Senate marks ALS Awareness Month 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, a resolution to designate May as ALS Awareness Month was agreed to in the Senate. The resolution, authored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate ALS Caucus, officially declares May 2021 as “ALS Awareness Month” to raise awareness of the need to expand research and treatment options for those with ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys the body’s ability to control muscle movement. There is no effective treatment for the disease, no known cause, and currently no cure. This month, the caucus announced that six new members have joined the fight against ALS. Senators Coons, Braun, and their colleagues have recently helped ensure ALS patients are given access to their Social Security Disability Insurance benefits without a five-month waiting period.

“This ALS Awareness month, the Senate is standing with ALS patients and their families as we continue to push toward better treatment and therapy options,” said Senator Coons. “Since we launched the ALS caucus last year, we’ve already made an important change in the law to ensure patients receive the benefits they need and deserve. Now, I’m continuing to push for key priorities of the ALS community – including early access to promising investigational therapies for patients. I look forward to more progress ahead with growing bipartisan momentum.”

“Since first launching the Senate ALS Caucus, we’ve made real progress for patients like ensuring that ALS patients can get the Social Security Disability benefits they are entitled to in a timely manner,” said Senator Braun. “Now as ALS Awareness Month draws to a close, we must recommit ourselves to being advocates for access to meaningful treatments for those fighting this terrible disease that can affect anyone.”

“Every moment matters for people with ALS and their families,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association. “ALS takes away the freedom to move, communicate, eat and breathe. Thank you to Senators Chris Coons and Mike Braun, and Representatives Jason Crow and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing a resolution in Congress to recognize May as ALS Awareness Month.”

“A majority of Americans still do not know that ALS is always fatal despite the fact that this disease can impact anyone, anywhere. The leadership of Senators Coons and Braun is critical in moving us ever closer to accessing ALS treatments and cures and we are so grateful to them for introducing this resolution that will help make sure everyone knows about ALS and our urgent opportunity to put an end to it,” said Danielle Carnival, CEO of I AM ALS.

Coons and Braun launched the Senate ALS Caucus in January 2020 along with U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). The mission of the caucus is to:

• Raise awareness about the difficulties faced by ALS patients and their families;
• Advance policies that improve the quality of life for ALS patients;
• Expand the network of support for those suffering from ALS; and
• Advocate for investments in research that will enhance our understanding of the causes of ALS, identify effective treatments, and eventually discover a cure.

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Sens. Coons, Padilla introduce two bills to prevent future Muslim bans

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, co-introduced a pair of bills to prevent future Muslim bans and safeguard rights for those with legal status in the United States. Both bills were originally introduced in 2017 as a direct response to President Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban, which separated families and unleashed chaos at airports across the country as people from seven Muslim-majority countries were detained for hours without food or water before being deported. Some individuals were pressured to sign papers giving up their legal status. In many cases, these individuals had no opportunity to see an attorney or even call anyone for legal guidance.

The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, led by Coons and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.), prevents future Muslim bans by strengthening the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, and restores the separation of powers by ensuring that any future travel bans are narrowly tailored and follow appropriate consultation with Congress.

The Access to Counsel Act, led by Padilla and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), ensures that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and others with valid visas are able to consult with an attorney, family member, or other interested party to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at airports or other ports of entry. The House of Representatives passed the NO BAN Act and the Access to Counsel Act in April.  

“The Muslim ban senselessly upended lives – separating thousands of Americans from their families and stripping fundamental protections from those with every right to be in the United States,” said Senator Coons. “We’ve turned the page on this hateful policy, but we must ensure that no president can ever again act through fear and prejudice to discriminate based on religion or nationality. The NO BAN Act and Access to Counsel Act establish new guardrails to ensure our immigration policies are rooted in our values, not in fear.”

“We cannot deny the fundamental right to counsel to those who have a legal right to be in the United States, but are detained by Customs and Border Protection,” said Senator Padilla. “And no President should have the power to ban travel to the United States based solely on religion or country of origin. Sadly, that’s exactly what we witnessed during the Trump administration. We must pass the Access to Counsel Act and NO BAN Act to ensure there are safeguards in place so these types of xenophobic and hateful abuses of power never happen again.”

“Former President Trump’s immigration policies focused on misguided and discriminatory efforts, like his Muslim travel ban,” said Senator Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I’m proud to join Sen. Padilla and Sen. Coons in introducing the Access to Counsel Act and the NO BAN Act. Repairing our broken immigration system and reversing the previous administration’s legacy of intolerance remain among my top priorities in Congress. The House has passed these bills. The Senate should now do the same.”

“After years of policies designed to intentionally hurt immigrants, I’m so grateful that the Senate today is taking such significant steps to ensure we are a country that lives up to our values,” said Congresswoman Chu. “The cruel Muslim Ban was a policy that had no merit or justification, but had the effect of spreading xenophobia and tearing families apart. Fortunately, President Biden rescinded this ban on his first day in office, but we cannot risk another President misusing this authority to put prejudice into policy. That is why I am so pleased Senator Coons is reintroducing our NO BAN Act which will change the law so to prevent any future religious bans. I also want to thank Senator Padilla for introducing the Access to Counsel Act which guarantees that those who have a legal right to be here have access to lawyers when detained at the border. I’m proud that both of these bills passed the House and I hope that the Senate will act on them soon.”

“The need for the Access to Counsel Act was on full display during four cruel years of a xenophobic Trump Administration carelessly stripping civil rights and civil liberties away from individuals because of the color of their skin, their religion, the language they speak, or their country of origin,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “I am grateful that Senators Padilla and Coons are introducing this measure alongside the NO BAN Act as we continue the work necessary to reverse the damage done, build a humane immigration system, and ensure that Trump’s policies of maximum harm are never again inflicted on immigrants.”

“The Muslim Ban may have been rescinded but there is still much more work we must do to roll back the previous administration’s cruel war on immigrants,” said Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates. “The Muslim Ban separated families, put lives on hold for years and labeled Muslims, Africans and other people as threatening outsiders. We must pass the NO BAN Act to ensure that no future president can do this again. Further, we must pass the Access to Counsel Act to ensure that U.S. citizens and Green Card holders have access to important legal guidance when detained at ports of entry. I want to thank Sen. Coons and Sen. Padilla for their leadership on these bills and for their tireless work to protect the rights and dignity of Muslims and all people targeted by anti-immigrant policies.”

Coons’ NO BAN Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Padilla, Durbin, Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Angus King (I-Maine), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Padilla’s Access to Counsel Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Coons, Durbin, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

The NO BAN Act has received endorsements from over 400 immigrants’ rights organizations, faith-based organizations, and civil rights organizations, including Muslim Advocates, National Immigration Law Center, Immigration Hub, Interfaith Immigration Coalition, Shoulder to Shoulder, Brennan Center for Justice, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Franciscan Action Network, Church World Service, Human Rights Campaign, American Civil Liberties Union, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Association, The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, National Iranian American Council Action, Jewish and Muslims and Allies Acting Together, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, HIAS, National Council of Jewish Women, Bend the Arc, International Refugee Assistance Project, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Engage Action, Airbnb, Center for American Progress, and Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees. A letter in support of the bill’s passage in the House of Representatives is available here. 

The Access to Counsel Act has received endorsements from America’s Voice, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Church World Service, Community Change Action, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Families Belong Together, HIAS, Human Rights Watch, Immigration Equality Action Fund, Kids in Need of Defense, Muslim Advocates, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Iranian American Council Action, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, National Partnership for New Americans, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, United We Dream, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Brooklyn Defender Services, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Entre Hermanos, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and OneAmerica.

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Senate votes to create DOE foundation incentivizing energy research and innovation

WASHINGTON — Last night, the U.S. Senate voted 83-14 to pass an amendment advancing the Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act (S. 1359 – previously known as the IMPACT for Energy Act). The amendment was offered by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine). The amendment added the legislation to the bipartisan competitiveness package – the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act – currently being debated in the Senate.

If passed and signed into law, the legislation 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 to accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies in energy, like next-generation batteries, low-carbon fuels, and advanced materials. The legislation is based on a proven model. Foundations for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have all demonstrated that they can raise billions of private-sector dollars to support cutting-edge research and innovation.

“Bolstering energy innovation and ensuring commercialization of clean energy technologies will be critical for enhancing U.S. competitiveness and tackling climate change,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. “If we’re going to meet President Biden’s ambitious target of reducing U.S. emissions by 50 percent by 2030, we need to accelerate the pace of energy innovation and deployment. I’m glad the Senate took an important step in this direction on a bipartisan basis – capitalizing on a proven model for raising private investment.”
“Investing in research and development – particularly as it pertains to energy – is a no-brainer. The Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act would allow the Department of Energy to partner with the private sector, creating a unique opportunity for innovation. I was proud to work with Senators Coons, Luján, and Barrasso on this important legislation,” said Senator Graham. “Our bill will help foster new ideas and partnerships to keep America on the cutting edge of economic and technological developments.”
“To fully leverage our National Labs, we must address the significant barriers they face in moving new technologies from discovery to commercialization and deployment,” said Senator Luján. “Establishing a nonprofit foundation—a proven model that has worked for the CDC, NIH, and other federal agencies—would facilitate stronger partnerships between the Department of Energy and the private sector, academia, and philanthropy. With this vote, the Senate is one step closer to better harnessing Los Alamos, Sandia, and our other National Labs to increase U.S. global competitiveness.”

Last Congress, the senators proposed the foundation in the bipartisan and bicameral IMPACT for Energy Act, which passed the House of Representatives as part of the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. The bill was reintroduced in the Senate last month.

Creation of a DOE foundation was the lead recommendation of two independent reports:

• National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). Completed in response to the Fiscal Year 2020 funding appropriations bill, a report released by NAPA in January 2021 concludes that a DOE foundation would provide a complementary and supplementary role to the DOE, National Labs, and the lab-associated foundations.
• Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF). A report released by ITIF in May 2020 concludes that a DOE foundation would foster public-private collaboration, connecting innovators with partners, funding, and tools to bring clean energy technologies to market.

More than sixty organizations have called for passage of the bill. A letter of support is available here.

The Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act would:

• Support private-sector investment. Provides a mechanism to channel private-sector investment into commercializing energy technologies and facilitates coordination among DOE’s National Labs and their associated foundations. 
• Accelerate commercialization. Facilitates public-private partnerships and encourages new ideas such as increased regional economic development and prize competitions.
• Convene industry leaders. Supports events, briefings, and symposia to create a forum for stakeholders to share ideas and collaborate on complex energy problems.  

The amendment text is available here. A summary of the bill can be found here.    

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SFOPS Chair Coons emphasizes importance of USAID in Northern Triangle, global pandemic response, and competition with China in hearing with Administrator Power

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee (SFOPS), convened a hearing to review the FY2022 budget request for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Chairman Coons emphasized the importance of USAID to national security and global leadership – particularly in improving the stability of the Northern Triangle region of Central America and reinforcing U.S. competitiveness with China.

In his opening remarks, Sen. Coons said: “We do know that the SFOPS top line is $6.8 billion above the Fiscal [Year] 2021 enacted level, and that represents a significant and, frankly, welcome realignment from similar hearings of the last few years where there were proposals for arbitrary and deep cuts that would have taken a cleaver to this budget. I am grateful for those who have worked together to prevent those deep cuts and the lasting impact they would have had. Today, because of President Biden’s clear understanding of the importance of USAID to our national security and our global leadership, we can discuss how we can work together to reaffirm the agency’s role as the world’s premier development agency. Over its 60-year history, USAID has had an extraordinary global impact, saving countless lives and helping lift millions out of poverty. We could spend our entire time today reviewing USAID’s accomplishments.”

Video of Sen. Coons’ opening remarks is available here beginning at 23:41. Sen. Coons’ questioning of Administrator Power begins at 1:13:10.

During the hearing, Sen. Coons asked Administrator Power about addressing the roots of migration in Central America: “I’m pleased there’s a $350 million increase for Central America between State and USAID, and your efforts to stand up a USAID Task Force reflect a renewed focus on stemming the root causes of migration to our southern border from the Northern Triangle countries, and I’m eager to work with you and with Vice President Harris to prevent men, women, children, whole families from being forced to flee their homes and make this long journey north, and I’m encouraged that combating corruption and impunity is a key pillar of your strategy. But we’ve got government partners in these three countries, who in different ways and for different reasons, but who lack of seriousness about upholding and respecting judicial independence, who are not – I think – serious about fighting corruption, and I’d be interested in whether you agree that empowering civil society is a critical approach to combating corruption, so that civil society can be more effective advocates for government transparency and accountability.” [1:16:32]

Power responded, “I absolutely agree. I think that in our strategy, which I can detail either now or at a later time in the year hearing, accountability and governance really are the first among equals. Yes, we have programs to enhance security, personal security. Yes, we have job growth programs. Yes, we are working on Disaster Resilience so that the hurricanes and other extreme weather events take less of a toll on communities. Yes, we have programs in combating gender-based violence. All of these are incredibly important, but we need leadership and partners who are willing, as well, to clean up corruption, to strengthen and not weaken democratic institutions. And – last point – just one indicator of how serious I am about your point, which is also my point, is that just last week we actually had to channel money away from the Attorney General, the Civilian National Police in El Salvador – money that we had intended to have in programs with those institutions, and we channeled it to civil society because of the Salvadoran President’s recent moves against the Attorney General and the Supreme Court, so we need rule of law as the foundation for the success of all our other programs.”

Sen. Coons later emphasized the importance of international coordination on COVID-19 vaccine deployment: “as we begin to contain the COVID-19 pandemic here in the United States and ensure we have the necessary supply of vaccines for our country, it is clear the pandemic continues to rage around the world. The variant that emerged in India that’s far more transmissive than the base variant has just made it to my home state and is circling the world. We face an uncertain future as more and more variants will develop that could be both more transmissive and more lethal. There was an initial commitment. $4 billion has been provided to Gavi to support the work of COVAX in providing about 20% of all the vaccines needed by more than 115 countries, and half of that has been obligated. There are some critical barriers to ramping up supply in the developing world. I’d just be interested if you’d speak to: how well is the COVAX process working so hard getting vaccines to countries that need them? When do you expect we will need additional funding? And how can we work together to ensure more robust supply is available for the developing world?” [1:19:33]

Sen. Coons also reinforced the role of USAID in countering China and the rise of authoritarianism:“[For] the competition with China and our work countering authoritarianism around the world, USAID has many tools and many ways in which it can play a constructive role in these urgent matters, and I hope we can work together to support the development of new tools and strategies to promote democracy to fight corruption, to advance human rights – which I know are close to your heart.” [1:13:10]

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Sens. Coons, Tillis introduce bipartisan, bicameral SHOP SAFE Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (SHOP SAFE) Act to protect consumers by stopping the online sale of harmful counterfeit products. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.), and Ben Cline (R-Va.).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spent $791.7 billion on e-commerce in 2020, up over 30% from 2019. As more consumers opt to shop online, they are increasingly vulnerable to the rising number of counterfeit goods sold on e-commerce platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated this potential harm as the amount of time consumers spend online and the types of high-risk counterfeits available on these platforms have risen. The SHOP SAFE Act reduces the availability of harmful counterfeit products online by incentivizing platforms to engage in best practices for vetting sellers and goods, addressing repeat counterfeiter sellers, and ensuring consumers have access to relevant information at the time of purchase. 

“American consumers increasingly have turned to e-commerce for convenience, selection, and safety, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Coons. “Unfortunately, some third-party sellers have taken advantage of consumers’ trust in established online marketplaces to trick them into purchasing dangerous counterfeit goods, which pose health and safety risks, damage the reputations of legitimate brands, and line the pockets of organized crime. The SHOP SAFE Act is an important step to protect consumers and encourage greater transparency and accountability.”  

“The number of Americans using e-commerce platforms to purchase basic and necessary goods is growing and so is the number of counterfeit goods being sold by third-party sellers on these platforms,” said Senator Tillis. “With Americans continuing to rely on online shopping, it’s crucial that we do all we can to protect consumers from dangerous counterfeit sales which are often coming from China. I look forward to working with my colleagues to effectively reduce online counterfeit sales without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate business and e-commerce platforms.”

The SHOP SAFE Act will:

• Establish trademark liability for online marketplace platforms when a third-party sells a counterfeit product that poses a risk to consumer health or safety and that platform does not follow certain best practices;

• Incentivize online platforms to establish best practices such as vetting sellers to ensure their legitimacy, removing counterfeit listings, and removing sellers who repeatedly sell counterfeits; and

• Call for online marketplaces to take steps necessary to prevent the continued sale of counterfeits by the third-party seller or face contributory liability for their actions.

On Thursday, May 27th, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet will hold a hearing on the SHOP SAFE Act and efforts to stem the rising tide of unsafe counterfeit products online. 

A copy of the full bill text can be found here. 

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.  

A section-by-section of the bill can be found here. 

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Sen. Coons, colleagues continue fight against ALS, neurodegenerative diseases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the Senate ALS Caucus, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), along with U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS). This legislation would create the infrastructure necessary to fund early access to promising investigational therapies for patients suffering from fast-progressing rare neurodegenerative and terminal diseases, like ALS.

“Action to support patients with ALS and discover new therapies is incredibly urgent,” said Senator Coons. “That’s why I am proud to work with my colleagues to reintroduce ACT for ALS. This legislation will expand access to early treatment options and support the cutting-edge research needed to improve quality of life and find a cure, providing hope for Americans affected by this awful disease and their families.”

“Not many things on Capitol Hill transcend partisan politics, yet the fight against ALS has become the most bipartisan project I’ve worked on throughout my time in Congress. And the ACT for ALS in particular has shown what is possible when we simply focus on solving an urgent problem, together. I want to thank Congressman Jeff Fortenberry for his partnership and vision and our champions in the Senate, Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Murkowski for making this bipartisan, bicameral bill a reality,” said Representative Quigley. “We spent many months deeply engaging HHS, NIH, FDA, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate HELP Committee to get to this day. I want to thank the many people who improved this bill—the technical experts, staffers, advocates and most importantly, the patient community. As a result of this legislation, we are closer than ever to disrupting the status quo to provide more than just hope to those suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. We set forth on a tangible path for treatment, research and one day, a cure. We must—and will—pass, sign and implement the ACT for ALS this Congress and with today’s incredible show of support, I am more confident than ever that we will do just that.”

“ACT for ALS represents a monumental shift for those suffering from ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.  It breaks the paradigm of disease research and creates a new pathway to deliver promising treatments.  With this new law, we can break through faster for those who have suffered so much,” said Representative Fortenberry.

ALS affects 1 in 300 people, often leaving patients with no more than three years to live following their diagnosis. ACT for ALS authorizes new grants to support expanded access programs. This expansion will bring investigational treatments for rapidly progressing diseases beyond their ongoing clinical trials to patients with diseases for which effective therapies don’t already exist. It also creates a new FDA Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program to cover the costs of research on and the development of interventions for ALS and other life-threatening or severely debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. 

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act would also create a public private partnership for rare neurodegenerative diseases at HHS to streamline the development and approval of new therapies and establishes a rare neurodegenerative grant program at FDA. ACT for ALSauthorizes $100 million annually to implement these priorities.

This legislation is endorsed by I AM ALS, The ALS Association, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We remain committed to the ACT for ALS and the drive to make this legislation a reality for people living with ALS waiting for critical, needed treatments. It uses the power of Congress, HHS, FDA, NIH and the ALS community to make discoveries and provide access to treatments and cures for those impacted by ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. It gives us the chance to make a difference for those living with ALS today while driving future understanding and treatments. Thanks to the incredible leadership of Congressman Quigley, Congressman Fortenberry, Senator Coons, and Senator Murkowski, who have driven this impactful legislation. We now look forward to working with the community and Congressional leaders to get this bill passed,” I AM ALS CEO Danielle Carnival, PhD, said.

“The ALS community urgently needs new therapies to be developed, approved and made accessible to people with ALS,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association.  “While we pursue new treatments and cures for ALS, we need to make it livable. To do that we must dramatically expand the number of clinical trials for ALS drugs while at the same time support expanded access to promising new investigational drugs outside of clinical trials. The ACT for ALS Act achieves this balance in purpose and funding. We thank Representatives Quigley and Fortenberry, Senators Coons and Murkowski, and all sponsors for their leadership and collaborative approach to making ALS a livable disease.”

“Today’s reintroduction of the ACT for ALS is a significant step towards more and better innovative treatments not only for the ALS community, but also for the entire neuromuscular disease community more broadly.  We are proud to endorse this bill, and in coordination with the ALS and neuromuscular disease patient communities, we call on Congress to pass this legislation as soon as possible,” said Paul Melmeyer, Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy, Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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[PHOTOS] Senator Coons thanks Delaware National Guard for service at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, released the following statement in recognition of the Delaware National Guard’s service in protection of the U.S. Capitol.

“It was an honor to meet with the Delaware National Guard at the Capitol one last time before they return to Delaware. Their extraordinary service to our country and in our nation’s capital will always be remembered and appreciated following the events of January 6th.”

To download images from a flag presentation ceremony at the Capitol Building, click here.   

ICYMI Sen. Coons, HBCU Caucus announce introduction of landmark campus infrastructure bill

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) introduced the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act (IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act) at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in front of the U.S. Capitol. The legislation would make historic investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities to rectify over a century of systemic neglect.

Photos of the press conference are available here.

Video of the press conference is available for download here.

Video remarks from Senator Tim Scott introducing the bill are available here.

Also attending the press conference were Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.); as well as Sean Burns (Thurgood Marshall College Fund), Lodriguez Murray (UNCF), and Lezli Baskerville (National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education). In addition to Coons, Scott, Adams, and Hill, original cosponsors of the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act include Representatives Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio).

“I can think of no better way to improve educational opportunity and equity in a bipartisan way than by investing in the infrastructure of some of America’s greatest institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “HBCUs like Delaware State University are a key source of graduates who contribute to the vitality of our nation and its economy, yet many of these institutions face underinvestment. Public and private HBCUs have reported tens of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance backlogs. It is past time that we support HBCUs in modernizing their outdated legacy infrastructure in order to build outstanding campuses. Our proposed investment is timely and appropriate and incredibly important for the future of HBCUs.” 

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities open doors to opportunity for thousands of students each year, many of whom come from underserved communities,” said Senator Tim Scott, co-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus.“For decades, HBCUs have educated and produced top-notch graduates in every field—all while operating on minimal budgets. I can only imagine what more they will accomplish with proper funding, and I am proud that my colleagues and I have come together to support this transformational, bipartisan bill.”

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is the most transformative legislation for Historically Black Colleges and Universities ever,” said Representative Adams, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “For over 150 years, HBCUs have been agents of equity, access, and excellence in education, despite being ignored and marginalized by federal and state governments. This historic, bipartisan bill changes that. The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act invests in our HBCU facilities to give students state-of-the-art learning environments and enables HBCUs to continue to be a critical source of diversity in the workforce for another century and beyond.”

“Arkansas is home to four HBCUs and I am pleased to co-lead this bipartisan and bicameral bill with my colleagues to further bolster HBCUs,” said Representative Hill, co-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “The bipartisan IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act reflects a good faith effort to work across the aisle in order to ensure that HBCUs have a bright future ahead of them so they and their students will continue to succeed.  This measure encourages private philanthropy accompanying public state and federal investments on HBCU campuses to boost their long-term competitiveness.”

While only representing roughly 3 percent of all four-year colleges and universities, HBCUs produce upwards of 17 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans. Additionally, HBCUs enroll a disproportionately high percentage of first generation and low-income students, nearly 60 percent, and outperform their peers in supporting and graduating these students.

The incredible success of HBCUs has been achieved despite over a century of systemic underfunding at both the state and federal levels. Too often, HBCUs are forced to navigate the effects of chronic underfunding while also lacking access to alternate sources of capital available to other institutions. 

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act invests in infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This legislation recognizes the contributions of these institutions in the most important way possible: by affording them the support and investment needed to deepen their transformational work. Specifically, it would authorize funds to: 

• Utilize public and private investments to renovate, repair, modernize, or construct new campus facilities, including instructional, research, and residential spaces; 
• Provide access to campus-wide, reliable high-speed broadband to support digital learning and long-term technological capacity; 
• Develop campus facilities to support community-based partnerships that provide students and community members with academic, health, and social services; 
• Procure equipment and technology needed to facilitate high-quality research and instruction; 
• Preserve buildings with historic significance; and
• Ensure the resilience, safety, and sustainability of campus facilities. 

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Sens. Coons, Graham and Reps. Meng, Fortenberry introduce bill to help prevent global disease outbreaks

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) introduced the Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act to help combat future deadly virus outbreaks by identifying and shutting down live wildlife markets around the world that pose risks to public health and by increasing capacity for zoonotic disease prevention, surveillance, and response.

The legislation would establish a Global Zoonotic Disease Task Force charged with working to prevent and detect zoonotic disease spillover and overseeing the Federal government’s response to worldwide infectious disease outbreaks. It would also require relevant agencies to prevent commercial trade in live wildlife that risks contributing to zoonotic spillover, conserve and protect forests, and to support a “One Health” approach – which emphasizes the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health.

The House version of the bill would also establish an integrated zoonotic diseases program within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); require the Administrator of USAID to develop a multisectoral strategy for food security, global health, and biodiversity to help reduce demand for wildlife for human consumption; and establish a Conservation Corps at USAID comprised of volunteers to implement the multisectoral strategy by delivering technical and strategic assistance to in-country leaders.

“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s critical that we also take steps to prevent another infectious disease outbreak before it starts. There is a clear connection between the health of humans, animals, and the habitats they live in, so we should be investing now in protecting habitats to reduce unnatural contact between humans and wildlife and ending live wildlife trade that poses a clear risk. I’m proud to work with Senator Graham and Representatives Fortenberry and Meng on this important legislation,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus.

“For the last year, our national conversation has focused on how we can best recover from COVID-19,” said Senator Graham. “There is another question though, equally urgent, that demands our attention: How can we prevent this from happening again? Markets selling high-risk wildlife for human consumption must be shut down, and an we must have an integrated approach to the detection, preparedness, and response to the transmission of zoonotic diseases that pose a global health risk.”
“We are getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel as we work to move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic but we must not forget about the need to prevent future outbreaks,” said Congresswoman Meng. “We must do all we can combat future deadly infectious diseases and this legislation would be a critical component in that vital effort. I’m pleased to partner with Senator Coons and Graham and Congressman Fortenberry on this crucial and bipartisan measure. I urge all of my colleagues in both chambers to support it.”

“As we fight past the COVID-19 pandemic, a further policy consideration is the origin and transmission of disease in wildlife markets overseas.  Our Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act gets at the source of animal-borne infectious pathogens to help prevent virus outbreaks at their source,” said Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Great to see leaders in Congress work together across party lines to promote global health and protect against deforestation and biodiversity losses. The world witnessed first-hand over the past year how truly disruptive a global pandemic can be, and policymakers are wise to take steps to protect against the next one. We applaud Senators Coons and Graham and Representatives Fortenberry and Meng for their efforts in advancing a bipartisan and bicameral solution to a major global problem,” said David H. Barron, Chairman of the ICCF Group.

“As the US begins to turn the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, we should also do everything possible to prevent the next one. Science tells us that the main factors driving the spillover of zoonotic diseases from wildlife to humans are the destruction of forests and other habitats that brings people and livestock closer to wild species, and high-risk trade in wildlife for human consumption. Now our task is clear: protect nature, prevent high-risk wildlife trade, and reduce demand for risky animal products – all while ensuring the rights and needs of local communities and Indigenous Peoples are protected and supported,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund. “The Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act, introduced today by Senators Coons and Graham and Representatives Meng and Fortenberry, would ensure the US government follows this course of action. The legislation would bring a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of most emerging infectious disease outbreaks, creating a new Global Zoonotic Disease Task Force that brings together relevant expertise from across the federal government. If backed by significant new investments and enhanced programs to help stop forest loss, prevent high-risk wildlife trade, and promote ‘One Health’ approaches for people, livestock, wildlife, and nature, the policies in this bill will make it much more likely that we will stop the next pandemic before it starts.”

“Conservation International applauds Senators Coons and Graham and Representatives Meng and Fortenberry for their bold leadership to address the root cause of pandemics. This bipartisan legislation recognizes that pandemics start when viruses jump from wildlife into humans, particularly as a result of habitat destruction. The United States, through USAID, will help prevent pandemics at the source by stopping deforestation, stopping unsafe wildlife trade and trafficking, and establishing community health centers in emerging infectious disease hotspots worldwide. USAID programs designed to prevent pathogen spillover at the source are far more cost effective than attempting to contain an outbreak,” said Pasha Majdi, Senior Director of U.S. Policy and Government Affairs for Conservation International. 

“The Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act, introduced by Representatives Meng and Fortenberry, and Senators Coons and Graham is a much-needed shot in the arm. The legislation will ensure that the U.S. leads a global effort to provide an early warning system to prevent future pandemics that originate from the exploitation of wildlife and the destruction of wild places. WCS zoonotic disease surveillance experts are warning us that the next pandemic is just around the corner – unless we can build a safer future for humanity and wildlife. The Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act will do just that, and WCS is proud that our Protect Wildlife, Protect Us campaign supports this important bill,” said John Calvelli, WCS Executive Vice President for Public Affairs.

“Pandemics are the product of policy choices, and are not inevitable. Without change, pandemics are both accelerating and intensifying. The Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act helps reverse the dramatic increase in spillover of new diseases from animals to humans—a critical and urgently needed step. We cannot afford to neglect the key drivers of pandemics, and passage this year is a must for our 50-state team of families who have lost loved ones, health workers and activists trying to prevent the pandemics of the future. How many more people will die before we apply the painful lessons from COVID-19 and pandemic-proof our planet,” said Pranav Savanur, State Captain and Policy Team Member, R2H Action [Right to Health].

The Global Pandemic Prevention and Biosecurity Act is endorsed by the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Re:wild, R2H Action, Animal Defenders International, and Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS).

The Senate bill text is available here and the House bill text is available here.

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Bipartisan bill seeks to expand housing choice and opportunity for low-income families in rental assistance program

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds housing initiatives, and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, introduced the Choice in Affordable Housing Act to improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program. The bill would increase funding for and remove programmatic barriers in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program – often referred to as Section 8 vouchers – that will help attract and retain landlords. As a result, low-income families that use vouchers will have increased housing choices and improved access to high-opportunity neighborhoods.

“I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Cramer that invests in and reforms a federal housing program that has successfully helped millions of Americans afford safe and decent housing in the private market,” said Senator Coons. “Housing is the foundation to a safe, healthy, and productive life, and by increasing the number of landlords that accept Housing Choice Vouchers, more Americans will have greater choices and opportunities in finding a home to build their foundation upon. This is a commonsense solution that would open doors for low-income families – an important step toward addressing housing affordability issues across the country.”

“Over the last year, housing uncertainty has reached unprecedented heights for millions of Americans, and there are ways Congress can act to strengthen existing housing programs without undue market interference,” said Senator Cramer. “The Choice in Affordable Housing Act seeks to increase landlord interest in affordable housing voucher programs by offering incentives and reducing burdensome bureaucratic guidance. It also increases funding for tribal programs and authorizes $500 million to create a Housing Partnership Fund named after former Fargo Mayor Herschel Lashkowitz, who dedicated much of his life to making affordable housing a reality for so many North Dakotans. I urge my colleagues to support our commonsense, bipartisan legislation.”

“Research shows that increasing families’ access to high-opportunity areas is an important pathway to upward mobility,” said Raj Chetty, Director of Opportunity Insights and William A. Ackman Professor of Economics at Harvard University. “Children who grow up in opportunity rich neighborhoods are more likely to go to college and to earn more as adults. Making it easier for landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program is critical for increasing housing supply in opportunity rich areas and by way of this, supporting families’ long-term success.”

The Housing Choice Voucher program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps more than 5 million low-income people, including the elderly and people with disabilities, in a total of 2.3 million households afford safe and decent housing in the private rental market. More than two-thirds of those households are headed by a person of color. Administered by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), families that receive a voucher pay 30% of household income toward rent and utilities while the PHA pays the landlord the remaining rent. HCVs increase housing stability, reduce homelessness, and each year lift more than 1 million people out of poverty. 

The HCV program relies on private-market landlords to accept vouchers. Because the number of participating landlords has declined in recent years, voucher holders experience a difficult housing search process and fewer options of where to live. To help reach the goal of increasing voucher holders’ housing choices and improving access to high-opportunity areas, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act would:

• Provide $500 million to create the Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund. Named after the longtime Fargo, N.D. mayor who was an advocate for affordable housing, the funds would be distributed for:

• • PHAs to offer a signing bonus to a landlord with a unit in an area with less than 20% poverty;
  • PHAs to provide security deposit assistance, so that tenants can better afford to meet required deposits and landlords are assured greater protection against damages;
  • HUD to provide a bonus to PHAs that retain a dedicated landlord liaison on staff; and
  • Other uses as determined by the PHA and approved by the Secretary to recruit and retain landlords.

• Increase funding to the Tribal HUD-VASH program. To help renters on tribal land, the bill supports the Tribal HUD-VASH program for Native American Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Use neighborhood-specific data to set rents fairly. The bill would require HUD to expand its 2016 rule requiring the use of Small Area Fair Market Rents to calculate fair rents in certain metro areas.
• Reduce inspection delays. Units in buildings financed by other federal housing programs would meet the voucher inspection if the unit has been inspected in the past year. New landlords could also request a pre-inspection from a PHA prior to selecting a voucher-holding tenant that would be good for 60 days.
• Refocus HUD’s evaluation of housing agencies. The bill would encourage HUD to reform its annual evaluation of PHAs to promote an increase in the diversity of neighborhoods where vouchers are used. The bill also requires HUD to report to Congress annually on the effects of the bill.

The bill is endorsed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), National Housing Law Project (NHLP), Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC), Habitat for Humanity, Enterprise Community Partners, National Apartment Association (NAA), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Leased Housing Association, Jewish Federations of North America, Up for Growth Action, RESULTS Educational Fund, and BPC Action. NMHC and NAR have written letters of support.

A one-pager on the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is available here. The bill text is available here.

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