Combating violations of the Do Not Call Registry

Over the last six weeks, our office has heard from a number of constituents who are signed up for the national Do Not Call Registry, yet are still receiving solicitation calls at home. Many of the calls seem to come from one entity, “Cardholder Services,” which continues to contact Delawareans even if they are in the Do Not Call Registry.

We are taking action to address this problem as quickly as possible.

In the past, the Federal Trade Commission took action against a telemarketing scam where a solicitor identifies themselves as “Rachel from Cardholder Services.” It seems as if those behind the current calls have picked up the audio and dialing technology from that scam.

The FTC is working to shut down as many of these copycats as they can, but they have advised us that the best defense is a good offense. So, we want to spread the word among Delawareans: never share your credit card number, Social Security number, or any other personal information with unsolicited, unknown callers. Getting phone calls at home is annoying, but the consequences of identity fraud can be devastating.

Many of these “Cardholder Services” calls claim to be able to negotiate lower interest rates with your credit card companies, if you just pay them a fee first.  Don’t fall for it! It is illegal to take fees upfront before providing services, and the FTC says that the companies behind these calls can’t do anything for you that you can’t do for yourself – for free.

If you have received calls like these despite being on the Do Not Call Registry, you can file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. You should also feel free to contact Senator Coons’ Wilmington office at (302) 573-6345.

Commemorating Women’s History Month by recommitting to equality

Throughout the course of our nation’s history, women often had to struggle for equality on all fronts. March is Women’s History Month, and while we remember the heroic efforts of women who came before, we must also be mindful that there remains work to be done.

Thirty-nine years ago, the United States Supreme Court recognized a woman’s right to make her own decisions about starting a family and protecting her body. Some are still fighting, however, to roll back this right.

Instead of focusing on our economic recovery and creating jobs, some members of this Congress have chosen to prioritize legislation that would infringe on women’s access to health care services.

On Thursday, the first day of Women’s History Month, the Senate was forced to vote on an amendment introduced by Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri which would have allowed employers to take away preventive health care coverage from millions of women.

This amendment failed to pass – by a slim margin of 51-48 – and working women’s ability to access vital health services such as mammograms, contraception and prenatal care remains intact.

This month, and every month, we have an opportunity to recognize the wide range of contributions American women have made to our country. As we strive to form a more perfect union, we must remain committed to the cause of equality, indifferent to race, income, sexual orientation, and indeed, sex.

Senator Coons to help introduce Clean Energy Standard Act

Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, will join several of his Senate colleagues and leaders in the energy field for a press conference on Thursday to roll out a bill that aims to set strategic, practical clean energy standards on the largest utilities.

The Clean Energy Standards Act of 2012, which comes with no cost to the federal government, has three major objectives:

• To promote a diverse set of sources of low- and zero carbon electricity generation in the U.S.
• To drive clean energy innovation and American ingenuity  
• To do so simply, transparently, predictably, and cost-effectively with a long-term market signal.

Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) is the lead sponsor of the bill. 

The press conference will occur a day after both senators delivered remarks supporting federal investments in the development of innovative clean energy at the third annual Department of Energy ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit.

Video, audio, and photos of Chris’ remarks will be posted to the website after the press conference.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work advocating for clean energy. 

Video: Senator Coons questions Secretary Clinton on Africa at a SFRC hearing

U.S. Senator Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, attended a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on foreign affairs priorities in the FY2013 budget. During the hearing, Senator Coons questioned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who was testifying.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign relations.  

Video: Senator Coons calls on colleagues to move swiftly in confirming judicial nominees

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday morning about the partisan gridlock that has dangerously prolonged the confirmations of judicial nominees.

Click here to read the full text of the speech. 

What We’re Reading: Senators urge Castro to release American

The New York Times reported Friday on Senator Coons’ meeting in Havana with President Raúl Castro of Cuba. During an official visit to Cuba, Haiti and Colombia, Senator Coons – along with five other members of Congress – lobbied for the release of imprisoned American aid worker, Alan Gross.

The meeting with Mr. Castro was the first high-level contact since former President Jimmy Carter dined with him in April 2010. The imprisonment of Mr. Gross has chilled any thaw that might have happened in the wake of the resignation of the longtime Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, and the assumption of the presidency by his brother Raúl.

…..

Mr. Coons said he was firm that Mr. Gross’s release must come first. “My message back was before anything else can be discussed, we have to make progress on our humanitarian concerns, and that means releasing Alan Gross,” he said.

 …..

Mr. Coons said the main goal of the talks was to assure Mr. Gross that his case remains the main impediment to diplomatic overtures.

Click here to read the full article on The New York Times’ website.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign policy.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: February 27 to March 4

Tuesday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m.  Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, February 28 at 11:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate again until 12:30 p.m.  Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on foreign affairs priorities in the FY2013 budget. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify at the hearing.  216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press. 

Wednesday, February 29 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will speak at the 2012 Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy Summit. The Summit, which convenes key players in the nation’s energy innovative community, will feature numerous distinguished speakers including former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. Gaylord National Hotel, Hall A, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD – Open to Press.

Thursday, March 1— The Senator will introduce legislation to support college access and completion. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – More details, including timing of a floor speech and press conference call, will be provided early in the week.

Thursday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Judiciary Committee business meeting. The Committee will consider the nomination of Andrew Hurwitz to the 9th Circuit and S.1002, the SAFE DOSES Act, of which Senator Coons is a cosponsor. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday,  March 1 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Foreign Relations Committee hearing, “Syria: The Crisis and its Implications.” 216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press. 

Thursday, March 1 at 3:15 p.m. — The Senator will meet with the Delaware Bankers Association in Washington. Founded in 1895, the Delaware Bankers Association is a not-for-profit private trade association comprised of national and state chartered banks, non-depository trust companies and savings banks that have assets in or are authorized to accept deposits in Delaware. U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Closed to press.  

Note: Schedule is subject to change

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Senator Coons welcomes decision on Hare’s Corner postal facility

Senator Coons applauded the decision by the United States Postal Service to keep the facility at Hare’s Corner in New Castle open. The processing and distribution facility’s 500 employees were informed last night that the Postal Service would no longer seek closure as part of a broader strategy to cut costs.

Chris thanked Senator Tom Carper for his hard work to keep the facility open, and also recognized the efforts of Congressman Carney and Governor Jack Markell.

“I was glad to learn that the U.S. Postal Service and Postmaster General Pat Donahoe have reconsidered their proposal to potentially close the Hare’s Corner postal processing center. This is great news for the working men and women of Delaware, who have served us for so long and made the Postal Service a great part of our community,” Chris said.

“As we have in the past, Delaware came together to face this real challenge, and I’m just grateful for Senator Carper, Congressman John Carney, Governor Markell, and all the men and women of the Postal Service who’ve come together to present the real facts: that the Hare’s Corner center is vital to our community, vital to our local economy, and an important part of moving forward for Delaware. I think this is a great day for Delaware and I look forward to making progress in the days ahead to ensure that the Postal system stays strong in Delaware and across our country,” he added.

 At a public meeting on the potential closure in January, Chris expressed his frustration that the planned closing had come without an explanation of why the Hare’s Corner facility had been selected. Watch his full remarks below.

What We’re Reading: VAWA roundtable with Delaware leaders

The Associated Press reported Wednesday on Senator Coons’ roundtable meeting with Delaware leaders to discuss reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The meeting, which was held at the New Castle County Department of Public Safety, focused on the importance of reauthorizing VAWA, which is being considered by the Senate and Chris has cosponsored.

For the first time, the reauthorization faces Republican opposition in the Senate. 

All of the [roundtable] participants said funding for the federal law has played a critical role in their work and must be reauthorized. Many also expressed concern that the authorization level for it was being reduced.

The current authorization for the law, which must be reauthorized every five years, expired in September. The program currently is funded under a continuing resolution, and Coons’ staff said Congress must pass a reauthorization bill by Sept. 30 to authorize funds going forward.

One amendment that has drawn Republican criticism would extend the act’s protections to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Other amendments would expand the availability of visas for undocumented immigrants who have been victims of domestic violence and allow Native American tribes limited jurisdiction to prosecute both Indian and non-Indians charged with domestic violence.

“The right to live in peace, free from abuse, fear and violence is universal, yet threats to this basic right can be found across lines of race, class and even gender,” Coons said in a statement issued after Tuesday’s meeting. “If we are to protect this right and truly build a climate of security in our homes and communities, these crimes cannot be tolerated. VAWA offers important tools for that effort, and I’m concerned that partisan obstructionism in Washington might take those tools out of our communities.”

Click here to read the full article on USA Today’s website.

Click here to read more about the partisan fight over VAWA.

Click here to watch or read Chris’ February 2nd floor speech on VAWA.

Senator Coons brings together local experts to discuss Violence Against Women Act

With the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, a law that supports and protects victims of domestic violence, now under threat in the Senate, Senator Coons convened local experts today in New Castle to discuss the importance of reauthorizing this critical piece of legislation.  

As the co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, Senator Coons was eager to hear directly from the experts representing Delaware’s state, county and local law enforcement agencies, advocacy, community and non-profit organizations, family court, and the Delaware Attorney General’s office. Each explained that the services and programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) are essential to Delaware families.

Senator Coons is one of 50 co-sponsors of legislation to reauthorize VAWA, which has come under threat from some Senate Republicans who oppose the measure in its current form

“The Violence Against Women Act has been extraordinarily effective in preventing and stopping domestic violence, and it can help us do more if Congress is able to reauthorize it,” said Senator Coons.  “The right to live in peace, free from abuse, fear and violence is universal, yet threats to this basic right can be found across lines of race, class and even gender. If we are to protect this right and truly build a climate of security in our homes and communities, these crimes cannot be tolerated. VAWA offers important tools for that effort, and I’m concerned that partisan obstructionism in Washington might take those tools out of our communities.”

 “We must fight to keep this bill in place. VAWA has touched nearly every community in our entire country,” Carol Post, Executive Director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said.

Participants in Tuesday’s roundtable included:

• Timothy Brandau, Ph.D., Executive Director of CHILD, Inc.
• Patricia Dailey Lewis, Esq., Family Division of the Delaware Attorney General’s Office
• Commissioner Carl Danberg of the Department of Correction and Vice Chair of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
• Chief Jeffrey Horvath of the Lewes Police Department and Chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs Council
• Chief James Hosfelt of the Dover Police Department
• Maria Matos, Executive Director of the Latin American Community Center
• Major Nathaniel McQueen, Executive Staff of the Delaware State Police
• Deanee Moran, Director of the Sexual Assault Network of Delaware
• Carol Post, Executive Director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Bridget Poulle, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
• Leann Summa, Esq., Director of Legal Affairs of Family Court
• Lieutenant Teresa Williams of the New Castle County Police Department

Earlier this month, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines, 10-8, to advance the current reauthorization out of committee. It now awaits consideration of the full Senate. Click here to read more about the partisan fight over VAWA: http://huff.to/ypDpSq

Senator Coons spoke about the bill on the Senate floor on February 2. Click here to watch or read it: http://bit.ly/zIYpag