Coons, Menendez, Risch introduce new sanctions bill targeting parties involved in conflict in Tigray

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, joined Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in marking one year since the beginning of the conflict in Ethiopia with the introduction of their Ethiopia Peace and Democracy Promotion Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation to bolster the United States’ diplomatic, development, and legal response to support democracy, human rights, peace, and stability in Ethiopia. In addition to suspending American security assistance to the Government of Ethiopia and authorizing American support for conflict resolution and civil society peacebuilding efforts, the bipartisan legislation mandates the imposition of targeted sanctions against individual actors who are found to undermine attempts to resolve, who profit from, or who provide material support to any entity that is party to the civil war.

“Last November, I called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to urge him to reconsider his military campaign in Tigray and to choose dialogue and reconciliation. In March, I traveled to Ethiopia on behalf of President Biden to deliver the same message. One year into this brutal and tragic conflict, Ethiopia is facing a full blown humanitarian catastrophe and spreading civil war,” said Senator Coons. “I am joining my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan legislation to punish actors that continue to fuel violence, violate human rights, and undermine a democratic, peaceful, and unified Ethiopia.”

“I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing the Ethiopia Peace and Democracy Promotion Act of 2021 to enhance our nation’s efforts to pursue meaningful accountability for the bloodshed and tragedy in Tigray,” Chairman Menendez said. “The United States and broader international community cannot turn away from the people of Ethiopia as staggering reports of extrajudicial killings, murdered aid workers, and use of mass rape and sexual violence as weapons of war continue to pour out of the region. I am committed to continue working with my colleagues to secure this legislation’s passage and demonstrate that the United States will match our words of support with unflinching, definitive and robust action. A year in, we must confront this raging conflict head-on and hold perpetrators of heinous abuses responsible.”

“This legislation sends a strong bipartisan message that Congress will not stand by as the war in northern Ethiopia continues without action from all sides to stop the fighting and engage in dialogue,” said Ranking Member Risch. “This is a regional crisis that requires a coordinated and intensive international response, to include holding accountable those responsible for the ongoing fighting, humanitarian crisis, and mass disinformation campaign being waged inside and outside Ethiopia. We must look at this legislation and other options to directly address disinformation – funding and stoking conflict, no matter where you are, should carry consequences.”  

The legislation builds upon the Biden administration’s recent Executive Order and newly announced plans to end Ethiopia’s eligibility for trade preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in January of 2022 absent the Ethiopian government’s urgent action to stop parties’ direct or complicit involvement in the perpetration of human rights violations and other unconscionable abuses.

Text of the legislation is available here.

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Coons cosponsors legislation to address supply chain disruptions and support Made in America production

Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined colleagues in cosponsoring legislation addressing businesses and consumers impacted by pandemic related supply chain disruptions. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act will alleviate current supply chain bottlenecks and prevent future disruptions by investing in American companies to reduce our reliance on long supply chains and ensure that critical products are made in America. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act was introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

“Our focus must be on addressing disruptions in global supply chains and, in an increasingly crowded global market that’s been impacted by a pandemic, amplifying our own economy’s strengths,” said Sen. Coons. “Manufacturing is critical to our country’s security and prosperity, and it’s essential that Congress invest in Made-in-America production. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act will strengthen domestic manufacturing, address vulnerabilities in our supply chain, and help secure good-paying, high-skill jobs for workers in Delaware.”

In Delaware, the manufacturing and logistics industries are a source of good jobs and economic growth. According to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, over 27,000 Delawareans and their families work in manufacturing businesses, and the state’s major international port and location in the northeast corridor create natural opportunities for continued growth as a supply chain hub. With further investment, Delaware is well-positioned to advance its leadership in cutting-edge advanced manufacturing and supply chain logistics.

The Supply Chain Resiliency Act creates an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency at the Commerce Department, charged with monitoring, researching, and addressing vulnerable supply chains. The Office will provide loans, loan guarantees, and grants to small and medium manufacturers, to allow them to address supply chain bottlenecks by expanding production. For example, a manufacturer that is unable to meet the increased demand for its products can get a low-interest loan from the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency to expand production. 

In order to ensure adequate labor supply, safe working conditions, and labor-management cooperation, the legislation includes strong labor protections as a condition of expansion support. Through committed long-term low-cost financial support, the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency will provide incentives for manufacturers seeking to expand production in the United States and the companies that get their goods to market.

“Rebuilding our country’s supply chains requires robust investment in long-neglected critical materials and manufacturing. Sen. Baldwin’s Supply Chain Resiliency Act serves as a much-needed foundation for strengthening these domestic supply chains and making our nation safer and more secure,” said United Steel Workers International President Tom Conway. “The bill also includes common-sense provisions to ensure workers have a voice on the job, reflecting the vital role good, community-sustaining jobs play in building and maintaining steady supply chains.”

The full text of the Supply Chain Resiliency Act can be found here.

Carper, Coons applaud nomination of Judge Leonard Stark to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement applauding President Joe Biden’s nomination of Judge Leonard P. Stark to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit:

“Judge Len Stark has the experience, intellect and temperament to be an outstanding U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge. His more than a decade on the Delaware District Court bench, combined with his years as a Federal Magistrate Judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney and litigator have given him a range of experience that demonstrates why President Biden nominated him for this distinguished position,” said Senators Carper and Coons. “He has shown time and time again that he has the heart of a public servant. We look forward to a swift hearing and confirmation process.”

Judge Stark was nominated to the U.S. District Court, District of Delaware, by President Barack Obama on March 17, 2010, was confirmed by the Senate on August 5, 2010, and received commission on August 10, 2010. He served as Chief Judge from 2014 – 2021. Stark served as U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Delaware from 2007 – 2010. He graduated from the University of Delaware, University of Oxford and Yale Law School.

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Sens. Coons, Lankford announce Shannon Hamilton Kopplin as new Ethics Committee Chief Counsel and Staff Director

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.), the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, announced that Shannon Hamilton Kopplin has been named as the new Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Senate Ethics Committee.

Kopplin has served as the Committee’s Acting Chief Counsel and Staff Director since October 2020.  Over the past year, Kopplin has managed the Committee’s nonpartisan professional staff, advised Members of the Committee, conducted training for congressional employees on ethics rules, and provided guidance that allows Members, officers, and employees to have a clear understanding of the standards of conduct that govern their actions as public officials.

Before joining the Senate, Kopplin served as a career naval officer including as the Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy responsible for all civil law matters in the Department of the Navy and as Special Counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations.  At all levels of Navy leadership, Kopplin developed and maintained successful ethics programs, designed and delivered innovative ethics trainings, and mentored countless junior attorneys and paralegals in this practice area.

Kopplin replaces Deborah Sue Mayer, the Committee’s longtime Chief Counsel and Staff Director, who recently announced her retirement after 23 years of federal service.

“Shannon Kopplin is an experienced, talented, and principled attorney, and we are delighted to have her leadership, extensive skills, and knowledge at the Senate Ethics Committee,” said Chairman Coons and Vice Chairman Lankford.  “Throughout her career in the Navy, and now the Senate, Shannon has demonstrated honor, integrity, and a commitment to justice and objectivity. We are confident her leadership will benefit the Committee and the Senate as a whole.”

The Select Committee on Ethics is unique among all Senate committees in that it is structurally bipartisan—there are a total of six Members, with three Members from the majority party and three Members from the minority party.  The Committee staff is a nonpartisan professional staff hired jointly by the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

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Sens. Coons, Rubio reintroduce bipartisan legislation to help American innovators bring their technologies to the market

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced legislation to enhance commercialization services for federally funded research and development. The Research Advancing to Market Production (RAMP) for Innovators Act would support American innovators by expediting application processes for two federal small business programs, improving technical and business assistance, and making small businesses eligible for fast-tracked U.S. Patent Office services. A companion bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio).

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology (STTR) programs, often called America’s Seed Fund, are two of the premier federal programs for fostering innovation in the U.S. Coordinated by the Small Business Administration, the SBIR and STTR programs include 11 federal agencies that competitively fund small U.S. businesses to meet federal research and development needs. For many of these U.S. businesses, translating investments into marketable products and services remains a challenge. This bill builds on the success of the SBIR and STTR programs to further increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federally funded R&D.

The Research Advancing to Market Production (RAMP) for Innovators Act would:

• Improve the SBIR/STTR application peer review process to include commercialization potential in addition to scientific and technical merit;
• Increase the speed at which Federal Agencies make SBIR and STTR awards;
• Designate a new Technology Commercialization Official in each Agency to help SBIR awardees commercialize;
• Improve the flexibility of technical and business assistance for SBIR/STTR awardees;
• Establish an annual commercialization impact assessment at each agency to monitor the program’s successes; and
• Develop an interagency agreement between SBA and the U.S. Patent Office to help SBIR/STTR companies with intellectual property protection.

“Small businesses are America’s engine of innovation, and with support in bringing their ideas to market, these startups can drive job growth and strengthen our economic security,” said Senator Coons. “Helping startups access financial support and business advice means that they can focus on turning promising technology into innovative products that increase the prosperity and security of our nation. I’m proud to partner again with Senator Rubio to help innovative small manufacturers bring their technologies to the market.”

“The pandemic highlighted America’s supply chain vulnerabilities and our overreliance on countries like China,” said Senator Rubio. “It is more important than ever that we harness the strength and ingenuity of small businesses across the country to scale up our domestic manufacturing and innovation. This legislation would help startups and other small business innovators access federal research and development dollars, protect their intellectual property, and commercialize.”

“Especially as we continue to recover from the devastating effects of the global pandemic, I cannot overstate the importance of supporting our small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Representative Houlahan. “As a former engineer and entrepreneur, I’m thrilled to be part of this bipartisan, bicameral effort with Senators Coons and Rubio and co-leading this legislation with Representative Balderson in the House. The fact of the matter is this: too many businesses fail because they lack access to capital or they face IP protection challenges. We have to do more to support our talented entrepreneurs in translating their ideas into marketable products and cutting edge technology. Pennsylvania is home to a number of successful startups, and this legislation will help them and our next generation of innovators.”

“America’s tech entrepreneurs continue to play a leading role in job creation across Central Ohio and the country,” said Representative Balderson. “At this critical moment, the RAMP for Innovators Act will ensure those lacking necessary resources to bring new concepts to market have the resources they need.”

The bill has been endorsed by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Small Business Technology Council of the National Small Business Association, the University City Science Center, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center.

“ITIF supports RAMP for Innovators, the Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act, which will further bolster the commercialization potential of SBIR/STTR programs through improvements such as making commercialization potential a stronger consideration in project selection, clarifying that all awardees may use a share of Phase I and II funds for commercially oriented activities, and supporting the ability of innovators to secure intellectual property rights underpinning their inventions through stronger linkages with the PTO,” said Dr. Rob Atkinson, President of ITIF.

“We are pleased to endorse Senator Coons’ RAMP bill. We are especially pleased with the section creating a Technology Commercialization Official and the patent assistance provisions,” said Robert Schmidt, Co-Chair of the Small Business Technology Council of the National Small Business Association.

“Delaware SBDC is pleased to endorse the new SBIR Commercialization Bill, the Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act. There are significant improvements to help entrepreneurs move innovation to commercialization,” said Mike Bowman, Director of Delaware Small Business Development Center.

“Several aspects of this bill, including allowing patent expenses and providing business assistance, are commendable as they would pave the way for start-ups to mature and commercialize their innovative technologies,” said Sridhar Kota, Founder and CEO of FlexSys Inc.   

Bill text is available here. Additional letters of support are available from Small Business Technology Council and BPC Action. 

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Coons, Wicker bill targeting debt-based driver’s license suspension approved by key Senate Committee

WASHINGTON — Today, legislation led by U.S. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to create incentives to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. The Driving for Opportunity Act would provide targeted and voluntary grants to states that choose to end these suspensions.  The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Thom Tillis (R-NC.), Corey Booker (D-NJ.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.). 

“Millions of Americans have their driver’s licenses suspended – in large part because they cannot afford to pay fines and fees . These debt-based license suspensions are harmful and counterproductive, disproportionately trapping Black and Brown communities in a vicious cycle of debt,” said Sen. Coons. “We cannot expect Americans to pay back the debts they owe while taking away their ability to go to work and earn a paycheck. The Driving for Opportunity Act, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today, shows the good that comes from bipartisanship and Congress working together to implement meaningful change for Americans and our law enforcement officers. I look forward to advancing it through the Senate and ultimately to the President’s desk.”

“Suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid fines and fees is counterproductive,” said Sen. Wicker. “Americans need access to vehicles to work and to care for their families. With committee passage of our proposal, we are now one step closer to providing states meaningful incentives to follow Mississippi’s lead and adopt more workable enforcement practices.”

“This bipartisan bill encourages states to stop suspending, revoking, or refusing to renew driving privileges and vehicle registrations based on unpaid fines and fees. This practice makes it more difficult for people to earn a living, which creates a trap that keeps them in poverty,” said Sen. Durbin. “This bill will make our system fairer by helping to eliminate a practice that criminalizes being poor. I’m pleased to see this commonsense legislation advance out of Committee.”

“It makes zero sense to strip someone of the driver’s license they need to earn a living and repay their debts,” said Sen. Whitehouse.  “I’m pleased to support this legislation to end the counterproductive, burdensome practice of suspending licenses for an inability to pay fines or fees.  It’s a commonsense fix.”

The Driving for Opportunity Act is supported by a broad coalition of groups spanning the political spectrum, including civil rights and civil liberties advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and defense lawyers. These groups include the Fines and Fees Justice Center, ACLU, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, FreedomWorks, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National District Attorneys Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs of America, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, Prison Fellowship, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Civil Rights Corps, Due Process Institute, Fair & Just Prosecution, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Vision Zero Network, SPLC Action, The Libre Initiative, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and Digital Library.

“The Driving for Opportunity Act would help relieve hundreds of thousands of people from the predatory debt-collection practice of driver’s license suspension. When people can’t afford to pay tickets, fines, and fees, penalties include driver’s license suspensions, arrest, and even incarceration. The burden of this policing for profit system falls primarily on Black and Brown communities who are already over-policed. We urge Congress to help end this criminalization of poverty by passing the Driving for Opportunity Act,” said Emily Dindial, Advocacy and Policy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This legislation would help states get millions of Americans back to work and help them take care of their families,” said Priya Sarathy Jones, National Policy and Campaigns Director at the Fines and Fees Justice Center. “Our nation’s economic growth is hindered by counterproductive debt-related license suspensions, which are trapping millions of people in a cycle of poverty. Elected officials from across the political spectrum understand this legislation is a win-win situation both for low-income residents and for their state’s bottom line.”

“The National District Attorneys Association is thrilled that the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act is moving forward in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The mangers amendment provides sufficient funding to ensure the legislation will assist States in successfully ending driver’s license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees while preserving the ability of prosecutors to keep our roads safe by still allowing suspensions for those who pose a public safety risk. Limiting the bill any further by allowing suspensions for any unpaid criminal or civil fees would undermine the goal of this effort by continuing to punish those who face financial hardships, while providing no additional public safety benefit. As the oldest and largest prosecutor association and home of the National Traffic Law Center, NDAA is confident the Driving for Opportunity Act strikes the right balance between preserving the tools for prosecutors to keep our roads safe while ending the harmful and unnecessary practice of punishing individuals who seek to continue serving as productive members of their communities,” said Frank Russo, Director of Government Affairs at the National District Attorney’s Association.

“Driving on a suspended license is one of the most common criminal charges across the county, and law enforcement officers initiating contact with people whose only issue is an unpaid fine or fee does nothing to enhance public or traffic safety. In fact, it could create an incident that could escalate into tragedy. The number of law enforcement officers killed due to traffic-related incidents during the first half of this year increased 58% compared to that time in 2020. This bill will help ensure our officers stay focused on public safety,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. 

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Sens. Coons, Cornyn unveil infrastructure package to support hydrogen technologies for emissions reduction

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced their bipartisan Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative, a package of three bills to support the adoption of hydrogen in energy intensive sectors. The bills are also cosponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

Hydrogen is a high-energy fuel source that does not emit greenhouse gases at the point of use, properties that allow it to be used in intense and long duration applications. These traits make it an attractive fuel source, especially for hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and industry.  As recent reports from Clean Air Task Force, Resources for the Future, and Energy Futures Initiative have made clear, hydrogen is a sound solution for reducing emissions in sectors such as marine shipping, iron and steel, and industrial process heating.

“In order to move toward a more sustainable future, it is imperative that we invest in the programs and technologies that will help us get there,” said Senator Coons. “Delaware is leading the way in advancing hydrogen technologies, which can provide a clean and reliable source of energy for the hardest to decarbonize applications and help us move away from fossil fuels. Hydrogen deployment in emissions-intensive sectors, such as steel production and shipping, offers the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, all while maintaining energy and economic security.”

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source, but we lack the infrastructure to reap its benefits for a wide range of industries,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would help make hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective so businesses and consumers can utilize this reliable energy resource.”

“As we move our homes and cars toward clean and carbon pollution-free electricity, there will still be difficult to decarbonize industries like steel, cement, and maritime shipping,” said Senator Heinrich. “Clean hydrogen offers real potential as a solution to these challenges, and it could prove to be a major new economic driver in energy producing communities. I’m proud to support these investments in the infrastructure that will set a strong foundation for the success of America’s emerging hydrogen industry.”

“These research and grant programs for ports, shipping, industry, and hydrogen infrastructure are needed investments in the future of energy,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Louisiana is already an energy powerhouse. These bills will allow Louisiana to continue to be a global leader.”

“Clean hydrogen will fill a critical need in our efforts to achieve a net-zero future, providing an alternative energy source for the toughest parts of our economy like shipping, aviation, and heavy industry,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this legislation with Senators Coons, Cornyn, Heinrich, and Cassidy that will jump-start investments in clean hydrogen infrastructure while ensuring the clear priorities are on uplifting our communities and on lowering emissions to help meet our climate goals.”

Years of R&D and recent private investment have brought a number of hydrogen-powered technologies closer to commercialization, and governments around the world have financed expansive hydrogen networks to integrate it as a carbon-free fuel source. In the last year, hydrogen has seen a resurgence of interest in the policy community, and there exists significant momentum behind proposals to provide domestic federal policy support.

Senators Coons and Cornyn’s initiative is comprised of three components that address high-value, end-use applications and the buildout of infrastructure needed to transport, store, and deliver hydrogen, thereby providing critical support at multiple stages of the hydrogen value chain. The new initiative is focused on applications in energy intensive sectors for which hydrogen is particularly well-suited, namely maritime and heavy industry, and the infrastructure that is needed to get hydrogen from where it is produced to where it can be used and stored. Priority is given to projects that will maximize emissions reductions to deliver the greatest environmental benefits. By lowering cost barriers and first-mover risks, the package enables projects and partnerships that will move the United States closer to meeting the demands of a robust hydrogen economy.

The legislation included in the Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative would:

• Promote hydrogen- and ammonia-fueled equipment at ports and in shipping applications.
• Support commercial scale demonstration projects for end-use industrial applications of hydrogen, including in the production of steel, cement, glass, and chemicals.
• Create a pilot Hydrogen Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (HIFIA) program to provide grants and flexible, low-interest loans for retrofitted or new hydrogen transport infrastructure projects. This bill also includes a study to address outstanding questions related to technical requirements for transporting and storing hydrogen as well as an assessment of jurisdiction over siting, construction, safety, and regulation for hydrogen transport infrastructure.

The package is endorsed by Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Chemours, Linde, Lanzatech, Clean Air Task Force, RMI, Third Way, Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition, ClearPath, Air Liquide, Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3), and Cummins.

“Hydrogen is an essential technology that provides clean fuel and reliable storage opportunities for the energy transition,” said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director at BPC Action. “BPC Action endorses Sens. Coons and Cornyn’s bipartisan Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative which supports the deployment of end-use and transportation infrastructure for hydrogen – a critical step to enabling our net zero goals. I am pleased to see members of Congress working together to form innovative bipartisan solutions like this one.”

“Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from hard-to-electrify sectors such as transoceanic shipping and heavy industry requires zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia,” said Emily Kent, Policy Manager for Zero-Carbon Fuels at Clean Air Task Force. “Delivering zero-carbon fuels to these new end-use sectors requires safe and effective infrastructure. The Coons-Cornyn Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative accelerates progress on both of these objectives. Clean Air Task Force looks forward to working with both sponsoring offices to advance this effort and further support the transition to zero-carbon fuels.”

“As many countries begin to include hydrogen in their decarbonization efforts, a global race to supply clean hydrogen has begun — and America has a tremendous opportunity,” said Rich Powell, ClearPath executive director. “Hydrogen has huge potential to connect sectors of the economy to maximize resources in the overall clean energy system. Smart policies like this hydrogen innovation initiative will help accelerate deployment and necessary infrastructure.” 

“Hydrogen will play a vital role in domestic and international efforts to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors,” said David Hart, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Clean Energy Innovation at ITIF.“The Coons-Cornyn Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative is critical bipartisan legislation that will support the burgeoning clean economy and position the United States as an innovation leader in the world.”

“On behalf of our more than 20,000 U.S. employees, Air Liquide thanks Senator Coons and Senator Cornyn for introducing the Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative. This is an example of the type of American leadership needed to spur a Clean Energy Economy that is essential to achieve a zero-carbon future. Air Liquide, with its headquarters in Houston, Texas, is committed to supporting the energy economy.  This legislation provides support for advancing hydrogen technology and uses, including key technologies developed by Air Liquide at our Innovation Campus in Delaware,” said Joe Fawell, Vice President for Government Affairs at Air Liquide. “By leveraging hydrogen’s versatility, the Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative will encourage the adoption of hydrogen technologies in those sectors where hydrogen offers an efficient and effective path to decarbonization, including ports and industrial sectors. As a leader in the hydrogen market for over 50 years, this Initiative will also advance Air Liquide’s ability to develop key hydrogen technologies, help create high paying jobs, and lower the CO₂ emissions across many sectors.”

“Innovative uses for hydrogen to address hard-to-abate emissions from industry, heating, and transportation are vital to achieving net-zero by midcentury throughout multiple sectors,” said Gabrielle Habeeb, Project Manager at Industrial Innovation Initiative (I³). “The Industrial Innovation Initiative supports the introduction of this legislation, which would fund several hydrogen end-uses as well as transportation, storage, and fueling infrastructure. Accelerating the deployment of low- and zero- carbon hydrogen will help build the economy necessary to reach industrial emissions reduction goals.”

A one-pager on the initiative can be found here. Additional endorsing quotes can be found here. Bill text is available here (Maritime), here (Industry), and here (HIFIA).

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Sen. Coons celebrates historic Build Back Better Act framework

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the announcement of a framework on the Build Back Better Act. The framework – which will guide the drafting of legislative language – was announced by President Biden this morning.

“The Build Back Better Act will deliver one of the biggest advances we’ve ever made as a country. It will take historic steps to reduce the costs of things that keep American families up at night – expanding access to childcare, pre-k, and home care for older Americans and people with disabilities, and extending health care coverage – and it takes the largest action to date to address climate change. This framework – which is fully paid for – represents a remarkable breakthrough to deliver on the needs of our economy as we continue to build our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and I will continue to work tirelessly to advance it into law.”

The Build Back Better Act framework also includes robust funding to establish the Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and address climate change through our national service networks and to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Delaware State University to build capacity, modernize research infrastructure, and provide financial aid to low-income students. These are both priorities that Senator Coons has worked to include in the Build Back Better agenda.

The Build Back Better Act will be:

• The most transformative investment in children and caregiving in generations. The framework will save most American families more than half of their spending on child care, deliver two years of free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in America, give more than 35 million families a major tax cut by extending the expanded Child Tax Credit, and expand access to high-quality home care for older Americans and people with disabilities. 
• The largest effort to combat climate change in American history. The framework will cut greenhouse gas pollution by well over one gigaton in 2030, reduce consumer energy costs, give our kids cleaner air and water, create hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs, and advance environmental justice by investing in a 21st century clean energy economy – from buildings, transportation, industry, electricity, and agriculture to climate smart practices across our lands and waters. In addition, the framework will create a new Civilian Climate Corps – with over 300,000 members that look like America. This diverse new workforce will conserve our public lands, bolster community resilience, and address the changing climate, all while putting good-paying union jobs within reach for more Americans.
• The biggest expansion of affordable health care coverage in a decade. The framework will reduce premiums for more than 9 million Americans by extending the expanded Premium Tax Credit, deliver health care coverage to up to 4 million uninsured people in states that have locked them out of Medicaid, and help older Americans access affordable hearing care by expanding Medicare.
• The most significant effort to bring down costs and strengthen the middle class in generations. The framework will make the single largest and most comprehensive investment in affordable housing in history, expand access to affordable, high-quality education beyond high school, cut taxes for 17 million low-wage workers by extending the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, and advance equity through investments in maternal health, community violence interventions, and nutrition, in addition to better preparing the nation for future pandemics and supply chain disruptions.
• And, it is fully paid for and will reduce the deficit by making sure that large, profitable corporations can’t zero out their tax bills, no longer rewarding corporations that shift jobs and profits overseas, asking more from millionaires and billionaires, and stopping rich Americans from cheating on their tax bills. Under this historic agreement, nobody earning less than $400,000 per year will pay more in taxes.

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Coons, Cornyn, colleagues introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to enhance judicial disclosure and transparency requirements

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), along with Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), today introduced the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act to require online publication of financial disclosure reports for federal judges and to mandate that federal judges submit periodic transaction reports for certain securities transactions. Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).

“A fundamental pillar of our justice system is the right to a fair and impartial trial. Litigants need confidence that they will receive an unbiased hearing free from outside influence and based only on the facts and the law,” said Sen. Coons. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues that will strengthen financial disclosure requirements for federal judges and help bolster confidence in the justice system.” 

“The STOCK Act rightly strengthened disclosure requirements and boosted transparency for elected officials, but federal judges were inexplicably carved out of these tougher rules,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would subject federal judges to the same disclosure requirements of other federal officials so we can be sure litigants are protected from conflicts of interest and cases are decided fairly.”

“Existing law already requires many federal officials to disclose certain securities transactions. As a matter of transparency and accountability, federal judges should do the same. The Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act would give the public, including litigants, access to this important information while protecting judges’ personal information and security,” said Sen. Kennedy.

“Our judicial officials should be bound by the same financial disclosure requirements that our elected officials are. This level of increased transparency will hold officials accountable and ensure that litigants are not caught in a conflict of interest,” said Sen. Durbin. “Today’s introduction of the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act brings us one step closer to guaranteeing equal justice under the law.”

“By making judicial financial disclosures more easily available, this bill will help increase transparency and reassure the American people that the federal judicial system remains unbiased and fair,” Sen. Grassley said. 

“Life-tenured judges follow lower transparency standards than any other federal officials,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “This bipartisan bill will make sure the judiciary discloses as much about its stock transactions as the elected branches of government. That’s an important safeguard.” 

“Texans and the American people deserve accountability and ethical integrity from every branch of government. Our judges have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest in their courtrooms and even the appearance of improprieties that could call into question their impartiality. Recent reporting that federal judges across the country have failed to recuse themselves from cases in which they have a financial interest is extremely concerning and undermines faith in our judicial system. That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill that will increase accountability by requiring federal judges to make necessary financial disclosures,” said Sen. Cruz.

“I’m working with my colleagues to strengthen transparency rules to ensure all Americans receive fair and impartial treatment in court without fear of any conflict of interest,” said Sen. Ossoff. 

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 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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Sens. Coons, Risch reiterate US support for Sudan’s transition, call for peaceful demonstrations tomorrow

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and chairman of the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the challenges facing Sudan’s transition to democracy and protests planned for Thursday in Khartoum:

“Supporting Sudan’s ongoing political and economic transition remains a top priority for the United States in Africa. The Sudanese peoples’ continued patience and determination to see this transition through to eventual democratic elections, broad economic and security sector reform, and accountability for crimes committed by the former Bashir regime is an inspiration to those fighting for democracy around the world. 

“The United States has and continues to act decisively as an ally of the Sudanese people. In addition to committing more than $1 billion in U.S. foreign assistance, engaging in debt relief, and removing Sudan’s Bashir-era State Sponsor of Terrorism listing, the United States continues to work with international partners to help Sudan rejoin the international community and alliance of democracies.

“The right to non-violent protest and state protection of all protesters are paramount features of Sudan’s shift towards a more citizen-centered, rights-based, and peaceful democracy. As the Sudanese take to the streets on Thursday in planned demonstrations, it is vital that security forces respect and protect citizens’ right to peaceful protest, and most importantly, Sudan’s leaders and stakeholders continue to work through the mechanisms of the agreed, civilian-led transition. The United States must also continue working with Sudan’s government and our international partners to reign in the malign forces seeking to undermine the country’s transition.”

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