ICYMI: Senators Coons & Rubio op-ed on bipartisan job creation legislation

On Tuesday, Politico published an op-ed coauthored by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on their bipartisan legislation to encourage job creation, which was also introduced on Tuesday. The American Growth, Recovery and Economic Empowerment (AGREE) Act contains measures from both sides of the aisle — policies that tend to be associated with one party or another, but which Senator Rubio and Senator Coons agree can support job creation in the United States.

As freshman senators from states hit hard by the recession, we believe Congress can’t afford to spend the next year spinning its wheels — scoring political points in a debate that is more about protecting political jobs in 2012 elections than getting the jobless back to work. We should unite behind policy ideas we all agree on and that would likely be signed into law if we stop letting politics get in the way.

Today we are introducing legislation that includes some of these ideas. Our bill would extend tax relief for small businesses — to help them purchase new equipment so they can grow and create jobs. It includes modernizing and improving the research and development tax credit; encouraging hiring of returning veterans and reforming burdensome regulations.

It will take steps toward boosting high-skilled legal immigration, so we can attract and retain talented individuals with extraordinary capacities, to create high-paying jobs in America. It will also protect our businesses against the illegal theft of intellectual property, with strict enforcement of laws already on the books.

Our plan borrows heavily from legislation introduced by both parties and in both chambers of Congress — Republicans in the House, and Democrats in the Senate. All the provisions have garnered bipartisan support in today’s political climate, and all would help encourage job creation today.

Read the full op-ed in Politico.

Delawareans are encouraged to click here to review the bill and share their opinions.

Click here to download a more thorough summary of the bill.  

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to create American jobs.

A bipartisan jobs plan

This morning, Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and I introduced the American Growth, Recovery, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Act — the AGREE Act — to help our businesses grow, create jobs, and put our neighbors back to work.

The AGREE Act contains measures from both sides of the aisle — policies that tend to be associated with one party or another, but which Senator Rubio and I agree can support job creation in the United States. Policies like extending tax and regulatory relief for America’s growing businesses, and encouraging cutting-edge research and innovation. The bill would also help veterans start their own businesses, and reduce the barriers that prevent highly skilled workers who have studied here from staying here.

I’m interested in what you think about our bill. Click here to learn more about it and to share your opinion.

I’m happy to be able to mark the one-year anniversary of my being sworn into the Senate with something reflective of my top three priorities — helping create jobs for Americans, doing so in a bipartisan way, and cutting our deficit via strong economic growth.

We can dwell on the partisan politics that have gridlocked this body and this town for much of our first year in office, continuing to trade barbs and exchange blame, or we can look forward and find ways we can work together.

Congress cannot sit on the sidelines and leave Americans to confront this jobs crisis on their own. That’s why I organized three job fairs throughout Delaware during my first year in office to help connect 5,000 of our neighbors with employers ready to hire.

Democrats and Republicans need to work together to help America’s unemployed. We need to help our businesses grow, create jobs, and that’s what the AGREE Act is designed to do.

I hope you’ll click here to learn more about the bill and share your opinion.

I know we can solve this jobs crisis if we work together.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: November 14 to November 20

Monday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, November 15 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will host a press conference to announce bipartisan legislation for addressing our nation’s jobs crisis. United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC — Open to press.

Tuesday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m.  – The Senator will attend a Senate Budget Committee hearing on Economic Effects of Fiscal Policy Choices. The hearing will include testimony from Dr. Douglas W. Elmendorf, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC– Open to press.

Tuesday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to review two bills pending before the Committee: S.1703, the “Quadrennial Energy Review Act of 2011” and S.1807, the “Energy Research and Development Coordination Act of 2011.” 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC– Open to press.

Tuesday, November 15 at 2:15 p.m.  – The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting.  S-116 United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC – Closed to press.

Tuesday,November 15 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will participate in a press event for the Go Big Caucus. The bicameral event will show its support for the supercommittee and encourage the pursuit of a “big” deficit-reduction deal. United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC.

Tuesday,November 15 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will speak at a Yale CEO Caucus Forum entitled, “Putting America Back to Work.” The CEO Caucus is an interactive discussion among CEOs, scholars, economists, and elected officials to constructively confront national economic issues. Roof Terrace, 101 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Wednesday, November 16 at 9:00 a.m. –The Senator will attend a Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee meeting. S-207 United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC

Wednesday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. – The Senator will co-chair an event entitled, “A Conversation Between Congress and the African Diplomatic Corps.” Senator Coons will co-chair the event with Senator Isakson, Ranking Member of the African Affairs Subcommittee, and House Africa Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Member, Congressman Chris Smith and Payne, with members of the African diplomatic corps. The event will feature diplomatic presentations on AGOA and trade, energy and infrastructure, agriculture, and food security. SVC 209-08 United States Capitol Visitor Center, Washington, DC – Closed to press. 

Thursday, November 17 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.  

Friday, November 18 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will preside over Senate if in session. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Video: In PSA, Chris encourages businesses to hire veterans

Chris unveiled a new public service announcement today, Veterans Day, on behalf of Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, which helps local businesses connect with and hire reservists and members of the National Guard.

“Members of the National Guard and Reserve bring a strong work ethic, leadership and specialized skills to the civilian workplace,” said Christine Kubik, Executive Director of Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “Delaware ESGR stands ready to link service members with employers and career opportunities.  Hiring veterans is a smart way employers can show thanks.  Any Delaware employer interested in tapping into the talented pool of men and women in the Guard and Reserve should call our offices at (302) 326-7582 or email christine.kubik@us.army.mil.”

The PSA is available at 30 seconds and 15 seconds, in video and audio, and can be downloaded here.

Video: Senate takes historic step toward DOMA repeal

The Senate took an historic step toward equality Thursday, with the Judiciary Committee voting 10-8 for a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Chris is an original cosponsor of the measure and proudly voted for it today.  

After the vote, Chris joined several of his colleagues at a press conference to explain why he feels repeal is important for our country.

In an op-ed on Huffington Post earlier in the day, Chris said, “progress is a great victory here, and equality advocates have a lot to be proud of today.”

“For those Americans who do not yet support equality, we must show them that the love same-sex parents have for their children is no less devoted than the love opposite-sex parents have for their kids. We must show them that families headed by same-sex couples do not have a negative impact on other families. In fact, they face the same challenges as every parent: arranging carpools, parent-teacher conferences, and getting their kids to eat their vegetables.”

Delaware now one step closer to a national park

Senator Coons led his colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in passing a bill that would finally create a national park in Delaware. Chris congratulated Delaware’s Senior Senator, Tom Carper, on the victory.

“For more than a decade, Senator Carper has worked tirelessly to finally bring a national park to our state, and today he has my sincere congratulations. A national park will preserve and celebrate our state’s vibrant history, while boosting Delaware’s economy and creating jobs. Senator Carper and I will now work to get this bill a vote of the full Senate, and bring the First State National Historical Park one step closer to reality.”

Senator Coons introduces bill to avert potential bankruptcy judgeship crisis

Attempting to head off a potential crisis in America’s bankruptcy court system, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would extend 30 temporary bankruptcy judgeships in 14 states and Puerto Rico to ensure that those key positions do not become vacant.

“For many, economic recovery depends on bankruptcy courts that have the capacity to fairly and expeditiously resolve personal and corporate bankruptcies,” Chris, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said. “Talented bankruptcy judges can help turn a likely economic loss into a successful reorganization that protects jobs and creditors. If these judgeships are allowed to expire, our courts will become overwhelmed at the expense of jobs, creditors, and our nation’s economy.”

Faced with increasing demand on the federal court system, Congress has created dozens of temporary bankruptcy judgeships over the last 20 years to help the courts keep pace. The Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2011 heeds the recommendations made earlier this year by the non-partisan Judicial Conference of the United States, whose biennial review urged Congress to prevent the expiration of the 30 temporary bankruptcy judgeships covered by this bill by extending each by five years. The statutory authorization to fill these judgeships, should they be vacated, has already lapsed.

Click here to learn more about the legislation. 

Click here to view the full text of the bill.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test to occur on Nov. 9th

Senator Coons would like to make all Delawareans aware of the upcoming national Emergency Alert System test (EAS) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communication Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be conducted on Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

For the first time in our nation’s history, the federal government will conduct a nationwide EAS test to all EAS Participants concurrently. EAS Participants include all broadcasters, satellite and digital radio and television, cable television and wireline video providers who ensure the system is at a constant state of readiness.

The test will be approximately 30 seconds in duration and a single, live-code alert is sent simultaneously to Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations across the country. PEP stations are designated to relay national alerts to the public and other stations in their coverage area.

In order to reduce public panic, and prevent the emergency phone systems from being flooded with calls, we ask that you pass this information along to members of your community.

Click here to learn more about the nationwide EAS test.

ICYMI: Roll Call spotlights Senator Coons’ push for bipartisanship in the Senate

On Monday, Roll Call highlighted Chris’ efforts in the Senate to reach across the aisle and work with his colleagues in both parties to develop practical solutions to the issues facing our country. After nearly a year in office, the article features Chris’ views on the Senate as an institution and his experience building relationships with the other senators.

Coons is now better known and has been actively making friends on both sides of the aisle even though he was sworn in just a year ago on Nov. 15, 2010, the first day of the 2010 lame-duck session. He is serving out the remaining four years of Vice President Joseph Biden’s term.

Coons said his biggest frustration has been the slow pace of the Senate, which has been hampered by partisan gridlock. But the former county executive has sought out the counsel of other executives-turned-Senators who also had trouble adjusting, including Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), who all were governors or mayors.

“All four of these guys really frankly had a hard time with the transition, with feeling like ‘we used to do stuff every day, now we just talk and talk and talk,’” Coons said. “And I have really struggled with that at times, particularly because of the partisanship and the endless filibusters.”

…

Coons was surprised to have made the friends he has — particularly with Republicans — given the partisanship that permeates most of the chamber’s legislative work. “Individually, the Senators I have been able to invest in getting to know personally are bright, they are patriotic, they are hardworking, they are decent people, and if you can get past some of the team A [versus] team B fighting on the floor, there are opportunities to work together,” Coons said.

Click here to read the full story in Roll Call.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: November 7 to November 13

Monday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. – The Senator will speak to the Young Presidents’ Organization Philadelphia Chapter Retreat. The retreat is an opportunity for entrepreneurs and other top business leaders under the age of 45 to network and share their ideas. Wilmington, DE – Closed to press.

Monday, November 7 at 4:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on natural gas.  The hearing is to consider market developments for U.S. natural gas, including the approval process and potential for liquefied natural gas exports.  366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Tuesday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m.  – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Department of Justice. The Honorable Eric J. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice will testify. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Thursday, November 10 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. A mark-up of the Respect for Marriage Act (S.598) is slated to occur during the business meeting. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Friday, November 11 at 1:00 p.m. – The Senator will speak at the Veterans Day Delaware Memorial Bridge Ceremony hosted by the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs and the Marine Corps League.  Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge, New Castle, DE – Open to press.

Saturday, November 12 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will speakat the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K Race hosted by Girls on the Run of Delaware. Girls on the Run is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. Wilmington Riverfront, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.  

Saturday, November 12 at 3:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend the University of Delaware homecoming football game against the University of Richmond. Delaware Stadium, Newark, DE – Open to press.

Sunday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will preach at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church. 500 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington, DE

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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