Senator Coons participates in roundtable discussion on women’s health care

U.S. Senator Chris Coons participated in a roundtable discussion of ideas for protecting women’s access to contraception and family planning services on Wednesday. The meeting was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured more than a dozen leaders in women’s health, including Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Nancy Kennan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America; and Alethea Smith-Withers, board chair of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

“All women should have the right to affordable, accessible reproductive health care,” Chris said. “Sadly, many Republicans in Congress insist on creating harmful barriers to keep women from accessing much-needed services. Today’s meeting allowed for a productive discussion with leaders of women’s health care on how we can move forward to continue to advocate for these critical family planning services.”

The hour-long discussion focused on recent destructive initiatives taken by Republicans to block women from accessing basic reproductive health care.  In particular, Cecile Richards and Nancy Keenan discussed the important role the Affordable Care Act has played in improving and expanding access to important health services for women, including requiring health insurance plans to cover preventive services such as mammograms and cervical cancer screenings with no deductible or co-pay.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to improve America’s health care.

Senator Coons leads law enforcement information-sharing briefing

Senator Chris Coons, co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, led a briefing on Tuesday for members of Congress and their staffs to provide an on-the-ground status update on law enforcement information-sharing initiatives. The event, “Shared Strength: A Status Update on Law Enforcement Information-Sharing Initiatives,” was sponsored by the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and featured speakers from local and national law enforcement agencies, including the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System’s executive director, Peggy Bell.

“Protecting our communities from dangerous threats works best when law enforcement agencies work together,” Chris said. “Information-sharing has been an especially critical piece of our public safety strategy since September 11, when we learned that our local, state, and national agencies were unable to communicate during emergencies in the ways they needed to.”

The briefing covered a wide range of issues, but all of the panelists touted the RISS program as a cornerstone of modern policy work, which has saved thousands of lives and helped eradicate jurisdictional boundary disputes. The RISS program is a nationwide information sharing and investigative support program that serves thousands of local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement and public safety agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ efforts to advance information-sharing initiatives.

Video: Senator Coons interview with CNN on preserving middle class tax cuts

Senator Coons appeared on CNN’s “OutFront” on Monday to discuss President Obama’s call for the expiration of the so-called ‘Bush tax cuts’ on income above $250,000.

Breaking ground on the Michael N. Castle Trail at the C&D Canal

ST. GEORGES, Del. –Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Rep. John Carney joined federal, state and local officials to announce the naming of the Michael N. Castle Trail at the C&D Canal. Monday also marked the groundbreaking of the first phase of the approximately 16-mile long shared-use recreational trail along the north side of the C&D Canal. The trail will create safe new recreational opportunities along the canal where people can hike, bicycle, jog, skate, bird watch and ride horses.

“Mike Castle long ago embraced the notion that the C&D Canal is like an emerald necklace draped across the northern portion of our beautiful state, and I am so very pleased that this jewel will be named after our dear friend,” Chris said. “Quite a few Delawareans, including Mike Castle, have worked hard over nearly eight years to transform this path into a greenway, and I’m pleased today we’re celebrating the groundbreaking. I look forward to the day when my family and I can join others in exploring the beauty of the C&D Canal via the Michael N. Castle Trail.”

As one of America’s first commercial corridors, this canal has been an important part of Delaware’s economy since the early 1830’s,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. “182 years later, the C&D Canal continues to demonstrate its significance by creating jobs for workers and expanding recreational access through improved transportation options for bicyclists, hikers, joggers and others.”

DelDOT is responsible for construction of the trail along the canal, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The C&D Canal has been in operation since 1829 and today it is one of the busiest working waterways in the world. The canal is a critical commercial waterway serving the Ports of Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to preserve the environment.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: July 9 to July 15

Monday, July 9 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Food Bank of Delaware children nutrition education program. KID C.H.E.F. (Cooking, Healthy, Easy, Food) is a skills and knowledge-building program utilizing the nutrition recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. This program focuses on teaching children about healthy eating and how they can learn to prepare nutritious easy foods on their own.  Palmer Elementary School, 1210 Lobdell Street, Wilmington, DE. Open to press.

Monday, July 9 at 12:00 p.m. — The Senator will join Senator Carper, Congressman Carney, federal and state officials as they break ground and formally announce the name of the C&D Canal trail. The 16-mile shared-use trail along the north side of the C&D Canal will create safe new recreational opportunities along the canal where people can hike, bicycle, jog, skate, bird watch and ride horses. Under the St. Georges Bridge, on the north side of the C&D Canal. Inclement weather location is the Grass Dale Conference Center. Open to press.

Tuesday, July 10 at 9:15 a.m. — The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Conference. The fifth annual conference will examine the dynamic playing field of bioenergy in 2012 as exciting new technologies move forward within a shifting policy, tax, and economic landscape. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC – Open to press.  

Tuesday, July 10 at 3:30 p.m. —The Senator will host a Senate Law Enforcement Caucus briefing on information-sharing initiatives. The briefing will provide an opportunity for Members and staff to get an on-the-ground status update on law enforcement information-sharing programs.  Panelists, including Delaware Criminal Justice Information System’s Executive Director Peggy Bell, will discuss the impact of task forces, fusion centers, RISS, NCHIP and other programs on advancing law enforcement priorities and officer safety. There will be an opportunity for Q&A. Capitol Visitors Center, SVC-200, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Wednesday, July 11 at 9:00 a.m. —The Senator will attend a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting on reproductive rights. The meeting will bring together Democratic senators and leaders of women’s groups to discuss the importance of women’s health and reproductive rights. U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Closed to press.

Thursday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Thursday, July 12 at 2:15 p.m. — The Senator will chair a Senate Foreign Relations Committee nominations hearing. Witnesses include: Gene Cretz, nominee, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana; Deborah Malac, nominee, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia; David Wharton, nominee, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe; and Alexander M. Laskaris, nominee, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Friday, July 13 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate if in session. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons joins Secretary Chu at DSU to talk energy efficiency

On Monday, Senator Coons joined United States Secretary of Energy Steven Chu on the campus of Delaware State University. Secretary Chu’s visit marked DSU’s participation in President Obama’s national Better Building Challenge, a public-private partnership that will save billions of dollars in energy costs, promote energy independence and create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector.

“We’re grateful to have Secretary Chu back in Delaware for the second time in just a few months,” Senator Coons said. “Energy efficiency is one of the most straightforward and effective ways we can save money and conserve energy.”  

As a Better Buildings Challenge partner, DSU aims to reduce energy consumption by 25% in about two million square feet of building space by 2015. To do that, the university will decrease energy usage and update vital facility systems using a new and innovative financing option. New Castle County and the State of Delaware are also partners in the Better Building Challenge.

Chris is a longtime advocate of energy efficiency programs, dating back to his work on former Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Energy Taskforce. He is currently a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Researches and is a co-chair of the Alliance to Save Energy.

To learn more about Chris’ work on energy issues, click here.

Video: Senator Coons talks fiscal cliff on CBS This Morning

NEW YORK — Senator Coons was interviewed about the “fiscal cliff” on CBS This Morning Saturday, describing his work with a bipartisan group of senators hoping to make real, rsponsible progress on reducing the deficit and minimizing the impact on Americans of a series of tax and legal changes due to take effect later this year. Watch below:

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: July 2 to July 8

Monday, July 2 at 9:15 a.m. – Senator Coons, along with Senator Carper and Congressman Carney, will meet with Col. Raymond Kozak, the new Commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 512^th Airlift Wing.  Col. Kozak assumed this leadership role in May from Col. Randal Bright who held the position for five years. Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE 19902 – Closed to press.

Monday, July 2 at 11:45 a.m. – Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Energy Committee and co-chair of the Alliance to Save Energy, will join Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Governor Markell, Senator Carper and Congressman Carney on a tour of Delaware State University to view how DSU is implementing President Obama’s Better Buildings Challenge.  DSU President Harry Williams was one of 60 CEOs, mayors and university presidents who committed to invest a total of almost $2 billion of private capital into energy efficiency projects.  Delaware State University, Mishoe Science Center Auditorium, 2^nd Floor, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 – Open to press. 

Monday, July 2 at 2:30 p.m. – Senator Coons will join Small Business Administrator Tony Leta, representatives from the Delaware Economic Development Office, and leaders from The First National Bank of Wyoming to congratulate Lori Llewellyn, owner of Landscape Consulting Services, on securing $33,000 in SBA loans.  The company, located in Wyoming, Delaware, will use the money toward hiring more employees and buying equipment.  As a newly-approved SBA lender, this is the first SBA loan given by The First National Bank of Wyoming.  The First National Bank of Wyoming, 120 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934 – Open to press. 

Tuesday, July 3 at 11:30 a.m. – Senator Coons will join Governor Markell, Senator Carper and Congressman Carney at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand to recognize the completion of more than $35 million of ocean beach nourishment along Delaware’s coast.  The project included the dredging and placement of 3 million cubic yards of sand along community beaches from Lewes to Fenwick Island.  Delaware’s ocean beach nourishment was completed in June.  Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 – Open to press.

Tuesday, July 3 at 1:15 p.m. – Senator Coons will join Senator Carper, and Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper at the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market to talk with customers and vendors about how the 2012 Farm Bill will help Delaware’s agricultural community.  Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, 501 Rehoboth Avenue, Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 – Open to press.

Wednesday, July 4 at 7:30 a.m. – Senator Coons will celebrate Independence Day at the Laurel 4^th of July Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Laurel Ministerial Association.   Georgia House Restaurant, 300 Delaware Avenue, Laurel, DE 19956 – Open to press.

Wednesday, July 4 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will walk in the Smyrna-Clayton 4^th of July Parade.  South Street near Smyrna Elementary School and St. Polycarps Church, Smyrna, DE 19977 – Open to press.

Wednesday, July 4 at 3:00 p.m. – The Senator will participate in the Hockessin 4^th of July Parade. Old Walkers Farm, Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 – Open to press.

Thursday, July 5 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will tour Evraz Claymont Steel with Senator Carper, Delaware Economic Development Office Secretary Alan Levin, and officials from Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP).  Evraz Claymont Steel is a carbon plate mini-mill specializing in the manufacture and sale of custom-order discrete steel plate in the United States and Canada.  Evraz Claymont Steel, Claymont, DE 19703 – Closed to press.

Thursday, July 5 at 12:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Wilmington Rotary Club meeting. The Senator will address the need for both parties to come together to create jobs, as well as the ways to strengthen our local economy by expanding overseas markets for Delaware goods and services.  He will also discuss the suite of bipartisan innovation and job creation bills he has introduced in the last month to help jumpstart our economy and help local businesses grow and create jobs. The Hotel DuPont, DuBarry Room, Wilmington, DE 19801 – Open to press.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Video: Senator Coons speaks at Supreme Court

Senator Coons spoke briefly at a press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court on Thursday, praising the Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. Watch:

Statement from Senator Coons on Supreme Court decision on Affordable Care Act

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Coons released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act on Thursday:

“Today’s historic decision by the Supreme Court is an important moment for our country. The people of Delaware today have renewed confidence that they cannot be denied health care coverage because of pre-existing conditions. That is a victory for the people of the United States.

“The Supreme Court has reaffirmed today its appropriate role in our constitutional order and continued its longstanding practice of deciding cases based on the law and not the prevailing politics of the day. Something as complex and important as health care reform should rise or fall based on an election, not a Court decision.

“The politics of health care reform have always paled in comparison to the people impacted by it. The good news is that every American will now beguaranteed the opportunity to buy health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Parents will be able to have their sons and daughters covered on their plans until they are 26. No American will be denied coverage because of a cap on lifetime benefits, and insurance companies will no longer be able toautomatically charge women higher premiums. Preventative care will come without a co-pay or deductible, and even if your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, you’ll be able to buy affordable health coverage. These are all very good things for our country and our communities.

“It is now time for the politics of health care reform — and the politicians who have tried to undo the progress our country has made — to move on. It has been considered, debated, signed into law, and now affirmed by the Supreme Court.”