one of NATO’s closest partners. I look forward to discussing additional steps we can take to support Ukraine and impose severe costs on Russia.”

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ICYMI: On Face the Nation, Senator Coons argues for robust international COVID funding

In case you missed it,  Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined CBS Face the Nation on Easter Sunday and discussed the urgent need for Congress to pass international COVID funding as part of any upcoming pandemic assistance package. You can see the whole interview here.

SENATOR CHRIS COONS: Well, Margaret, I was so disappointed that we in Congress could not come together and deliver critically needed global help to deliver the vaccines that we’ve already invented, developed and purchased, and to make sure that the nearly 3 billion people around the world who haven’t yet had a single vaccine dose get some protection against this pandemic. As we were fighting over this additional payment, this additional funding for COVID relief globally, one of my colleagues memorably said, “well, my constituents are done with this pandemic”. Margaret, just because we’re done with the pandemic doesn’t mean it’s done with us. And the best way to protect the American people from the next variant that might kill more Americans and more people around the world is to ensure that the rest of the world has access to America’s vaccines. Last point, there’s dozens of countries that had to rely on Chinese and Russian vaccines that don’t work. 

…

SENATOR CHRIS COONS: I think this is critical to our national security. Look, we’ve already lost a million Americans this weekend as families gather to celebrate Easter Sunday or to celebrate Passover or during the holy month of Ramadan. We have folks from all three major global faiths, from Islam, from Judaism, from Christianity that jointly have their roots in the Middle East millennia ago. All of these great faiths have a common principle to do unto others as you would have them do unto you and to care for those in need around the world. I think we can and should justify this additional spending as critical for our national security or as teaching our values, showing to each other the best in the human spirit and the most central tenets of the faith that inspires so many Americans.

Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester announce $10M to REACH Riverside for new Kingswood Community Center

Wilmington, Del. – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons, Tom Carper and U.S. Representative Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced $10 million for REACH Riverside and The WRK Group, which includes The Warehouse, REACH Riverside, and Kingswood Community Center, in support of a new Kingswood Community Center.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 government spending package, which includes funding for all government agencies and programs through the end of Fiscal Year 2022. The package includes $97 million for key Delaware projects, with the second largest amount of funding set to go towards a new Kingswood Community Center facility.

Kingswood Community Center’s mission is to be a community that assists Wilmington residents and surrounding communities in achieving their potential for economic, social, and personal wellbeing and provide them with positive, reassuring programs that empower families. Kingswood is dedicated to youth and educational services, family, and senior support services.

“I was thrilled to work with my congressional colleagues to deliver this much-needed funding to help build a new Kingswood Community Center,” said Senator Carper. “The WRK Group continues to improve the lives of Eastside residents, and their work will have lasting effects for generations to come.”

“I will never stop being grateful for the ways in which REACH and The WRK Group support our community,” said Senator Coons. “We have to remember that Kingswood has always been a place that has been a foundation and a refuge. What we’re celebrating today is the next generation, the next iteration, and a re-imagination of Kingswood. This $10 million is the result of years of planning and visions for this community, and I couldn’t be more hopeful for the impact the new Kingswood Community Center will have in Wilmington.”

“Today’s announcement will help drive the passionate revitalization efforts of the Riverside neighborhood by REACH Riverside and the WRK Group,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “This $10 million in funding, secured by Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and me, will accelerate their impactful work to bring the Kingswood Community Center to fruition, providing a safe, supportive, and state-of-the-art space for the surrounding Riverside community to thrive.”

“The Riverside neighborhood has been relegated to the side lines for decades.  Our community has waited, and our prayers and hopes are finally being answered and forward motion is being felt and seen,” said Logan Herring Sr., CEO of REACH Riverside. “Thanks to the dedication of elected officials like Senator Chris Coons, as well as Senator Tom Carper and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester the dream of a new state-of-the-art Kingswood Community Center is that much closer to becoming reality. Thank you, Senator Coons, for securing $10 million in funding and for seeing the value of investing in underserved communities like Riverside.”

Built in 1958, Kingswood Community Center has outgrown the space and is faced with deteriorating systems that require frequent repairs. The current 17,494 square-foot building is no longer adequate for the current program or able to support the growing demand and ambitious REACH Riverside community redevelopment plan. It cannot provide the amenities that would attract new residents to the Riverside community, a key strategy for creating a mixed-income neighborhood. A new Kingswood Community Center will be the centerpiece of Riverside revitalization, creating a tangible and meaningful structure that will catalyze the community’s transformation.

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Sen. Coons statement on nomination of Michael Barr to Fed Board

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after President Biden’s announcement that he would nominate Michael Barr, Dean of the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, to serve as the Vice Chair of Supervision for the Federal Reserve Board:

“Michael Barr is a strong nominee to serve as Vice Chairman for Oversight, a role in which his long experience in financial regulation and public policy will serve the Federal Reserve and our nation well.  We have been friends since law school, and I know well his impressive intellect, collaborative spirit, and strong commitment to public service. Michael served on as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Obama Administration and on the National Economic Council in the Clinton Administration, and in both roles advocated effectively for consumer protections and the soundness of our financial system.  He has previously been confirmed on a bipartisan basis, and I will urge my colleagues to swiftly confirm him again for this important role.” 

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