Sen. Coons’ statement on Biden’s nominee to lead AmeriCorps

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of Michael Smith to be Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that oversees AmeriCorps. 

“At a moment when AmeriCorps is at the frontlines of our pandemic response and recovery, Michael Smith is the right leader for this critical agency. His history of engagement and innovation in national service shows his understanding of the value of the diverse roles AmeriCorps members play in combatting hunger, expanding access to housing, supporting educators and students, and strengthening public health. AmeriCorps is experiencing a transformational moment as it expands to meet the challenges of the day, and I am excited Michael will bring his inspiring leadership to guide the program into its next chapter. I look forward to his swift confirmation.”

Senator Coons has long championed national service. Prior to coming to Congress, he helped launch and lead an AmeriCorps program with the “I Have A Dream” Foundation. Later, he served for a decade on the Delaware State Service Commission and helped create a program to recruit volunteer firefighters in his hometown. In Congress, Coons and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have built the largest bipartisan coalition in a decade for a bold expansion of AmeriCorps, with the introduction of the Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act.

###

Sens. Coons, Blunt introduce bipartisan bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the scientific community for the development of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced a bipartisan bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the contributions of all of those whose efforts led to the successful development of lifesaving vaccines to combat COVID-19. The bill commends these professionals for their tireless efforts, which beat typical vaccine development timeframes, and for their broader impact on the health and well-being of society and for the benefit of people around the world. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that has had an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized in the recipient’s field for years to come.

“I am partnering with Senator Blunt to honor the tremendous efforts of the scientific community to respond to COVID-19 with a sense of urgency, tremendous expertise, and a spirit of collaboration. Their successful production of vaccines is saving countless lives in the United States and around the world,” said Senator Coons. “It’s my hope that this bipartisan bill will help to recognize these professionals for their extraordinary accomplishments and their contributions to advancements in medical technologies that will benefit the world for decades to come.” 

“Our nation is incredibly grateful for all of the scientists, researchers, and medical professionals who worked around the clock and under incredible pressure to develop life-saving vaccines,” said Senator Blunt. “Facing significant challenges, they defied all odds and developed vaccines faster than ever before in history. As Ranking Member of the appropriations subcommittee that funds medical research, I will continue making sure they have the tools and resources they need to finish the fight against COVID. I urge all of my colleagues to join Senator Coons and me in this effort to honor these men and women with the Congressional Gold Medal.”

The COVID–19 Vaccine Developers Gold Medal Act will honor:

• Researchers, scientists, doctors, epidemiologists, and others around the world who worked collaboratively to develop vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States and will be used worldwide; and 
• The global cooperation, strategic partnerships, and collaboration between private innovators and public agencies that led to successful development of vaccines. 

The Congressional Gold Medal is among the country’s two highest civilian honors, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the latter is granted at the personal discretion of the president, the Congressional Gold Medal requires support from two-thirds of Congress, generally including the support of supermajorities in both chambers, and thus represents the recognition of an individual’s or group’s contributions by the people’s collective representatives. The award predates the founding of the Republic, and the first honoree—then-General George Washington—was recognized by the Continental Congress on March 25, 1776. Fewer than 175 medals have been extended in the country’s history.

The bill text is available here.

###

Sen. Coons helps pass bipartisan bill that will invest in U.S. innovation & position U.S. to compete with China

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 68-32.

“Today, the Senate took an unprecedented, bipartisan step towards positioning the United States to lead the world in industries of the future and effectively compete with China from a position of strength. I am proud to have worked with my Republican and Democratic colleagues on this legislation that will send a resounding, bipartisan message to the rest of the world that our democracy works,” said Senator Coons. “I’m pleased that this legislation includes critical economic, climate, and foreign policy initiatives that I’ve been working on in the Senate, including the creation of regional technology hubs around the country, the establishment of a nonprofit foundation to facilitate stronger partnerships between the Department of Energy and the private sector, and the authorization of significant amounts of new funding for the State Department and USAID to support the formation of an Indo-Pacific Strategy. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to enact this ambitious legislation that will strengthen the United States at home and preserve U.S. leadership on the world stage.” 

Sen. Coons is pleased the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act includes:

• The Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, introduced by Sens. Coons, Graham (R-S.C.), and Luján (D-N.M.), which would establish a nonprofit foundation for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would channel private-sector investments to support DOE’s mission and accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies in energy, like next-generation batteries, low-carbon fuels, and advanced materials. The bill was included as an amendment cosponsored by Sens. Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Collins (R-Maine) that passed the Senate 83-14.
• A major increase in basic science and high-tech R&D, with a push to create new tech hubs around the country, as called for in Sen. Coons’ Innovation Centers Acceleration Act.
• A $1.2 billion expansion of the Manufacturing USA program, which leverages private sector investment to develop new manufacturing techniques and train advanced manufacturing workers.
• The establishment of a supply chain preparedness and resiliency program in the Department of Commerce, as called for in Sen. Coons’ National Manufacturing Guard Act.
• The mobilization of all U.S. government diplomatic, development, security, and economic tools for an Indo-Pacific strategy that will allow us to compete with China from a position of strength. Specifically, the bill authorizes significant amounts of new funding for the State Department and USAID for this important purpose.
• An investment in the tools of American diplomacy and development. The bill invests in our allies and partners through sound regional strategies. It also invests in the values the U.S. shares with countries around the world by protecting democracy in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. 
• The authorization of a Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership to help foreign countries expand and increase secure internet access and digital infrastructure in emerging markets, protect technological assets, adopt policies that foster open models of internet governance, promote exports of US information, communications, and technology goods and services, and build cybersecurity capacity.
• The declaration that the U.S. must reassert its leadership in the international standard-setting bodies that set the governance norms and rules for digital technologies, that USTR should negotiate digital trade agreements with member countries of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan, that the U.S. should lead a global effort to ensure the freedom of information in the digital age, and that the U.S. should convene a global effort to ensure that technological development does not threaten democratic governance.

• Provisions to strengthen the sustainability of the congressionally chartered Harry S. Truman Foundation and James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. These programs, respectively, support states’ most promising emerging public leaders in attaining further education and extend to exceptional civics, history, and government teachers a chance to further improve their teaching of the Constitution. In doing so, the programs play important roles in preparing future generations to buttress our civic institutions.

###

Sens. Coons, Daines lead bipartisan bill to boost federal investment in American R&D and a highly skilled workforce

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced legislation to provide expanded tax support for American companies that invest in the research and development of new products and technologies.

“There is bipartisan agreement that now is the time for a generational investment in American competitiveness and a skilled workforce that will win the next century,” said Senator Coons. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the incredible benefits of innovative technologies, such those used to rapidly develop safe and effective vaccines, but also presents an opportunity to rebuild our economy to provide more good, high-paying jobs. The FORWARD Act is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that provides tax support to cutting-edge startups and business. This bill supports President Biden’s vision for our nation’s economic recovery and growth.”

“In order to remain globally competitive and win the race against China, we need to invest in American science and innovation,” said Senator Daines. “Expanding the R&D tax credit to make it more accessible for small businesses across the country and to incentivize American manufacturing will help us do just that.”

“As our economy reopens, we need to create new, good-paying jobs and get Nevadans back to work,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That means making it easier for companies doing cutting-edge research and development to hire and train new workers, which we can achieve through this bipartisan legislation. I’m working in the Senate to help us achieve a robust recovery, and that means investing in Nevada’s innovative economy and the workers that depend on it.”

“The private sector is helping America emerge from the pandemic and prepare for future emergencies,” said Senator Young. “Government should create an environment which enables our small businesses to conduct research and development activity that spurs innovation and job creation right here in the U.S.”

“We must ensure that American companies remain at the forefront of innovation, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill will help create jobs by expanding critical R&D tax incentives for startups and small businesses. I will keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen support for innovative American businesses.”

The United States spends far less supporting R&D than international competitors. This places American businesses at a disadvantage, undermining the U.S. economy and leaving the country ill-prepared for crises like COVID-19. In 2015, Congress passed legislation authored by Senators Coons and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to make the R&D tax credit permanent and to expand access to the credit for more startups and small businesses. These changes addressed urgent problems, but – as the COVID-19 crisis continues to make clear – further steps are needed. 

The Furthering Our Recovery With American Research and Development, or FORWARD, Act:

• Expands access to the research and development tax credit for new small- and medium-sized businesses. Firms with up to $20 million in gross receipts will be eligible to use the credit to reduce their payroll tax obligation during a span of 8 years—up from current thresholds of $5 million and 5 years. A new de minimis threshold delays the start of the 8-year window until gross receipts exceed $25,000.
• Strengthens the economy by incentivizing American manufacturing. The R&D credit is increased for companies that generate the majority of their gross receipts from manufacturing their products in the United States.
• Targets specific activities that enhance economic productivity by spreading knowledge and work opportunities to the U.S. workforce. The full R&D credit is expanded to cover R&D-related worker training costs. For R&D performed in collaboration with industry consortia, academic institutions, federal laboratories, and other entities, the credit rate is increased by one quarter (to 25% and 17.5% for the Regular Research and Alternative Simplified Credits, respectively).
• Activates the R&D credit by providing outreach, education, and training for businesses with limited accounting expertise, to be provided by the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

The bill text is available here. A one-pager on the bill is available here.

The FORWARD Act is supported by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Third Way, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems International, the Delaware Small Business Development Center, the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities, Cover & Rossiter, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the State Science and Technology Institute, the University City Science Center, AlliantGroup, the Small Business Investor Alliance, and Advanced Manufacturing International.

“As the United States continues the work to recover from the global pandemic and grow as a leader in advanced manufacturing worldwide, it is critical that we have right tax policies in place to allow for the continued success of our domestic manufacturing sector, including the R&D and workforce infrastructure necessary to jump start the U.S. manufacturing economy,” said Thomas Costabile, P.E., Executive Director and CEO of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. “This Act will create more opportunities for these small businesses to engage and grow by allowing small manufacturers an expanded R&D tax credit. Further, this Act will encourage the manufacturing sector to evolve and expand by making it easier for manufacturers and start-ups to invest in workforce development initiatives that are so critical to supporting world-class industrial research.”

“Science and engineering-based innovation are critical for addressing a wide array of American challenges, including climate change and U.S. competitiveness,” said Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). “But the main federal incentive for private sector research – the R&D tax credit – needs both modernization and expansion. The FORWARD Act does just that, and if passed would spur more American innovation, job creation and competitiveness.”

Additional quotes from endorsing organizations are available here.

###

In bipartisan visit to South Korea, Sens. Coons, Duckworth, Sullivan reaffirm U.S.-ROK alliance

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, for a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to South Korea, where they discussed shared interests and future areas of cooperation with a broad range of high-level officials. While in the region, the senators also visited Taipei to announce the donation of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan as part of President Biden’s plan to provide vaccines to our global partners in need. Senator Coons also met with senior Taiwan government officials including the President, Foreign Minister, and Minister of National Defense. Photos from the CODEL can be found here.

“I was pleased to join Senators Duckworth and Sullivan in Seoul to reaffirm our bipartisan, long-standing, and enduring commitment to the Republic of Korea. The U.S.-ROK alliance remains a linchpin for security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” said Senator Coons. “I was grateful for the opportunity to engage in a series of meetings with a broad range of ROK and U.S. Embassy officials, during which we discussed our deep bilateral ties and Korea’s important and growing role in the region and global affairs. We welcomed the recent announcements of Korean investment in the United States, focused on critical technologies that will drive the future, and discussed further strengthening our partnership in research, development, and innovation. The Koreans expressed appreciation for the Biden administration’s delivery of over one million vaccine doses, and we talked about ways in which Korea and the United States can work together to manufacture more vaccines for the rest of East Asia. The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea remains strong because of our shared values, and I look forward to working with the Biden administration and my colleagues in the Senate to partner with the ROK to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. I was also pleased to join with my colleagues to visit Taipei and announce the provision of 750,000 vaccines to Taiwan. It remains important that we support our friends, partners, and allies in the region and throughout the world during this critical time.”

“Our visit to South Korea provided me the opportunity to engage in substantive conversations about the bilateral relations between our nations and participate in discussions about how we can continue our partnership—both militarily and economically—into the future,” said Senator Duckworth. “Following up on President Biden and President Moon’s highly successful summit in May, this CODEL cemented the strong alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. I was proud to lead this delegation and was honored to help announce that Taiwan will be receiving 750,000 doses of the vaccine as part of the first tranche of donations from the United States. I look forward to working together with our partners in the region on issues of shared importance.”

“This bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Republic of Korea, the first of its kind since the onset of the pandemic, underscores the fact that the alliance between our two nations is the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Senator Sullivan. “The U.S.-Korean alliance dates back to the Korean War when our soldiers fought side by side to defeat North Korean communist aggression. I respect so much how, even to this day, the Republic of Korea’s elected leaders and citizens continue to express their appreciation for the sacrifice of tens of thousands of American servicemen who have helped make the country free and prosperous. I want to thank my co-lead on this trip, Senator Duckworth, and Senator Coons for joining me in sending a resounding, bipartisan message of mutual support between our two countries and to America’s friends and adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.”

In South Korea, Duckworth, Coons and Sullivan:

• Met with high-level officials, including the Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Minister of National Defense Suh Wook and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook to discuss areas of shared interest and mutual cooperation;
• Were briefed by General Robert B. Abrams, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea;
• Spoke with U.S. Charge d’Affaires Rob Rapson and U.S. Embassy personnel in Seoul;
• Held a substantive meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byung-Seug about a variety of topics, including advocating for the ratification of the cost-sharing agreement, and met with two other members of the National Assembly: Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Dr. Jin Park and National Assembly of the Republic of Korea National Defense Committee Chairman Min Hong-cheol;
• Met with Green Climate Fund Executive Director Yannick Gelmarec;
• Discussed ways to partner on manufacturing and respecting intellectual property with officials from Samsung;
• Celebrated South Korean business leaders’ recent announcement to bring billions of dollars in investment to the U.S. and discussed future areas of collaboration and partnership with officials from SK Holdings Co Ltd.

###

Sens. Coons, Duckworth, & Sullivan visit Taipei to underscore US support for Taiwan, announce allocation of 750,000 vaccine doses to Taiwan

TAIPEI – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), member of SASC and a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, travelled to Taiwan to underscore U.S. support for Taiwan, including on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted the fact that the U.S. will donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan as part of President Biden’s plan to provide vaccines to our global partners in need.

“Since taking office, President Biden has demonstrated his commitment to vaccinating all Americans. We have made dramatic progress, vaccinating more than 170 million Americans and securing an abundant supply for our population. Given the risk posed by new variants, no one is safe from this virus until the world is safe. It’s critical that we scale up U.S. contributions of our highly effective vaccines to international partners that need them to keep COVID-19 from spreading unchecked, prevent new variants from emerging that could once again put our population at risk, and bolster our global economic recovery,” said Senator Coons. “I am proud to work with the Biden administration and Senators Duckworth and Sullivan to announce this allocation of vaccines to our friends in Taiwan and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ending COVID-19 once and for all.”

“For over a year, we’ve seen that COVID-19 strikes without regard to national borders—and we know we won’t be able to truly end the COVID-19 pandemic at home without ending it everywhere,” said Senator Duckworth. “After several weeks of conversations between each of us and White House officials, I’m pleased to help announce that Taiwan will be receiving 750,000 doses of the vaccine as part of the first tranche of doses. This contribution from the United States also reflects our gratitude for Taiwan’s efforts to send PPE and other supplies to America in the early days of the pandemic. I will continue working to support the people of Taiwan and make sure they get what they need to reach the other side of this pandemic.”

“Over twenty-five years ago, I was deployed as part of an U.S. Marine Corps amphibious task force to the Taiwan Strait during a very challenging and critical time for Taiwan’s democracy,” said Senator Sullivan. “America’s presence then was in response to Chinese provocations on the eve of the presidential election in Taiwan and it demonstrated American commitment and resolve. Today’s bipartisan Senate delegation visit to Taiwan is yet another demonstration of that continued commitment to our friends and partners in this critical area of the world, as well as a reminder of how the United States’ presence over the past several decades has been instrumental in the development of security, prosperity and democracy throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It is also a demonstration that, in spite of a global pandemic emanating from China — characterized by a lack of transparency and lack of international cooperation from the Chinese Communist Party — the United States, by contrast, is committed to working in a constructive and open manner with our friends, allies and partners to bring healing and relief with effective vaccines that benefit our own citizens, as well as others throughout the world. I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Duckworth and Coons, as well as the elected leaders and citizens of Taiwan, for their continued commitment to the advancement of security, democracy and health and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”

During their visit, the senators met with President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, and Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng. Throughout these meetings, the senators sought to better understand Taiwan’s needs on COVID-19 so they could carry messages back to Washington. In addition to the pandemic, the senators discussed the economic and security partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan. They noted there is much we can do together to advanced our shared prosperity, security and values. 

On June 3, the administration announced its framework for sharing at least 80 million U.S. vaccine doses globally by the end of June and the plan for the first 25 million doses. Taiwan is included in first tranche of donations.

###

Senator Coons on passing of former U.S. Attorney Carl Schnee

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Attorney Carl Schnee, a longtime community leader and one-time candidate for attorney general in Delaware.

“A longtime leader in the legal community, Carl Schnee was deeply committed to Delaware, to justice under the law, and to his wife Doris and their grown children. I always enjoyed Carl’s kind introductions and tough questions when I would appear as a guest speaker for his class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He leaves an indelible mark and extraordinary legacy of service to numerous organizations in Delaware, from the Criminal Justice Council and Prison Mentorship Program to the Children’s Advocacy Center and the YMCA. Carl was a kind soul, brilliant, and had a dry, quick wit. He made a lasting impression on many people who will fondly remember and celebrate him for years to come.” 

###

Senate Chicken Caucus, bipartisan lawmakers push for expedited relief for chicken growers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Chicken Caucus, and U.S. Representatives Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and John Rose (R-Tenn.) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that a rulemaking process to administer direct payments to contract chicken growers be completed as quickly as possible. Contract growers, who raise chickens for poultry processing companies, have not yet received federal assistance during the pandemic. Many contract chicken growers suffered substantial losses when processing facilities were forced to reduce or suspend production during the pandemic threatening many smaller and family-owned farms.

The letter noted, “COVID-19 has severely affected the bottom lines of agricultural producers across the country, including many chicken growers in our home states.  On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which included additional resources for USDA to continue supporting American farmers.  The bill also included funding for USDA to provide direct payments for contract chicken growers who previously had been excluded from assistance provided by the CFAP.  We are concerned by the fact that these chicken growers still have not received federal assistance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to assist farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), we respectfully request that the Department expedite the rulemaking process to administer direct payments to contract chicken growers,” the members of Congress requested.

A bipartisan group of 15 senators joined Coons and Wicker on sending the letter, including Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Additional House signees include Representatives Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Elaine Luria (D-Va.), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Rick Allen (R-Ga.), Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Johnson (R-La.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), and John Joyce (R-Pa.).

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack: 

Thank you for your commitment to supporting American families and agricultural producers throughout their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to assist farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), we respectfully request that the Department expedite the rulemaking process to administer direct payments to contract chicken growers.  We also encourage you to ensure that adequate funding is available for USDA to deliver these payments in full. 

COVID-19 has severely affected the bottom lines of agricultural producers across the country, including many chicken growers in our home states.  On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which included additional resources for USDA to continue supporting American farmers.  The bill also included funding for USDA to provide direct payments for contract chicken growers who previously had been excluded from assistance provided by the CFAP.  We are concerned by the fact that these chicken growers still have not received federal assistance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We recognize that it is challenging to determine how losses and payments should be calculated fairly, given variations in the timing of when growers receive and finish raising their flocks.  Still, we encourage you to proceed swiftly with making fair payments.

We appreciate USDA’s commitment to administering fair payments to contract chicken growers and your efforts to coordinate with industry stakeholders.  Thank you for considering our request to expedite this process.  We look forward to continuing to work with you to support our nation’s farmers. 

Sincerely, 

###

Coons, Carper, Blunt Rochester announce $1.4M for AmeriCorps in Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Tom Carper, and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) today announced the award of federal grants totaling $1.4 million for AmeriCorps in Delaware.

Through this competition, two successful grantees operating in Delaware, Reading Assist Institute and the Summer Learning Collaborative, Inc., will receive $458,504 in competitive funding from AmeriCorps to support approximately 73 AmeriCorps members. After fulfilling their service, these AmeriCorps members are expected to earn $206,733 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards, which amounts to about $6,300 per member to pay for college or to pay off student loans.

The Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service will also receive $763,731 in formula funding, which will in turn be awarded to Delaware organizations to support additional AmeriCorps members in the coming months.

“Across Delaware and across the country, AmeriCorps members roll up their sleeves to get things done,” Sen. Coons said. “Their dedication helps make America a more just, kind, and inclusive place. I am excited to see these resources announced to sustain members’ important work here in the First State.”

“AmeriCorps members sign up to serve others and help communities prosper, up and down Delaware and across our country,” Sen. Carper said. “I’m pleased that AmeriCorps efforts in Delaware will have the financing needed to continue this service to others, especially in this challenging time.”

“AmeriCorps members have long answered the call to serve others. They have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Delaware and across the nation, and played a critical role as we rebuild in the aftermath,” Rep. Blunt Rochester said. “I am so pleased that this funding will allow them to continue their incredible work.”

“We are incredibly proud of the work the Reading Assist Fellows have done throughout this challenging school year,” said Caroline O’Neal, executive director of Reading Assist. “Since the shift to virtual instruction, our tutors were able to provide continual one-on-one support to Delaware’s most struggling readers. Despite the pandemic, our students still experienced accelerated growth and reached grade level benchmarks.

“We are excited to continue and grow this work for the 2021-22 school year. In partnership with AmeriCorps and the Delaware Department of Education, we are on pace to expand to serve 800 students next year. Taking a year of service is a great way for people to give back while moving their careers forward. Anyone interested in serving during the upcoming school year can apply at readingassist.org/apply or call 302-425-4080.”

“Our AmeriCorps members have played a huge role in providing critical academic support to our youth during the summer months since 2018,” said Candice Buchanan, president of the Summer Learning Collaborative. “We are grateful to our senators and representative for their continued advocacy that has led to positive outcomes for both our AmeriCorps members and the youth they serve.”

“I am grateful to the congressional delegation for helping to secure AmeriCorps funding, which the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service will administer to community organizations in the coming months,” said Renée Beaman, director of the Division of State Service Centers in the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. “The AmeriCorps members whose positions will be funded through this grant will be critical in helping these organizations to provide services for Delawareans in need as our state continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19.”

“We look forward to another year of opportunities to serve the people of Delaware through the service of AmeriCorps members,” said Kanani Munford, executive director of the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. “This funding will help us continue to combat the pandemic, as AmeriCorps programs focus on education, healthy futures, disaster services, economic opportunity, and veterans and military family needs throughout our state.”

For the past year, thousands of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors members across all 50 states and U.S. territories have continued their service, quickly adapting to meet the changing needs caused by the pandemic. Dedicated members have persisted to support communities as they respond and recover from the impact of COVID-19, developing new ways to deliver the same services to keep both themselves and those they serve safe.

The recently passed American Rescue Plan includes an additional $1 billion for AmeriCorps. The agency will use this investment to expand national service programs into new communities and increase the opportunity for all Americans to serve their country.

Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through thousands of nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by disasters and helped thousands of first-generation college students access higher education. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.

As the federal agency for volunteering and service, AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges. Since the agency’s inception in 1994, nearly 1.2 million AmeriCorps members have served the nation.

###

Statement from Senator Coons on wounding of three Wilmington police officers

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, issued the following statement on the recent wounding of three officers of the Wilmington Police Department.

“I am praying for the wounded officers of the Wilmington Police Department and thankful that they are in stable condition, on the path toward a speedy recovery. I’m grateful for their service and thinking about the first responders and residents of Wilmington impacted by this tragic incident.” 

###