Investing in American workers

The smartest investment Congress can make is in American workers — whether they currently have a job or not.

Although we’ve come a long way since the depths of the Great Recession, there’s still more we can and must do to help our small businesses grow and create jobs. Americans continue to face a tough job market and too many of our neighbors have been out of work for a long time.

At a minimum, we must do more to help unemployed Americans stay afloat as they look for work. That’s why this week, like I did several times last month, I voted to extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits for the 1.7 million Americans and 4,300 Delawareans who have been jobless for more than 26 weeks – and whose benefits expired at the end of December. They’re folks who were laid off through no fault of their own because of the Great Recession. They’ve worked for much of their lives and paid into the system, and they deserve our support as they work to get back on their feet.

We need to stand with our job-seeking neighbors, and yesterday I spoke on the Senate floor on their behalf. Click here to take a look and to share your own opinion on helping out-of-work Delawareans.

As I argued on the floor, unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline to Americans looking for work – keeping families from falling into poverty and providing needed support to our economy at the same time.

Renewing emergency unemployment insurance, though, should only be the start of our work. If we want to grow our economy and our middle class, Washington needs to renew its focus on helping our manufacturers grow and create jobs.

We need to make sure that at every level, we’re training Americans for the needs of the modern economy. Investing in American workers is how we’ll be able to rebuild our middle class and ensure that our nation can compete over the long-term. By modernizing our education system and building partnerships between our schools and our businesses, we can ensure that our workers have the skills employers need today and tomorrow.

The best way to help our job-seeking neighbors is to grow our economy and create jobs. Click here to learn more about how I propose to do that and let me know what you think.

I’m doing everything I can to help businesses create jobs in Delaware, but I can’t do it without you. We’re at our best when we remember that we’re all in this together – when we help lift each other up when one of us has fallen. Thank you for joining me in this critical fight.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: February 3 to February 9

Tuesday, February 4 at 10:15 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee hearing on Preventing Data Breaches and Combating Cybercrime. Witnesses include Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and representatives from Target Corporation and The Neiman Marcus Group. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703. 

Tuesday, February 4 at 10:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iran. The committee will hear testimony from witnesses including Wendy Sherman, State Department Under Secretary for Political Affairs and David S. Cohen, Treasury Department Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financing. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Foreign Relations Committee’s Adam Sharon at 202-224-4651. 

Tuesday, February 4 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend a Foreign Relations Committee business meeting. The committee will consider two resolutions and several diplomatic nominations. S-116, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Foreign Relations Committee’s Adam Sharon at 202-224-4651.

Wednesday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m – The Senator will attend the Senate Democratic Issues Conference. President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton will address senators at the annual policy conference. Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m – The Senator will attend the Washington Press Club Foundation Dinner. Mandarin Oriental, 1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 

Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 a.m – The Senator will attend the 62nd National Prayer Breakfast. Pastor Anthony Wallace of Crossroad Christian Church in Dover will attend as the Senator’s guest. Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, February 6 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Note: Schedule is subject to change. 

At Black History Month panel, Senator Coons calls for modernized voter protections

Senator Coons called for modernized voter protections at Saturday’s Freedom Forum, a panel discussion at Wilmington’s Hanover Street Presbyterian Church marking the beginning of Black History Month. The event brought local leaders from the education, faith, government, and judicial arenas together with members of the community for a discussion on freedom and ongoing economic, political, educational, judicial, and faith challenges in the community. 

Chris used the opportunity to discuss his recent work in Washington to restore and modernize protections in the Voting Rights Act. The legislation — supported by a range of civil rights groups — is a bicameral, bipartisan response to the Supreme Court’s Shelby County decision last June, which struck down a core provision in the Voting Rights Act. 

“Of all the laws that passed during the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act was pivotal because access to the ballot box also means access to the means to address many other issues,” said Chris. “The Supreme Court’s ruling challenged Congress to reenact a modern Voting Rights Act to deal with modern voting rights challenges, and that’s exactly what we’re working to do.” 

In addition to Senator Coons, the panel, moderated by Wilmington City Council President Theo Gregory, included Dr. Yasser Payne (Associate Professor of Black American Studies, University of Delaware), Judge William Chapman (State of Delaware Family Court), Maria Cabrera (Wilmington City Council), Rasheedah Ahmed (retired teacher), and the Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson (Pastor, Calvary Episcopal Church).

Manufacturing Update for January 2014

1. LATEST POLICY

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Signed in to law: Inapplicability of Requirement to Review and Justify Certain Contracts
Sens. Blunt and Coons added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) clarifying conflicting guidance for small manufacturers from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Department of Defense.  Occasionally, conflicting rules from each agency apply to a small manufacturer contracting with the federal government. The provision makes it easier for small manufacturers to comply with these rules by dictating that when both sets of rules apply to a contract, only the SBA rule will be enforced. The President signed NDAA into law on Dec. 26.
More: Blunt NDAA press release| Coons NDAA press release

Introduced: Skills Gap Strategy Act

Sens. Donnelly (D-IN) and Heller (R-NV) introduced the Skills Gap Strategy Act, bipartisan legislation that would help employers identify, train, and hire workers with the skills to fill existing job openings.  The Skills Gap Strategy Act directs the Secretary of Labor to develop a strategy to help close the “skills gap” by increasing on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.
More: Donnelly press release | Heller press release

Introduced: Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act
Sen. Markey introduced a bill to create six or more local innovation hubs to help American inventors, investors, professors, and producers bridge the last hurdles between innovation and manufacturing.  The bill will open up $100 million in matching funds, with rigorous costshare requirements to ensure taxpayers are only partnering on the best ideas, in which the private sector also has significant capital committed.
More: Markey press release

Introduced: Innovators Job Creation Act
Sens. Roberts (R-KS) and Coons (D-DE) introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance incentives for private firms to invest in research and development. The bill helps start-ups and other small companies take advantage of R&D tax credits by allowing the R&D Credit to be claimed against the Alternative Minimum Tax, permitting the Alternative Simplified Credit on Amended Returns, and allowing startups to claim the R&D credit against their employment taxes.
More: Roberts press release| Coons press release

This update is provided by the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons on behalf of the Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative. For more information, visit coons.senate.gov/manufacturing or email jj_singh@coons.senate.gov.  

Click here to download this month’s full newsletter as a PDF, or read it below.

Video: Senator Coons previews SOTU on CNBC

Calling on the President to “continue to fight for American manufacturing,” Senator Coons appeared on CNBC’s Kudlow Report on Tuesday to share what he hopes to hear in President Obama’s fifth State of the Union address tonight. Watch the full interview below:

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: January 27 to February 2

Monday, January 27 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will speak at the Delaware Business Roundtable’s first meeting of the year. He will discuss efforts to grow America’s manufacturing sector and create jobs, and answer questions from attendees. Christina Room, Hotel DuPont, 11th & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press. 

Monday, January 27 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will participate in a pre-State of the Union reporter roundtable with Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul and Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio). The discussion and Q&A will focus on manufacturing and job creation. Alliance for American Manufacturing, 711 D Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Taylor Garland at tgarland@aamfg.org or (202) 297-9196. Space is limited.

Tuesday, January 28 at 9:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend the President’s State of the Union Address. House Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, January 29 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with faith leaders. Discussion items include reducing poverty and hunger, job creation, and strengthening the middle class. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, January 29 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee hearing on Department of Justice oversight. Attorney General Eric Holder will testify. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Wednesday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 4:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Thursday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee business meeting. The committee will consider several nominations and legislation related to sentencing reform. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Saturday, February 1 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will participate in a Black History Month Forum at Hanover Presbyterian Church. The event is a forum of local, regional, and national leaders to begin Black History Month with a discussion of freedom, and ongoing economic, political, educational, judicial, and faith challenges in the community. Hanover Presbyterian Church, 1801 N. Jefferson St. Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Note: Schedule is subject to change. 

Senator Coons welcomes Kent County jobseekers to first job fair of 2014

More than 1,000 jobseekers packed in to the Education Technology Building Conference Center at Delaware Technical Community College Terry Campus for the first job fair of the year hosted by U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper, and U.S. Representative John Carney. The Kent County job fair brought more than 45 private and public entities together to meet candidates in hopes of filling over 500 open positions.

The Kent County job fair was organized with the help of Brandywine Counseling and Career Services, and service and government employment agencies were also on hand to facilitate job-search skills workshops, career counseling, and resume reviews. 

“Today was our 17th job fair and once again it was a great opportunity to connect Delawareans looking for work with prospective employers,” said Senator Carper. “While we still have too many of our friends and neighbors who are struggling to find work, I am heartened that we’re making progress and I’m hopeful that 2014 will be a positive year for job creation and economic growth here in the First State.”

“Thousands of Delawareans are still looking for work and these job fairs can make a real difference in our neighbors’ lives,” Senator Coons said. “Like the job fairs we hosted in the past, our goal for these fairs is to help Delawareans connect with real job opportunities, many of which are right here in their own backyard. Companies like Mountaire, Lowe’s, and Energizer were looking to fill hundreds of full-time positions.”

“Putting Delawareans back to work is my top priority.  There are still many qualified workers struggling to provide for themselves and their families,” said Congressman Carney.  “Many people left today with good information and connections that could lead to their next career move. That’s our main goal, and we’ll continue providing these opportunities throughout the year.” 

In 2013, the Delaware delegation hosted seven job fairs for more than 3,500 job seekers. Since 2011, the delegation has hosted 17 jobs fairs in Delaware, including four specifically for veterans.

On MLK Day, Senator Coons reflects on Dr. King’s vision

Senator Coons celebrated Martin Luther King Day with hundreds of Delawareans in Wilmington and Dover on Monday, recalling Dr. King’s pursuit of equality and justice for all. At gatherings across the state, Senator Coons joined local civil rights leaders to share reflections on the teachings and legacy of Dr. King and the work that remains to fulfill his vision.

At the 30^th Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Breakfast, hosted by the Organization of Minority Women, Chris had the honor of delivering the invocation and paid tribute to the memory of the event’s late founder, former State Representative Hazel Plant. 

Chris also visited with attendees of the Delaware State Bar Association’s Inaugural Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, headlined by keynote speaker Lani Guinier, Esq., civil rights attorney and the first tenured African-American woman professor at Harvard Law School.

Senator Coons then traveled south to Dover to speak at the 31^st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Zeta Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Addressing attendees, Chris discussed his efforts to restore key voter protections in the historic Voting Rights Act – a centerpiece of Dr. King’s civil rights struggle – that were struck down by a recent Supreme Court ruling. 

“The reality is, discrimination is alive and well,” said Chris. “Attempts to block access to the ballot box continue today, and not just in the Deep South, but also around the country. That’s why I’ve introduced a modern voting rights bill to confront modern voting rights challenges. I am hopeful that Congress can come together to pass this bipartisan bill and restore the promise of free and fair elections that Dr. King fought for,” he said. Read more about the bill here.

Ending the day at the 29^th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Program hosted by Delaware State University, Senator Coons commended the event’s founder, Councilman Reuben Salters, on his work honoring Dr. King’s legacy. The program, featuring speakers and artists, is free and open to the public.

“What Councilman Salters has done with this event is to translate Dr. King’s message of strengthening justice, achieving equality and working toward the founding promise of the American Dream, into local, lasting impact,” said Chris.

Senator Coons surveys the future of charter schools in Wilmington

Sen. Coons listens to Community Education Building President Riccardo Stoeckicht as they stand in what will be the building’s 7,000 square foot library.

Senator Coons peered into the future of Wilmington’s charter schools as he joined Community Education Building (CEB) representatives Riccardo Stoeckicht and Robert Boyd for a behind-the-scenes look at the under-construction CEB in downtown Wilmington Friday. The 11-story building, donated by Bank of America to the Longwood Foundation, will house between 2,400-2,800 students when schools are operating at capacity.

Also along for the tour was Sally Maldonado, head of school for Kuumba Academy, one of the first schools that will be housed at the CEB. Academia Antonia Alonso is also scheduled to begin classes there in the fall.

“Students, especially young students, need a place to learn where they can feel inspired, safe and comfortable,” said Chris. “This building, once completed, will provide a place for more than 2,000 students to learn, grow and flourish as members of their community.”

“This project represents the best of Delaware,” Senator Coons continued, “a state of neighbors that can come together from all areas, from the private sector to the non-profit world, to build something that is truly great. This facility is an example of what partnering and collaboration can achieve.”

Sen. Coons talks manufacturing, innovation with Delaware MIT alums and American Chemical Society members

Local scientists, chemists and engineers packed the dining room at Brantwyn Estate on Friday to engage in open discussion with Sen. Coons about his recent work in Washington to promote advanced manufacturing and innovation. The event was the sixth joint meeting of the MIT Club of the Delaware Valley and the Delaware Section of the American Chemical Society.

Chris, who holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Amherst College and worked for eight years for a materials-based science company, shared his genuine excitement about invention and innovation, as well as his keen understanding of the financing challenges materials-based science companies face. He discussed his efforts in the Senate around these issues, including leading the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign to grow our nation’s manufacturing sector, introducing the America INNOVATES Act to modernize aspects of our national lab system, and working on new bipartisan legislation to reauthorize investments in basic science and technology through innovative programs like the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). 

 “I’m trying to help make the connection in the Senate between advanced manufacturing, research and development, and job opportunities,” said Chris. “America is and can continue to be one of the most productive manufacturing countries in the world, but manufacturing relies very heavily on R&D, on patents, and on continuous innovation.”

“At a time of scarce public resources, science is a critical investment,” Chris continued. “Right now, I need your voice, because there are very few in Congress who understand the compounding value of investment in basic and applied science, about the risks we face in intellectual property, and the importance of getting STEM education at the elementary school level right. We’ve got huge challenges ahead but also great opportunities – in green chemistry, in reimagining advanced polymers, in advanced manufacturing – and I’m looking forward to working with you to ensure our nation remains a leader in science.”