Senator Mark Warner of Virginia has signed on as a cosponsor of Senator Coons’ Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act of 2012. Senator Warner went to the Senate floor Thursday afternoon to talk about the bill and why it’s important to our democracy. Watch below:
Senator Chris Coons introduced legislation Thursday to make substantial improvements in the states’ administration of their elections to make voting faster and more accessible to all voters. The Louis L. Redding Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act of 2012 would create a competitive grant program in the model of Race to the Top, encouraging states to aggressively pursue election reform. The states that demonstrate the most comprehensive and promising reform plans will earn a greater portion of the grant funding.
“Too many voters waited far too long to cast their ballots in this last election,” Chris said. “Long lines are a form of voter disenfranchisement, a polling place running out of ballots is a form of voter suppression, and making it harder for citizens to vote is a violation of voters’ civil rights. This is the United States of America and the right to vote is in our DNA: we have to get this right. The FAST Voting Act is a creative way to jumpstart states’ election reform efforts and ensure that what happened last week doesn’t happen again.”
The bill was introduced just over a week after an Election Day that saw extraordinarily long lines and a myriad of voting issues in more than a dozen states, including Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia, South Carolina, Montana, Tennessee, Hawaii, Arizona, Rhode Island and more.
This bill authorizes a federal program that would award grants based on how well applicant states are able to improve access to the polls in at least nine specified ways, including:
The program also requires an assessment of steps the state has taken to eliminate statutory, regulatory, procedural and other barriers to expedited voting and accessible voter registration.
“Improving the mechanics of our elections is one thing, but we can’t afford for the laws and regulations that govern the administration of our elections to contribute to the widespread disenfranchisement and suppression of voters,” Chris said. “That’s why the FAST Voting Act would consider the legal climate fostered by a state when it applies for a grant in this program. States would need to show they are working to expand access, not limit it.”
The bill is named for Louis L. Redding, a prominent civil rights advocate who became the first African American to be admitted to theDelaware bar in 1929. He challenged school segregation in court and was part of the legal team that challenged Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Senator Coons applauded the Senate’s progress in advancing the Sportsmen’s Act, on Tuesday with a 92-5 vote to invoke cloture. The legislation includes 20 conservation, hunting and fishing bills, including the reauthorization of important domestic and international wildlife and habitat conservation programs, changes to conservation programs such as creating a mechanism to update the Duck Stamp and improvements to access for hunters and fisherman.
“Protecting Delaware’s pristine wildlife and natural resources is all of our responsibility,” Chris said. “The Sportsmen’s Act will help preserve these resources for hunting, fishing, camping, cycling and wildlife viewing – outdoor activities that contribute billions of dollars each year to our local economy. We must continue to protect these natural resources so they can be enjoyed by future generations of Delawareans.”
The North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act (NAWCA), one of two provisions that Chris co-sponsors, currently funds eight projects in Delaware that have conserved a total of 7,528 acres of wildlife habitat. NAWCA has awarded more than $4 million in funds that stimulated partner contributions of more than $7.5 million. Delaware also benefits from three multi-state NAWCA projects that have conserved 45,500 acres of wildlife habitat on the Chesapeake Bay.
“Ducks Unlimited commends Senator Coons for supporting the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012, which will reauthorize critical conservation programs such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and allow for an increase in the Federal Duck Stamp,” said Ducks Unlimited Delaware State Chairman Clif Bakhsh of Middletown. “NAWCA and the federal Duck Stamp provide the financial resources that allow groups like DU to protect and restore waterfowl habitat across the country. DU is hopeful Senator Coons can help push this bipartisan legislation through the Senate so future generations of sportsmen and women can enjoy our wonderful natural resources.”
The Senate is expected to vote on final passage of the Sportsmen’s Act on Thursday.
Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons joined 11 other Senators from states impacted by Superstorm Sandy in urging President Obama on Tuesday to amend the 2013 budget to request emergency aid for federal disaster assistance programs. The Senators thanked the President and his Administration for acting decisively and providing tremendous support during and after the storm. The Senators also urged the President to continue such quick action to allow necessary funds to be appropriated to help victims of Sandy rebuild and recover.
“As Senators representing states impacted by Superstorm Sandy, we are writing to request that the Administration submit a budget amendment pursuant to the Budget Control Act to provide the necessary funding to robustly support vital federal programs to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of victims of Sandy and other recent disasters,” the Senators wrote. “It is critical that this budget amendment be submitted as soon as possible so critical resources can reach impacted communities by the end of the calendar year.”
The Senators were joined by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.V.), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.V.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
Click here to view the senators’ letter: http://1.usa.gov/SkCNSP
Tuesday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. — The Senator will speak at orientation for new senators in a session called “How to Survive the Next Few Weeks,” which will focus on the professional and personal transition into the Senate. Senate Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.
Tuesday, November 13 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a classified Senate Foreign Relations Committee briefing on the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Senate Visitors Center, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.
Tuesday, November 13 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.
Tuesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the opening night of the Washington Ideas Forum. The Atlantic, in partnership with the Aspen Institute and the Newseum, willpresent the fourth annual Washington Ideas Forum. The event will draw together leading voices from government, business, and media for two days of conversation and debate on the challenges facing the President and Congress, and what lies ahead for the country. 2211 20th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, November at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will speak at World Wildlife Fund’s Fuller Symposium on Conservation Crime. Senator Coons will discuss how poaching and other wildlife crime impacts broader U.S. foreign policy goals; the role of partnerships in creating solutions; and the importance of science and technical innovation in helping protect wildlife. World Wildlife Fund works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States. National Geographic, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Thursday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at orientation for new senators in a session called “Lessons Learned from the Class of 2011.” The session will highlight questions the senators who were elected two years ago wish they had asked during their own orientation. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.
Thursday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Council on Competitiveness Dinner honoring Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). The dinner will be hosted by U.S. Department of State Under Secretary Hormats to honor Senator Lugar and Senator Bingaman for their distinguished service to this nation and their work in keeping America competitive and Americans prosperous. State Department, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Friday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.
Saturday, November 17 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will participate in the “Girls on the Run 5K” at the Wilmington Riverfront. Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors. Senator Coons’ wife, Annie, is a volunteer with Girls on the Run and was the honorary co-chair of the organization’s Halloween Hoopla 5k last month. Wilmington Riverfront, Wilmington, DE.
Note: Schedule is subject to change
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Senator Chris Coons issued the following statement Sunday to mark Veterans Day.
“We set aside the eleventh day of the eleventh month each year to honor the courage and sacrifice necessary to serve our country in defense of its citizens, its freedoms, and its values. After more than a decade of war, it’s hard to imagine a more important time for Americans to show their appreciation for our service members and their families. We may never be able to fully repay our veterans for their service, but we can offer them our deepest gratitude and our ironclad commitment to ensuring they receive the health care, higher education, and other benefits they have earned, and by helping American employers to better appreciate the enormous value that veterans can bring to the civilian workforce.
“Our veterans have my deep respect, gratitude, and admiration, and this Veterans Day, I hope all Delawareans will make time to reflect on their own appreciation for our veterans and their sacrifice.”
Last week, Senator Coons congratulated John Sell for earning the title of Delaware Teacher of the Year. Mr. Sell teaches English at Sussex Tech High School in Georgetown, where he is known for his innovative teaching techniques, such as singing poetry to his students.
As the son and grandson of classroom teachers, Chris is committed to strengthening education in Delaware and supporting our extraordinary teachers like Mr. Sell. He joined the Delaware Teacher of the Year Awards Dinner to share his personal appreciation with all of this year’s finalists, selected from 9,000 Delaware public school teachers to represent each of the state’s 19 school districts.
At the awards dinner, Chris said “Tonight, we honor and appreciate all of our teachers, and we also recognize 19 in particular who have gone above and beyond. As nominees for Delaware’s Teacher of the Year, you have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to your students, as well as the ability to inspire the kind of love learning that lasts a lifetime.”
To read more about Chris’ work on education, click here.
Last night, Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, received the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (DCADV) 2012 Vision of Peace Award.
The award was presented at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts in Wilmington during DCADV’s Purple Ribbon Event, hosted annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“When we shine light on these horrific acts by educating the public, empowering the victims, and punishing the offenders, we can help break the cycle of abuse,” Chris said in accepting the Vision of Peace Award.
The Vision of Peace Award is presented by the DCADV to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and sustained commitment in their efforts to end domestic violence. Chris is fighting to advance the reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) and has worked for many years to help prevent domestic violence in Delaware while empowering victims to come forward.
To learn more about Chris’ work on the Judiciary Committee, click here.
To learn more about DCADV’s work click here.
Senator Coons attended a Regional Patient Advocacy Leaders Summit hosted by the American Lung Association last week. This summit gave staff, volunteers and leaders in patient advocacy the opportunity to learn about issues on the horizon. The summit also included networking and discussions of new avenues for advocacy.
Senator Coons addressed about 70 regional patient advocates. He talked about the bipartisan Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2011, a bill he introduced to increase the awareness, understanding and research being done to find the root cause – and a cure – for Pulmonary Fibrosis. He also discussed the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which has already helped 6,000 young Delawareans get insurance.
For more on Chris’ work on health care, click here.
On Thursday, Senator Coons joined Senator Carper and Congressman Carney at the Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington to announce two federal grants awarded to Nemours for a combined total of nearly $6 million to help build healthier communities.
“These grants will serve tens of thousands of Delawareans, helping them live happier, healthier lives,” Chris said. In his remarks, he reiterated the significant impact that these grants will have on preventative care and early intervention, touching upon how it could enact change in areas such as the struggle with obesity and chronic diseases in young children.
For more on Chris’ work on health care, click here.