The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: July 15 to July 21

Monday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a special caucus of the United States Senate to discuss nominations and the potential for reforms to the Senate’s rules. Old Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. — Closed to press.

Tuesday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies markup of its FY2014 appropriations bill. 192 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Appropriations Committee’s Rob Blumenthal at 202-224-7363.

Tuesday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security markup of its FY2014 appropriations bill. 138 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Appropriations Committee’s Rob Blumenthal at 202-224-7363.

Wednesday, July 17 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with leaders of local chambers of commerce. The discussion will feature Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce President Judy Diogo and focus on creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and building relationships with local business leaders. Mansfield Room, S-207, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, July 17 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will host a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting with Business Forward. The discussion will focus on job creation and accelerating economy recovery. Lyndon B. Johnson Room, S-211, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Voting Rights Act. The hearing, titled “From Selma to Shelby County: Working Together to Restore the Protections of the Voting Rights Act,” will feature testimony from Rep. John Lewis (D-GA-5) and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI-5) about the legacy of the Voting Rights Act and how to restore voting rights protections and democratic participation in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Thursday, July 18 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will testify at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on clean energy financing. He will provide testimony on the importance of financing for renewable energy development and about his Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill he reintroduced in April to level the playing field between renewable and fossil fuel-based project financing. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Energy Committee’s Keith Chu at 202-224-0537.

Thursday, July 18 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee business meeting. The committee will consider four nominations for United States District Court and one nomination for United States Circuit Court. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Thursday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the FY2014 appropriations bills for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies and the Department of Homeland Security. 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Appropriations Committee’s Rob Blumenthal at 202-224-7363.

Thursday, July 18 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the monthly National Energy Resources Organization luncheon. He will share his perspective on energy and innovation policy and discuss his legislative priorities in these areas. Capitol Hill Hyatt Regency, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Thursday, July 18 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.

Senator Coons participates in discussion on civil rights

Senator Coons, a dedicated advocate for civil rights, participated in a roundtable discussion Wednesday to discuss priorities and the path forward on a number of civil rights issues. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured more than 20 leaders in the labor, LGBT, and civil rights communities, including NAACP President and Chief Executive Officer Ben Jealous and Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin.

The roundtable highlighted the calamitous effects of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Shelby County v. Holder to strike down the crucial Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. The discussion also focused on employment discrimination, comprehensive immigration reform, Republican obstruction of confirmation for executive and judicial nominees, and marriage equality.

“We have a number of joyful days now happening across this country – wedding days – where couples are able to join in legal union without the barrier of DOMA to prevent them from enjoying the full blessings of marriage,” Senator Coons said. “But we have had a very tough Supreme Court term. The doors of justice are steadily closing for those who would go to courts and seek relief whether it’s through class action or defense against wage abuse or harassment in the workplace. We face election days this year and next year without a functioning Voting Rights Act. If we don’t come together and act, we will see states change laws in ways that will deny access to the ballot for people all across this country.”

The discussion followed the Supreme Court’s recent landmark decisions dismantling the Voting Rights Act, but extending federal benefits to married same-sex couples. It also overlapped with an ongoing clash over the confirmation of executive and judicial nominees — including those to the important D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals — the markup of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and the House’s consideration of comprehensive immigration reform.

Sherrilyn Ifill, the president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said that the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision “is not a minority problem” but rather is “a problem for democratic participation in our country.”

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler warned participants, “We could be looking at a Labor Day with a non-functioning NLRB and unenforceable labor law” due to Republican obstruction of confirmation for NLRB nominees and Secretary of Labor nominee Thomas Perez.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: July 8 to July 14

Tuesday, July 9 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will co-host a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Roundtable with Senator Begich and the Financial Services Forum. The Senators will lead a discussion focused on economic growth, Government-Sponsored Enterprises reform, and financial markets regulation with representatives from 19 leading financial services institutions. SVC-200, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, July 10 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Meeting with national civil rights leaders. The discussion will focus on an array of civil rights issues facing the country, including voting rights, affirmative action, pay equity, reproductive freedom, workplace fairness, immigration, and privacy. S-207 Mansfield Room, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press. 

Wednesday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 3:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Thursday, July 11 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend an Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2014 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, July 11 at 12:45 p.m. — The Senator will speak at a Congressional Briefing titled Mali: the Road Ahead sponsored by Mali Watch. The briefing will focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Mali in the wake of the 2012 coup d’etat and the upcoming elections. Senator Coons, who visited Mali with a Congressional Delegation earlier this year, will participate in a panel discussion with fellow delegation members and Mali’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. B338, Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. – Open to press. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED.

Thursday, July 11 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.

Senator Coons applauds White House plan to combat wildlife trafficking

Today, from Tanzania, the White House announced new and improved U.S. efforts to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion dollar illegal business that is a threat to populations of targeted species including elephants and rhinos, to tourism and economic development, and to our national security and the security and stability of the nations where this violence is occurring. As the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Coons is very concerned about the recent rise in wildlife poaching, particularly in Africa, and applauds President Obama’s renewed and enhanced commitment to addressing this serious issue. 

The President signed an executive order to establish a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, which will develop a national strategy to address the issue. The order will also establish an Advisory Council made up of non-governmental experts on the issue to make recommendations to the Task Force. These efforts will help enhance coordination among existing U.S. programs and policies to combat wildlife trafficking and assist other nations to do the same.

The initiative includes $10 million in funding from the State Department dedicated to combatting wildlife trafficking in Africa. This funding will strengthen the ability of nations to address the issue through laws and penalties, enhance investigations, law enforcement, and criminal prosecutions, and support regional cooperation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also station an official at our embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which is a major export point for illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products. This official will help the Government of Tanzania with a wildlife protection and security plan.

The President also announced plans to leverage new authority granted under the new Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, which was signed into law this January. Senator Coons cosponsored this legislation, which allows the Secretary of State to offer rewards for information on members of transnational criminal organizations, including wildlife trafficking. The President will also enhance existing authorities under the Endangered Species Act, African Elephant Conservation Act, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act to address the issue. Senator Coons voted to reauthorize funding for these conservation programs and others incorporated in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund during the last Congress.

Last May, Senator Coons participated in a full Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, “Ivory and Insecurity: The Global Implications of Poaching in Africa,” the first full committee hearing addressing this issue. He also recently hosted two screenings of the National Geographic film, “Battle for the Elephants” in Washington, D.C. and Wilmington to inform Delawareans about this ongoing challenge.

This issue is incredibly complex and growing in intensity. Senator Coons believes it will take the involvement of a number of U.S. agencies, working in coordination with other nations, non-profit organizations, and private entities to successfully combat it. The President’s announcement today builds on the significant steps Secretary Clinton, and now Secretary Kerry have taken to address the poaching crisis. Senator Coons looks forward to working with his colleagues to support implementation of this important new initiative. 

Senate Law Enforcement Caucus hosts cyber security experts

Senator Coons hosted a Senate Law Enforcement Caucus briefing on cyber security Wednesday to highlight the crucial role state and local agencies play in the fight against cybercrime, an increasingly common security threat.

The panel comprised cyber security experts from a variety of fields. They included Sergeant Kevin Perna, Operations Commander from the Delaware State Police High Technology Crimes Unit and the Delaware Internet Crimes Against Children Federal Task Force; Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge Ari Baranoff from the U.S. Secret Service’s New York Field Office; David Szuchman, the Executive District Attorney and Chief of the Investigation Division at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office; Tony Encinias, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Chief Information Officer; and Colonel David Walker, commander of the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Network Warfare Squadron.

The panelists stressed the importance of multilateral partnerships among law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to strengthen cyber security. They also emphasized that strong cooperation and frequent communication are critical to preventing, combatting, and prosecuting cybercrime. Sharing resources and best practices aids the fight against cybercrime tremendously.

Bridging their five different perspectives, the panelists unanimously agreed that better training is the foremost need for each of their organizations in addressing cyber security. State or local police at the scene of a cybercrime, for example, need to know how to collect computers and phones properly to ensure that the evidence those devices contain is not compromised.

In his introductory remarks, Chris said cyber security is “a constant source of concern and anxiety for me” because it is “the area where we are least well-prepared.”

To increase local capacity to respond to cyber attacks, Chris introduced the bipartisan Cyber Warriors Act of 2013 in March. This bill would establish Cyber and Computer Network Incident Response Teams, known as ‘Cyber Guards,’ as part of the National Guard, replicating the successful model of Delaware’s 166th Network Warfare Squadron in other states. The bill would allow local law enforcement across the country to leverage the unique expertise of National Guard members in the aftermath of a cyber attack.

“We can’t stop being attentive to the needs of the men and women on the front lines,” Chris said.

Senate marks anniversary of African Union

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, and commending its successor — the African Union — Senator Coons was proud to sponsor a resolution that the Senate passed unanimously on Wednesday night. Senator Jeff Flake, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, cosponsored the resolution.

“This resolution commends the African Union on its increasingly positive contribution to peace, security and development across the continent,” Senator Coons said. “As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, it is my hope that the AU continues to play a constructive role in the region.”

In 2007, the new AU adopted a charter that aims to “reinforce commitments to democracy, development and peace in Africa.” Notably, the African Union departed from the OAU’s strict doctrine of nonintervention in the internal affairs of member states, which had impeded its ability to address serious governance, conflict or human rights issues. The AU is now able to intervene in a member state under certain circumstances, including with respect to war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. African Union peacekeeping forces, political mediation missions, and other peace-building processes have been instrumental in ending conflict and bringing stability to Burundi, Comoros, Sudan, Somalia, and Mali.

The AU’s new chairwoman, Nkhosazana Dlamini-Zuma from South Africa, has promised to focus on strengthening regional integration, economic development, and good governance during her term as Chair.

A week ago, Senator Coons chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa hearing on prospects for democratic reform and economic recovery in Zimbabwe. Panelists highlighted the need for the coalition government of Zimbabwe to carry out previously agreed electoral and democratic reforms as a precondition for free and fair elections later this year. Meaningful AU engagement with the government of Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community to advance democratic reform in Zimbabwe would be a positive signal that the AU is committed to realizing the promise of its charter.

What We’re Reading: PEPFAR’s influence on AIDS in South Africa

The Christian Science Monitor published an article on June 23 on South Africa’s progress in the fight against AIDS.

The United States can and should take pride in the contribution the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), along with the UN Global Fund and African governments, has made towards achieving a milestone few believed possible just a few years ago:  HIV/AIDS no longer poses an acute health emergency in many African states.  We have made important contributions in purchasing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at discount rates, distributing ARVs to urban as well as rural areas, and improving national capacity to manage the disease.  

The number of new HIV infections across Africa has dropped by 25 percent since 2001 – and more than 50 percent in 13 sub-Saharan African countries – according to the UNAIDS 2012 global report.

Here in South Africa, progress is even sharper. Rates of infection have fallen by at least 30 percent. Nearly 2 million people are on antiretroviral drugs, known as ARVs, which have helped extend the life span of the sick and limit the transmission of the disease. Approximately 75 percent of South Africans who need ARVs have access to them, putting the country just shy of The Global Fund’s 80 percent standard for universal access.

Perhaps most meaningful to ordinary South Africans: Life expectancy in South Africa has gone up – reaching levels not seen since 1995.

However, as this article poignantly illustrates, as the rates of new infection and deaths fall, the effects of the acute emergency live on for caregivers and children of HIV/AIDS victims. As these children grow up, the ones who have provided for them – often female relatives and neighbors – are running out of steam, as well as financial and social resources to help launch them successfully into a healthy, productive adulthood.  Studies suggest that children of HIV/AIDS victims are more likely to drop out of school and to suffer from anxiety, depression and abuse than their peers. Many of the women who have taken in multiple orphans are entering middle age and facing their own health problems that are only exacerbated by the growing needs of the children they have taken in and nurtured for many years.

Although the disease itself may pose a diminishing health danger for the population, states are likely to grapple with the social and economic after-effects of the disease for years to come.  As PEPFAR enters its second decade, we would do well to ensure that the needs of those living with the legacy of the epidemic are not forgotten.

Click here to read the full article on CS Monitor’s website.

Senator Coons: It just got a whole lot better

Two years ago, almost to the day, Senator Coons led a dozen of his colleagues in an It Gets Better video to tell LGBTQ youth that they were working to make it better.

After the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act today, Chris released a new video to celebrate the decision:

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: June 24 to June 30

Tuesday, June 25 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend an American Gas Association Legislative Breakfast. The Senator will provide brief remarks on the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, legislation he has introduced to strengthen America’s energy independence and level the playing field for all forms of domestic energy. Hall of States, 400 North Capitol Street NW – Closed to press.

Tuesday, June 25 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will testify at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on energy efficiency legislation. The Senator will speak on behalf of the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement, and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act, which he introduced to renew the Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program. 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Energy Committee’s Keith Chu at 202-224-0537.

Tuesday, June 25 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Business Meeting. The Committee will consider two bills and four resolutions, including the Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013, of which Senator Coons is a cosponsor, and S. Res. 144, a resolution introduced by Senator Coons concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. S-116, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Foreign Relations Committee’s Adam Sharon at 202-224-4651.

Wednesday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Meeting with national leaders of the Jewish community. The discussion will focus on American foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as domestic policies to grow our economy and ensure social justice. S-207, U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C. – Closed to press.

Wednesday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will host a Senate Law Enforcement Caucus briefing on cyber security. The briefing will focus on the Cyber Warrior Act, which Senator Coons introduced in March to replicate the strength of Delaware’s 166th Network Warfare Squadron and bolster local response to cyber attacks. 385 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact: Jamie Serlin at 202-224-5042 or jamie_serlin@coons.senate.gov

Wednesday, June 26 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, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend an Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2014 appropriations bills for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, and Energy and Water Development. This will be Senator Coons’ first meeting as a member of the Appropriations Committee. 106 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 27 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. 

Friday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will visit the Food Bank of Delaware’s Milford Branch. The Senator will receive an update on construction of the 8,000-sq. ft. expansion. Milford, DE. Closed to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons gets his Appropriations subcommittees

After being named to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee last week, Senator received his subcommittee assignments on Monday. He will serve on the following five subcommittees:

• Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
• Financial Services and General Government
• Homeland Security
• Legislative Branch
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs