The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: January 19 to January 25

Monday, January 20 at 8:00 a.m. – The Senator will begin Martin Luther King Day remembrance ceremonies by delivering the invocation at the 27^th Annual Organization for Minority Women, Inc. Martin Luther King Day breakfast. Chase Center on the Riverfront – Open to press. Contact Mae Jarmon at 302-654-4782. 

Monday, January 20 at 9:15 a.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at the 28^th Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Modern Maturity Center 1121 Forrest Ave. Dover, DE. – Open to press. Contact Ron Price at 302-670-1373. 

Monday, January 20 at Noon – The Senator will deliver remarks at Delaware State University’s Martin Luther King Day celebration and remembrance. EH Theater, 1200 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE – Open to press. Contact Reuben Salters at 302-736-0101

Tuesday, January 21 at 11:45 a.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Zoup! in Wilmington, a new soup cafe opened with the investment of the SBA and Applied Bank. 4715 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Tuesday, January 21 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will tour Bilcare Research Inc. and meet with company executives. Bilcare manufactures blister packs commonly used to package pharmaceuticals and chewing gum. 1389 School House Road, Delaware City, DE – Closed to press.

Tuesday, January 21 at 5:45 p.m. – The Senator will deliver the commencement speech at the Wilmington Job Corps 2014 Winter Graduation ceremony. Senator Coons will be celebrating the achievements of over 50 graduates. 9 Vandever Avenue, Wilmington, DE – Open to press. Contact Peter Lonie at 302-230-2539.

Thursday, January 23 at 10:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend and deliver remarks at the Congressional Delegation’s Kent County Job Fair where more than 30 employers will be looking to fill hundreds of positions. Since 2011, the Congressional delegation has hosted 16 job fairs in Delaware, including four specifically for veterans. – Delaware Technical Community College, Education Technology Building Conference Center, North Delaware Tech Drive, Dover, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Thursday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend and deliver remarks at the Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille grand opening celebration in Dover. The Greene Turtle was the recipient of two SBA loans and has created over 50 new jobs. 391 N DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE. – Open to the press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Thursday, January 23 at 6 p.m. – The Senator will attend and deliver remarks at the 43rd Annual Delaware Agricultural Industry Dinner. Dover Downs, Dover, DE. Open to the press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

Video: Senator Coons introduces bill to modernize Voting Rights Act

Senator Coons spoke at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday introducing bipartisan legislation to restore and modernize protections in the Voting Rights Act. Chris was joined by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), and Congressman John Lewis (D-Ala.), cosponsors of the Senate and House versions of the bill. The legislation comes seven months after the Supreme Court issued a ruling striking down a core provision of the historic law. Watch Chris’ remarks below.

Delaware volunteer firefighters welcome Affordable Care Act fix

Senator Coons shared good news with volunteer firefighters and first responders from across the state on Monday about a fix to the Affordable Care Act that will spare volunteer fire companies undue financial hardship.

After hearing concerns from the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Chris began pressuring the White House in December to clarify that volunteer firefighters would not be considered employees of volunteer fire companies under the Affordable Care Act, potentially triggering the law’s coverage mandate for businesses with more than 50 employees.

Last month, Chris cosponsored legislation to clarify the law and sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urging the administration to explore a fix for this issue independent of Congress. On Friday, Chris received a response from the Treasury Department announcing plans to issue new guidance to ensure volunteer emergency responders will not be counted as employees.

“Volunteer fire companies are an important part of the fabric of our communities,,” Chris said. “While the Affordable Care Act is already doing a lot of good for a lot of people, it isn’t perfect. This issue needed to be fixed so our volunteer fire companies can continue to do their life-saving work.” 

Delaware has more than 60 volunteer fire companies statewide, and most do not have the resources to provide pay or benefits to volunteers. The majority of volunteer first-responders have other full-time employment, and do not expect to receive compensation or health coverage as a result of their volunteer public service.

“Since Republicans’ commitment to repealing the law is making it impossible for us to repair the law, it was important for the President to step in,” Chris said. “I am still hopeful that Congress can come together to fix other issues with the Affordable Care Act that can only be repaired with legislation, but am grateful for the administration’s action today.”

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: January 13 to January 19

Monday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. – The Senator will hold a press conference with volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders at Elsmere Fire Company addressing the White House’s correction of an Affordable Care Act flaw that would have forced Delaware volunteer fire companies to provide healthcare coverage to members. Last month, Senator Coons sponsored the bipartisan Protect Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act. Elsmere Fire Company, 1107 Kirkwood Hwy, Elsmere, DE – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-650-7858.

Tuesday, January 14 at 3:45 p.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee hearing on the report of the President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. Members of the Review Group will testify on the report’s recommendations for NSA reform. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Wednesday, January 15 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting. The discussion will focus on efforts to raise the minimum wage. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 2:30 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery. 

Wednesday, January 15 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will host a Twitter Town Hall on national service with Voices for National Service. Senator Coons will answer questions live on Twitter about his experience volunteering with AmeriCorps and the importance of investing in our national service programs. Use hashtag #LetsTalkService to participate. 

Thursday, January 16 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.

Friday, January 17 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak to the MIT Club and the American Chemical Society Delaware Section. He will discuss his efforts in the Senate to support research funding and STEM education and answer questions from audience members. Brantwyn Estate at DuPont Country Club, 600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Friday, January 17 at 1:15 p.m. – The Senator will give remarks at the Raising Kings Conference. The conference is focused on fostering healthy images and expectations of men and boys of color by elevating the level of positive male engagement in the lives of boys. PS duPont Middle School, 701 West 34th St. Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Friday, January 17 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will tour the new Community Education Building, which will be a home for high-performing charter schools aiming to close the urban achievement gap in Wilmington. 1200 N. French Street, Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change. 

Video: Senator Coons talks poverty on MSNBC

Declaring his belief that America needs “a surge in the war on poverty,” Senator Coons appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Friday to talk about the fight over unemployment insurance and the future of the American economy.

Good news for Delaware’s volunteer fire companies

Good news! Chris just received this letter from the Treasury Department saying that Delaware’s volunteer fire companies will not have to count their volunteer firefighters as “employees” under the Affordable Care Act.

The key section: 

“The forthcoming final regulations generally will not require volunteer hours of bona fide volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical personnel at governmental entitities or tax exempt organizations to be counted when determining an employer’s full-time employees or full-time equivalent employees.”

More on this issue here.

White House launches government-wide Quadrennial Energy Review

The White House on Thursday launched the first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), a national assessment of the nation’s energy infrastructure that builds upon legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons last year.

The QER, which is part of a broader national climate action plan announced by the President last summer, will help to coordinate energy policy around national priorities such as greater energy and climate security. The initiative builds upon goals laid out in the Quadrennial Energy Review Act, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons to authorize a comprehensive review of current domestic capabilities and future energy needs. The proposal is modeled after the highly-regarded Quadrennial Defense Review, a legislatively-mandated review of defense strategy and priorities. 

“A strategic blueprint of America’s energy priorities is a critical resource for innovators working to support our clean energy economy,” Chris said. “The Quadrennial Energy Review is a great planning tool to identify a baseline assessment of our technological, economic, and national security capabilities. It will then put our federal resources to work to help us better coordinate with the private sector and promote energy innovation.  This is a critical component of an all-of-the-above energy policy, and I am pleased that the President is putting it into action today.”

The first review is expected by January 2015, and will focus on the development of a national strategy for securing the infrastructure needed to transport, transmit, and distribute energy. More than a dozen federal agencies will participate in the review, along with members of the private sector, state and local governments, labor organizations, and the academic community.

Read more about the Quadrennial Energy Review here: http://1.usa.gov/1iWVs8C

Video: Senate advances federal assistance for jobseekers

Senator Coons appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday to discuss the Senate’s vote to advance legislation extending federal unemployment insurance benefits for three months. Chris is a cosponsor of both the three-month extension advanced on Tuesday and a version of the legislation that would extend funding for a full year. Thirty-six hundred Delawareans lost their federal unemployment benefits on December 28th and another 4,800 are expected to lose them over the next six months if Congress does not pass an extension of the program.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: January 7 to January 12

Tuesday, January 7 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will co-host a briefing for members of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs with Ranking Member Senator Jeff Flake. U.S. Special Envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Russ Feingold will brief members on recent developments in the DRC. S-116, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, January 8 at 10:45 a.m. – The Senator will chair a portion of a Judiciary Committee hearing on nominations. The committee will consider several executive and judiciary nominations. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Wednesday, January 8 at 3:00 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 9 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.

Thursday, January 9 at 10:15 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the situation in South Sudan. The committee will hear testimony from witnesses including Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Former Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman, and Enough Project Co-founder John Prendergast. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Foreign Relations Committee’s Adam Sharon at 202-224-4651.

Thursday, January 9 at 4:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 5:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change. 

Manufacturing Update for December 2013

1. LATEST POLICY

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Introduced: New Skills for New Jobs Act
On Dec. 10, Sen. Stabenow (D-MI) introduced legislation to provide federal matching funds for state programs that help community colleges partner with local businesses provide job training.
More: Stabenow issue page

Introduced: Innovate America Act
On Nov. 21, Sens. Klobuchar (D-MN) and Hoeven (R-ND) introduced the Innovate America Act—bipartisan legislation to spur innovation and competitiveness.  Among other provisions, the legislation funds 100 new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-focused high schools, puts more computer science teachers in elementary and secondary schools, expands STEM-related undergraduate research opportunities, and helps maintain America’s competitive edge.
More: Klobuchar press release | Gillibrand press release

Introduced: American Export Promotion Act of 2013
On Nov. 20, Sen. Schatz (D-HI) introduced a bill that would invest $8 million in the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP).  The purpose of MDCP awards is to establish partnerships between the International Trade Administration and non-profit industry groups (such as trade associations and local Chambers of Commerce) to work together with small manufacturers to increase exports.  It is estimated that $1 of MDCP awards translates in to $258 in exports. 

Introduced: National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013
On Nov. 14, Sens. Durbin (D-IL) and Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation to invest in the next generation of American entrepreneurs and innovators by establishing a national network of fabrication laboratories, known as “fab labs.” Fab labs are small, community-based workshops that give members of the public — from students to small businesses — access to educational resources and high-tech equipment that can design, develop, and create new products.
More: Durbin press release | Gillibrand press release

Introduced: American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
On Nov. 14, Sens. Kirk (R-IL) and Coons (D-DE) introduced the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act to bolster the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry in the United States. The bill would require the development of a national manufacturing strategy, boosting the traditional and high-tech manufacturers that employ nearly 12 million Americans.
More: Kirk 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.  

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