Sens. Coons, Murkowski; Reps. Peters, Salazar unveil landmark bipartisan climate resilience legislation

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and María Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act (NCARS), a bipartisan bill to streamline the federal response to climate hazards that threaten human health and well-being, critical infrastructure, and natural systems. Cosponsors include Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) as well as Representatives John Curtis (R-Utah) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

The increasingly severe weather events of recent years are a stark reminder that frontline communities are at increasing risk. In 2021 alone, damages from extreme weather in the U.S. exceeded $145 billion. Vulnerable populations, such as those in Delaware and Alaska, also face increasing harm from slow-moving hazards like sea level rise and permafrost thaw, which are often overlooked in comparison to punctuated disaster events but can also have a significant impact.

“It’s not enough to just combat further impacts of climate change; unfortunately, we also must face up to the consequences that man-made climate change has already caused,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. “This bill sets out commonsense first steps so that the federal government can deliver sustainable, resilient, and equitable climate solutions in Delaware, our country’s lowest lying state, as well as for Americans in frontline communities across the nation.”

“Alaska communities and infrastructure are already being impacted by the impacts of climate change. Individual federal agencies have developed services and programs to help adapt to these hazards, but the current structure has made it challenging for communities to identify and successfully request assistance,” said Senator Murkowski. “Our bipartisan legislation would direct the President to appoint a Chief Resilience Officer, who would oversee the development of a unified strategy for climate adaptation and resilience. The strategy would include recommendations to address outstanding gaps in federal resilience operations, streamline redundant efforts across agencies, and improve communication with vulnerable communities. This will be a positive step in optimizing the federal government’s ability to support adaptation efforts in Alaska and across the country.” 

“As part of our mission to aggressively combat the climate crisis, we must also prepare our communities for unavoidable climate impacts. In San Diego, this includes more frequent and intense wildfires, drought, heat waves, and rising sea levels that will endanger the health, safety, and livelihoods of people in my district,” said Representative Peters. “The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act will enhance the federal government’s climate resilience efforts, especially its ability to help ensure communities are protected against more extreme weather events. Having a robust national strategy will be essential as we face the increasingly dangerous climate hazards of the future.”

“Climate change is a real threat to South Florida, and Miami is ground zero for sea-level rise,” said Representative Salazar. “I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act, which will implement a much-needed strategy to build our resilience against hurricane damage, storm surges, and flooding, while protecting Florida’s most vulnerable crown jewels like the Everglades. This bill will make communities across America much safer when natural disasters strike, allowing Florida to protect both its citizens and its environment.”

“Climate change has serious implications for Maine’s economy as well as the livelihoods of people across my state, including fishermen, farmers, and those employed in the forest products industry,” said Senator Collins. “As communities deal with the escalating costs of climate change, it is more important than ever that we create a robust national plan to improve resiliency to help those on the frontlines. By creating a whole-of-government approach, this bipartisan legislation will help shape federal policy based on what is known about climate risks and strengthen our nation’s commitment to tackling the consequences of this growing threat.”

“With Nevada already experiencing extreme heat, increasing drought and wildfires, and poor air quality, the urgency for us to work together to mitigate the climate crisis is only growing,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation will strengthen the resilience of communities most impacted by climate change through a comprehensive national strategy and better collaboration to address gaps in these efforts.”

“Louisiana loses a football field of land every hour due to coastal erosion and is under the greatest threat from sea level rise,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Creating a national strategy to rebuild coastlines, combat climate challenges, and support American energy will benefit our state and benefit the country.”

“Utahns are deeply concerned about the number of bad air quality days caused by fire in our state last year,” said Representative Curtis. “I am proud to be working with a bipartisan group of my colleagues, in both the House and Senate, to develop a strategy that consolidates all federal efforts to enhance our state’s resiliency.”

“As our country continues to battle the existential threat of climate change, one of the most important and impactful weapons in our arsenal is climate adaption and resiliency,” said Representative Blunt Rochester. “That’s why it only makes sense that the federal government develops a national adaptation and resilience strategy. I’m proud to join with all of my colleagues on this bill to ensure that we have a whole-of-government strategy in place to help address climate change and protect our coastal and low-lying communities like those in Delaware.” 

The National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act would:

• Require the development of a whole-of-government National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy, which would ensure a unified vision for the U.S. government’s response to climate hazards and direct the swift implementation of equitable climate resilience solutions across federal agencies;
• Authorize a Chief Resilience Officer in the White House to direct national resilience efforts and lead the development of the U.S. Resilience Strategy; and
• Authorize interagency resilience Working Groups and a non-federal Partners Council with representatives from frontline communities to strengthen strategic development and facilitate communication between federal agencies and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Click here for quotes of support from the following organizations: American Society of Adaptation Professionals, Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy: Delaware and Pennsylvania Chapter, Pew Charitable Trusts, the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, American Conservation Coalition, American Flood Coalition Action, C2ES, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Team Rubicon, and American Council of Engineering Companies.

A one-pager on the bill can be found here. Bill text is available here.

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[VIDEO] On Senate floor, Senator Coons comes out in favor of adjusting filibuster to pass critical voting legislation

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced in a speech on the Senate floor that he will support a narrow exception to the filibuster to help enact needed voting rights legislation. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act would ensure fair access to the ballot for eligible American voters and restore key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was gutted by the Supreme Court in the 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder.

“If I must choose between a fundamental principle learned through five congressional civil rights pilgrimages spent with John Lewis – that voting is a moral question – or continue to hold to [the filibuster], I will choose the former,” Senator Coons said.  

Full audio and video available here. A full transcript is provided below.

Sen. Coons: Madam President, why are we here? Why is this Senate dedicating this entire day to a debate on the floor? We are here to talk about, to debate and consider two critical voting rights bills. It’s our fourth try. It’s our fourth try. The three previous times we have tried to get on this bill, there’s been a filibuster on the motion to proceed, an obscure procedural standing that prevented us from getting to this bill. We are finally on it. 

And there is a challenge in this chamber and this country to explain and articulate briefly why this is such an important moment and why it justifies, in a tension between two of my core principles – one of which is making sure that we work across the aisle and find bipartisan solutions as much as possible – and the other that we protect foundational principles, the right to vote, and through that right to make progress towards justice and inclusion in our society, that I choose the latter. 

We have seen, Madam President, across our country in recent months and years, ever since Shelby County, a Supreme Court case, blew a hole in the center of the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, the most powerful civil rights law in the history of our country, a whole series of laws at the state and local level eroding and undermining access to the ballot. And in the months since the 2020 election tragically, we’ve also seen now state legislatures take up and pass laws designed to change who counts the ballot, who certifies an election.

Voter suppression and voter subversion, access to the ballot box and who counts the votes.

Every one of us here is here because we were elected. Every one of us wants to know or should want to know that we want a free and fair election in which as many Americans in our state as possible voted. Why would we want barriers to Americans with disabilities, Americans speaking different languages, Americans working full time and strained by their work and family commitments, Americans who are Black or brown, Native American, or Hispanic, or African American? Why would we want to have any suspicion that our election to this body relied in some part on suppressing or miscounting those votes?

Madam President, today I’m going to speak just briefly, if I can, about how today is really about a frayed bipartisan consensus. Some of my Republican friends and colleagues have spoken about how we have to continue to hang on to and respect the rules of this Senate, especially the 60-vote threshold to moving forward on policy changes, and I’ve long defended that and respect that concern. But we are also principally here because of a forgotten consensus here about working together to protect access to the ballot box. 

We heard just now from a colleague the accusation that this is a partisan federal takeover of elections, yet several of my colleagues have read and reminded us the Constitution itself explicitly gives this Congress the power and even the responsibility to ensure that federal elections are conducted in a way that is free and fair.

When the first Senate gathered, think about who was in the room. Think about the qualifications to vote, how narrow they were. Propertied white men. Think about the arc of change in our nation and how year after year, generation after generation, with a huge amount of struggle, ultimately the moral question of who can vote of who counts and whose vote should be counted has slowly, painfully through sacrifice changed.

There was for 50 years­ – from 1965 when earned through blood and sacrifice on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by a former senator from Texas, President Lyndon Baines Johnson – there was for 50 years of consensus in this body that the Voting Rights Act was a critical, even a sacrosanct protection. It was re-authorized five times: in 1970, in 1975, in 1982, in 1992 by strong bipartisan majorities, and in 2006 unanimously. No wonder then that my friend and predecessor at this desk, our president, seems to struggle to comprehend how a Republican party that included Strom Thurmond when he chaired the Judiciary Committee voted over and over and over to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. Yet today, as we debate the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, we sadly do not have a single vote across this aisle to move this forward.

How did this happen? How did this consensus so hard-won fray so quickly? In short, it’s because of a lie, it’s because of a misrepresentation that millions of illegals are voting, famously said by our immediate past president. But a widespread belief that voter fraud was undermining the very credibility of our elections has been adopted across our country and spread and caused a fundamental break. There’s also been action by the new conservative majority on the Supreme Court, first in 2013 in Shelby County where they took out the Section 4b formula that then eviscerated Section 5 pre-clearance to provide pre-election protection against voter suppression and then just last year in Brnovich v. D.N.C., when six conservative judges concluded that a state law in Arizona that had a demonstrable disparate impact on Hispanic, Native American, and Black voters could be allowed to stay on the books and proceed.

Now let’s be clear. We should make sure there is no widespread voter fraud. And on the Judiciary Committee, my colleague from Illinois and others have led hearings to confirm that there is no widespread voter fraud, as my colleague, from California, the former secretary of state, spoke eloquently to earlier and the Freedom to Vote Act, which is the other bill in front of us, benefited from modifications by Senator Manchin of West Virginia, also a former secretary of state, to ensure that we protections in terms of voter I.D. 

I will also briefly, and I know I need to conclude, respond if I can to accusations by several of my colleagues that Delaware’s voting laws are not yet at the highest standard, and I will say it is true my state has a long, brutal, tragic history of race relations that were not their best, and our voting laws have just now come to be up to the federal standards we are hoping to make the standard for our whole country.

Let me ask this question. In the midst of a pandemic, when state after state has adopted changes to voting ballot boxes and no-fault vote by mail and same-day registration, why would states be moving those back? The pandemic isn’t over. In November, millions of medically vulnerable Americans will be looking to vote. Why would we end these new provisions to provide access to the ballot box?

Let me make two last points and conclude. As I have traveled to a dozen countries in the last year, I have heard from allies and adversaries concerns about the health of our democracy. We must take action to protect the right to vote in this country. And last, we should not make the last casualty of this dreaded pandemic rolling back voting access.

If I must choose between a fundamental principle learned through five congressional civil rights pilgrimages spent with John Lewis – that voting is a moral question – and continue to hold to a rule, I will choose the former and embrace a change that is as narrow and temporary as possible and will restore debate on this floor.

As I marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the last time with John Lewis, he stopped and turned and said to all of us in his halting voice knowing he was in his last weeks, “never give in, never give up, never become hostile. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Stay hopeful and keep marching.”

It is my hope, Madam President, that our debate today, our votes today will give strength and lift and truth to the service and the life and the sacrifice of Congressman Lewis. Thank you.

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ICYMI Washington Post: Coons’ social media transparency proposal is ‘step toward solving our social media woes’

WILMINGTON, Del. – In case you missed it, the Washington Post editorial board published an endorsement of the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA), a recent bipartisan proposal by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law; Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The proposed framework would require social media companies to provide vetted, independent researchers and the public with access to certain platform data.

Washington Post: A small step toward solving our social media woes

Our social media struggles are motley and complex, but finding a solution to almost every one of them requires starting in the same place: data access. Thankfully, lawmakers are finally catching on.

Sens. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) last month unveiled the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act. The bill would compel platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to share data with university-affiliated researchers whose projects are approved by the National Science Foundation — or else lose the immunity for third-party content provided by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The proposal, unlike other Section 230 reform salvos, wouldn’t require platforms to treat speech any differently than they do today; all it would require them to do is cough up the information they possess on how tens of millions to billions of people use their products.

The full editorial is available here. 

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Coons, Portman, Whitehouse applaud finalized conservation agreement between US and El Salvador

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) applauded the finalization of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) agreement between the U.S. government and the Republic of El Salvador. This bilateral agreement will redirect approximately $20 million in concessional debt owed by El Salvador to a conservation fund over a period of 10 years.

The TFCA program was established in 1998 to offer eligible developing countries options to relieve certain official debt owed the U.S., while at the same time, generating funds to support local conservation activities for tropical forests and coral reefs. This agreement with El Salvador is the first TFCA agreement since 2014, for a total of 21 agreements with 14 countries implemented since the program was created, and the second agreement with El Salvador through the TFCA program. Through the first TFCA agreement, which entered into force in 2001, El Salvador has used conservation funding to preserve and restore tropical forests, such as mangrove ecosystems.

“Conservation of our world’s tropical forests and coral reefs helps to protect wildlife, maintain healthy ecosystems, and combat emissions that contribute to climate change,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “I’m proud to be working with Senator Portman to reauthorize TFCA and pleased that the United States and El Salvador have agreed to redirect debt to support critical conservation activities in the heart of Central America.”

“El Salvador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. I am pleased that this conservation agreement will build off the successes of the United States’ existing TFCA agreement with El Salvador by redirecting $20 million in concessional debt to help protect and restore the country’s tropical forestlands and coral reefs,” said Senator Portman, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “TFCA is a results-driven program.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State to finalize additional TFCA agreements with other countries around the world and with my colleagues in Congress to reauthorize the program for another five years.”

With bipartisan support, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Program has saved millions of acres of tropical forest worldwide and helped sequester tens of millions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide,” said Senator Whitehouse. “The Biden administration’s new agreement with El Salvador is the first of its kind in years, and marks another step toward preserving some of the world’s extraordinary natural treasures.”

“The Tropical Forest Conservation and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA) has made the United States a world leader in using debt-for-nature swaps to protect some of the most important landscapes and seascapes in the developing world,” said Kerry Cesareo, Senior Vice President for Forests at World Wildlife Fund. “World Wildlife Fund commends the administration for reactivating this powerful tool, which has proven highly effective in securing the long-term conservation of tropical forests and other critical ecosystems while also benefiting local communities and helping to slow climate change. We also call on Congress to do the same. The House has already passed legislation to reauthorize this critically important program for an additional five years. We urge the Senate to pass it as well and ensure that the TFCCA can continue yielding its multitude of benefits for both people and nature.”

“This new agreement with El Salvador is the latest in a long line of success for the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act,” said Andrew Deutz, Director of Global Policy for Institutions and Conservation Finance at The Nature Conservancy. “Since its enactment over 20 years ago, the act has been vital to helping countries in the region and across the globe both reduce their national debts and conserve vital ecosystems. Restructuring this amount of debt is significant for El Salvador, one of the most environmentally degraded and deforested countries in Latin America. It will provide critical resources for conservation and reforestation that are not currently available to the country’s Ministry of Environment. We commend Sen. Portman for his continued leadership on this act and El Salvador and the Treasury Department for working together to secure this important win for nature and the region.”

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Sen. Coons on Dr. Lisa Cook’s nomination to Federal Reserve Board of Governors

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after President Biden’s announcement that he would nominate Dr. Lisa D. Cook to serve on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve:

“Since we first met nearly thirty years ago, I’ve always known Lisa Cook to be a brilliant thinker, an experienced economist, a committed and capable public servant, and a kind friend. She’s recognized as one of our nation’s finest economists, and whether here at home teaching at Michigan State University and serving at the White House Council of Economic Advisers or abroad while advising the Nigerian and Rwandan governments, she has proven herself to be a valuable voice guiding economic policy with an especially strong background in macroeconomics, the economics of innovation, and the experience of women and African Americans. I congratulate President Biden on his excellent choice of nominee, and I encourage my Senate colleagues to ensure Professor Cook’s nomination is smooth and swift.”

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Sen. Coons, colleagues introduce Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 as threat of Russian invasion of Ukraine looms

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), joinedSFRC Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and 24 of their colleagues in introducing the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022, critical legislation to impose steep costs in the event of a renewed Kremlin invasion of Ukraine. As the Kremlin continues to engage in an unjustified military build-up along Ukraine’s border, the proposal by Senate Democrats to deter a military escalation sends a clear message that the United States is prepared to impose devastating consequences for Putin and the Russian economy if he goes down the path of re-invading Ukraine.

Joining Senator Coons and Chairman Menendez in introducing the bill were Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 would impose crippling sanctions on the Russian banking sector and senior military and government officials if President Putin escalates hostile action in or against Ukraine. The bill would also prohibit transactions on Russia’s primary and secondary sovereign debt and authorize sanctions on Russia’s extractive industries as well as on providers of specialized financial messaging services (e.g., SWIFT). To help meet urgent defense needs, the legislation calls upon the Departments of Defense and State to expedite transfer of defense articles to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities and authorizes $500 million in supplemental emergency security assistance to Ukraine in the event of a re-invasion by Russia. Lastly, the bill also expands U.S. efforts to counter Kremlin disinformation and strengthen ties with key regional partners facing Kremlin aggression.

“We have a window of opportunity to use deterrence and diplomacy to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty,” said Senator Coons. “This bill would expedite assistance to Ukraine, counter Russian disinformation, and impose punishing sanctions should Russia choose to invade its neighbor. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this important bill through the legislative process.” 

“This legislation makes it absolutely clear that the U.S. Senate will not stand idly by as the Kremlin threatens a re-invasion of Ukraine,” said Chairman Menendez. “As the Biden administration seeks a diplomatic path forward this week in Europe to avoid another bloody escalation in Ukraine, I find little reason to believe that Putin is negotiating in good faith nor do I believe he has any newfound respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is precisely why we are coming together to send a clear message—Putin need not collapse his entire economy nor does he need to sacrifice the lives of his own people in a futile attempt to rewrite the map of Europe. Ultimately the most effective sanction on Russia is a strong and unified Ukraine, and I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues so that we can provide the people of Ukraine the type of support they need to confront the bully in Moscow.” 

“Today, Vladimir Putin’s aggression is the greatest risk to the stability of Europe. Whether it is in cyberspace or as Putin orders a massive military buildup on the eastern border of Ukraine, the United States must make clear that an invasion of Ukraine will have severe consequences. Chairman Menendez’s comprehensive legislation serves as a powerful deterrent by immediately and forcefully imposing crippling sanctions on Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation government, any Russian actors determined to be responsible for an invasion, and the corrupt infrastructure that props up Putin’s regime,” said Senate Majority Leader Schumer.

“The basic human desire to be free and democratically choose one’s leaders is apparently too much for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who is now threatening a further massive military invasion of Ukraine.  It’s not enough that Putin denies the Russian people their basic freedoms.  He’s determined to eradicate similar aspirations on Russia’s border in a transparent scheme to protect his own undemocratic regime,” said Senator Durbin. “As such, I am proud to join Senator Menendez’s legislation that would impose historic sanctions if Russia further invades Ukraine.  The bill’s approach is sweeping and clear. It also includes a notable provision to provide greater economic and security support to the Baltic states, including as Lithuania continues to face considerable economic and diplomatic coercion from China.”

“We need legislation that addresses the political situation we face today in response to increasing Russian aggression – not last year or two years ago. The dynamics changed and so must our strategy. That is what this bill would do,” said Senator Shaheen. “There is no question that there is a bipartisan determination in the United States to stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from becoming operational and used as a weapon by Putin against our European allies. This legislation upholds that resolve without undermining the diplomatic progress being made. Moreover, it would empower the administration with real teeth to inflict punitive damage against the Kremlin, enhance regional partnerships and bolster military aid for Ukraine to best defend itself. Putin’s escalatory behavior against Ukraine and other American partners in Eastern Europe demands that we evolve our response – we cannot use yesterday’s plans for crises we face today.”

“The Senate has wasted a lot of time talking about proposals that will do nothing to change Russia’s behavior. This bill offers real solutions intended to deter Russia from further aggression, while also countering their misinformation efforts throughout the region and increasing security assistance to Ukraine. This is the best course for U.S. national security interests,” said Senator Murphy.

“Ukraine is a free and sovereign nation, and its people have the right to live without fear of invasion and subjugation by regional bullies like Russia,” said Senator Kaine. “President Putin should know by now that the U.S., along with our NATO and European allies, will always stand with our democratic partners. This legislation provides the Biden administration additional tools and support to check Russian aggression against Ukraine, and facilitate a peaceful de-escalation of tensions along the Russia-Ukraine border.”

“Russia must see that there will be a strong and coordinated response to any further aggression towards Ukraine,”said Senator Markey. “While making clear the consequences of blatant and unwarranted aggression by Russia, the United States and our allies should continue to press for de-escalation in the region. This legislation will work in concert with the actions the Biden administration has already taken to demonstrate that we will continue to support Ukraine and its sovereignty.”

“Russia must understand that any further aggression against Ukraine will be met by severe penalties. The triggering of comprehensive and coordinated sanctions can be an effective means of deterrence. This bill makes crystal clear in advance that Putin and Russia will face punishing consequences if he makes the drastic miscalculation to invade Ukraine and further infringe on its sovereignty,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“As Russia continues its aggression towards Ukraine, we must take action to show our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to independence. I’m proud to join Senator Menendez in introducing the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act, which will hold Russia accountable with tough, comprehensive sanctions if the Kremlin reinvades or escalates hostilities against our Ukrainian partners,” said Senator Carper.

“The bellicose actions and rhetoric that we have seen from Vladimir Putin in recent months represent the latest in a long string of offensive actions by the Russian President. Russia’s armed buildup around Ukraine – on top of their continued occupation of eastern Ukraine and Crimea – represents a serious threat not just to Ukraine, but to the broader peace and stability of Europe, and of the world,” said Senator Warner. “This bill reinforces the message that the Biden administration must be conveying to Russia in face-to-face meetings this week – that accelerated aggression towards Ukraine will only strengthen U.S. assistance for our Ukrainian partners, reinvigorate NATO’s collective defense posture, and bring about devastating consequences for the Russian economy.

“Putin’s attempt to undermine Ukrainian democracy and sovereignty is unacceptable,” said Senator Bennet. “Our bill outlines comprehensive and severe consequences, including crippling sanctions, for any further aggression. We must continue to strengthen ties with our regional allies and partners to ensure freedom and stability in Ukraine and across Europe, as well as support the Ukrainian people’s desire for democracy.”

“It’s critical to our national interest that the United States stands with its friends and allies against authoritarian aggression. I am supporting this legislation because it is necessary to address Russia’s continued encroachment into Ukraine and hold them accountable. It sets clear guidelines for broad sanctions while providing needed assistance to Ukraine. I believe it is the right approach to strengthen U.S. ties with key regional partners,” said Senator Gillibrand.

“This bill would impose crippling, crushing sanctions if Russia acts on its threats to invade Ukraine. We cannot stand idly by while Russia threatens a sovereign neighbor with military force. Strong, targeted measures to deter unprovoked aggression must be taken,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“Russian aggression against Ukraine must be met with severe consequences. We also must remain committed to our transatlantic unity and stand united against Russian threats to the security and sovereignty of Ukraine and the region. I am proud to support this bill as it sends Russia a clear message: escalate hostilities against Ukraine and face crippling sanctions on a wide range of sectors, including the energy industry and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline,” said Senator Heinrich.

“We need to be clear-eyed about the threat Russia poses and this bill takes meaningful steps to counter Russian aggression and stand with our partners in Eastern Europe. As we continue to see tensions rise on the Ukrainian-Russian border, the U.S. must make sure that Ukraine can defend itself and that we stand against any threat of invasion by Russia,” said Senator Hassan.

The copy of the bill text is available here. 

The Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act

Mandatory and Additional Sanctions in the Event of Renewed Invasion: If an affirmative determination made by the president that Russia has engaged in a renewed invasion or escalation of hostilities, the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act triggers a cascade of mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political and military leadership, financial institutions, extractive industries, and Nord Stream 2, outlined below.

• Presidential Determination on Renewed Invasion or Escalation in Hostilities. Requires a Presidential determination as to whether the Russian government is engaged in or knowingly supporting a significant escalation in hostilities against Ukraine and whether the aim or effect of the escalation is to overthrow or dismantle the government of Ukraine, occupy Ukraine’s territory, or interfere with its territorial integrity.

• Mandatory Sanctions on Officials: Requires sanctions on list of officials including President Putin, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and commanders of various branches of the armed forces, including the airborne and naval forces.

• Mandatory Sanctions on Financial Institutions: Requires the President to impose sanctions on three or more financial institutions from the following: Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, VEB.RF, The Russian Direct Investment Fund, Credit Bank of Moscow, Alfa Bank, Rosselkhozbank, FC Bank Otkritie, Promsvyazbank, Sovcombank, and Transkapitalbank.

• SWIFT: Authorizes sanctions on providers of specialized financial messaging services (e.g., SWIFT), and requires reporting on efforts to terminate services for sanctioned Russian financial institutions.

• Sovereign Debt: Prohibits transactions on primary and secondary Russian sovereign debt.

• Additional Sanctions: Requires the President to identify and sanction sectors and industries the President determines should be sanctioned in the interest of United States national security, including oil and gas extraction and production; coal extraction, mining, and production; and minerals extraction and processing.

• Nord Stream 2: Expresses the sense of Congress that Nord Stream 2 is a tool of malign influence of the Russian Federation, and that the United States should consider should consider all available and appropriate measures to prevent the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from becoming operational, and directs the administration to review its prior waiver of Nord Stream 2 in light of the Kremlin’s military buildup and aggression towards Ukraine.

• Waivers and Exceptions: Provides the President with a national security waiver and provides the standard exceptions for authorized intelligence activities, compliance with international obligations, and law enforcement activities.

Expediting Security Assistance to Ukraine

• Bolstering Ukraine’s Defenses: Directs State and DOD to develop a strategy to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities and enhance the delivery of security assistance to Ukraine, including meeting Ukraine’s most critical needs and coordinating with allies in providing immediate assistance to Ukraine.

• Expediting Delivery of Defense Articles: Authorizes DOD and State to expedite procurement and delivery of defense articles and services for Ukraine, including through utilizing lease authority and the Special Defense Acquisition Fund.

• Supplemental Security Assistance: Authorizes $500 million in supplemental emergency security assistance to Ukraine in the event Russia re-invades for fiscal year 2022 and authorizes $3 million international military and education training for Ukraine. Also makes clear that the U.S. should continue to provide robust security assistance to Ukraine in the meantime.

• Report on Increased Security Assistance to Ukraine: Requires a report on the security assistance and provision of defense articles provided to Ukraine by the United States and allies since Russia’s military buildup.

Countering Kremlin Aggression against Ukraine and Eastern European Allies

• Combating Kremlin Disinformation: Directs State to use the Countering Russian Influence Fund to prioritize assisting Ukraine in combatting Russian disinformation.

• Expanded Support for RFE/RL: Directs Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to improve its reach to audiences on the periphery of Russia, authorizes the exploration of opening new bureaus to reach new audiences in the Eurasia region and encourages RFE/RL to evaluate where Russian information is most deeply pervasive in the Eurasia region.

• Baltic Security and Economic Enhancement Initiative: Creates a new initiative to deepen security and economic ties with the Baltic states, including promoting the Baltic states’ resiliency against hybrid warfare, increasing interoperability with NATO forces, bolstering support for the Baltic region’s physical and energy security needs, and mitigating Russian and Chinese economic coercion against Baltic states.

• European Security: Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should work closely with NATO allies and the OSCE in any discussions on European security, and requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress on future formats to discuss European security, including an assessment of whether Russia has sufficiently de-escalated tensions to merit such discussions.

• Report on Russian Intelligence Services Destabilizing Ukraine: Requires a report on the role of Russian intelligence and security services in undermining Ukrainian independence and engaging in destabilizing activity.

• Public Disclosure of Putin’s Assets and Financial Practices: Requires an accounting and disclosure on the net worth, assets, and financial practices of Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, and their family members, including a public disclosure of the unclassified details.

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Sens. Coons, Murkowski reintroduce legislation to support spouses of veterans who died from ALS

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), the co-chair of the Senate ALS Caucus, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate ALS Caucus, re-introduced the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure the surviving spouses of veterans receive the full benefits they are owed. Companion legislation wasintroduced in the House last October by U.S. Representatives Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).

According to the ALS Association, military veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as those who haven’t served in the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides an additional monthly financial benefit to the surviving spouse and family of a deceased veteran who had a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding death. However, the average life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with ALS is just 2-5 years after diagnosis, resulting in many families whose spouses have not reached the eight-year threshold to allow them access to this benefit. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act would ensure surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS receive these payments, regardless of how long a veteran had ALS prior to death.

“ALS is a particularly cruel and brutal disease that takes the lives of thousands of Americans each year, including many veterans who have sacrificed so much for this nation,” said Senator Coons. “Denying the families of veterans who succumb to this disease because of a bureaucratic test shortly after the death of a parent, spouse, or other loved one is simply adding insult to injury. Our military families deserve so much better, and that’s why I’m working with Senator Murkowski to ensure families impacted by ALS have access to the benefits they rightfully deserve.”

“Under current law, the spouses and families of veterans with ALS are denied full benefits if they didn’t survive at least eight years with the disease. This is tone-deaf and unreasonable considering the typical life expectancy for a person living with the disease is two to five years following diagnosis. Our current policies fail to acknowledge that the impact of ALS – losing a loved one to this cruel and unforgiving disease – will remain with their loved ones far beyond their passing,” said Senator Murkowski. “Regardless of how long the veteran lived with ALS prior to losing their battle, we have a responsibility to support our veterans and their families. I am proud to join Senator Coons in support of the ALS and military community through the reintroduction of this legislation.”

“ALS is at least twice as likely to affect veterans as the civilian population. That means those who signed up to serve our country are at least twice as likely to face a relentless, currently 100% fatal disease in ALS. On top of that, their loved ones are being denied financial resources due to the rapid progression of this horrific disease,” said Dr. Megan Miller, I AM ALS Director of Research and Policy. “The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will ensure all survivors of veterans who died of ALS receive the financial support they are due. We applaud Senators Coons and Murkowski for their continued dedication to the ALS and veteran communities, and wholeheartedly support this effort.”

“The ALS Association supports increasing compensation for surviving spouses of veterans who die from ALS, regardless of how long they lived with the disease,” said Neil Thakur, Chief Mission Officer of the ALS Association. “ALS not only impacts the person with the disease, but their entire family, and causes great financial stress. This bill can help ease the burden for surviving spouses. We thank Senators Coons and Murkowski for introducing this important legislation which Congress should pass immediately.”

“Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, an aggressive disease that leaves many veterans totally incapacitated, is recognized by the VA as a presumptive service-connected disease and, due to its progressive nature, automatically rates any diagnosed veteran at 100% once it is determined to be service connected,” said Jim Marszalek, DAV National Service Director. “Individuals diagnosed with ALS have an average lifespan of 2-5 years. Sadly, many veterans are unable to meet DIC’s 8-year requirement for the additional amounts payable to survivors. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act would allow survivors of veterans who pass away due to service-connected ALS to receive that additional monthly compensation, regardless of the length of time it was service-connected. DAV applauds Senator Coons and Senator Murkowski in their efforts in providing justice for ALS veterans and their families.”

“Survivors should not be denied a benefit others receive simply because the service-connected disease their veterans acquired made it nearly impossible for them to meet an eight-year life expectancy requirement,” said Heather Ansley, Director of Government Relations at Paralyzed Veterans of America. “We thank Senators Coons and Murkowski for introducing this important legislation and urge the Senate to pass it quickly.”

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys the body’s ability to control muscle movement. There is currently no known cause and no cure. Senators Coons and Murkowski were the lead Senate sponsors of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in December after receiving unanimous support in the Senate.

The text of the bill is available here.

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Carper, Coons call for TPS designations for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

WASHINGTON – On Monday, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined 30 of their Senate colleagues in formally requesting that the Biden administration grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) re-designations for El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, in addition to a new TPS designation for Guatemala. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators expressed their grave concern with the worsening humanitarian conditions across Central America being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple devastating natural disasters, all of which have contributed to an uptick in outmigration from the region.

“The crisis in Central America is urgent. … TPS designations and redesignations would provide critical protections for eligible beneficiaries and enable them to support basic needs of loved ones back home and invest in safer alternatives to irregular migration,” the senators wrote. “It is our assessment that the severe damage caused by back-to-back hurricanes just over one year ago, combined with extreme drought conditions, and the social and economic crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, warrant such an action by the Administration.”

Established by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions.

“Over one million Central Americans have been displaced by violence and insecurity. Gender-based violence continues to be a major driver of displacement, with rates increasing dramatically throughout 2020. … Additionally, countries in the region have suffered severe democratic backsliding and political persecution is on the rise, including through the consolidation of a dictatorship in Nicaragua, the dismantling of independent judiciaries, and efforts to intimidate and silence civil society and independent media,” the senators added. “The Biden administration must act and provide certainty for eligible individuals from Central America during this challenging moment. These temporary designations would give the U.S. government more time to partner with governments and civil society to ensure that the return of a large number of individuals to Central America does not create further instability and volatility in the region.”

Joining Carper and Coons in signing the letter were Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)

The full text of the letter is available below.

Dear Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken,

We write to express our concerns about ongoing humanitarian needs in Central America and to appeal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) redesignations for El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and a new TPS designation for Guatemala. It is our assessment that the severe damage caused by back-to-back hurricanes just over one year ago, combined with extreme drought conditions, and the social and economic crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, warrant such an action by the Administration. The Guatemalan government has requested a TPS designation, and U.S. Embassies have issued disaster declarations for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua in recognition of the urgent needs. TPS designations and redesignations would provide critical protections for eligible beneficiaries and enable them to support basic needs of loved ones back home and invest in safer alternatives to irregular migration. Lastly, such designations would be consistent with the Administration’s commitments to address climate migration.

The crisis in Central America is urgent. In the past year, the region has experienced extreme weather events, including two hurricanes followed by a months-long drought. According to the World Food Program (WFP), farmers in the region face the worst dry farming season in 35 years. Hunger in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua has increased almost fourfold over the past two years, according to WFP, from 2.2 million people in 2018 to close to 8 million people in 2021. Eight in ten households are resorting to crisis coping measures, selling their lands, tools, and livestock, and missing meals or eating less nutritious meals. It will take years to repair damage to roads, schools, bridges, wells, and other physical infrastructure caused by hurricanes Eta and Iota, which continue to impede citizens’ livelihoods. The pressures have led to an uptick in outmigration from the region. In January, 15 percent of people surveyed by WFP said they were making concrete plans to migrate — double the number two years ago. Media report that the region’s citizens are having to choose between migrating or facing hunger. Despite U.S. Embassies’ disaster declarations, which activated the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance, 8.3 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in July 2021, including 5.5 million who were in desperate need of food as of September 2021, according to the Famine Early Warning System Network.

The International Monetary Fund says that remittances initially supported the region’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but tropical storms Eta and Iota interrupted progress, damaging crops and halting manufacturing. In 2020, Honduras’ GDP dropped nine percent, El Salvador’s GDP dropped nearly eight percent, Nicaragua’s dropped two percent, and Guatemala’s by 1.8 percent. The IMF supported the region with emergency financing to cope with these shocks. However, the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lagging vaccination campaigns, especially in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, will prolong the region’s economic recovery.

Combined, the effects of the natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have profoundly exacerbated food insecurity, violence, and led to rising social tensions. Forced displacement continues to plague the region. Over one million Central Americans have been displaced by violence and insecurity. Gender-based violence continues to be a major driver of displacement, with rates increasing dramatically throughout 2020. On November 3, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights named El Salvador the most dangerous Latin American country for women. Additionally, countries in the region have suffered severe democratic backsliding and political persecution is on the rise, including through the consolidation of a dictatorship in Nicaragua, the dismantling of independent judiciaries, and efforts to intimidate and silence civil society and independent media.

TPS is a humanitarian tool used by both Democratic and Republican administrations to provide relief for individuals who are unable to return to countries facing extraordinary conditions. The Biden administration must act and provide certainty for eligible individuals from Central America during this challenging moment. These temporary designations would give the U.S. government more time to partner with governments and civil society to ensure that the return of a large number of individuals to Central America does not create further instability and volatility in the region. They would also provide immediate and tangible humanitarian benefits to new status holders and help mitigate the factors driving dangerous outmigration by securing life-saving remittances.

It is our view that El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua meet the standards for TPS. We look forward to working closely with and supporting the Biden administration as it take this important step to uphold humanitarian protections, safeguard U.S. national security interests, and defend American families. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

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Sen. Coons, colleagues urge Pres. Biden to make clear that US stands with Eastern European allies in the face of Putin’s aggression

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), members of the Senate NATO Observer Group, sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to use this week’s diplomatic talks at the NATO-Russia Council meeting to deter Russian dictator Vladimir Putin from further invading Ukraine and make clear that the U.S. will not accept Putin’s demands to dictate NATO’s decision-making. 

“We support close engagement with our allies to ensure a coordinated and unambiguous response to Putin’s brinkmanship and ask that the administration and its allies continue to unequivocally rebuke Putin’s military threats and provocations against our allies,” the senators wrote. “It is imperative the United States demonstrate our resolve and refuse to appease Putin’s unacceptable list of demands.”

Additionally, the senators voiced bipartisan support for several measures which would provide “increased assistance to Ukraine, push back against Putin’s revisionist agenda, and bolster support for our eastern European allies.”

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. President: 

As members of the Senate NATO Observer Group, we write to convey robust bipartisan support for the security and freedom of our eastern European allies in advance of this week’s diplomatic talks at the NATO-Russia Council meeting. This current crisis, artificially created by Vladimir Putin’s unprecedented build-up of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s border, reflects Putin’s refusal to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Russia’s neighbors. The undersigned Senators support your efforts to utilize all diplomatic channels to make it clear to Putin that the United States and its allies will not accept its current aggression against Ukraine, nor will it allow for an invasion of Ukraine without severe consequences.

In Russia’s list of required public “security guarantees” to Western governments, Putin explicitly demanded NATO rule out membership to Ukraine, commit to preventing further enlargement of the alliance, and prohibit NATO from deploying military equipment in countries that joined the alliance after 1997, among other unreasonable demands that are unacceptable to this group of Senators. Rather than security guarantees, these demands are an attempt to recreate a Russian sphere of influence in Europe, where the Kremlin is free to coerce and bully countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, who have since become firm American allies and partners.

We support close engagement with our allies to ensure a coordinated and unambiguous response to Putin’s brinkmanship and ask that the administration and its allies continue to unequivocally rebuke Putin’s military threats and provocations against our allies. It is imperative the United States demonstrate our resolve and refuse to appease Putin’s unacceptable list of demands.

In light of this week’s meetings with the Russian government through the Strategic Stability Dialogue, the Russia-NATO Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council meeting, we wish to underscore strong bipartisan support for the following: 

• Russia does not have veto power on NATO enlargement and expansion of the Alliance; this will be decided solely by NATO members themselves;
• The United States and its allies and partners are committed to the principle of “no decisions or discussions about Ukraine without Ukraine,” which should also be applied to Georgia;
• The door to NATO membership remains open to European countries which are ready and willing to undertake the commitments and obligations of membership and whose membership contributes to the security in the Euro-Atlantic Area;
• NATO should consider an increased military presence on the Alliance’s eastern flank, including the Baltic states, Poland, and the Black Sea region to serve as a deterrent to Russian aggression;
• Additional security assistance for Ukraine and eastern European countries under threat of Russian aggression is necessary to raise the cost of Russian military operations, and our allies should consider similar measures; and
• The United States and our allies should impose sanctions on Putin, and members of his inner circle, as long as they continue to threaten the security of Eastern European states.

We support working with our allies, especially through NATO and the European Union, to push back on Putin’s aggressive tactics and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to maintaining a rules-based order in Europe. A world where authoritarians believe they can force their way through coercion and intimidation threatens the safety of Americans abroad and the prosperity of Americans at home.

We wish your administration well for this critical week of diplomacy. This group of Senators is prepared to support increased assistance to Ukraine, push back against Putin’s revisionist agenda, and bolster support for our eastern European allies. 

Sincerely,

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Sen. Coons on appointment of new Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s appointment of Ambassador David Satterfield as the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Ambassador Satterfield will be succeeding Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman in the role.

“I am encouraged that Ambassador David Satterfield, the current U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and a veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, will be succeeding Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman as the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. Ambassador Feltman is a seasoned American diplomat with decades of service around the world, and he has maintained a steady U.S. approach to the conflict in northern Ethiopia and other regional challenges while engaging in a forceful dialogue with regional leaders. There is ongoing civil war and humanitarian disaster in northern Ethiopia, political crises continue in Sudan and Somalia, and the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains unresolved. The United States must sustain a leadership role in this strategically important region and work with partners and allies to find a way forward on these issues, and I am confident that Ambassador Satterfield will help ensure our efforts are effective.”

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