Senator Coons passes resolution to honor International Chemistry Olympiad

On Tuesday, Senator Coons passed a resolution through the U.S. Senate honoring the student participants in the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad. In the resolution, the Senate welcomed the International Chemistry Olympiad to the United States, acknowledged the importance of encouraging students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and honored the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as the American Chemical Society for making this event possible.

Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) co-sponsored the resolution, which passed the Senate unanimously.

About 300 students from over 70 countries will gather in Washington, D.C. next month to participate in the International Chemistry Olympiad. The competition brings students together and tests their abilities in the theory and practice of chemistry, with specific opportunities in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and spectroscopy. By interacting with their peers from countries around the world, participants will have the chance to foster important relationships and be a part of a scientific community.

Chris is committed to encouraging students to pursue STEM fields through innovative events like this one. He previously co-hosted the first-ever Kent County Science Fair in Dover and checked out student projects at the 20th annual Sussex County Science Fair. Chris was himself an undergraduate chemistry major, and is passionate about science and math education. He believes events like the International Chemistry Olympiad can fuel students’ critical thinking skills and open doors to their future.

In oversight hearing, Attorney General Holder talks VAWA and synthetic drugs

Today, Attorney General Eric Holder testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Department of Justice attended by Senator Coons.  The hearing gave Holder an opportunity to answer questions on a broad range of issues, including two of Chris’ top priorities – reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and legislation banning the sale of harmful synthetic drugs, including “bath salts.”

Holder responded to questions about the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, including a provision in the Senate bill that would allow prosecution of domestic violence in tribal territories. Chris spoke on the Senate floor earlier this year, urging swift passage of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.

The Attorney General commented on the importance of the provision and stated his hope that the bipartisan Senate version of VAWA would pass.  “I think that the bill that the Senate has passed, as a whole, is the best way in which VAWA can be reauthorized,” Holder said.  “I think that that particular provision is an important one, given the rates of violence that we see that women, girls are subjected to in terms of domestic violence on tribal lands, the ability to have those cases tried in tribal courts I think will go a long way to serving as a deterrent and preventing reoffending and changing the culture of what we have seen on tribal lands.”

Holder also said that legislation banning the sale of synthetic drugs, which Chris strongly supports, addressed a real concern and urged Congress to take swift action.  “What we have seen in the last few weeks with regard to people who potentially own bath salts—those are issues we need to deal with as quickly as we can, so I applaud the effort that has been made, and I would hope that there can be some kind of coming together and passing that legislation as quickly as possible,” he said.

To learn more about Chris’ work on the Senate Judiciary Committee, click here. 

ICYMI: News Journal praises Senator Coons’ “daring” energy-finance bill

The News Journal featured an editorial on Sunday endorsing Senator Coons’ new legislative proposal to level the playing field by giving investors in renewable-energy projects access to a decades-old tax advantage now available only to investors in fossil fuel-based energy projects.

We have witnessed a lot of talk about energy, “green jobs,” climate change and renewable sources. We have heard calls for America to be energy independent, to be innovate and to be steady in lowering the volatile energy sources. The most sensible proposal has been to go for “all of the above” when it comes to types of energy.

…

Last week, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware introduced a bill that would create a new partnership structure for would-be investors in renewable energy. The structure would offer tax advantages that would spur investors to support companies that will meet the tests of the energy market.

The idea holds promise.

The bill is called the Master Limited Partnership Parity Act — “parity” being the key. It would give renewable energy companies the same opportunities now available to other energy industries.

Click here to read the full editorial on the News Journal’s website.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 11 to June 17

Monday, June 11 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.

Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Department of Justice. Attorney General Eric Holder will testify. (Senator Coons will attend after his presiding time is complete.) 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. — Open to press.

Tuesday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. —The Senator will attend a will attend a lunch honoring President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. On the agenda is the nomination of Brian J. Davis, to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida and consideration of S.250, the Justice for All Reauthorization Act, and S.285, a bill for the relief of Sopuruchi Chukwueke. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. — Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is the second in a series of hearings to consider the treaty, ratification of which Senator Coons strongly supports. Witnesses will include: Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations for the U.S. Navy; Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; General William M. Fraser, III, Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command; General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., Commander of U.S. Northern Command; and Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. 216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. — The Senator will speak at a board meeting of the Alliance to Save Energy. ASE is non-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency worldwide through research, education and advocacy. Washington, D.C. Closed to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is the third in a series of hearings to consider the treaty, ratification of which Senator Coons strongly supports. Witnesses will include: The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. Secretary of Defense; the Honorable John Negroponte, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State; the Honorable John B. Bellinger, III, former Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State; and Mr. Steven Groves, The Heritage Foundation. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. — The Senator will be recognized at the American Diabetes Association Father of the Year Award Ceremony. ADA partners with the National Father’s Day Council to host the Father of the Year Awards dinner each year to recognize men from across the country for the outstanding strength, commitment and love they exhibit as fathers. Deerfied Country Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE

Friday, June 15 at 12 noon — The Senator will attend the dedication of seven new Habitat for Humanity homes. The event will highlight the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Cornerstone West housing group. The Pavilion, 5th and DuPont Streets, Wilmington, DE.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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House companion to Startup Act 2.0 introduced

This week, members of the U.S. House introduced a bipartisan companion to the Startup Act 2.0, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Coons, along with Senators Moran, Rubio and Warner.

The House companion to the Startup Act 2.0, introduced by Reps. Michael Grimm (R-NY) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), shows continued strong, bipartisan momentum for this important legislation to jump-start our economy and help businesses grow and create jobs.

“Startup 2.0 is about creating American jobs,” Rep. Grimm said in a press release. “Too often we educate the world’s best and brightest in STEM fields, only to send them back to countries like India and China to open businesses and compete against us. This bill will keep top talent here in the U.S. to build businesses that hire Americans, and drive U.S. innovation and competitiveness.”

“As our economy continues to recover, we must further enable our entrepreneurs to grow and to create jobs,” Rep. Sanchez said in a press release.  “Startup 2.0 legislation is a natural follow-up to our efforts to jumpstart the economy and it is exactly the kind of legislation the United States needs to keep up with India, China and the rest of the global market.”

Senator Coons joined his colleagues on the Senate floor for a colloquy on the Startup Act 2.0 earlier this week. Click here to watch.

Senator Coons receives Malaria Vision Award

Over 650,000 people died of malaria in 2010, according to the World Health Organization, even though the disease is both curable and preventable. As co-chair of the Malaria Working Group in the U.S. Senate, Senator Coons is working hard to end senseless malaria deaths, the majority of which are suffered by children under five years old.

On Thursday morning, the Malaria No More Policy Center honored Chris and his co-chair of the Malaria Working Group, Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), with their Malaria Vision Award at the Fourth Annual Malaria Champions Breakfast in Washington. The award recognizes those who assist in the battle against malaria and who advocate a bold policy to help combat the disease.  

“Today we commend the ongoing leadership and commitment of the awardees, and recognize the many contributions of the U.S. Government to the malaria fight,” Dr. David Bowen, Malaria No More CEO, said in a press release. “Through the continued innovations in research and development, we have the potential to save millions of lives around the world and finally put an end to malaria deaths.”

“I am honored to accept this award alongside my friend Senator Wicker,” Chris said. “As co-chairs of the Malaria Working Group, we are committed to continuing to fight for the full scope of resources necessary to end senseless deaths from malaria. This is an issue that crosses the partisan divide and deserves continued strong, bipartisan support. Whether you live in central Africa or central Delaware, in the 21st century, no one should die of a preventable, treatable disease like malaria.”

To learn more about Senator Coons’ work on malaria, click here.

Video: Senator Coons introduces bill to spark investment in renewable energy projects

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 7, 2012 to discuss legislation he introduced with Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to give renewable energy projects access to a tax incentive available now only to oil, gas, and coal projects. Their bill, the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, brings fairness back to the tax code and helps level the playing field for investors in alternative energy projects.

Click here to read more about the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act.

Video: Senator Coons joins colleagues in a colloquy on Startup Act 2.0

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 6, 2012 to discuss the recently introduced Startup Act 2.0. U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) joined Senator Coons on the floor to participate in a colloquy on the legislation. Senator Coons, along with Senators Warner and Moran and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), is an original cosponsor of the Startup Act 2.0, which was introduced in May to help jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs.

Video: Senator Coons speaks about pay equality

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on June 5 to urge his Senate colleagues to stand together to end wage discrimination by voting to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. The legislation, which Senator Coons is a cosponsor of, would help deter pay discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to colleagues.

ICYMI: Writing in NY Times, experts in energy finance endorse Senator Coons’ proposal

The New York Times featured an op-ed on Saturday about the importance of developing new ways to finance alternative energy projects. The op-ed, which was penned by Dan Reicher, Executive Director of Stanford University’s Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, and Felix Mormann, a Fellow with the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, discusses Senator Coons’ proposal to introduce legislation to allow master limited partnership investment in renewable energy to help “level the playing field between conventional and renewable energy.”

If renewable energy is going to become fully competitive and a significant source of energy in the United States, then further technological innovation must be accompanied by financial innovation so that clean energy sources gain access to the same low-cost capital that traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas enjoy.

Two financial mechanisms that have driven investment in traditional energy projects — real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships — could, with some help from Washington, be extended to renewable energy projects to lower their cost and make America’s energy future cleaner, cheaper — and more democratic.

Click here to read the full op-ed on New York Time’s website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to promote clean energy technology.