Celebrating service

Senator Coons went to the floor today to commemorate national and Delaware Week of Service, and to celebrate those who volunteer.

What We’re Reading: Perspective on FY11 budget deal

From Tuesday’s New York Times, an editorial tries to put the FY11 budget deal that averted a government shutdown Friday night in perspective, reminding readers that while a compromise certainly had to be reached, the contents of the deal will have real implications on our nation. It notes that most of the cuts agreed-to are pet causes of Republicans and won’t contribute positively to our economic recovery. 

The bill contains enormous reductions in spending over the next six months — $38.5 billion over current spending, and another $40 billion below the amounts Mr. Obama had requested for the year. The withdrawal of that much money will cause significant damage to the economic recovery — neutralizing, in essence, much of the stimulative effect of last year’s payroll tax cut.

But beyond that, the bill damages many of the government’s most important programs and will hurt those on the economy’s lowest rungs. Many of those cuts, in particular, satisfy ancient Republican ideological urges but have little or no effect on the long-term budget deficit.

We do not advocate voting against the bill, unlike those on the right who are furious that the bill leaves standing federal agencies that they wanted to demolish. Doing so would cause another shutdown tailspin.

It would also fail to recognize that Democrats kept the bill from being unimaginably worse by taking out some of the Tea Party’s ideological demands and minimizing the number of discretionary cuts. Democrats actually increased investment slightly in several areas.

Senator Coons, while very supportive of the effort to cut wasteful discretionary spending and to be more selective about how the government spends its tax dollars, thinks that serious deficit reduction needs to take a wider view of the federal budget. Trying to reduce the deficit only by cutting from discretionary programs simply won’t do the job.

Rather, Chris generally supports the recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Commission and has called for a comprehensive approach that also looks at Pentagon spending, reforms to entitlement programs, and an overhaul of the tax code.

My most important job

Of all the responsibilities of my office, none is more important to me than doing everything I can to help provide opportunities for Delawareans to better their lives. Right now, too many are out of work, and the best thing I can do – the most important job I can do – is to help them find work. That is why I hosted a job fair yesterday in Wilmington and invited more than 80 companies and academic institutions to participate.

I was both excited and humbled when more than 2,200 people showed up, résumés in hand. While I certainly was thrilled that so many Delawareans heard about the fair and decided to take advantage of it, at the same time I was upset to hear the many stories of those who have been out of work for so long. 

I heard the story of one woman who had worked in the corporate world earlier in her career but left a lucrative job for a lower-paying position at a non-profit helping her community. When the recession hit, donations slowed to a trickle, and the non-profit had to cut back its services and lay her off along with other staff. Since that time, she has been working temporary jobs below her experience level. She told one of my staffers that she “had a good feeling about the jobs fair” and needed it to work out, not only for her but for her young daughter as well.

Another woman who came to the jobs fair said she was laid off just this past Friday, and she hoped to find new work quickly so she would not have to skip a bill payment or lose her insurance coverage. Though hiring is beginning to rebound, some are still facing layoffs. Thankfully, she met with several potential employers with the promise of at least one follow-up call.

While I am encouraged by the success of yesterday’s job fair, especially by the number of ready-to-hire employers and the resolve of those who have been job seekers for too long, it is clear that much remains to be done.

This is why I have made jobs the number one focus of my work in the Senate. It is why I used my first speech on the Senate floor – an important tradition for a new senator – to speak about the need for long-term investments in growing our high-tech and clean energy manufacturing sector and highlighting Delaware’s leadership in this area already.

In such a way, we can heed the President’s call to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-compete the rest of the world in the twenty-first century.

I continue to have a deep faith in the American people and the people of our state, that when we struggle we grow stronger; that when we start to fall behind, it provides a new opportunity to look farther ahead.

For all those still unemployed, know that you are not the only one working tirelessly to get you back to work. I know that finding employment is the most important job you have right now, and that is why it is my most important job as well.

Our job fair was not a success (yet)

WILMINGTON — Though more than 2,200 Delawareans came out to the Chase Center today to connect with potential employers, we won’t consider the job fair a success until we start getting word of Delawareans being hired as a result.

Hosted by Senator Coons in Wilmington Monday, the fair featured 80 employers and institutions of higher learning. Most were there because they were ready to hire – a sign of the improving jobs outlook but not enough that we can stop fighting. That’s why Chris also announced plans to host a similar job fair on June 1 at a location more convenient for residents of Kent and Sussex counties. 

With 38,000 Delawareans still out of work, we still have much to do. But, as today’s jobs fair attests, we’re on our way. Walking the aisle at the Chase Center, one could hear employer representatives speaking with job-seekers about openings, employment counselors providing résumé tips, and members of Chris’ staff talking to Delawareans about ways the Senator has been fighting for investments in job growth. All of us on Chris’ team are excited to be able to share stories with him over the coming weeks of folks who were hired as a result of connections they made at the jobs fair.  

Chris has been focusing relentlessly on jobs since taking office, so much so that Governor Markell, speaking to those who had gathered at the Chase Center this morning, called him the “Jobs Senator.” 

Starting with his maiden speech to the Senate in January, Chris has called for strategic, long-term investments in middle class job creation. In particular, he has been urging tax credits for research and development so Delaware’s burgeoning community of biotech and clean energy start-ups can scale-up and hire more workers. His focus also includes advanced manufacturing that creates sustainable jobs.

America has always excelled at turning our latest innovations into products that keep us competitive worldwide. Chris believes that by investing in what we’ve always done best, we can win the future and continue providing opportunities for America’s families.

Senator Coons discusses the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo on C-SPAN Radio

Three days after leading a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressing “deep concern” for the situation in Cote d’Ivoire and calling on former President Laurent Gbagbo to resign, Senator Coons talked with C-SPAN Radio’s Steve Scully Monday afternoon to discuss news of Gbagbo’s arrest.

You can listen to interview by clicking here. The segment starts at 40:25 and runs a little under nine minutes long. 

Senator Coons — Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs — was joined on the letter by Ranking Member Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday to express “deep concern” for the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire. The Senators were joined on the letter by Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

“We are unified in calling for an immediate end to violence and protection for innocent civilians,” the Senators wrote. “We call on former President Laurent Gbagbo to immediately step down, and we urge you to work with the international community to ensure his safe departure from Cote d’Ivoire.”

“Mr. Gbagbo has been accused of forcefully thwarting the will of the Ivoirian people, and his forces, reportedly including mercenaries, have been accused of targeting innocent civilians, including women, as well as the United Nations mission,” the Senators wrote. “This violence must stop, and we must continue to strongly support international efforts to eliminate the heavy weapons assaults. We must also support coordinated international efforts to assist the tens of thousands of Ivorian refugees and protect civilians, peacekeepers, and members of the diplomatic community.”

You can read the full letter by clicking here.

Job Fair Q&A

We wanted to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about Senator Coons’ job fair, which is set to proceed as planned for tomorrow — Monday, April 11th. 

Where is the job fair?

It’s being held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, right across from the Frawley Stadium, where Blue Rocks play. Parking is free and plentiful! Here’s a map.

When is it open and when should I come?

The fair is open from 9 am to 4 pm and the employers will be there all day, so don’t feel pressured to be there when the doors open. Senator Coons and Governor Markell will speak briefly at 9:30 to say hi, and we’ve got workshops planned at 10 am (job-hunting skills), 11 am (applying for a federal job), and 1 pm (staying positive).

Is it only open to Delawareans?

No, all are welcome.

Do I need to be pre-registered to attend?

No, you don’t need to be pre-registered. The event is open to the public. Bring your resume!

How should I dress?

A lot of the employers present will be conducting interviews on the spot, so we encourage you to dress professionally – as if you were going to a job interview.

What employers will be there?

We’ve filled up the Chase Center with as many tables as we can fit — 76 — a mix of employers ready to hire and academic institutions ready to help. Here is the list:

Apple One Employment Services, Sallie Mae, American Registry of Pathology, Kelly Services, Discover Bank, Westside Health, Staffmark, Aerotek, Integrity Staffing, Synerfac Technical Staffing, UPS, JP Morgan Chase, High Rider Inc., Barclay Card, TD Bank, Interim Healthcare, Liberty Mutual Insurance, BW Tek Inc, Port Contractors Inc., Diamond State Youth, Comcast, AFLAC, Citi Card, Wilmington Senior Employment Services, 99.5 WJBR, DuPont Company, Brandywine Technology, Contemporary Staffing Solutions, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Delaware Hospice, Frito Lay, Nemours, Holiday Inn Select, ING Direct, Amtrak, Diamond State Financial Group, Connections Community Support and Elliott Greenleaf, Global Employment Services, WSFS Bank, VLS IT Consulting, Air National Guard and Army National Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, IRS Criminal Investigations, Office of Personnel Management, US Secret Service, Social Security Administration, Housing and Urban Development, OSHA, Small Business Administration, VISTA, US Department of Agriculture, USDA FSIS, ICE/Immigration Enforcement, US Attorney’s Office, US Census Bureau, Philadelphia Passport Agency, Delaware State University, University of Delaware Office of Human Resources, UD Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification, UD Professional and Continuing Studies, NCCo Vo-Tech Adult Education, Wilmington Job Corps, Delaware Technical and Community College, Jobs for Delaware Graduates, New Castle County Police, Governor’s Commission on Volunteer Service, Public Allies, Delaware Department of Labor Employment & Training, DE Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, State of Delaware, City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Priscilla Turgon, Joyce Dungee Proctor

The ayes appear to have it

Just a few minutes ago the Senate voted to approve a deal negotiated by Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker John Boehner that will avert a shutdown of the federal government. Senator Coons was presiding over the Senate during the historic moment, putting him in a position to declare “The ayes appear to have it… the ayes do have it” and make the vote official.

In a statement released moments after the vote, Chris said he was “pleased that leaders in the Senate and House were able to reach a budget agreement tonight to avoid a shutdown of the federal government, which would have had wide-ranging, negative impacts on Delawareans and all Americans. It is my hope that the serious discussions in future budget negotiations are not similarly delayed by ideological debates over social policy.”

Shutdown or no shutdown, job fair is on

Earlier on Friday Senator Coons announced that after days of concern that a federal government shutdown might threaten our job fair planned for Monday, a backup plan was in place that would ensure that the more than 1000 job seekers expected to attend wouldn’t be left out to dry.

Thanks to the leadership Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of Labor John McMahon and DEDO Director Allan Levin, the job fair will go on as planned.

“This is just another example of what makes Delaware such a special place,” Chris said. “We’re a team. The support shown by our friends in state government and the dozens of individuals and organizations that have called our office offering to volunteer has been amazing.”

Federal law prohibits Senate staff from doing work during a shutdown that doesn’t relate to the Senator’s core legislative responsibilities, making Senator Coons’ excepted staff unable to assist job seekers at the job fair. Excepted and non-excepted staff would also be prevented from volunteering. Instead, employees from the Department of Labor and Delaware Economic Development Office will fill in to make sure Delawareans in attendance get the help they need.

A federal government shutdown would also prohibit the 16 federal agencies planning to send recruiters to the fair from participating. In that event, 16 additional private-sector employers are lined up to take their place.

The job fair, which now has more than 50 confirmed employers scheduled to participate, will be held Monday, April 11th, from 9 am to 4 pm at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Job seekers need not pre-register in order to attend, but are encouraged to bring their resumes.

Chris talks shutdown on MSNBC’s Hardball

Senator Coons appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews on Friday afternoon to discuss the latest on the budget negotiations and stand up for the women’s health programs under attack by House Republicans.

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

* If the federal government remains open *

Monday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m. Senator Coons is hosting a Job Fair. The Senator is slated to speak at 9:30 a.m. Chase Center, Wilmington, Del. – Open to press.

Monday, April 11 at 4:00 p.m. – The Senator will preside over the Senate. Washington, DC – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Tuesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. – Senator Coons will attend the Senate Energy Committee business meeting to vote on pending legislation and one nomination. The Senator is a cosponsor of S. 398, an energy efficiency standards bill, which will be voted on by the committee. 366 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Tuesday, April 12 at 2:30 p.m. – Senator Coons will attend the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on cyber security. 226 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press.

Tuesday, April 12 at 4:30 p.m. – Senator Coons will lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee working coffee with Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya. Closed to press.

Wednesday, April 13 at 6:15 p.m. – Senator Coons will speak at the Delmarva Poultry Industry Dinner. 2011 DPI Booster Banquet, Salisbury, MD – Open to press.

Thursday, April 14 at 2:15 p.m. – Senator Coons will chair the Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee hearing on the FY12 budget allocation for Africa. 419 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, DC – Open to press. 

Friday, April 15 at 9:30 a.m. The Senator will preside over the Senate. U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate gallery.

Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 a.m. Senator Coons will attend the Delaware Credit Union Conference Breakfast.  Dover Downs, Dover, Del. – Open to press.

Saturday, April 16 at 1:00 p.m. The Senator will attend the Kids’ Green Fest. Newark Center for Creative Learning School, 401 Phillips Avenue, Newark, Del. – Open to press.  

Note: Schedule is subject to change.