{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"DE\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-epa-s-censoring-science-rule-is-the-trump-administration-s-last-gasp-of-science-denial", "Carper: EPAs Censoring Science Rule is the Trump Administrations Last Gasp of Science Denial", "2020-12-31", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its rule todrastically undermine the use of science in agency decision-making.\r\nIn the final days of the Trump Administration, EPA has finalized its rule that will suppress scientific research and censor scientists and experts. It's just one last gasp of science denial. Amid an ongoing public health crisis  a time when accessing the latest scientific research and embracing scientific advancements is a critical function of protecting human health  the Trump EPA is trying to limit the use of scientific data, even data that could be used to address the growing link between exposure to air pollution and adverse outcomes of COVID-19. It's as absurd as it sounds. As I said earlier this year, it's hard to imagine a time when our nation needed to embrace science more than we do at this very moment. Almost a year into our battle against the coronavirus pandemic, that's even truer today. While I continue to be amazed by this administration's penchant for science denial, I am confident that this irresponsible rollback  finalized in the last few days of the Trump Administration  will not impede the incoming administration's efforts to restore the use of science in rulemaking. President-elect Biden has made clear that his administration will be guided by science.\r\nIn March, Senator Carperasked the EPA Inspector General (IG)to open an investigation into potentially unlawful efforts and procedural problems related to the preparation and review of this supplemental proposal. Later that month, Senator Carper asked EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler towithdraw the rule, describing how thesweeping policy would limit the use of science in EPA rulemaking. As Senator Carper described in hisMarch 24letter to Administrator Wheeler, examples abound of research that would now  at minimum  require considerable review time to determine whether or not they meet the requirements of the Secret Science Rule, or considerable review time to determine whether or not they would require an exemption from the rule's applicability before being used for EPA decision-making purposes. Some examples include:\r\n \r\nThisMarch 2020 survey of existing research describes the interaction of several coronaviruses on surfaces with biocidal agents. EPA isresponsiblefor recommending disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens.\r\nThisNovember2003 paper includes a statistical correlation between SARS fatalities in China and higher exposure to air pollution, information that could be relevant to EPA air officials as new criteria pollutant standards are developed.\r\nThisOctober 2015 paper describes the challenges associated with the sterilization and disposal of medical waste contaminated by Ebola.EPAworked jointlywith CDC to develop disposal and sterilization guidelines and could be called on to do the same for COVID-19.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-celebrates-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-clean-air-act", "Carper Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Air Act", "2020-12-30", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act on December 31, 2020. Signed into law in 1970, the Clean Air Act created a national framework to reduce pollution and improve air quality, entrusting the Environmental Protection Agency with leading efforts to ensure everyone in this country has clean air to breathe. For fifty years, this landmark law has ushered in dramatic improvements in air quality. It has saved hundreds of thousands of lives from deadly air pollution while improving the health of millions more. During that same time, our economy has expanded and more than tripled its gross domestic product while EPA has worked with states and businesses alike to dramatically reduce harmful emissions. The progress made under the Clean Air Act is proof that improvements in public health and environmental quality goes hand in hand with economic growth and job creation. In fact, the benefits of the Clean Air Act outweigh its costs by a margin of 30 to one. This sweeping law will continue to endure because its regulations can adapt and evolve with the latest science to help us meet the most pressing air quality challenges of our day. For example, advances in science continue to elucidate the link between air pollution and human health. As our country continues to suffer from the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic, research shows that stronger safeguards for clean air can protect people from pollution that is causing more severe and even deadlier cases of COVID-19. Stronger Clean Air Act regulations can help us better protect public health. As our nation reckons with decades of systemic racism, stronger air protections can also help us address the air pollution that is disproportionately harming communities of color and reinforcing unjust disparities in health and environmental quality. Stronger Clean Air Act regulations can help us further the cause of environmental justice and, finally, fifty years later, make good on the promise of ensuring clean air for everyone in this country.\r\n Over the last fifty years, the Clean Air Act has helped our nation confront some of the toughest problems impeding our efforts to protect clean air  issues like interstate pollution, which was once considered too complex and complicated to address. Fortunately, the flexible framework provided by the Clean Air Act gives EPA the tools and authorities it needs to address complicated problems, which is why the law will be critical in the fight against the climate crisis. Through the clear authorities of the Clean Air Act, EPA will be able to lead the nation in our nationwide transition to a clean economy. On this special anniversary, we are reminded that our work to ensure clean air for everyone is far from over, but we are also reminded to be hopeful. In 1970, the gigantic strides in air quality we have made over the last fifty years would have seemed daunting, perhaps even unfeasible. But by working together  Democrats and Republicans, the environmental community and industry, the federal government and states  we achieved monumental progress that once seemed impossible. With the Clean Air Act as our guide, we can continue that progress.\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-returns-to-washington-to-override-ndaa-veto", "Senator Coons returns to Washington to override NDAA veto", "2020-12-30", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a\r\nmember of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, returned\r\nto Washington today for a vote to override President Donald Trump's veto of the\r\nNational\r\nDefense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. \"I expect we will override President Trump's veto of\r\nthe military bill,\" Sen. Coons said, \"which means several good things\r\nfor Delawareans and the country writ large including a pay increase for our\r\ntroops and more investment in cybersecurity, both steps that we should be taking\r\nto reward the sacrifice of our military and keep our country safe.\" The override of a\r\nveto, the process by which each chamber of Congress votes for\r\na second time on a bill rejected by the president, requires a two-thirds vote\r\nin each the Senate and House of Representatives. Congress has historically overridden fewer than\r\n10% of all presidential vetoes. The Senate is scheduled to convene and resume consideration of\r\nthe veto message on the NDAA for FY21 at noon tomorrow. The final override will\r\nget a vote sometime in the next few days. To check the Senate's schedule and watch live floor proceedings,\r\nvisit www.senate.gov/floor/.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/audio-coons-discusses-900b-relief-package-ndaa-cybersecurity-threats", "[AUDIO] Coons discusses $900B relief package, NDAA, cybersecurity threats", "2020-12-28", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Mary Cummings-Jordan ofWHYY's Radio Timesto discuss the$900 billion COVID-19 relief package, which passed along with the $1.4 trillionannual appropriations billthat funds the federal government.\nAdditionally, Coons discussed theNational Defense Authorization Act, which passed Congress on Dec. 11 and was subsequently vetoed by the president. Coons concluded the interview by talking about Russian hacking threats.To listen to the full interview, visitwhyy.org/episodes/regional-roundup-12-28-20/.   \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/audio-sen-coons-on-pres-trumps-threat-to-block-covid-19-relief-deal-yes-he-could-tank-the-bill", "[AUDIO] Sen. Coons on Pres. Trumps threat to block COVID-19 relief deal: Yes, he could tank the bill", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee,joinedNPR's Morning Edition with Noel King to discuss President Trump's complaints on the COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress on Monday. When asked if President Trump could block the COVID-19 relief bill, Senator Coons said,Yes, he could tank the bill. One of the challenges of legislating in the era of Trump is that we never really know what he's going to do right up until he does it. Because Congress has now gone home to their districts and states all over the country, it's not easy to bring us back. I think we should call his bluff and by offering to pass by unanimous consent  which can be done without all the members of Congress present  an increase to the dollar amount he's asking for. Democrats would support this. Let's see if Republicans will. Senator Coons added, this is not the last relief bill we'll need, but it is the bill we need right now. It's going to provide rental assistance, unemployment extension, hundreds of billions in small business support, support for those who are hungry through nutrition programs, support for schools and for vaccine distribution. It is a large relief package. We should test the president's bluff and offer to add an increased individual stimulus payment or family stimulus payment and see what happens. Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package on Monday. To see a breakdown of the package's provisions, clickhere. Full audio availablehere.A transcript is provided below. Q: What do you think of the President calling for changes after Congress spent 7 months working toward this moment? Sen. Coons:Noel, I'm just speechless. It is yet another example of how President Trump has engaged the role of president. He stayed out of these negotiation for weeks. He did not press for a bigger package in the final days before it was enacted, and once the bill has finally been passed by the House and Senate and the entire Congress has gone home, he announces he wants a bigger bill than Republicans were willing to accept in the Senate. I'll remind you, a few days ago before this happened, we passed our annual defense authorization bill, which provides a pay increase for our troops and funds stronger cybersecurity. That bill President Trump has specifically threatened to veto because it doesn't do something that's not directly relevant to defense, but that he wants to do to social media companies, so we already had a veto threat on the table  Q: Hang on. As Ayesha pointed out, the president very notably did not use the word veto in the video last night. Sen. Coons:Correct. Q: Do you have any real concern that he could tank this bill? Sen. Coons:Yes, he could tank the bill. One of the challenges of legislating in the era of Trump has been that we never really know what he's going to do right up until he does it. Because Congress has now gone home to their districts and states all over the country, it's not easy to bring us back. I think we should call his bluff and by offering to pass by unanimous consent which can be done without all the members of Congress present  an increase to the dollar amount he's asking for. Democrats would support this. Let's see if Republicans will. Q: Well, yes, this is interesting. Some Democrats have responded to the president's argument that direct payments should be $2000 to give people more money. Nancy Pelosi came out on Twitter and said and I quote Let's do it. It sounds like you agree, and it sounds like you think many Democrats would agree. Sen. Coons:Look. Democrats who control the House passed a much larger stimulus, a much larger COVID relief bill months and months ago. It was in the Senate that the Republican majority leader and the caucus that he leads refused to take up a bill that was higher than$500 billion, and it took weeks of disciplined engagement by a bipartisan group of eight senators to get us to this point. Last night, I texted two of my Republican colleagues  folks I've worked with to get bills into this package to say seriously, do you seriously think your president, our president is going to veto this bill? And I got little dots, little dots, little dots. And after a few minutes, I have no words, from one of the other senators. Q: I was going to ask you, what do the little dots tell you? No one wanted to give you an answer? Sen. Coons:They just didn't know what to say  because this is not the last relief bill we'll need, but it is the bill we need right now. It's going to provide rental assistance, unemployment extension, hundreds of billions in small business support, support for those who are hungry through nutrition programs, support for schools and for vaccine distribution. It is a large relief package. We should test the president's bluff and offer to add an increased individual stimulus payment or family stimulus payment and see what happens. Q: You know earlier this week  you mention people having a hard time  I talked to a restauranteur in Los Angeles. You know she's self-made, and she had to close three of her four restaurants and layoff 100 people. She's worried right now that the last restaurant might not survive. Let's listen to her: [Clip, Brooke Williamson]: We're losing money right now. We're definitely not breaking even. We are losing money, and we have a little bit of money in the bank to do so for a few weeks, but beyond that, it's pretty grim. Q: What's in this bill that's going to help this woman, Brooke Williamson, and other small business owners who say this aid might come too late and now it looks like it might be even later? Sen. Coons:Well, Noel, I'm on the Small Business Committee and one of the most effective and popular pieces of the CARES Act from 9 months ago gave small businesses like hers loans that became grants if they spent it mostly on payroll. We have expanded that program. There's nearly $300 billion for a next round of Paycheck Protection Program checks to go out, and they are specifically larger for those who operate hotels or restaurants that can show they had a 25% drop in revenue any quarter of this year over any quarter of last year. I'm sure she would qualify, and we are primed to get those checks out quickly. Q: President-elect Joe Biden called this relief package a down payment. His words. And he said providing more relief is a top priority of his. Have you talked to Biden about the next round and what should be included in the next relief bill? Sen. Coons:We have talked about how broad it will need to be because we're going to need to both continue response to the pandemic and to the economic wreckage that's been caused by President Trump's mishandling of this pandemic, and we're going to need to help build back better the American economy by investing in infrastructure, investing in American manufacturing, investing in things that will create better long-term jobs to bring back our country, and to bring us together. Q: And hopefully in the seconds we have left, it won't take another 7 months Sen. Coons:It won't because we're going to have an engaged and effective president involved in the negotiations after January 20th. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-highlights-programs-to-support-delaware-manufacturing-jobs-and-research", "In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons highlights programs to support Delaware manufacturing jobs and research", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, fought to secure funding for well-paying materials and manufacturing jobs in the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations package, which passed Congress this week. Specifically, the bill includes support for research at HBCUs like Delaware State University and adds $160 million above the president's request for upgrades to the Army's Chinook Block II helicopter program that employs hundreds of Delawareans across the Delaware Valley. Delawareans have long been employed by some of the top manufacturing and materials producers in the country. This year's spending package clearly recognizes the role our state plays in producing some of the highest quality defense-related research and aircraft in the world,said Senator Coons.I'm glad that the new defense bill bolsters more of the programs that have provided well-paying jobs to Delawareans in our state and across the region and continues to support our Delaware Air National Guard and our military. The federal spending bill includes provisions that will directly support Delaware jobs including: Strong funding for Department of Defense-related research at HBCUs like Delaware State University.  Strong funding for research programs that the University of Delaware participates in, and which help create well-paid materials and manufacturing jobs.$160 million above the President's request for the Army's Chinook Block II helicopter upgrades and $29 million for advance procurement. This program employs hundreds of Delawareans across the Delaware Valley.Funding for six additional aircraft in the V-22 program, which is another important source of jobs for Delawareans.$259 million in upgrades to C-130H aircraft, used by Delaware's Air National Guard. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-secures-funding-to-invest-in-national-service-hbcus-and-public-health", "In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures funding to invest in national service, HBCUs, and public health", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware senator in more than 40 years to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, applauded the passage of the $1.4 trillion federal funding bill for Fiscal Year 2021 that invests in education and public health, bolsters national service programs that have been supporting community needs amid the COVID-19 response, and supports research on diseases like ALS and pancreatic cancer. The package passedCongressthis week. As we continue torespondtothe toll COVID-19 has takenon our country including our health and education systems  community-based programsremain essential. This year's appropriations package recognizes this by supporting our HBCUs, community health centers, and other local groups while setting a course for a community-led recovery through national service programs like AmeriCorps,said Senator Coons.I'm also thrilled the bill includes key long-range research investments in ALS treatments  a priority for the Senate ALS Caucus  and in pancreatic cancer, a matter of personal importance to my family and to so many families across the country. The federal funding bill includes provisions that will support health, education, and public service in Delaware and across the country, and provides: A $57.2 million increase in Community Health Center funding, which will support centers  including Westside Family Healthcare, La Red Health Center, and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center  that provide Americans with critical health care, including testing and treatment of COVID-19 A $13 million increase to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Delaware State University $23.6 million to support Special Olympics education programs A $40 million programmatic increase for AmeriCorps, which supports the efforts of more than 500 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members in Delaware $40 million in funding for ALS research programs at the Department of Defense, which will support impactful research that is instrumental to the development of new therapeutics for ALS $15million in critical funding for pancreatic cancer research,a 250% increase,to support discovery and innovation in treatments for a disease that was the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Delawareans in2020. In addition to the health and education provisions within the 2021 funding bill, Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package on Monday. To see a breakdown of those provisions and other elements of the COVID-19 relief package, clickhere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-highlights-significant-climate-solutions-in-the-covid-emergency-relief-and-omnibus-bill", "Carper Highlights Significant Climate Solutions in the COVID Emergency Relief and Omnibus Bill", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, highlighted significant climate provisions included in the end of the year spending bill  known as the omnibus appropriations bill  that will aid in the nation's fight against the climate crisis, improve air quality and support American manufacturing jobs.\r\nThese provisions represent the future of climate solutions, finding ways that the federal government can help to save our planet from the climate crisis while creating hundreds of thousands of new manufacturing jobs. We can ensure American workers lead the national transition to a clean economy. We can embrace the ingenuity and innovation of American industries while protecting vulnerable communities. We can enact sweeping, national climate policies that implicate our everyday ways of life without complicating our lives. We can, we must, and we will, Senator Carper said. Make no mistake, these provisions will soon be some of the most significant climate legislation to pass out of Congress to dateand we're just getting started. Legislation creates nationwide phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.\r\nIncluded in the omnibus is an amended version of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, Senator Carper's legislation with Senator Kennedy (R-La.) that will implement a nationwide 85 percent phasedown on the production and importation of hydrofluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases known as HFCs. By enabling the U.S. to join the rest of the world in phasing down HFCs, this language will help our planet avoid half a degree Celsius in global warming while supporting U.S. industries already making the next generation of HFC-alternatives, which employ more than 593,000 Americans. The AIM Act would:\r\n \r\nSave American consumers $3.7 billion over 15 years;\r\nIncrease U.S. manufacturing output by almost $39 billion over seven years; and,\r\nResult in the creation of 150,000 more American jobs.\r\n \r\nHFCs can be found in nearly every home in America. They are the coolants and refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigerators. But while HFCs keep our homes cool and our groceries cold, they heat up our planet with a global warming effect thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. The good news, though, is that the next generation of climate-friendly HFC replacements are already being made in America and sold throughout the world. The AIM Act will help us seize the opportunity that comes with building on those investments, Senator Carper said. By joining the rest of the world to phase down these potent greenhouse gases, the U.S. will reap nearly $39 billion in annual economic benefits while helping the planet avoid a half degree Celsius in global warming. The AIM Act will ensure American workers and businesses lead the nationwide phase down of these potent greenhouse gases, and that American industries lead the global market in HFC-alternatives. At the same time, it will help to protect and create hundreds of thousands of American jobs. This is a big deal for our economy and our planet. I thank Senator Kennedy for his partnership in rallying the Senate to get this bill across the finish line.\r\nLegislation provides critical new clean energy tax credits.\r\nThe omnibus legislation includes an amended version of Carper's legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act. The investment tax credit for offshore wind is extended for five years and the offshore wind investment tax credit is retroactively restored to 30 percent, similar to the Carper-Collins legislation. For ten years, Senators Carper and Collins have tried to provide long-term tax incentives for investments in offshore wind, this win will spark more investments in offshore wind power, critical for our fight against climate change and in support of economic recovery.\r\nThe omnibus legislation includes yet another clean energy tax priority for Senator Carper, support for waste heat to power. By including an amended version of Senator Carper's legislation with Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Waste Heat to Power Investment Tax Credit Act, the omnibus legislation creates a new tax credit incentive to support technologies that convert wasted heat to electricity is also included in the omnibus. The new tax credit which is supported by the United Steelworkers International, steel producers, businesses and clean energy advocates  will save manufacturers billions of dollars in energy costs and create thousands of American jobs.\r\nOther critical tax extender provisions are also secured in the omnibus. All energy investment tax credits (ITCs) under section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code are extended, including critical ITC extensions for stationary fuel cells and solar power\r\nTo support the rapid nationwide deployment of cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy like offshore wind waste heat to power technologies, we need to ensure American companies and manufacturers have the certainty and predictability they need today to make significant investments for the long-term, Senator Carper said. Too often, innovators have the technology at their fingertips but daunting upfront costs discourage businesses from making the investments needed to deploy those technologies. By creating and extending these clean energy tax credits, and creating new ones, we can support the innovators that are already working to harness the power of wind, absorb the energy of the sun, and transform wasted industrial heat to clean electricity. I am especially pleased to see tax credits for offshore wind and waste heat to power technologies, I've fought long and hard with my colleagues to get these credits adopted.\r\nLegislation supports cleaner air and better climate by reauthorizing the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.\r\nSenator Carper's legislation with Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, is also included in the omnibus bill. This provision will reauthorize the popular, cost-effective DERA program that helps to finance the replacement of older diesel engines with cleaner, American-made technology. The provision reauthorizes the DERA program through fiscal year 2024 at its current authorization funding levels.\r\nThe great thing about diesel engines is that they last a long timeand the bad thing about diesel engines is that they last a long time. Newer diesel engines are reliable and efficient, but the older ones are some of our nation's biggest contributors to smog, soot and black carbon air pollution. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act creates financial incentives for people to replace or retrofit their older diesel engines with clean, American-made technology, Senator Carper said. Since I first introduced DERA with the late Senator George Voinovich 15 years ago, the law has become one of EPA's most effective clean air program on the books today. For every dollar spent in the DERA program, our nation sees $13 in economic and health benefits. It helps to clean the air in our communities, create good-paying American jobs in domestic manufacturing and protect our planet from the climate crisis. DERA was first established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and was originally co-authored by Senator Carper and the late Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio). Since the passing of Senator Voinovich, my DERA wingman' in the Senate has been Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, Senator Carper continued. I thank Senator Inhofe for his partnership on this important piece of legislation. In the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Fourth Report to Congress on DERA's performance, the agency reported that, nationwide, DERA grants have funded projects to replace or retrofit 67,300 engines in vehicles, boats, trains, and other pieces of equipment. Over the lifetime of those engines, EPA estimates that those projects will:\r\n \r\nPrevent up to 2,300 premature deaths\r\nCreate up to $19 billion in monetized health benefits, a return-on-investment of more than $30 for every one dollar spent\r\nSave over 454 million gallons of fuel; and,\r\nSlash harmful emissions, including:\r\n\r\n472,700 tons of NOx,\r\n15,490 tons of particulate matter, and,\r\n5,089,170 tons of carbon dioxide.\r\n\r\n \r\nLegislation supports investments in carbon capture, utilization and sequestration, including direct air capture.\r\nThe Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act is also included in the omnibus bill. The USE IT Act supports carbon utilization and direct air capture research. We need to use every tool at our disposal to rapidly reduce emissions and avoid the irreversible consequences of the worsening climate crisis. Carbon capture, utilization and sequestration, or CCUS, technologies are critical as we transition to a net-zero economy here in the United States, Senator Carper said. The USE IT Act will help lower the market barriers to widespread development and deployment of carbon capture. Boosting this emerging industry is one way we can support American manufacturers and industries in the national transition to a clean economy and the global movement to a carbon-free world.\r\nSenator Carper is an original cosponsor of USE IT Act, which was co-authored by EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/delaware-delegation-celebrates-major-wins-for-the-first-state-in-water-infrastructure-legislation", "Delaware Delegation Celebrates Major Wins for the First State in Water Infrastructure Legislation", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, as well as U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) as part of legislation to fund the government. From improving and expanding water infrastructure to investing in disadvantaged communities, replenishing beaches, and improving coastal resilience, WRDA 2020 delivers major wins for Delaware.    In Delaware and across the country, our nation's water infrastructure keeps our economy moving forward. This year's Water Resources Development Act authorizes funding to improve our ports, like the Port of Wilmington. It also implements several much-needed reforms to fortify our most vulnerable communities in the First State from the impacts of climate change and rebuild our beaches, said Senator Carper, who co-authored the legislation with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). I'm proud that my colleagues in Congress came together to get this critical bill across the finish line. Our bipartisan legislation will create and sustain jobs and help secure a better future for the American people.\r\nDelaware is the country's lowest-lying state, and our economy and ecosystems rely on the protection of coastal communities and navigability of our waterways, Senator Coons said. I'm pleased that WRDA 2020 includes critical priorities for the First State: safeguarding Delaware's beach communities, enhancing resiliency in the face of climate change and rising sea levels, and facilitating important projects to support the men and women who work at the Port of Wilmington. I'm glad to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate  particularly Senator Carper who played a leading role in these negotiations  to deliver water infrastructure updates that meet the unique needs of our state.\r\nWe know that one of the most important aspects of infrastructure is maintaining our waterways and systems. This year's WRDA, led by Delaware's Senator Carper makes those critical and necessary investments, said Rep. Blunt Rochester. As the state with the lowest mean elevation in the country, Delaware is on the front lines of climate change  from eroding shorelines, to changing growing seasons, to flooding neighborhoods. The bill prioritizes rebuffing the impacts of climate change along with improving our overall water infrastructure. I thank Senator Carper for his leadership in getting this bipartisan bill passed.\r\nAmong its provisions, WRDA 2020 will:\r\n \r\nProtect Delaware's beaches from storm damage and assist with their re-nourishment;\r\nPromote resiliency projects in communities throughout the First State to address the impacts of climate change; and,\r\nEnsure the operation and maintenance of Delaware's ports and waterways, including the Port of Wilmington and Indian River Inlet.\r\n \r\nClick here for more in-depth background information on WRDA 2020, and click here for additional background about the major wins for Delaware in WRDA 2020.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/coons-carper-bill-extending-bankruptcy-judgeships-to-be-signed-into-law", "Coons, Carper bill extending bankruptcy judgeships to be signed into law", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  On Monday evening, theU.S.Houseof Representativespassed a bill introduced by Senator Chris Coons, a member of theSenateJudiciary Committee, andSenatorTom Carper (both D-Del.) to extend25 temporary bankruptcy judgeships across the country for five years, including all seven temporary judgeships in Delaware.These extensions come at a critical time to ensure bankruptcy courts have the judges necessary to provide relief to companies and their employees facing reorganization the wake of COVID-19. Businesses and individuals are facing profound financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this bipartisan bill will ensure they can go through bankruptcy efficiently,said SenatorCoons. When they can't, jobs and revenue are lost. Delaware has earned its reputation for having one of the most highly regarded bankruptcy courts in the country, and this law ensures that our court has the resources it will need to manage pressing caseloads and provide relief to businesses and employees. In these challenging times, our legal system shouldn't be another source of uncertainty for businesses and workers. This common-sense bill will ensure our courts including those in Delaware, have the adequate resources to fairly and expeditiously process bankruptcy cases,said Senator Carper. Specifically, this bill will maintain the number of judgeships in Delaware's bankruptcy courts, which remain some of the busiest and handle some of the important cases in our country. I thank Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing Republicans and Democrats together to pass this important piece of legislation. The billpreviouslypassed in the Senate on Dec. 9, 2020, and it will now head to thepresident's desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan bill was co-introduced bySen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Additional co-sponsors includeSens.Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). This legislation will better equip our bankruptcy system, helping courts, businesses and consumers by allowing these cases to be addressed in a timely manner,said Senator Graham.I'm glad to see these important changes passed into law. As America's businesses struggle with the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability for businesses to efficiently reorganize in bankruptcy is critical,SenatorRubio said.Any obstacle to resolving these cases is an undue burden for both our judicial system and businesses. This legislation ensures that our courts have the resources necessary to manage these critical caseloads. This legislation will ensure that Marylanders have continuing access to our bankruptcy courts during the ongoing pandemic,saidSenator Cardin.Congress must provide our courts with the judges and resources they need to serve Maryland companies, employees, and individuals who have been impacted by severe economic challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous strain on American businesses and the economy. As we fight to preserve lives, we must also take steps to protect our livelihoods. This legislation will ensure that our bankruptcy courts can provide relief to American businesses and employees to get them back on their feet,saidSenatorBlackburn. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-secures-funding-for-delaware-manufacturing-institute-amtrak-housing-and-small-businesses", "In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures funding for Delaware manufacturing institute, Amtrak, housing, and small businesses", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 federal spending bills for key economic, workforce development, housing, and transportation infrastructure priorities. The bill includes an historic increase in IRS funding, as well as funding for Amtrak, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, small businesses, advanced manufacturing, and more. The bill passed Congress Monday evening. I've been working hard on the Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to ensure the final federal spending bill continues to make critical investments in Delaware's communities,said Senator Coons.In this bill, we have made significant progress in reversing the decades-long trend of underfunding the IRS, which unfortunately has limited the quality of service taxpayers receive. This bill alsosupports programs that boost economic and workforce development, like the Manufacturing USA program and the Small Business Administration, and provides funding for key housing and transportation priorities, like Amtrak and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. After such a challenging year for businesses and families up and down our state, I'm pleased that Republicans and Democrats worked together to deliver the funding and resources that Delawareans deserve. The federal spending bill includes provisions that will directly benefittaxpayers, manufacturers, railpassengers, renters, small businesses, and workers: The bill provides $11.9billion for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is $409 million more than the Fiscal Year 2020 enacted level and the highest level of funding provided for the agency in a decade. This increase will allow the IRS toprocess returns and fulfill other customer servicesmore quicklyand effectively. As important, additional resources will allow the IRS to make progress of reducing the tax gap, the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually collected, which is estimated at almost $500 billion annually.The bill provides $2 billion in funding for Amtrak, of which $700 million is for the Northeast Corridor that runs through Wilmington, Delaware.The bill includes $1.35 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and $3.45 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) Program.The bill provides $16.5 million for the Manufacturing USA program, which is $500,000 above Fiscal Year 2020. Of the $16.5 million, $10 million is specifically directed towardstheNational Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals(NIIMBL), one of the nation's 14 Manufacturing USA Institutes, whichisbased in Newark, Delaware.The bill includes $150 million for the NIST HollingsManufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, so it can continue to carry out its important mission and further support small manufacturers with new cybersecurity and digitalization challenges.The bill provides $270 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to promote economic and community development in low-income communities, an increase of $8 million more than the Fiscal Year 2020 enacted level. Of this, $2 million is to continue funding the Economic Mobility Corps, an initiative championed by Senator Coons to place AmeriCorps national service members at certified CDFIs.The bill provides $922 million for the Small Business Administration. Within this funding, $15 million is included to fully support the 7(a) loan guarantee subsidy to ensure the program will continue to supportsmall businesses and lenders. The bill also provides $272 million for Entrepreneurial Development grants.The bill includes $185millionfor the Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Program, which is $10 million more than what was included in the Fiscal Year 2020 enacted level. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-secures-investments-in-protecting-oceans-combatting-wildlife-trafficking-and-supporting-the-environment-and-agriculture", "In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures investments in protecting oceans, combatting wildlife trafficking, and supporting the environment and agriculture", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the first Delaware senator in more than 40 years to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, secured funding for agriculture and environmental priorities in the federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2021, which passed Congress late Monday. Delaware's natural resources help drive our economy and make our state a great place to live, work, and visit,said Senator Coons. I'm pleased that we secured funding for conservation programs that will have a direct impact on our region  protecting our land, water, and wildlife, and supporting our agricultural community. As co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, I'm also glad this bill invests in proven programs like ARPA-E to supportresearch in Delaware andthe development of advanced energy technologies that will reduce carbon pollution. This funding will help create a cleaner environment and a stronger local economy in our state, and I'm glad my colleagues came to a bipartisan agreement on this bill so we can support Delawareans and Americans across the country. The federal spending bill includes funding for agriculture and environmental priorities that will directly benefit Delawareas well as international and ocean conservation efforts: Provides $75 million to address ocean plastic pollution and directs the U.S. government to establish a newglobal fundto address ocean plastic pollution, as called for in theUNITE for our Oceans Actwhich Senator Coons recently introduced with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). This is a significant increase from prior funding of $5 million to address marine debris.Provides strong funding for the Department of State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and related agencies tocombat wildlife trafficking.Provides a full-time position to support the Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) Fishing, established in Senator Coons and Roger Wicker's (R-Miss.)Maritime SAFE Act.Includes $46.5 million for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund to protect wetland habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife species.Provides $87.5 million for to help restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, as well as $1.75 million for efforts to remove invasive species in the region.Provides $10 million for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program to improve water quality and management, support restoration and conservation of critical habitats, and improve opportunities for recreation.Supports the United States Geological Survey's efforts to monitor, map, and study the Delaware River Basin.Funds U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Delaware that protect coastal communities and support the maintenance and navigability of the Port of Wilmington and the C&D and Lewes and Rehoboth canals.Helps farmers in Delaware and across the country practice sustainable agriculture and protect the environment by providing strong funding for programs within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service.Includes $63 million for Avian Health programs, which fund critical monitoring and research to prevent and control the spread of poultry diseases in the commercial poultry industry.Supports research and public outreach by Delaware universities on agriculture, nutrition, and renewable energy by providing $435 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.Provides $11 million for the Water Resources Research Act, which supports critical water research at the University of Delaware.Provides $75 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Sea Grant program, which supports important marine research at the University of Delaware.Supports energy research at Delaware universities by providing $25 million for the Department of Energy's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and increased funding of $427millionforthe Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).Includes $5 million to supportsustainablechemistry research and developmentat the Department of Energyandencourages the incorporation ofsustainable chemistry intomanufacturing processes.Senators Coons and Susan Collins' (R-Maine)Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Actis expected to become law shortly andpromote the use of materials that are safer for our health and the environment in everyday products.Provides $310millionfortheWeatherization AssistanceProgramto helplow-incomeDelawareans reduce their energy costsand $62.5 million to assist states with energy efficiency activities and the development of renewable energy. The appropriations package also included thefirst major overhaul of U.S. energy policyin over a decade, which included a number of key provisions to support clean energy jobs, combat climate change, and deliver cost savings to Delawareans. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-celebrates-passage-of-legislation-to-support-clean-energy-jobs-combat-climate-change", "Sen. Coons celebrates passage of legislation to support clean energy jobs, combat climate change", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, theEnergy Act of 2020passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 spending bill, marking the first major overhaul of U.S. energy policy in over a decade. The landmark energy legislation includes a number of bipartisan measures led by U.S. Senator ChrisCoons (D-Del.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, that will save energy, support jobs in therenewable energy sector, address climate change, and deliver significant cost savings to Delawareans. Investment in energy innovation is critical to addressing climate change and aiding in economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken a significant toll on the energy sector in Delaware and around the country,said Senator Coons. TheEnergy Act of 2020brings together dozens of bipartisan proposals that will spur innovation, accelerate development and deployment of new technologies, and ensure the United States continues to be a global energy leader. This bill is the most significant action we have taken for climate this Congress and its passage is strong evidence that there is bipartisan support for working together on climate solutions and investing in advanced energy technologies while also caring for our nation's most vulnerable citizens. The energy package includes several provisions from legislation introduced by Senator Coons. Specifically, the bill: Reauthorizes and updates the Weatherization Assistance Program, which reduces energy costs for low-income households by providing home energy retrofits to make homes safer and more energy efficient. Thousands of low-income Delawareans, particularly children, seniors, and disabled individuals, have benefitted from the program, with many cutting their energy bills by 30 to 50 percent. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of theWeatherization Enhancement and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act of 2019,along with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.). Their bill's provision to create a competitive innovation grant program for non-profits to access the Weatherization Assistance Program is also included in the package.Establishes and expands programs that support the commercialization of clean energy technologies at the Department of Energy and authorizes the use of small business vouchers that spur innovation and collaboration by granting small businesses access to premier facilities at national labs. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of theEnergizing Technology Transfer Act of 2020in the Senate along with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.).Encourages the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Savings Contracts in federal buildings, which increase energy efficiency and save taxpayer dollars through public-private partnerships. Senator Coons joined Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) in introducing theEnergy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2019.Supports nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration and international coordination to improve the long-term sustainability, safety, and economic viability of the current U.S. nuclear fleet. Senator Coons was the lead sponsor of theNuclear Energy Renewal Act of 2019along with Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.).Incentivizes the research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas, which is the source of the majority of Delaware's electricity, to keep energy bills low, maintain U.S. energy security, and protect the environment through near-term reductions of emissions. Senator Coons joined Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) in introducing theLaunching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act of 2019. The omnibus alsoincludestax incentives to support solar and wind energy projects, as well asa separate measure to initiate a 15-year phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class ofpotent greenhouse gases commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration.Senator Coons applauds Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) for their leadership in aligning the United States with the goals of the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and was proud to cosponsor theirAmerican Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of2019. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-graham-bill-extending-bankruptcy-judgeships-to-be-signed-into-law", "Sens. Coons, Graham bill extending bankruptcy judgeships to be signed into law", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON On Monday evening, theU.S.Houseof Representativespassed a bill introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to extend25 temporary bankruptcy judgeships across the country for five years, including all seven temporary judgeships in Delaware. These extensions come at a critical time to ensure bankruptcy courts have the judges necessary to provide relief to companies and their employees facing reorganization the wake of COVID-19. The bill was cosponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Businesses and individuals are facing profound financial stress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this bipartisan bill will ensure they can go through bankruptcy efficiently,said Senator Coons. When they can't, jobs and revenue are lost. Delaware has earned its reputation for having one of the most highly regarded bankruptcy courts in the country, and this law ensures that our court has the resources it will need to manage pressing caseloads and provide relief to businesses and employees. This legislation will better equip our bankruptcy system, helping courts, businesses and consumers by allowing these cases to be addressed in a timely manner,said Senator Graham.I'm glad to see these important changes passed into law. In these challenging times, our legal system shouldn't be another source of uncertainty for businesses and workers. This common-sense bill will ensure our courts including those in Delaware, have the adequate resources to fairly and expeditiously process bankruptcy cases,said Senator Tom Carper. Specifically, this bill will maintain the number of judgeships in Delaware's bankruptcy courts, which remain some of the busiest and handle some of the important cases in our country. I thank Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing Republicans and Democrats together to pass this important piece of legislation. As America's businesses struggle with the challenges of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability for businesses to efficiently reorganize in bankruptcy is critical,Senator Rubio said.Any obstacle to resolving these cases is an undue burden for both our judicial system and businesses. This legislation ensures that our courts have the resources necessary to manage these critical caseloads. This legislation will ensure that Marylanders have continuing access to our bankruptcy courts during the ongoing pandemic,said Senator Cardin.Congress must provide our courts with the judges and resources they need to serve Maryland companies, employees, and individuals who have been impacted by severe economic challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has put an enormous strain on American businesses and the economy. As we fight to preserve lives, we must also take steps to protect our livelihoods. This legislation will ensure that our bankruptcy courts can provide relief to American businesses and employees to get them back on their feet,said Senator Blackburn. The billpreviouslypassed in the Senate on December 9, 2020, and it will now head to the President's desk to be signed into law. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-cheers-tax-incentives-in-end-of-the-year-spending-deal", "Carper Cheers Tax Incentives in End-of-the-Year Spending Deal", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement on the critical clean energy tax provisions included in the omnibus spending bill that would provide long-term incentives foroffshore wind energyandcreate new incentives to supporttechnologies that convert wasted heat to electricity, two issues that Senator Carper has worked for years to advance.\r\nAs a nation, we needto do more to incentivize the production of clean energy here at home, especially to meet our clean energy and emission reduction goals. This bipartisan spending deal will provide industries with the certainty and predictability needed to make long-term investments in new, innovative clean energy technologies. I am thrilled that thebipartisan spending bill includes a slightly amended version of my legislation with Senator Collins that would spark investments in offshore wind power. The Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act provides a long-term offshore wind investment tax credit to make offshore wind a reality in this country, along with the manufacturing and construction jobs that come with it. By investing in this new technology and harnessing the power of offshore wind energy, we can create good-paying jobs, reduce our reliance on dirtier sources of energy andprovide reduced energy costs to consumers. For over ten years, Senator Collins and I have tried to provide long-term tax certainty for the offshore wind industry and to have this provision finally included in the tax extenders package is a very good day.\r\nThis bipartisan spending deal also includesan amended version ofmy legislation with Senator Cardin, the Waste Heat to Power Investment Tax Credit Act. This legislation creates a new tax credit to support the investment in technology that reduces harmful emissions and conserves energy by converting wasted heat to clean electricity. This is an important tax credit is supported by industry, environmental groups and labor, and it's one that Senator Cardin and I have been pushing for since 2014. So much of the energy used at industrial facilities across the nation escapes into our atmosphere as thermal heat. Right now, we have technology at our fingertips that could harness this waste and transform it into clean and usable electricity, but, for too many businesses, making upfront investments in this technology have proven difficult. This new waste heat to power tax credit relieves some of that burden, helps ensure that America leads on the frontier of energy, and creates good-paying Americanjobs in the process.\r\nI've long said that if we want to encourage businesses to invest in growing our country's clean energy sector, we have to make clean energy tax credits for those industries predictable and reliable.We can't ask companies to research and develop cleaner technologies if we can't tell them what their yearly tax bill will be. With these new critical tax incentives, we can go a long way in supporting our country's growing renewable energy industry. The First State is home to hundreds of Delawareans who work on the cutting edge of clean energy technology that will be supported by this federal investment. By extendingand expandingthese clean energy investment tax credits, we are walking the walk  protecting our environment while also growing our economy and helping to save and create good-paying jobs. \r\nThe package announced tonight also includes other important extenders that we know make a real difference. An extension of something called the new markets tax credit will help finance projects in underdeveloped areas. This tax credit once helped to finance a remodeling of our very own Queen Theater in Wilmington. In addition, thepermanentextension of something known as the craft beverage excise tax reduction will help distillers and craft brewers in our communities grow, invest in their business and create new jobs,while the permanent extension of the short line rail tax credit will support investments in railroad track and bridge improvements.\r\nThe phrase tax extenders' gets thrown around a lot in Washington, D.C. It sounds pretty wonky, and it doesn't help that we give these credits overly technical names. But they are really important, and they often help small businesses across our region and across the country to do the work that is critical for our communities, our fellow Americans and our planet, but is not always financially viable. I'm glad that so many of these tax credits that were set to expire have been given new life in this package. Unfortunately, too many of these credits are still only extended for one year or a few years. I will continue working to ensure that, one day, we make these credits permanent in order to provide much-needed certainty for families and businesses alike, rather than lurching from year to year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-colleagues-announce-historic-bipartisan-agreement-on-climate-legislation", "Carper, Colleagues Announce Historic Bipartisan Agreement on Climate Legislation", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, joined EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R- Wyo.) and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and John Kennedy (R-La.) in announcing a historic, bipartisan agreement to include multiple pieces of climate legislation in the continuing resolution. The continuing resolution will now include:\r\n \r\nSenator Carper's American Manufacturing and Innovation (AIM) Act with Senator Kennedy, legislation that would implement a 15-year phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) at a national level for the first time, administered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);\r\nSenator Carper's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA); and,\r\nThe Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act to promote carbon capture technologies, which is also cosponsored by Senator Carper.\r\n \r\nThe buses that take our kids to school. The air conditioners that keep our homes cool. The refrigerators that keep our groceries safe to eat. For millions of people across the country, these are just small parts of our everyday lives, but they also represent big threats to the health of our communities and our planet. Old, dirty diesel engines pollute the air we breathe and damage our climate with deadly black carbon. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in air conditioning and refrigeration warm our climate more than thousands of times more than carbon dioxide, Senator Carper said. Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems that will clean our air, protect and create American jobs, and help to save our planet from the climate crisis. Make no mistake, the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Actand the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act will soon be some of the most significant climate solutions to pass out of Congress to date, Senator Carper continued. These bills will help to improve air quality and tackle the climate crisis while creating thousands of new jobs and keeping our economy moving. I thank my colleagues, especially Chairman Barrasso, Senator Kennedy  co-author of the AIM Act  and Senator Inhofe  co-author of DERA  for their work over the years to secure these important victories for our planet. Now, let's look to the future. Let's build on this progress.\r\nRepublicans and Democrats are working together to protect the environment through innovation, Senator Barrasso said. This historic agreement includes three separate pieces of legislation that will significantly reduce greenhouse gasses. The USE IT Act is a bipartisan bill to promote carbon capture technologies that take carbon out of the air and find marketable uses for it. This type of research and development is already taking place in Wyoming at the Integrated Test Center. Carbon capture technologies hold the key to major emissions reductions. Similarly, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act has significantly reduced the amount of black carbon in our air. Reauthorizing this important program will lead to significantly more reductions. Finally, HFC chemicals are in every home  from our cars, to our air conditioners. The emissions from the use of these chemicals contribute to climate change. This agreement will authorize a 15-year phase down of their use, while safeguarding consumers and American manufacturers. All three of these measures will protect our air while keeping costs down for the American people. I want to thank Ranking Member Carper and Senators Capito, Whitehouse, and Kennedy for working with me to secure this historic agreement. This agreement means real, bipartisan progress for our climate, Senator Whitehouse said. By joining the international community in tackling HFCsone of the more potent greenhouse gases out therewe are making a meaningful cut in global warming, perhaps avoiding up to 0.5C of warming by the end of the century. Through our USE IT Act, we are boosting efforts to remove carbon pollution from the atmosphere and put it to good use. And by reauthorizing the DERA program at the EPA, we're reducing dangerous tailpipe emissions. We need to pass a serious and comprehensive climate bill, but these bipartisan wins represent important progress. I'm proud to have worked with Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and other members from both sides of the aisle to get this done.\r\nMitigating both air pollution and climate change has been and remains a top priority of the EPW Committee, Senator Capito said. I'm glad to see this government funding agreement include several pieces of legislation I co-sponsored, including the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), that will help us accomplish this goal in a responsible way. This agreement to include these pieces of environmental legislation demonstrates that we are making significant progress to address this issue in a bipartisan, commonsense way. DERA will help West Virginia communities update ageing school and municipal buses for cleaner, modern vehicles, while the USE IT Act will facilitate carbon dioxide pipelines to provide the backbone infrastructure needed to grow CCUS and a carbon economy, reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Both pieces of legislation are major wins for air quality and climate, and I was proud to play a role in each.\r\nMore than ever, foreign competition demands we protect American jobs by keeping the U.S. competitive in global industry, Senator Kennedy said. Investing in next-generation refrigerants will create thousands of jobs, save billions of dollars and safeguard the environment, all of which matter deeply to Louisianians. I'm grateful to have worked with Chairman Barrasso and Sen. Carper to champion the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act and bring American production into the future.\r\nThe American Innovation and Manufacturing Act will authorize a 15-year phasedown of HFCs at a national level for the first time, administered by EPA. The amendment requires EPA to implement an 85 percent phasedown of the production and consumption of HFCs, so they reach approximately 15 percent of their 2011-2013 average annual levels by 2036. The legislative language matches the bipartisan agreement reached earlier this year by Senators Carper, Barrasso, and Kennedy.  The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act would reauthorize the popular, cost-effective DERA program that helps to finance the replacement of older diesel engines with cleaner, American-made technology. The provision reauthorizes the DERA program through fiscal year 2024 at its current funding levels and ensures equal funding opportunities between both metropolitan centers and less populated, rural areas across the country. The DERA program has reduced black carbon emissions by more than 11,000 tons and carbon dioxide by more than 5 million tons. The legislation will reauthorize this important program until 2024.\r\nThe Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act supports carbon utilization and direct air capture research. The bill also supports federal, state, and non-governmental collaboration in the construction and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) facilities and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. The USE IT Act was introduced by Senators Carper, Barrasso, Whitehouse, and several other senators.\r\nAdditional Background Information:\r\nThe American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act:\r\nOn November 1, 2019, Senators Carper and Kennedy introduced the AIM Act. On March 5, 2020, Senators Carper and Kennedy offered the AIM Act as an amendment to the American Energy Innovation Act.\r\nOn March 25, 2020, the EPW Committee began an information-gathering process to hear feedback from different stakeholders on the AIM Act.\r\nOn September 10, 2020, Senators Carper, Barrasso, and Kennedy announced an agreement to update the AIM Act amendment to the American Energy Innovation Act. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA):\r\nDERA was first established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was co-authored by Senator Carper and the late Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio). On March 12, 2019, Senator Carper reintroduced DERA with Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and well as Senators Barrasso, Whitehouse, Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Capito, Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cramer (R-N.D.) and Van Hollen (D-Md.). On March 13, 2019, the EPW Committee held a legislative Hearing to Examine S. __, Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2019. On April 10, 2019, the EPW Committee unanimously passed DERA at an EPW Committee business meeting.\r\nThe Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act:\r\nThe USE IT Act was first introduced during the 115th Congress. The EPW Committee advanced the legislation unanimously in 2018.\r\nOn February 7, 2019, Senator Barrasso joined with Whitehouse and Carper to reintroduce the USE IT Act. Senators Capito, Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cramer, Smith (D-Minn.), Manchin (D-W.V.), and Enzi (R-Wyo.) also joined as original cosponsors.\r\n\r\nOn February 27, 2019, the EPW Committee held a legislative hearing on S. 383. On April 10, 2019, the EPW Committee unanimously passed the USE IT Act at an EPW Committee business meeting. On June 27, 2019, the USE IT Act passed the Senate as part of the 2019 NDAA.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-hails-critical-transportation-funding-in-the-emergency-coronavirus-relief-and-omnibus-package", "Carper Hails Critical Transportation Funding in the Emergency Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Package", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the transportation funding-related provisions included in the emergency coronavirus relief and omnibus spending package.\r\nOver the last several months, the coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way millions of people use our nation's infrastructure. Stay at home orders have kept millions of people off of our roads, buses and trains. Canceled travel plans have dramatically cleared our airways. These impacts to our nation's transportation system have distressed the way we pay for our transportation system. Our nation's infrastructure is paid for largely through user fees  tolls, motor fuel taxes,transit fares and ticket revenue,vehicle excise taxes and registration fees  and, over the course of this pandemic, all of these sources of revenue have declined dramatically. As a result, state and local highway, transit, and rail agencies have been struggling to balance their budgets and forced to consider furloughs, service cuts or canceled contracts. The impact of this pandemic on state and local budgets has been without modern precedent. With this new bipartisan relief package, Congress is providing some long-awaited relief to state and local budgets whose budgets have been stretched precariously thin for too long. This new package will prevent disastrous cuts to transit and rail service and will alsoenable states to transfer funds to their public tolling agencies, which will help those agencies avoid layoffs or other worst-case-scenario budget cuts. I'm particularly glad that this bipartisan package contains critical funding for public transit, regional airports and Amtrak. These sectors of our transportation network have been grappling with the unexpected and extraordinary decline in ridership and revenue. In this bipartisan relief package, Congress has also provided some long-awaited assistance to the motor coach industry. Since the start of this pandemic, the tour bus, charter bus and school bus companies that normally service 600 million people each year have seen a significant reduction in ridership due to widespread stay-at-home orders and travel cancellation. This is an industry that's primarily comprised of small, family-owned businesses. And while employing thousands of people, these motorcoach services also provide a more affordable and environmentally-friendly travel alternative that helps to reduce congestion and improve mobility in rural and economically disadvantaged communities. In Delaware, the motorcoach industry employs hundreds of people and has an estimated $50 million direct economic impact for our state. Finally, this industry will see some of the relief it so badly needs. Of course, this package alone does not do nearly enough to support our nation's transportation infrastructure. Investing in infrastructure can assist with long-term economic recovery, but if we do it right, it can do even more. It can spur economic expansion and growth. It can create millions of jobs and expand opportunity in economically disadvantaged communities. It can mitigate our country's contributionto the climate crisis and improve connections in our communities. Over the next several months, it will be imperative for Congress to come together and make significant investments in our nation's transportation so that we can make good on the promise of building back better and break ground on a stronger, more sustainable future.\r\nThe deal includes:\r\n \r\n$14 billion for transit infrastructure;\r\n$10 billion for highway infrastructure;\r\n$2 billion for airports;\r\n$2 billion for private providers of transportation services;\r\n$1 billion for Amtrak; and,\r\n$1 billion for airline contractor payroll support program funding.\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/epw-leaders-secure-inclusion-of-bipartisan-water-infrastructure-legislation-in-the-omnibus", "EPW Leaders Secure Inclusion of Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Legislation in the Omnibus", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee secured the inclusion of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) in the legislation to fund the government.\r\nWRDA 2020 supports our nation's economic competitiveness by increasing water storage, providing protection from dangerous floodwaters, deepening nationally significant ports, maintaining the navigability of inland waterways, and addressing the threat of invasive species across the country. The bill includes natural infrastructure and ecosystem restoration efforts to protect the environment and improve the resiliency of our water infrastructure. It also cuts red tape, is fiscally responsible, and strengthens our national security.\r\nIn addition to being the lifeblood for communities across the country, our nation's water infrastructure keeps our economy moving forward. That is why it's so important for Congress to come together every two years and authorize funding to improve our ports, restore and rebuild our waterways, protect our communities from coastal storms and inland flooding, and maintain our other critical water resources infrastructure, Senator Carper said. I'm proud that this year's Water Resources Development Act invests in essential Army Corps of Engineers projects and implements several much-needed reforms to combat climate change and support our most vulnerable communities. Our bipartisan legislation will create and sustain jobs and help secure a better future for the American people.\r\nWater infrastructure is critical to every community in our country, Senator Barrasso said. The Water Resources Development Act will help grow the economy, cut red tape, and keep communities safe. Now, this legislation can move forward. I want to thank Ranking Member Carper and Senators Capito and Cardin for working with me and look forward to getting the bill across the finish line. This year's Water Resources Development Act supports the economic and environmental health of our nation. It invests in our nation's key ports and harbors, like the Port of Baltimore. It also makes new commitments to help communities restore ecosystems and address flood risks and sea level rise due to climate changeimportant priorities for Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, Senator Cardin said. Getting this legislation done puts us in a stronger position to start the new year. I am proud we were able to come together in a bipartisan way to get the is done this year. Strengthening America's infrastructure has traditionally been a bipartisan priority because of the enormous benefits such projects can generate, Senator Capito said. The Water Resources Development Act makes important updates to our nation's water resources infrastructure and provides resources that will benefit the health and wellbeing of West Virginians and others in communities across the country. I'm glad to see this legislation included as part of the final bill to fund the federal government. \r\nWRDA 2020, which would deliver major wins for Delaware, was negotiated by Senators Carper, Barrasso, Capito and Cardin and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.).\r\nOn April 21, 2020, Barrasso, Carper, Capito, and Cardin released draft bills of America's Water Infrastructure Act 2020. On May 6, 2020, the EPW Committee unanimously passed America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA 2020). On December 8, 2020, the House of Representatives passed WRDA 2020 by voice vote.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-legislation-to-fight-illegal-streaming-by-criminal-organizations-to-be-signed-into-law", "Bipartisan legislation to fight illegal streaming by criminal organizations to be signed into law", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, bipartisan legislation by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and David Perdue (R-Ga.) that will punish large-scale criminal streaming services that willfully and for commercial advantage or private financial gain offer to the public illicit services dedicated to illegally streaming copyrighted material will be signed into law.TheProtecting Lawful Streaming Actwas included in the year-end spending package that is expected to be signed intolaw this week. The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act will apply only to commercial, for-profit streaming piracy services. The law will not sweep in normal practices by online service providers, good faith business disputes, noncommercial activities, or in any way impact individuals who access pirated streams or unwittingly stream unauthorized copies of copyrighted works. Individuals who might use pirate streaming services will not be affected. Americans increasingly rely on streaming to enjoy their favorite music, sporting events, movies, television shows, audiobooks, and other forms of entertainment content, particularly during this pandemic,said Senator Coons.For too long, large-scale, criminal enterprises have taken advantage of a loophole in CD and DVD-era copyright laws to engage in unprecedented digital piracy, which costs our economy billions of dollars and threatens the livelihoods of our creative community. I am proud that Congress passed this targeted bill, which empowers the Department of Justice to prosecute large-scale, for-profit streaming piracy services, and I appreciate the collaborative effort by content owners, technology companies, public interest groups, and others to ensure that this legislation cannot be used to target internet users or legitimate streaming platforms. The shift toward streaming content online has resulted in criminal streaming services illegally distributing copyrighted material that costs the U.S. economy nearly $30 billion every year, and discourages the production of creative content that Americans enjoy,said Senator Tillis. I am proud this commonsense legislation that was drafted with the input of creators, user groups, and technology companies will become law so we can target criminal organizations and ensure that no individual streamer has to worry about the fear of prosecution. I want to thank Senator Leahy and Representatives Martha Roby and Ben Cline for their early partnership on this important issue. At a time when an unprecedented number of Americans are streaming movies and TV shows, music and books, criminal organizations are exploiting a loophole in copyright law to steal online content at an unprecedented rate and with hardly a consequence,said Senator Leahy.Commercial piracy costs the economy billions of dollars and hurts both the creative community and consumers. This narrow bill closes this loophole by targeting only commercial, for-profit criminal piracy, and I am proud to have supported it. Large-scale digital piracy costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars every year. Because our laws failed to keep up with technology, perpetrators of this crime avoided serious consequences,Senator Hirono said.I'm glad to have worked with my colleagues to bring piracy laws into the modern age, and protect our creators without harming internet users. This bipartisan legislation will close loopholes that allow commercial piracy services to illegally stream billions of dollars in copyrighted content each year,said Senator Cortez Masto.I'm proud to support common sense legislation that will hold these bad actors accountable while protecting individual internet users and legitimate streaming sites. This year especially, Americans have benefited from being able to accessa wide range of movies, TVshows andeducationalcontent from theirownhomes,said Senator Loeffler.Unfortunately,the ease and availability of this programmingarethreatened by large-scale criminal enterprises thatillegallystream copyrighted materials atthe cost to the economy of billions ofdollars a year. I am glad this commonsense agreement is set to pass Congress and become lawbefore the end of thisyear. Bill text is availablehere. Background: Streaming has become the primary way that audiences consume entertainment. It has also become a major form of piracy. Last year, one study reported that digital video piracy costs the U.S. economy $29.2 billion a year. Streaming piracy touches numerous creative sectors, including major motion pictures, television programs, music, audiobooks, live sports, and pay-per-view programming. Under current law, only violations of the reproduction and distribution rights of copyright owners can be charged as felonies, while criminal infringement via streaming (or publicly performing) can only be charged as a misdemeanor. This is known as the streaming loophole  and it is particularly harmful to the U.S. economy because streaming has become the most common form of criminal copyright infringement. This bipartisan, consensus legislation will provide the Department of Justice with the authority to bring felony charges against a digital transmission service that: is primarily designed or provided for the purpose of streaming copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; orhas no commercially significant purpose or use other than to stream copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; oris intentionally marketed by or at the direction of that person to promote its use in streaming copyrighted works without the authority of the copyright owner or the law. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/delaware-delegation-celebrates-major-wins-for-the-first-state-in-water-infrastructure-legislation", "Delaware delegation celebrates major wins for the First State in water infrastructure legislation", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, as well as U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) as part of legislation to fund the government. From improving and expanding water infrastructure to investing in disadvantaged communities, replenishing beaches, and improving coastal resilience, WRDA 2020 delivers major wins for Delaware. In Delaware and across the country, our nation's water infrastructure keeps our economy moving forward. This year's Water Resources Development Act authorizes funding to improve our ports, like the Port of Wilmington. It also implements several much-needed reforms to fortify our most vulnerable communities in the First State from the impacts of climate change and rebuild our beaches,said Senator Carper, who co-authored the legislation with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). I'm proud that my colleagues in Congress came together to get this critical bill across the finish line. Our bipartisan legislation will create and sustain jobs and help secure a better future for the American people. Delaware is the country's lowest-lying state, and our economy and ecosystems rely on the protection of coastal communities and navigability of our waterways,Senator Coons said.I'm pleased that WRDA 2020 includes critical priorities for the First State: safeguarding Delaware's beach communities, enhancing resiliency in the face of climate change and rising sea levels, and facilitating important projects to support the men and women who work at the Port of Wilmington. I'm glad to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate  particularly Senator Carper who played a leading role in these negotiations  to deliver water infrastructure updates that meet the unique needs of our state. We know that one of the most important aspects of infrastructure is maintaining our waterways and systems. This year's WRDA, led by Delaware's Senator Carper makes those critical and necessary investments,said Representative Blunt Rochester. As the state with the lowest mean elevation in the country, Delaware is on the front lines of climate change  from eroding shorelines, to changing growing seasons, to flooding neighborhoods. The bill prioritizes rebuffing the impacts of climate change along with improving our overall water infrastructure. I thank Senator Carper for his leadership in getting this bipartisan bill passed. Among its provisions, WRDA 2020 will: Protect Delaware's beaches from storm damage and assist with their re-nourishment;Promote resiliency projects in communities throughout the First State to address the impacts of climate change; andEnsure the operation and maintenance of Delaware's ports and waterways, including the Port of Wilmington and Indian River Inlet. Clickherefor more in-depth background information on WRDA 2020, and clickherefor additional background about the major wins for Delaware in WRDA 2020. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-secures-intellectual-property-protections", "In 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures intellectual property protections", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations and Judiciary committees, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 federal spending bill to protect intellectual property (IP) rights. The omnibus bill set to be passed by the Senate on Monday features three pieces of legislation that serve to protect American innovation through changes to the law on trademark registration, streaming services, and copyright disputes. Promoting and protecting American innovation is critical to our economy, our national security, and our global standing. That's why I'm glad that our bipartisan work on three critical intellectual property priorities will soon be signed into law in this year's spending bill,said Senator Coons.I am especiallypleasedit includestheTrademark Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill with Senator Tillis, which will help ensure that consumers can have confidence in the source of the branded products and services they buy. TheTrademark Modernization Act (S.3449)establishes new mechanisms for challenging fraudulent trademark registrations and filings atthe United States Patent and Trademark Office and ensuring that federal trademark registrations correspond to actual use in commerce. Senators Coons and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the bill as a companion tobipartisan House legislation. The Trademark Modernization Act will protect consumers by making it easier for legitimate brand owners to prevent others fromusing confusingly similar marks that could mislead the public about the source of goods or services. TheProtecting Lawful Streaming Actempowers the Department of Justice to prosecute large-scale criminal streaming services that undermine legitimate sources of copyrighted content. Senator Coons cosponsored and helped lead this legislative proposal drafted by Senator Tillis. The Protecting Lawful Streaming Act modernizes the law by harmonizing the penalties for illicit streaming with those for copying and distributing unauthorized content on physical media like DVDs. This legislation was drafted with input from creators, public interest groups, and technology companies to ensure that only criminal enterprises are targeted and not individual streamers or consumers viewing content online. TheCASE Act (S.1273)establishes a small-claims tribunal within the Copyright Office to resolve disputes involving copyright infringement. Senator Coons cosponsored the legislation introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). The bill provides an alternative to federal litigation, which is simply too costly and complex for many musicians, photographers, artists, writers, and other creators whose livelihood depends on their ability to protect and commercialize their creative works. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-fiscal-year-2021-spending-bill-sen-coons-secures-funding-for-national-security-and-international-development-priorities", "In Fiscal Year 2021 spending bill, Sen. Coons secures funding for national security and international development priorities", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 federal spending bill to ensure the United States restores its global leadership role by investing in programs to promote national security and international development and provide global health assistance to fight the pandemic. Senator Coons worked on a bipartisan basis to reject the president's proposal to slash funding for U.S. national security and development agencies by 30 percent for the fourth year in a row. The Senate voted to pass these provisions on Monday as part of a $1.4 trillion annual spending package, and they are soon expected to become law. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us hard in the United States,and we must remember that our allies and partners face similar challenges. It is in the United States' interest and consistent with our values to lead the global response to this disease. This year's bipartisan spending deal represents an initialdownpayment on what will need to be a more aggressive response to the health crisis and economic consequences of the pandemic.said Senator Coons.I am pleased that the package includes provisions that will provide $4 billion to a public-private partnership that can help ensure swift distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to low income countries.I am also pleased to see two of my major authorizing bills, the Sudan Claims Resolution Act and the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act included in the package. The federal spending bill includes provisions that will ensure the United Statesremainsa global leaderand continues to safeguardU.S.interests and values around the world, including: $50 million for the establishment of the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Fund to support venture capital investments in Palestinian entrepreneurs andpeople-to-people ties between Israelis and Palestinians. The Sudan Claims Resolution Act, whichwillrestore Sudan's sovereign immunity and resolve longstanding terrorism-related claims against the countryto help transform the U.S.-Sudan relationship, support the country's civilian-led transition to democracy, and help reestablish Sudan's place in the international community.Over$100million for implementation of the bipartisan Global Fragility Act,legislationled by Senator Coons that addresses the root causes of violenceand extremismaround the world before countries fall into crisis.Over $800 million for theU.S.Development Finance Corporation, a federal agencyestablishedbylegislation led bySenator Coons to supportprivate-sectorinvestment indevelopingcountries.Increased funding to implement Global Magnitsky Human Rights sanctions around the world.Fundingto continuethe Young African Leaders Initiative to cultivate the next generation ofchange makers on the African continent. This program supports a cohort of fellows at the University of Delawareeachyear.An increase in funding to support Fulbright scholarships in Africa and for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  $150 million for the humanitarian, development, and security needs of the Palestinian people.Robust military assistance for Israel, as agreed to in 2016 by then-President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu and as authorized in theUnited States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act,which Senator Coons co-authored. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-sudan-legal-peace-legislation-included-in-year-end-spending-package", "Sen. Coons Sudan legal peace legislation included in year-end spending package", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Foreign Relations, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees, celebrates the inclusion of the Sudan Claims Resolution Act in the year-end spending package that Congress will vote on today. Thehistoriclegislationrestores Sudan's sovereign immunity,resolves longstanding terrorism-related claims against the countryandprovides accountability and compensation tohundreds of terrorvictims and family members,andprotects the rights of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.Passage of the Sudan Claims Resolution Act follows the removal of Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism list, both critical steps to the full normalization of relations between the United States and Sudan and Sudan's reentry into the international community. The spending package also includes over $900 million in economic assistance to Sudan to stabilize the economy and civilian-led democratic transition, support the Sudanese people, and provide urgently needed debt relief and restructuring. The passage of this bipartisan legislation will provide a small measure of justice to the families of the East Africa Embassy bombings who have devoted over two decades to their unwavering quest to seek accountability for the attacks that changed their lives forever on August 7, 1998,said Senator Coons.The legislation will also help Sudan  a country of 44 million people at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East  reenter the global economy after 27 years on thestate sponsors of terrorismlist, promote foreign investment and economic growth in the country, and support the civilian-led transition to democracy. Iappreciate the commitment ofmy colleagues on both sides of the aisle, namely Senators Schumer, Menendez, Feinstein, Graham, and Risch, to reach abipartisanagreement on thishistoriclegislation that protects the rights of all victims of terror while granting Sudan urgently needed relief. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to further strengthen and deepen the U.S.-Sudan relationship. The Sudan Claims Resolution Act: Implements the claims agreement negotiated between the U.S. State Department and the Government of Sudan for the 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, and the 2008 murder of John Granville. The agreementwill provide justice, accountability, and compensation toover 700hundred terror victims and family members.Restores Sudan's sovereign immunity while protecting the rights of victims of the 9/11 community, which will allow Sudan to fully participate in the global economy without fear of asset seizure, foster foreign direct investment in the country, create jobs and economic growth to support the Sudanese people, and help stabilize Sudan's civilian-led democratic transition following the country's removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list after a peaceful revolution in 2019 to oust brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir.Ensures naturalized U.S. citizens are compensated at the same rate as natural-born U.S. citizens involved in the attacks.Extends the authorization of the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSSTF) for nine years through 2039 to allow all terror victims eligible for the USVSSTF to recover additional damages. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-votes-to-pass-900b-covid-19-relief-package", "Sen. Coons votes to pass $900B COVID-19 relief package", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the top Democrat on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, voted to pass a roughly $900 billion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The billis expectedto become law quickly. Today, Republicans and Democrats finally upheld our responsibility to the American people and worked together to pass a $900 billion relief package that will help Delawareans in a time of great need. This package will provide prompt aid to our small businesses, especially those hardest-hit by this pandemic; to working Delawareans who were laid off through no fault of their own; and to our families that are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table. It will also help deliver the resources we need to swiftly produce and distribute a vaccine so we can finally combat this pandemic once and for all,said Senator Coons.This must not be the last relief bill, but it's a strong compromise that will deliver relief to the Delawareans who need it before the holidays. The roughly $900 billion stimulus package includes: An expansion of the unemployment insurance program. The package includes a $300 per week federal supplement to weekly state benefits through March 14, 2021. It also extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum number of weeks an individual may claim benefits through regular state unemployment plus the PEUC program, or through the PUA program, to 50 weeks.Direct financial support to American working families. The package provides $600 in direct payments for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each child dependent. The package also ensureshouseholds with individuals of mixed immigration statuswill receive payments.$325 billion to small businesses. The package includes two small business proposals first introduced by Senator Coons: $284 billion for asecond round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans-to-grantsprioritized for businesses hit hard by the pandemicand a $3.5 billionextension of the Small Business Debt Relief Program, which has already delivered $8 billion in debt relief, automatically, to more than 320,000 credit-constrained small businesses nationwide and nearly 900 in Delaware.$12 billion in support for Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions, of which $3 billion is for grants through the CDFI Fund program and $9 billion is for Treasury Department capital investments.CDFIs are mission-driven financial lenders that deliver responsible, affordable lending to low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities. Over 300 CDFIs have served as PPP lenders, helping to reach some of the hardest-hit minority-owned small businesses.$1 billion to help cover Amtrak's operating losses during the unprecedented drop in ridership levels.$25 billion in rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an eviction moratorium extension through January 31, 2021.$10 billion in additional funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant to provide child care assistance to families, and to help child care providers cover their increased operating costs during the pandemic.$69 billion for vaccines, testing and tracing, community health and health care provider support. The bill provides roughly $20 billion to BARDA to procure vaccines and therapeutics, $9 billion to the CDC and states for vaccine distribution and more than $3 billion for the strategic national stockpile. The bill specifically directs a total of $2.8 billion to high-risk and underserved areas for distribution, including communities of color. The bill provides more than $22 billion for testing, tracing, and COVID mitigation programs. Lastly, the bill provides $4.5 billion in mental health funding, $9 billion in support for health care providers, and more than $1 billion for NIH to research COVID-19.$82billion in support to school systems and higher education institutions. This funding includes $1.7 billion for HBCUs and minority-serving institutions like Delaware State University.$13 billion to assist people facing hunger, including increased SNAP benefits and additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition programs.$13 billion to support farmers who have suffered losses during the pandemic. The bill includes a provision that Senator Coons fought for as a co-chair of the Senate Chicken Caucus to extend assistance to contract poultry growers and growers who have been forced to depopulate in Delaware and around the country.$300 million for fishermen and seafood producers hurt by the pandemic, including a provision that Senator Coons championed to provide a minimum of 1% of total funding to each state.$4 billion for global health programs and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support equitable global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-menendez-rubio-leahy-shaheen-celebrate-expected-passage-of-robert-levinson-hostage-recovery-and-hostage-taking-accountability-act", "Sens. Coons, Menendez, Rubio, Leahy, Shaheen celebrate expected passage of Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), joined SFRC Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) andSenators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), andJeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)in releasing the following statements on securing passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (S.712) as part of the end-of-year funding legislation approved by the Senate today: The passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step in seeking justice for the unlawful detention and death of Bob Levinson, an American who was taken hostage by Iran over a decade ago and died in Iranian custody,said Senator Coons. The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act honors Bob by strengthening our ability to bring Americans detained abroad home safely and hold their captors accountable. Earlier this year, we learned that Bob Levinson, the longest-held hostage in American history, died while in Iranian custody, far from his loving family, friends and colleagues. In March 2007, after decades of service to the United States, Bob Levinson was cruelly and mysteriously taken from his family, who have spent the past 13 years tirelessly fighting for his safe return home. Their indefatigable dedication to Bob has inspired me and my colleagues over the years to pursue various legislative efforts, leading to the passage of this bill to ensure that the United States has the resourcesto safeguard American lives abroad and reunite hostages with their loved ones,said Senator Menendez.I commend my colleagues for helping enact this bill, and I continue to stand with the Levinson family in the long march towards achieving justice for Bob. This bipartisan bill, named in honor of Floridian Bob Levinson, the longest held American hostage who is believed to have died while detained by the brutal regime in Tehran, strengthens our nation's resources to bring back American hostages,said Senator Rubio. We must ensure that no American family will ever endure what the Levinson family went through. I am proud to have co-led this legislation and I look forward to it becoming law. This bill is a fitting tribute to Bob Livingston, who gave his life for this country, and to his family who did everything humanly possible to try to save his life. Americans wrongfully imprisoned overseas deserve whatever support and assistance our government can give them. This bill, which I am very proud to have taken part in drafting, will help ensure that future victims and their families receive that help,said Senator Leahy. Any time an American citizen is unjustly held against their will, the U.S. government must do everything in its power to bring them home. Too many lives have been taken and too many Americans remain unjustly imprisoned around the globe today, which is why our legislation is so urgently needed,said Senator Shaheen. Our bipartisan effort reaffirms U.S. commitment to secure the freedom of Americans detained abroad and enhances diplomatic authority for the President and administration to force their release. I'm glad Congress is clearing this legislation and delivering it to the President's desk to be signed into law. This bill is a fitting tribute to Robert Levinson, an FBI agent who was detained by the Iranian regime and died in their custody. He will not be forgotten and through this legislation, we will help ensure Americans who are still unjustly held are not forgotten either. Every tool must be at our disposal to bring Americans home. The Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act is a bipartisan bill to bolster U.S. government resources to bring back Americans held hostage or unlawfully detained abroad. The legislation fortifies existing programs to address hostage-taking and equips the U.S. government with new tools to perform rescues, punish captors, and provide critical information and support to hostages and their families. The bill is named in honor of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who is presumed to have died in Iranian custody this year. Lasting more than twelve years, Levinson's unlawful detention by the Iranian regime is recognized as the longest-held hostage in American history. Bill text is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-meets-with-president-elect-biden-s-nominee-for-defense-secretary", "Carper Meets With President-elect Bidens Nominee for Defense Secretary", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a 23-year veteran of the Navy and the Naval Reserves, released the following statement after meeting with General Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Department of Defense.\r\nI had the opportunity to meet with General Lloyd Austin, a highly respected leader, decorated veteran, and an excellent and historic choice to be the next Secretary of Defense. As the former Commander of CENTCOM, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and with more than four decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Army, General Austin has a deep understanding of the organization he will lead, and of the ever-evolving national security threats our nation faces. In particular, his deep understanding of the counterterrorism and security challenges we face in the Middle East will be an asset as we confront a shifting threat landscape in that region. What's more, General Austin's philosophy of strategic patience, combined with his unique understanding of the many tools in our defense arsenal, will serve our nation well as we prepare to confront and deter aggression and unconventional threats posed by near-peer adversaries around the globe. \r\nHaving led our men and women in uniform, General Austin possesses a deep appreciation of the sacrifices our service members and their families make on behalf of our nation. As a proud veteran and a fierce advocate of for our veteran community, I look forward to working with General Lloyd Austin and the incoming Administration to fulfill our nation's most sacred duty: supporting our service members and their families at home and abroad, and ensuring they receive the care and opportunities they deserve once they return home. In particular, I was pleased to speak with General Austin regarding my support for our military and veteran students, and making sure they get the most out of their hard-earned benefits.\r\nDuring our conversation, General Austin expressed his strong belief that we must rebuild alliances and lead with diplomacy because no one country can confront the many challenges our world faces alone. In roles he has held throughout his career, General Austin has ably represented the United States to other countries around the globe. I am confident that he will continue to advocate for an approach based in diplomacy, statesmanship, and international cooperation, avoiding unnecessary confrontation wherever possible. \r\nThere are individuals who have not worn the uniform for decades who would not have the experience, the acumen or the temperament to succeed in this critical post.My priority is ensuring that we confirm the right person for this job in this moment, and I believe that General Austin is that person. General Austin is a tested leader and a patriot, and President-elect Biden's confidence in his leadership speaks volumes. We are lucky that he is ready and willing to serve his country once again. I believe that with General Austin as our Secretary of Defense, our service members and their civilian leadership at the Pentagon will have an advocate who can provide thoughtful, steady leadership and appropriate consultation with Congress when it comes to addressing the most pressing threats to our national security.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-applauds-new-covid-19-relief-deal", "Sen. Coons applauds new COVID-19 relief deal", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) applauded the $900 billion agreement reached by the Senate and House to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to the American people. The agreement includes unemployment aid, rental assistance, direct payments, support for schools, vaccine distribution, and more. It also extends the Paycheck Protection Program and includeslegislation to support small businesses authored by Senator Coons. Congress has finally reached an agreement to provide desperately needed relief to people in Delaware and across the country,Senator Coons said. I am grateful to my colleagues  both Republicans and Democrats  who worked together for weeks to delivercompromise legislation after too many months of inaction.We cannot wait any longer. Families and small businesses in Delaware need this help now. The bipartisan package supports small businesses with a range of grant and loan programs. It includes two proposals first introduced by Senator Coons: $284 billion for asecond round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans-to-grantsprioritized for businesses hit hard by the pandemicand a $3.5 billionextension of the Small Business Debt Relief Program, which has already delivered $8 billion in debt relief, automatically, to more than 320,000 credit-constrained small businesses nationwide and nearly 900 in Delaware. The package also supports Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which are private mission-driven financial lenders that deliver responsible, affordable lending to low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities. Over 300 CDFIs have served as PPP lenders, helping to reach some of the hardest-hit minority-owned small businesses. Small business owners across Delaware and the country have been fighting to preserve jobs in their communities, without badly needed help for too long. Finally, Congress has the opportunity to enact a bipartisan bill with robust additional aid for Main Street. In particular, I applaud the bipartisan negotiators for including a second round of forgivable loans for hard-hit business, and for extending the successful SBA debt relief program,said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. ThePrioritized Paycheck Protection Programwill allow for a second PPP loan to any small business or nonprofit with 300 or fewer employees that experienced substantial revenue decline during one quarter of 2020.The relief package also makes program improvements to PPP, simplifying the forgiveness process and ensuring that no borrower loses any tax deductions as a result of participating in PPP. The extension of theSmall Business Debt Relief Programwillprovide additional payments of principal and interestfor small businesses with an SBA-backed loan. The broader $900 billion bipartisan deal also includes a $300 per week federal Unemployment Insurance supplement to weekly state benefits, $25 billion in rental assistance, $10 billion for child care assistance, $69 billion for direct pandemic response and health care systems, and $166 billion for stimulus checks of up to $600 per individual. A vote is expected in the Senate as early as Monday, December 21. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-coons-on-covid-relief-im-committedto-not-leave-until-we-get-this-deal-done", "[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on COVID relief: Im committedto not leave until we get this deal done", "2020-12-20", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)joinedMSNBC to discuss negotiations on a COVID-19 relief package as Congress nears an agreement. On a pandemic relief deal: We should have had this done months and months ago. Right now the very final text is being resolved and then that will go to congressional offices. It is always the case here that any one senator who has some concern can slow us down. I'm committed  many of us are committed  to not leave until we get this deal done. That could stretch out a few more days, but every signal is that we have finally addressed every last issue and we should finally be delivering this relief. I continue to hear day and night from Delawareans anxious to know whether there's going to be relief for those facing eviction, relief for those relying on the food bank, relief for those who are unemployed, support and help for small businesses. This bill will do that, but it's not everything we need to do. We will need to come back and do another relief bill early next year. On Trump's absence from COVID relief negotiations:I keep asking myself everyday: What is President Trump doing today? Is he helping by being a good role model  getting vaccinated and wearing a mask? No. Is he helping respond to this broadscale attack by Russia on all of our major government and military online databases and resources? No. In fact he's suggesting it was China, not Russia. Is he helping with delivering this pandemic relief package? No. He's frankly tweeting conspiracy theories that are baseless about an election he lost six weeks ago. I've always thought that President Trump was mostly a pretend president. Now he's not even pretending. Full audio and video availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-historic-nomination-of-deb-haaland-to-lead-the-department-of-the-interior", "Carper Statement on the Historic Nomination of Deb Haaland to Lead the Department of the Interior", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Biden's nomination of U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.\r\nIn choosing Congresswoman Haaland to be his Interior Secretary nominee, President-elect Biden is fulfilling his commitment to assembling a cabinet that truly embodies the best of our country. Congresswoman Haaland's lived experienceas a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and member of the House Natural Resources Committeemakes her an excellent fit to lead the Department of Interior.\r\nFrom White Sands to the Brandywine, our public lands are national treasures. They are sanctuaries that we share with the natural world. They are places we can safely escape to for outdoor recreation during a deadly pandemic. And they deserve to be maintained for future generations. After four years of attacks by the Trump Administration and the ever-present threat of climate change, the American people need someone leading Interior who will fiercely protect our public lands and our wildlife. They have that leader in Congresswoman Haaland.\r\nDelaware may not boast thousands of miles of wide-open spaces or sprawling mountain ranges, but we are home to natural wonders of our own. Our state's wetlands, waterways, and other natural spaces are ecologically important, and teeming with diverse wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Our National Park tells the story of the earliest days of our democracy while our National Wildlife Refuges provide safe harbors for migratory birds. These spaces draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, as eco-tourism and outdoor recreation play a big role in our small state's economy. The Secretary of Interior plays a critically important role for our state, and I look forward to hearing Congresswoman Haaland's ideas about the ways we can protect our natural resources and support conservation in Delaware.\r\nIn addition to protecting public lands and preserving our natural resources, I have no doubt that Congresswoman Haaland will put environmental justice front and center in Interior's important work. I congratulate her on this historic nomination and look forward to working with her on safeguarding the natural world around us.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/video-delaware-delegation-underscores-confidence-by-taking-covid-19-vaccine", "[VIDEO] Delaware delegation underscores confidence by taking COVID-19 vaccine", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester encourage COVID-19 protection through vaccination, face covering, and social distancing\r\nWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.)underscored their confidence in the remarkable work of scientists and public servants across the United States and around the world by taking the first of two doses ofaCOVID-19 vaccine.\r\nIn avideo released by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the Delaware congressional delegation says,It's great news that we have multiple vaccines that aresafe, effective, and critical to beating this pandemic. We are so grateful to the scientists and researchers around the globe who have made this day possible. And to all the health care heroes who have put their own lives at risk to care for others.\r\nTo reach the other side of this pandemic, we're going to need everyone to learn the facts about the vaccine and get vaccinated too. It's about protecting yourself, your loved ones, and everyone in our state. But don't forget, even as vaccines begin to be distributed, we can't let our guard down. Keep washing your hands, wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and limiting interactions with others. If we all do, we'll all get to the other side safely together\r\nDPH is regularly updating their website with information about the COVID-19 vaccine athttps://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/.\r\nFOR PRESS:To download photos, clickhere.\r\nThe representatives received the vaccination at the recommendation of the Capitol physician as part of continuity of government protocol.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/delaware-delegation-underscores-confidence-by-taking-covid-19-vaccine", "Delaware delegation underscores confidence by taking COVID-19 vaccine", "2020-12-19", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.)underscored their confidence in the remarkable work of scientists and public servants across the United States and around the world by taking the first of two doses ofaCOVID-19 vaccine. In avideo released by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the Delaware congressional delegation says,It's great news that we have multiple vaccines that aresafe, effective, and critical to beating this pandemic. We are so grateful to the scientists and researchers around the globe who have made this day possible. And to all the health care heroes who have put their own lives at risk to care for others.\" To reach the other side of this pandemic, we're going to need everyone to learn the facts about the vaccine and get vaccinated too. It's about protecting yourself, your loved ones, and everyone in our state. But don't forget, even as vaccines begin to be distributed, we can't let our guard down. Keep washing your hands, wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and limiting interactions with others. If we all do, we'll all get to the other side safely together\" DPH is regularly updating their website with information about the COVID-19 vaccine athttps://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/. The representatives received the vaccination at the recommendation of the Capitol physician as part of continuity of government protocol. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-meets-with-president-elect-biden-s-nominee-to-lead-ustr", "Carper Meets with President-Elect Bidens Nominee to Lead USTR", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after meeting with Katherine Tai, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).\r\n\r\nIt was a pleasure meeting today with Katherine Tai who is an excellent and historic choice to serve as our country's top trade official. In her current role as Chief Trade Counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, she was a lead negotiator on USMCA where she helped to pass the strongest labor and environmental protections to date, including robust monitoring and enforcement provisions, in a trade agreement that passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. She also previously served as Chief Counsel for China Trade Enforcement at USTR, leading efforts to hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices at the World Trade Organization. I know that Katherine Tai's experience and expertise will be incredible assets for the Biden Administration as they work to ensure that there are clear and fair rules of the road on trade that help American workers compete and win in the global economy, while also holding bad actors accountable.\r\n\r\nAfter years of chaos and uncertainty thanks to President Trump's haphazard trade wars, we know that American farmers, manufacturers, producers and retailers are in desperate need of more certainty and predictability. I know Katherine Tai will be a steady hand at USTR who will help to make sure American goods and services can reach international markets and that they compete on a level playing field when they get there.\r\n\r\nTrade is an issue that doesn't distinguish between red and blue states. It impacts every corner of our country and every corner of our globe. I know there are many areas in which we can work together in Congress to put American businesses, workers, and consumers ahead of politics, as we have done finding ways to rebalance trade authority between the legislative and executive branches and conducting oversight of the Administration's tariff exclusion processes. Katherine Tai has many years of experience working across the aisle in Congress. I am confident that she will have the broad support necessary to be a highly skilled and effective USTR, and I hope the Finance Committee moves quickly to take up her nomination.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-appointment-of-gina-mccarthy-as-white-house-climate-czar", "Carper Statement on Appointment of Gina McCarthy as White House Climate Czar", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Biden appointment former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to serve as the White House Climate Czar. It's hard to imagine a person better prepared for this job. Before she was administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy worked for five Republican governors, including Mitt Romney in Massachusetts. Her long history of work at the state and local level makes her a consensus builder by trade. When Gina McCarthy was called to serve in the Obama-Biden Administration as EPA's Assistant Administrator for Air in 2009, her nomination sailed through the Senate unanimously, but the job itself was no easy task. Prior to her coming to office, nearly early every major clean air regulation by the Bush administration had been rejected by the courts, one by one. By her first day on the job at the EPA air office, Gina McCarthy was tasked with writing many major rules in just a matter of years. But she rose to the challenge, and she rewrote rules that would lead to better air quality and a better climate across our countryall during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. She successfully developed our nation's first-ever greenhouse gas vehicle standards, helping to save consumers money and curb emissions from our nation's largest source of global warming pollution. She also developed long-awaited regulations to reduce mercury and other air toxics from our nation's power plants and address air pollution that crossed over state borders.If Gina McCarthy's subject matter expertise is matched by anything, it's by her dogged persistence and relentless determination. After putting in place safeguards that ushered in dramatic improvements to our nation's air quality, Gina McCarthy was nominated to serve as EPA Administrator. As the head of EPA, she positioned the agency to fight the climate crisis, using every tool at its disposal to clean our air, clean our water and ensure healthier communities everywhere in this country. She worked tirelessly to implement the first regulations to address greenhouse gas pollution from our power plants and worked with Congress to oversee the overhaul of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the first rewrite of a major environmental law in a generation. Under her leadership, EPA took sweeping action to clean our air and save our planet while the United States experienced the greatest economic expansion in our nation's history. I can think of no better person than Gina McCarthy to ensure our government response to the climate crisis is all-hands-on-deck. She's smart and she's honest. She knows how to synthesize complex issues and explain their real-world implications. She understands the importance of communicating with both parties and with stakeholders from all industries. All of these thingsher extensive knowledge and remarkable experiencewill be invaluable in the role of White House Climate Czar as the United States transitions to a carbon-free economy.      When you need help trying to solve a complex problem, you look for someone who will rise to the occasion. In this case, the complex problem is an existential one: saving our planet from climate crisis. Gina McCarthy's record proves that she always rises to the challenge. And I have no doubt that Gina will rise to the challenge once again.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-brenda-mallory-to-lead-the-white-house-council-on-environmental-quality", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Brenda Mallory to Lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Biden's nomination of Brenda Mallory to serve as chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). After four years and countless efforts by the outgoing administration to undermine our nation's landmark environmental statutes, there will be few jobs more challenging than restoring the mission of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. In Brenda Mallory, President-elect Biden has chosen a supremely qualified nominee to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality and coordinate government-wide efforts to address the climate crisis and achieve environmental equity. One of my earliest mentors, the former Governor of Delaware, Russell Peterson, served as chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality during both the Nixon and Ford Administrations. Russ often likened the role of CEQ chair to an orchestra conductoryou don't play the instruments, but you try to ensure that everyone is playing in harmony. The CEQ chair coordinates action across the entire government to ensure federal agencies are working in harmony; that every federal decision advances the objectives of economic growth, better public health and stronger environmental quality. But, while the CEQ chair works like a conductor to achieve harmony across federal agencies, it must also pursue harmony between our economy, our society and our shared environment for current and future generations. Those are the clear objectives of CEQ laid out in the National Environmental Policy Act, the landmark environmental law that created CEQ. But sadly, for the last four years, the actions of CEQ have been unaligned with its mission. The agency even worked to undermine the NEPA statute at the core of its foundation. Instead of advancing those three objectives  a more productive economy, a healthier society and a cleaner environment  the outgoing administration repeatedly compromised public health and environmental quality for the sake of less red tape.' It will be critical for the next CEQ chair to restore balance in CEQ's mission. That is why I believe there is no better choice than an experienced public servant like Brenda Mallory with the legal expertise to lead CEQ in this critical role at such a critical time for the agency. As the former General Counsel for CEQ, Brenda Mallory already knows the agency inside and out. She knows the bureaucratic levers to pull, and she understands the importance of building relationships. And now, Brenda will not only be able to continue the important work she started under the Obama-Biden Administration, but she will also be able to position CEQ for the future. She knows what the agency has been  the statute at its core  and she believes in what the agency can be. CEQ is prime to take a leadership role to addressing environmental justice role in climate change, and with Brenda Mallory at the helm, it will. She knows how to ensure federal agencies align their goals to protect our planet and improve environmental outcomes for everyone in this country. She sees the climate crisis for what it is, an existential crisis, and she recognizes the long-term impacts of climate change on everything from air quality to the resilience of our infrastructure. She will be a leader who meets the challenge of the climate crisis while prioritizing the voices of Indigenous communities and communities of color. No doubt, the role of CEQ chair will be no easy task given the sheer volume and magnitude of the environmental rollbacks we've seen over the last four years. But if anyone understands how to get CEQ back on track, it's Brenda Mallory. I congratulate Brenda on her nomination and look forward to speaking with her about the work ahead of us to create a safer and healthier country for everyone.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-jennifer-granholm-to-lead-the-department-of-energy", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Jennifer Granholm to Lead the Department of Energy", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Biden's nomination of former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. In his announcement of Governor Granholm to be his Energy Secretary nominee, President-elect Biden has chosen one of the brightest and most capable people to lead the U.S. Department of Energy. Governor Granholm is an executive whose leadership has been tested by crisis. While her passion for clean energy is driven by personal conviction  an unwavering belief in the potential of American ingenuity and innovation  it is also grounded in deep experience and subject matter expertise. When the eyes of the world were on Michigan and the iconic American auto industry descended into financial disarray, Governor Granholm went to bat for working families and businesses in her state. She worked directly with President Obama and Vice President Biden to defend and deliver the auto industry from economic collapse, saving the millions of jobs depending on the industry to survive. It's been said that the ultimate test of a leader is how they handle a crisis. With Governor Granholm at the helm, the state of Michigan emerged from the depths of the Great Recession even stronger as a national leader in clean energy technologies. Governor Granholm believes in the potential of American innovation and ingenuity because she has seen it for herself. She has witnessed the same companies that once relied on the internal combustion engine evolve, and now lead the world in electric and alternative fuel vehicle technologies. Governor Granholm has proven that investments in clean energy technologies can usher in economic recovery, renewal and prosperity. Her strategic vision helped to make Michigan a leader in clean energy manufacturingjust imagine what she will do at the U.S. Department of Energy. She will harness the department's tremendous research power, empower American entrepreneurialism and invention, and bring innovation out of the labs and into our communities. She will support the clean cars of the future and the next generation of zero-emitting technologies from offshore wind to advanced nuclear. She will ensure that our nation has the clean energy resources we need to make the transition to a carbon-free economy, and she will make damn sure that American industries, manufacturing communities and workers reap the benefits of that transition. Governor Granholm knows that we can build back better through low carbon measures because she's done it before. And she can do it again. As our nation reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, this historic economic downturn and the worsening climate crisis, I am excited to hear Governor Granholm's ideas to realize President-elect Biden's vision to build back better than ever. As a recovering governor myself, my view is that there can never be too many governors in an administration. And, as a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan, I can't help but be excited about the prospect for a Detroit Tigers fan on President-elect Biden's cabinet. I'm excited for Governor Granholm to bring to Washington some of that energy' we Tigers fans feel at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull and at Comerica Park.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-michael-regan-to-lead-the-environmental-protection-agency", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Michael Regan to Lead the Environmental Protection Agency", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Biden's nomination of Michael Regan to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Restoring and reviving the Environmental Protection Agency after the last four years will be no walk in the park. This is a federal agency whose decisions affect each and every one of us in this country, each and every dayfrom the drinking water that flows from our faucets, to the products we use in our homes, to the air we draw into our lungs with every breath. This is also an agency that has been basically decimated by the outgoing administration, and whose decisions over the last four years have prioritized industry at steep costs to human health and the environment.   Meanwhile, if you look across the country, what you will see is a nation suffering the loss of more than 300,000 Americans to a deadly pandemic. You will see a nation reeling from the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression and reckoning with systemic racial oppression, injustice and inequality. Everywhere you look in this country, you will see that the climate crisis is already here and threatening the water we drink, the air we breathe and the only home we have, our planet. Righting the ship at EPA would be difficult under any circumstance, but, right now, in this moment for our country, it poses a tremendous challenge for any leader. It also presents an opportunity. All eyes have been on this nomination for some time now because of the enormous responsibility it entails. Fortunately for President-elect Biden  and all of us, for that matter  there was no shortage of highly qualified public servants ready to roll up their sleeves and take on this challenge. In Secretary Michael Regan, President-elect Biden has selected a forward-looking public servant to lead EPA and address the longstanding environmental problems affecting our communities. As the head of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Secretary Regan has earned the reputation of a skilled consensus builder who understands the balance between environmental protections and economic growth  that we can do well and do good' at the same time. Coming from a state like North Carolina, Secretary Regan has a history of working productively with both political parties and various stakeholders to support progressive environmental policies. That collaborative approach to policymaking will prove to be a critical skillset in this political environment. After all, communication and engagement with the environmental community, the business community and the American people will be pivotal as EPA marshals its every existing tool and authority to mobilize our nation toward a clean, carbon-free economy. In the transition to a clean economy, EPA must ensure no worker, family or community is left behind. I look forward to hearing Secretary Regan's ideas to foster greater opportunity and prosperity in the economy-wide transition to net-zero emissions. I also look forward to hearing Secretary Regan's ideas to further the work of environmental justice and uplift communities of color, Indigenous communities and economically disadvantaged communities. To make real the promise of clean air, safe drinking water and a healthy community for everyone in this country, EPA must ensure environmental equity. Despite the daunting challenges facing our nation and our planet, with tonight's announcement about the leadership of his climate team, President-elect Biden has given us all the more reason to be hopeful. It is clearer than ever that our president-elect sees the struggles of our communities and our families, and that he is listening to the next generation of young leaders who have mobilized to save our planet from the climate crisis. He acknowledges the science that tells us time is running out, and he is already working to fulfill the promises he made to each and every one of us to build a more sustainable, equitable and better future.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/consumers", "Sen. Coons introduces legislation to ensure consumers are treated fairly by algorithms", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation that would ensure American consumers are not being unfairly discriminated against by black box algorithms. As companies are increasingly using complex algorithms to make decisions about opportunities for education, employment, housing, health care, and more, the Algorithmic Fairness Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to prevent companies from acting on algorithmiceligibility determinations that are deemed unfair because they are biased or use incorrect data. Artificial intelligence brings real benefits to society and opens exciting possibilities. However, it also comes with risks,saidSenator Coons.Companies are increasingly using algorithms to make decisions about who gets a job or a promotion, who gets into a certain school, or who gets a loan. If these decisions are being made by artificial intelligence that is using unfair, biased, or incorrect data, it has an outsized impact on people's lives. Existing civil rights laws may not be capturing these harms, and it is critical that Congress establish a framework to ensure that the United States' transition into the digital economy is rooted in ethics and our values. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and other stakeholders going forward to tackle this complex and pressing problem. The Algorithmic Fairness Act would: Require the FTC to conduct a study about the ways companies are developing and implementing algorithmic eligibility determinationsDirect the FTC to use its Section 5 authority to prevent companies from acting on algorithmic eligibility determinations that are deemed unfair under the FTC's unfairness standardRequire companies to create an audit trail for each algorithmic eligibility determination it makes about a consumer, preserving records about the data and methodology used to make the determination, how the algorithm was created and trained, and the ultimate decision renderedRequire companies to notify consumers when they have been the subject of an algorithmic eligibility determination and provide the consumer with the information the company used to make such a determination and an opportunity to correct the data that the company usedEstablish research funding and a leadership program rewarding fair, accountable, and transparent examples of data analytics Bill text is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/readout-of-sen-coons-meeting-with-ambassador-linda-thomas-greenfield-nominee-for-us-ambassador-to-the-united-nations", "Readout of Sen. Coons meeting with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committeeand the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the State Department and foreign aid, released the following statement after meeting virtually with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, President-elect Biden's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. I just completed a productive conversation with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, President-elect Biden's nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, in which we discussed pressing geopolitical and humanitarian challenges facing the incoming Biden-Harris Administration. In her 35 years of diplomatic experience and public service, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield has tackled complex issues from finding ways to care for refugees and migrants to stopping the Ebola crisis in West Africa in 2014. Throughout these challenges, she has earned the respect of leaders and diplomats around the world, and I am confident that she will continue to represent the very best of America as our top official at the United Nations. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield's nomination hearing andsupporting her swift confirmation in the Senate. Fromreestablishing U.S. leadership at the United Nations to putting our values back at the center of U.S. foreign policy, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield will have important work to do, and I plan to do everything I can to support her efforts in the Senate. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-defazio-napolitano-and-beyer-lead-members-of-congress-in-filing-amicus-brief-over-trump-administration-s-dirty-water-rule", "Carper, DeFazio, Napolitano, and Beyer Lead Members of Congress in Filing Amicus Brief over Trump Administrations Dirty Water Rule", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Representative Grace F. Napolitano (D-Calif.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, and Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.) submitted an amicus brief on behalf of 74 current Members of Congress, as well as three former Members, to the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, in the case of Conservation Law Foundation et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency et al. In the amicus brief, the lawmakers assert that the Trump administration's so-called Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR)also known as the Dirty Water Ruleignores science, fails to provide Congress with basic information about the impacts of this rule, and undermines the ability of states to protect their own water quality. In 1972, Congress enacted the Clean Water Act, a landmark statute with the core objective of cleaning up the nation's waters. The NWPR turns this statutory scheme on its head, the lawmakers wrote. the NWPR is arbitrary, capricious, and grounded in misunderstandings of governing statutory law. Finalized in April 2020, the Dirty Water Rule is a draconian rollback of clean water protections over the nation's rivers, streams, and wetlands, jeopardizing the safe drinking water of over a hundred million American households. The Dirty Water Rule reinterprets decades-old Clean Water Act protections endorsed by Republican and Democratic administrations alikevirtually assuring the destruction of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands throughout the nation. Internal EPA documents estimate that the Dirty Water Rule would eliminate federal clean water protections for as many as 60 percent of stream miles in the lower 48 states that do not flow year-roundalmost 2 million stream milesand an estimated 110 million acres of wetlands. Read the lawmakers' full amicus brief here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-meets-with-president-elect-biden-s-nominee-for-treasury-secretary", "Carper Meets With President-elect Bidens Nominee for Treasury Secretary", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after meeting with Janet Yellen, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Treasury Department. Senator Carper's statement when Janet Yellen's nomination was announced can be found here.\r\n\r\nToday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Janet Yellen, an exceptionally qualified and renowned economist who will help President-Elect Biden build back a stronger and more inclusive economy as American families face these challenging times. During our conversation, we talked about the importance of embarking on an economic recovery that not only supports families and communities that have been devastated by the pandemic, but also puts us on a more equitable and sustainable path going forward. We also discussed the existential threat that climate change poses to our economy and how a Treasury Secretary can contribute to President-elect Biden's ambitious climate agenda.\r\nIt is nearly impossible to find any individual more qualified for this position than Janet Yellen. She is a historic choice for Treasury and her track record of success has earned her well-deserved respect from Republicans and Democrats alike for good reason. As we seek to get our economy back on track, I encourage my colleagues to swiftly confirm Janet. With the monumental economic challenges our country is facing, there is absolutely no time to waste. I know she will be ready on day one.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-meets-with-president-elect-biden-s-nominee-to-lead-omb", "Carper Meets with President-Elect Bidens Nominee to Lead OMB", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after meeting with Neera Tanden, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).\r\n\r\nThis week I had the chance to meet with Neera Tanden, an experienced policy expert who is qualified and ready to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President-elect Joe Biden at an incredibly challenging time. Neera's vast understanding of the different working parts of government from her time in the Senate, her experience helping craft the Affordable Care Act at HHS, and her latest role as the CEO and president of the Center for American Progress, will serve as a huge asset as she takes on the role of OMB Director.As the daughter of single mother who relied on programs like food stamps and Section 8 housing, Neera also knows firsthand the important role safety net programs play in helping support families in their time of need. Her lived experience will help keep the needs of families and vulnerable communities top of mind as our government makes critical policy decisions to bring economic relief to American families and get our economy going again. During our conversation today, we discussed the shared responsibility Democrats and Republicans have to come together to enact a cohesive COVID response and OMB's role in making sure all the tools of government are utilized effectively to deliver for American families and meet the urgency of this moment. Neera understands we are facing a national crisis and that it will take an all hands on desk approach to put an end to this pandemic and restore our economy. \r\nThere is no shortage of work that we need OMB to get started on quickly. A top priority must be reversing the harmful and far-reaching rollbacks that the Trump Administration has put in place across our federal government over the last four years. As the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), I am particularly concerned about the Trump Administration's repeated attempts to weaken the environmental standards that protect human health and our environment. Just this month, EPA moved to finalize yet another rule that would prioritize the wellbeing of polluters over the health of Americans. We are also hearing that, in the coming weeks, just as President Trump is leaving office, his EPA will attempt to finalize a rule that would prevent the agency from using the best available science in rulemaking going forward. We need rules that are based in facts and sound science and leaders who will finally respect the advice of career experts.\r\nI'm confident that Neera Tanden has the policy expertiseto do this job well. But I believe it's her own personal experience that will propel her to ensure our government works better for the people it should serve. I look forward to her nomination being brought before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee swiftly.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-republicans-repeated-efforts-to-push-misinformation-about-the-2020-election", "Carper Statement on Republicans Repeated Efforts to Push Misinformation about the 2020 Election", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Carper: If our nation's leaders don't embrace the truth in our daily discourse, then we no longer have a democracy that will endure. Calling an election unfair does not make it so.\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released the following statement regarding Chairman Ron Johnson's (R-Wis.) continued efforts to promote Russian disinformation and use official Senate time and resources to advance partisan objectives. \r\n\r\nMr. Chairman, President Lincoln once said, If given the truth, [the people] can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.' In the Navy, that's what we call the straight skinny.' With all due respect, the American people have had the real facts regarding this election for some time now. The truth, the straight skinny, is staring us in the face. It may not be what President Trump and his supporters wanted, but Joe Biden and Kamala Harris received more votes than any other ticket in American history. That's a success for our democracy and something that all of us should celebrate. A success made possible in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic thanks to ordinary citizens who volunteered as poll workers. Many of them risked their own health to oversee a fair count, while hundreds of thousands of postal workers worked tirelessly to deliver absentee ballots.\r\n\r\nThe U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency has called this election the most secure in American history.' And throughout this country, courts have flat out rejected claims of election irregularities. Conservative, Trump-appointed judges in state after state have dismissed the Trump campaign's claims, calling them baseless' and worse. Let me cite just a few examples. In response to a legal challenge from the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania, a federal judge appointed by President Trump, and a longtime member of the conservative Federalist Society, wrote that charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.'And one of the most strongly worded opinions came from a Wisconsin state justice, who served as president of a chapter of the Federalist Society and as chief legal counsel to former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Something far more fundamental than the winner of Wisconsin's electoral votes is implicated in this case,' he wrote, in declining to hear a case asking the court to overturn the election results. At stakeis faith in our system of free and fair elections, a feature central to the enduring strength of our constitutional republic.' To that, we should all say, Amen!' \r\n\r\nWe learned this week that arguments from the Trump legal teams thus far have been defeated 59 times out of 61 in state and federal courts, including 9-0 by the Supreme Court just last week.Those cases were not close calls. In suit after suit, across red and blue states, in opinions written by liberal and ultra conservative judges, the Trump campaign's largely contrived allegations have been rejected. Four years after Donald Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million votes, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won it by a whopping 7 million votes. And, they received 306 votes in the Electoral College, a margin described by candidate Trump in 2016 as a landslide. But what if the outcome is not as definitive four years from now? Or in eight years? Next time, with different judges on the bench, different candidates and a lot less integrity and courage from state and local officials, a defeated party might somehow be able to steal an election? Think about that. It should scare the hell out of every one of us.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, many of the President's supporters across the country continue to spread misinformation and false allegations about the presidential election. The truth of the matter is that in a lot of states, many of the voters who voted for Joe Biden for president turned around and, on down ballot races, voted Republican in congressional races, state legislative races and more. In Delaware, we call that ticket splitting. It's not a conspiracy, it's as old as our democracy.\r\n\r\nWhat we say in this Committee  and in this body  matters. If we continue to push what the courts have overwhelmingly called baseless claims of fraud, we not only risk permanent damage to our democracy, we also become complicit in threats and attacks against elections officials and ordinary citizens. In Georgia, nonpartisan election technicians have faced death threats for simply doing their jobs. The Georgia Secretary of State and his family have received death threats. Mr. Krebs, a Trump appointee, has been bombarded with threats ever since an attorney for President Trump's campaign said on national TV that Mr. Krebs should be quote taken out at dawn and shot. And just this week, credible threats of violence closed the Michigan state capitol, and electors in Pennsylvania needed law enforcement escorts when they went to cast their votes. \r\n\r\nThis is not the America that our Founders dreamed of. This is shameful! Enough already! We have work to do to get America back on track, starting this week right here in this Capitol. All of us  Democrats and Republicans  need to do our jobs! And, that's just the beginning. There are over 250 million Americans who need to vaccinated. There are millions of businesses that need a helping hand to get back on their feet. Tens of millions of students who need to be back in school getting an education. Hundreds of thousands of hospital and nursing home workers who just need a break. But it's going to be hard to move forward as a country with dispatch, or as a Congress, until we accept the clear results of this election and turn the page. \r\n\r\nIn 1787, delegates from 13 colonies convened in Philadelphia to debate the future of our country. They disagreed on many things. But they all agreed that they didn't want a king. In responding to arguments from the Trump legal team in Wisconsin, a member of the state Supreme Court there echoed these sentiments recently when she said to them, quote, you want us to overturn this election so that your king can stay in power. And that is so un-American.' And she was right!\r\n\r\nMr. Chairman, when you became the leader of this Committee in 2015, you pledged to run this Committee, quote, with a spirit of bipartisan teamwork, respect, integrity, and professionalism' which has been our hallmark for years. Those words were reassuring to me, to our colleagues on this Committee and to the members of our staffs. A few years later, when you and I worked together to introduce and enact the bipartisan Presidential Transitions Improvement Act, you said that, quote, [t]he peaceful transition of power from one administration to the next is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.' Those are the kinds of words we hope and expect to hear from our leaders. Words that appeal to our better angels. Words that unite us, not divide us. Sadly, I fear that today's hearing may not be truly reflective of those words. I hope I'm wrong. But if I'm not, today's hearing could prove deeply disappointing to me and many of the 330 million people we serve across the nation. Let's not disappoint them.\r\n\r\nAs we began today's hearings, Mr. Chairman, you asked our witnesses to stand and take an oath to tell the truth. It's only fair for all of us to hold ourselves to that same standard. If our nation's leaders don't embrace the truth in our daily discourse, then we no longer have a democracy that will endure. Calling an election unfair does not make it so. And spreading misinformation in this Committee or on any committee doesn't just stay inside these four walls. I began my statement today with the words of Abraham Lincoln. I want to conclude it with these words attributed to Thomas Jefferson: if the people know the truth, they won't make a mistake. So, let's tell them the truth. Today. Tomorrow and for generations to come. The truth will keep us free. It always has. It always will.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/readout-of-sen-coons-meeting-with-tony-blinken-nominee-for-secretary-of-state", "Readout of Sen. Coons meeting with Tony Blinken, nominee for Secretary of State", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committeeand the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the State Department and foreign aid, released the following statement after meeting virtually with Tony Blinken, President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of State. I just finished a productive conversation with Tony Blinken,President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of State, about the difficult challenges and exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the United States and the Biden Administration. I have known and worked with Tony for more than a decade, and I am confident that he will be a successful, effective diplomatforour country. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to Tony's confirmation hearings, and I plan to advocate for his quick confirmation with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues. Fromrebuilding confidence in American leadershiptorestoring our alliances around the world, Tony and the State Department have critical work to do, and I plan to do everything I can to support those efforts in the Senate. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-graham-whitehouse-sullivan-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-ocean-plastic-pollution-and-marine-litter", "Sens. Coons, Graham, Whitehouse, Sullivan introduce bipartisan legislation to combat ocean plastic pollution and marine litter", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced legislation that would bring the international community together to address the increasing amount of plastic and trash polluting our oceans and marine environments. The Unify Nations in Trash Elimination (UNITE) for our Oceans Act would direct the U.S. government to work with international partners to finance promising projects that promote the sustainable management of materials and reduce the amount of plastic and other waste polluting the world's oceans. Each year, billions of pounds of trash  much of it plastic  makes its way into our oceans. This incredible amount of harmful material is having devastating effects not only on marine animals and ecosystems, but also on human health and economies around the world,said Senator Coons. We cannot address this problem alone. I am proud to lead this bill with my colleague, Senator Graham, to ensure the United States collaborates with the international community to address this critical issue. This is a major step forward for the United States. We're going to lead the way with a global fund to aggressively deal with plastics in our oceans,said Senator Graham.This new initiative is an effort by America to put our money where our mouth is and will be used to leverage other nations to contribute so we have an all-hands-on-deck approach to dealing with the overwhelming problem presented by plastics in the ocean. If we don't find answers fast, we'll have more tons of plastic waste in our oceans than living fish by the middle of the century. Solving that problem requires work with other nations on new international solutions,said Senator Whitehouse. I'm excited that Senators Graham and Coons, and my ocean plastics partner Senator Sullivan, have joined together to introduce this bipartisan bill to combat a massive challenge facing our oceans. The UNITE for our Oceans Act is set to build on the groundswell of bipartisan progress we've seen in Congress on tackling the global marine debris crisis,said SenatorSullivan. Complementing the important initiatives of my Save Our Seas Act and the recently-passed SOS 2.0, our legislation will establish a Marine Debris Trust Fund, increase the grants available around the world to prevent debris from entering the ocean, and encourage the reuse and recycling of plastics and the use of sustainable alternatives. I thank Senators Coons, Graham, and Whitehouse for their partnership on this global environmental challenge that not only tremendously impacts Alaska's economy and environment, but the world's. This bill demonstrates a clear bipartisan commitment to invest in a more sustainable future by tackling the plastics problem at the global level. WWF commends Senators Coons and Graham for prioritizing investments in global solutions to a global problem. We look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to make these and related concepts reality,said Roberta Elias,Director of Policy for the World Wildlife Fund. Marine debris is a global issue that needs an international response. The Senate and House Oceans Caucus have prioritized this issue, resulting in a number of important legislative outcomes. Senator Graham's and Senator Coons' UNITE for our Oceans Act of 2020 is a giant step forward that displays the desperately needed U.S. leadership on this issue and will provide a mechanism to leverage other countries' contributions for a truly unified approach to achieving a solution,said David Barron, Chairman of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation Group's Board of Directors. We congratulate Senators Coons and Graham for their leadership in proposing this ambitious legislation and continuing a tradition of bipartisan support on the issue. Beyond authorizing a substantial investment, the bill importantly recognizes that incineration is not a sustainable solution while also providing flexibility to direct resources at the local level where they are needed most. While we have a lot to do at home  from prioritizing the reduction or phasing out of single-use unnecessary plastics to improving our own recycling rates  this bill would provide much-needed assistance to the international community to prevent and reduce marine plastic pollution, and help keep our global ocean healthy,said Chever Voltmer, Plastics Initiative Director at the Ocean Conservancy. The Unify Nations in Trash Elimination (UNITE) for our Oceans Act would: Direct the Secretary of State to work with U.S. federal agencies, individual countries, and internationalorganizations to establish a Trust Fund for MarineDebris and Plastic Pollution' (Trust Fund). The goal of the Trust Fund is to prevent and reduce marinedebris and plastic pollution andfacilitate the sustainable production and consumption of resources. The Trust Fund would be managedby a Board of Trustees, comprised of representatives of the countries that contribute.Specify that the Trust Fund will award grants to national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and other entities to complete projects that would reduce marinedebrisand plastic pollution. These projects include efforts to reduce the amount of trashand plastics entering marine environments, encourage the use of sustainable materials, reduce the use and improper disposal of single-use plastics, and promote reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials that pollute marine environments.Direct the Secretary of State and the Board of Trustees to appoint an Administrator to manage the Trust Fund, implement standards and procedures to monitor the use of funds, and establish criteria to determine how grants will be awarded.Establish an Advisory Board to the Trust Fund to provide guidance in the development and implementation of grant projects and in leveraging contributions to the fund.Require the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress outlining the goals of the Trust Fund and the criteria that has been established to determine the programs and activities that it supports.Authorize $150 million to be appropriated for U.S. contributions to the Trust Fund each year for two years. The bill text is availablehere, and a summary of the bill ishere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-inhofe-celebrate-40-years-of-the-us-african-development-foundation", "Sens. Coons, Inhofe celebrate 40 years of the U.S. African Development Foundation", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced a resolution to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), an independent U.S. government agency that supports community development in sub-Saharan Africa. The USADF and the people that support their work are dedicated, results-oriented champions of the U.S.-Africa relationship. As the only U.S. government agency focusing 100% on the continent  and largely with Indigenous peoples  USADF's style of community development has contributed to four decades of improved relations and better livelihoods for people across Africa,said Senator Coons.Today, we celebrate 40 years of progress and look toward USADF's continued role in a more peaceful and prosperous continent. I am proud to introduce a resolution today with Senator Coons honoring the United States African Development Foundation's 40th anniversary,Senator Inhofe said.USADF has for years given local entrepreneurs resources and opportunities to develop, grow and scale their businessesimproving their lives. Africa holds a special place in my heart and I look forward to continuing to support the USADF and the U.S.-Africa relationship for years to come. Founded on December 16, 1980, the USADF has invested in a pan-African network of local implementing partners to promote entrepreneurship, food security, and economic development in underserved and hard to reach communities. USADF is consistently ranked as one of the most efficient providers of U.S. foreign assistance by the Center for Global Development. The full text of the resolution is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-tillis-condemn-irans-human-rights-record", "Sens. Coons, Tillis condemn Irans human rights record", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the SenateHuman RightsCaucus, issued the following statement. This week, the United States imposed sanctions on Iranian officials for the abduction and probable death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, officially confirming the Iranian government's responsibility for his disappearance. As co-chairs of the SenateHuman RightsCaucus, we are appalled by the Iranian government's continued violations of thehuman rights of foreigners, dual nationals, and its own citizens. In just the past few weeks, the Iranian government sent Iranianhuman rightslawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh back to prison despite her poor health and COVID-19, and executed journalist Ruhollah Zam, who played an important role in supporting anti-regime protests in Iran three years ago. Additionally, Siamak Namazi, an American-Iranian businessman, has been arbitrarily detainedin Iran for over five years, and his father, Baquer, is barred from leaving the country. These names are just a few in a long list of brave individuals who have had their fundamental rights and freedoms repeatedly violated by the Iranian government. In addition to addressing Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missile tests, and its support for violent militant groups across the Middle East, the United States must be clear in condemning Iran'shuman rightsabuses. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-pete-buttigieg-to-lead-the-department-of-transportation", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Pete Buttigieg to Lead the Department of Transportation", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. President-elect Biden promised the American people that we will build back better, and, with Pete Buttigieg at the helm of the Department of Transportation, we will. As the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg has demonstrated that he is a leader with the heart of a servant and the vision we need at the Department of Transportation to break ground on a better future for all Americans. The future of our nation's transportation system is not just about connecting one place to another, it's about connecting us to each other, safely and sustainably. Sometimes, building back better means breaking down the barriers that divide and disconnect usfrom the underused highways to the busy high-speed roads that too often divide communities and create obstacles for daily life. Pete has spent his life breaking down barriers of his own. And now, poised to serve as the first openly gay Senate-confirmed member of a presidential cabinet, Pete Buttigieg is breaking down barriers again. The mission of the Department of Transportation has traditionally rested on two pillars, safety and economic productivity. Pete Buttigieg understands both of these pillars. As mayor of South Bend, he focused on building a safer, more connected and more prosperous community for everyone. At the forefront of a new generation of leaders, Pete Buttigieg also understands the urgency and gravity of the climate crisis. He knows that the Department of Transportation must adopt a third pillar in its mission  ensuring our nation's transportation networks are resilient to climate change and putting our transportation sector on a path to achieve net zero-emissions no later than 2050. Our nation's transportation infrastructure should uplift everyone  not just the privileged few  to more opportunity, but where we invest and how we invest matters. Pete Buttigieg understands that. He understands the importance of prioritizing environmental justice and achieving equity, and he will listen to the communities of color and Indigenous communities that have gone overlooked and been underfunded by the federal government for too long. And, Pete Buttigieg knows that American workers supported by strong labor protections should reap the benefits of economic growth and the hundreds of thousands of new jobs that come with significant transportation investments. With the perspective of a mayor, Pete Buttigieg understands how, at the local level, well-planned investments in transportation can precipitate economic renewal and greater economic opportunity. His perspective as a community leader will lend itself to community-oriented leadership at the head of the Transportation Department and a community-driven vision for our nation's transportation networks. And, as a former mayor, he also understands that state and local transportation agencies need certainty and predictability to plan and manage their programs and projects. I look forward to discussing his views on sustainable sources of funding for our federal transportation infrastructure. As a fellow veteran, I thank Mayor Pete for his service to our country and for his willingness to serve our country again as part of President-elect Biden's cabinet. I look forward to the work ahead of us, to build back better than ever before and break ground on a better, safer, more sustainable, and more connected future for everyone in this country.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-welcomes-decision-to-remove-sudan-from-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list", "Sen. Coons welcomes decision to remove Sudan from State Sponsor of Terrorism List", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,released the following statement on the U.S. government's decision to remove Sudan from a list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. Sudan's removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is a welcome and historic step forward in the U.S.-Sudan relationship. In 2019, after 30 years of brutal rule by the dictatorship of Omar al Bashir, the Sudanese people undertook tremendous risk and sacrifice to lead a peaceful revolution and demand a brighter future. Sudan's transitional government under the leadership of Prime Minister Hamdok has continued to take steps to earn this delisting, and I am pleased to see the removal of this barrier to Sudan's ability to participate in the international community. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue to strengthen and deepen ties with Sudan to help the country build on the progress of this announcement. We should start with Congress coming together with the executive branch to pass legal peace for Sudan as soon as possible in a manner that respects the rights of all victims of terrorism. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-coons-on-covid-relief-we-have-to-move-forward-on-this-748-billion-that-we-all-agree-on", "[VIDEO] Sen. Coons on COVID relief: We have to move forward on this $748 billion that we all agree on", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)joinedCNN New Day to discuss the bipartisan legislationannounced Mondaythat would provide $748 billion in relief to the American people. On state and local aid, Senator Coons said,As someone who was a county-level elected leader for a decade and is close to lots of state and local elected officials around the country who I know from my service at the local level, there are nurses and teachers, paramedics, police officers who are facing layoffs in municipalities, counties and states around the country. Roughly 1.3 million have already been laid off. On COVID-19 relief negotiations, Senator Coons said,this group of eight bipartisan senators and two House members worked for weeks and crafted a substantial bipartisan framework for a $908 billion in relief for our country. It's only because Mitch McConnell continues to insist on a broad and extreme version of liability relief to protect businesses, no matter how irresponsibly they behave, that we are having to walk away from that 160 [billion dollars for state and local governments]. I continue to believe that if our goal is to allow businesses to reopen safely and for employees and customers to go back to businesses safely, that we can find a compromise, but we have to move forward on this $748 billion that we all agree on. We should not go home without enacting significant relief for the American people who are so much in need right now as we go into the holidays. On the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, Senator Coons said,I think it's important for our most senior elected officials in this country and for senior community leaders  whether they are athletes or entertainers or business leaders  to strengthen the confidence of the American people in these vaccines. If we do not achieve a very high percentage of vaccination, we won't see the other side of this pandemic, and frankly, John, we need to be also committed to delivering vaccines for the rest of the world because only when the world is vaccinated will this pandemic truly come to an end. Full audio and video are availablehere. A transcript is provided below. Q: Joining us now is Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a close friend of the President-elect. Senator Coons, thanks so much for being with us. We haven't heard Joe Biden, the President-elect, use that language before. He's actually laughed off over the last six weeks some of the attacks that President Trump has made on democracy. So why was it important for the President-elect to use this more direct language last night? Sen. Coons:It's really a moment here for our President-elect to say, look, this transition period of the last couple of weeks where there's been tireless, relentless campaigning and filing of lawsuits to challenge the will of the people, it's been exhausting. You're right. He's mostly laughed it off. He's mostly moved forward and focused on a job that's ahead of him, but last night after the Electoral College confirmed his election by the American people to be our next president, I think it was important he took a moment to just look clear in the eyes of the American people and say, this is a dangerous development. We should not have more than 100 members of the House of Representatives; we should not have this many state attorneys general signing off on a baseless lawsuit to try to overturn the election. We can't just move on without looking at this for a moment. Even Vladimir Putin of Russia has congratulated Joe Biden as our next president and yet there are still colleagues of mine here who refuse to recognize that. We are making progress. There have been some direct conversations between the President-elect and senior Republicans, and I'm optimistic that we can move forward, but I think this was an important moment, John, for Joe Biden to make it clear that this was a dangerous precedent to set. Q: You brought up Vladimir Putin. What does it tell you, that Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged Biden's election victory before Senator Mitch McConnell? Sen. Coons:That's a really striking development, frankly, John. It is a gravely concerning development that the Republican Party remains so enthralled by Donald Trump and President Trump's endless refusal to accept the will of the people that it frankly puts our democracy at risk, both at home and our reputation abroad. Q: Has McConnell talked to Joe Biden yet as far as you know? Sen. Coons:Not that I know of. Q: One more question in terms of the Senate. There are House members who are agitating saying that on January 6th when the votes will be counted on the House floor before both houses of Congress that they will offer official objections to the electoral count. They would need to have a senator sign on to those objections to get a vote in each chamber. What do you think will happen with Republican senators? Do you expect that there will be Republican senators who sign on to those objections? Sen. Coons:Well, there were no Republican senators who signed on to this lawsuit, this attempt that President-elect Biden was referring to, but Senator Ted Cruz offered to argue it in the Supreme Court. So there may be one, there may be two, but frankly this is a desperate last gasp measure. John, our larger challenge here as a nation is a trust deficit. We have a real lack of trust in our political institutions, in science, in this vaccine, the second of which may now be approved that will help get us out of this pandemic. Joe Biden as our next president also sent an important message last night of reaching out, of working across the aisle, and of trying to heal the divisions of this nation. Q: So you have been working with other senators trying to put together some kind of proposal for economic relief, for economic stimulus. There is a bipartisan agreement among this group of senators now, has split the proposal in half a little bit. $748 billion which would provide enhanced unemployment benefit, small business loans, help with vaccine distribution, but it would not provide direct aid to state and local governments. It separates $160 billion. Ned Lamont, governor of Connecticut said he desperately wants that money. How much does it hurt to have to take that money and separate it from the $748 billion? How much of a compromise is that for you? Sen. Coons:Well, John, that's very difficult. As someone who was a county-level elected leader for a decade and is close to lots of state and local elected officials around the country who I know from my service at the local level, there are nurses and teachers, paramedics, police officers who are facing layoffs in municipalities, counties and states around the country. Roughly 1.3 million have already been laid off. The larger point that I'm going to choose to celebrate, though, is that this group of eight bipartisan senators and two House members worked for weeks and crafted a substantial bipartisan framework for a $908 billion in relief for our country. It's only because Mitch McConnell continues to insist on a broad and extreme version of liability relief to protect businesses, no matter how irresponsibly they behave, that we are having to walk away from that 160. I continue to believe that if our goal is to allow businesses to reopen safely and for employees and customers to go back to businesses safely, that we can find a compromise, but we have to move forward on this $748 billion that we all agree on. We should not go home without enacting significant relief for the American people who are so much in need right now as we go into the holidays. Q: Do you have any kind of promise or agreement from Mitch McConnell to even put the $160 billion on the floor for state and local governments? Sen. Coons:No. Q: No. Alright. So we will see what happens there. Senator Coons, we heard from Dr. Anthony Fauci moments ago who says he would like to see the President-elect Joe Biden and the Vice President-elect Kamala Harris receive the coronavirus vaccine now. He wants them to get the first dose now so they can get the second dose before Inauguration day on January 20th. What have you said to the President-elect on this subject? Sen. Coons:Well, look, the President-Elect has followed the advice of public health leaders throughout his campaign. He has been a role model for how to conduct yourself in the middle of a pandemic even during weeks when there was sharp criticism of him for being not as engaged publicly as he otherwise could be. The outcome was clear. The White House tragically suffered from dozens and dozens of infections; the core team of the Biden campaign, none. I think you will see Joe Biden continue to follow the advice of public health experts. He's asked Dr. Fauci to serve as one of the leaders of his COVID transition team. I expect he will follow his advice. Q: Do you want him to get the shot? Sen. Coons:I do. I think it's important for our most senior elected officials in this country and for senior community leaders  whether they are athletes or entertainers or business leaders  to strengthen the confidence of the American people in these vaccines. If we do not achieve a very high percentage of vaccination, we won't see the other side of this pandemic, and frankly, John, we need to be also committed to delivering vaccines for the rest of the world because only when the world is vaccinated will this pandemic truly come to an end. Q: Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, thanks so much for being with us this morning. Happy holidays to you, sir. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-bipartisan-covid-19-relief-bill", "Sen. Coons statement on bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)released the following statement on bipartisan legislation announced today that would provide $748 billion in COVID-19 relief to the American people. I am grateful to the bipartisan group of eight senators who have worked for weeks to deliver a strong, balanced proposal that will provide desperately needed relief to families in Delaware and across the country. I hear from Delawareans every day who are struggling  who have lost their job, their car, their hope, and others who are now at risk of losing their home. The bill announced today will provide help for those facing eviction or foreclosure, support for those who are unemployed, as well as funding for schools, vaccine distribution, and small businesses fighting to stay afloat. With more than 16 million Americans infected and 300,000 dead, we cannot afford to wait any longer to act. This should not be Congress' last COVID relief bill, but it is a strong compromise that deserves support from both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. We cannot leave for the holidays without getting relief to those Americans who need it. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-coons-we-should-not-leave-for-the-holidays-until-we_give-a-next-round-of-relief", "[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: We should not leave for the holidays until we  give a next round of relief", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.On Sunday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)joinedChuck Todd on NBC's Meet the Press to discuss the bipartisan framework for a $908 billion COVID-19 relief package and the immediate need for Congress to work together to pass relief for the American people. There is now, I think, real optimism because a terrific group of eight senators, a bipartisan group along with two members of the House, have worked hard over the last couple of weeks and came forward with a framework, a $908 billion framework, Chuck, for a next round of needed relief,said Senator Coons. We should not leave for the holidays until we have adopted that $908 billion framework to give a next round of relief to the millions of Americans who are facing eviction, hunger, unemployment, disease. It includes funding for vaccine distribution and $300 billion for small businesses to keep them afloat or help them reopen. I'm really optimistic we can get this done this coming week. Senator Coons concluded,we have to address the trust deficit in our country, trust in science and vaccines, trust in each other after this election. The Senate here can lead and show that we can deliver the kind of relief that will restore hope to the American people. Full audio and video availablehere. A transcript is provided below. Q: Joining me now is Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware. Senator Coons, welcome back to Meet the Press. I want to start with something that Governor Chris Sununu said to me on Friday on Meet the Press Daily. It was about all of you guys in Congress. Take a listen, sir. Clip, Gov. Sununu: I don't think any of them deserve their jobs, frankly. None of them can stand up and say as a congressman or a senator, I led on the biggest health crisis this country has ever faced. They fell down and let politics get in the way. Shame on them. Q: Senator Coons, can you defend Congress from that criticism? Sen. Coons:Well, Chuck, thanks for a chance to be on again. First, I'm just going to celebrate the combination of two things: that nine months ago, the Senate passed unanimously the CARES Act, which provided about $2.2 trillion in support to the American people and funded much of that great work at NIH and at private firms like Pfizer that is delivering these vaccines to the American people starting this coming week. But I will agree with Governor Sununu that the fact that nine months later we don't have a next round of COVID relief is something I personally am frustrated and embarrassed about. Bluntly, I will put a lot of that responsibility at the feet of the leader of the Senate Republican majority, Mitch McConnell, because over and over as negotiations have tried to move forward over the last nine months, he's had a key red line and sticking point. There is now, I think, real optimism because a terrific group of eight senators, a bipartisan group along with two members of the House, have worked hard over the last couple of weeks and came forward with a framework, a $908 billion framework, Chuck, for a next round of needed relief. We should not leave for the holidays until we have adopted that $908 billion framework to give a next round of relief to the millions of Americans who are facing eviction, hunger, unemployment, disease. It includes funding for vaccine distribution and $300 billion for small businesses to keep them afloat or help them reopen. I'm really optimistic we can get this done this coming week, and if we don't, we deserve Governor Sununu's criticism. Q: So does this deal already have a majority support in the U.S. Senate? Is the problem that it doesn't have a majority support among Senate Republicans? Is that why Senator McConnell won't bring it to the floor Sen. Coons:That's my strong impression, but I do want to say there are Republicans working hard on coming together around this bipartisan framework. It has been a difficult negotiation and there are folks who have dedicated weeks and weeks to this effort. Even earlier this morning, I was exchanging ideas and terms with some of the Democrats about exactly how we close the last remaining gaps. Frankly, Chuck, I'm hopeful that all of us in the Senate will look back on what we accomplished nine months ago with the unanimous passage of the CARES Act, look at the need and the suffering in our states, and look forward. We are at the beginning of the end of this pandemic with nearly 300,000 Americans dead. That's a lot of empty chairs at tables at holiday time, and there's 16 million Americans infected. 850,000 filed for unemployment this past week for the first time. We have to address the trust deficit in our country, trust in science and vaccines, trust in each other after this election. The Senate here can lead and show that we can deliver the kind of relief that will restore hope to the American people. Q: I want to move quickly to the transition. One of the jobs not yet filled is attorney general. I'm curious what you think is what is the best way to ensure that the Hunter Biden investigation at the Justice Department is protected from the appearance of political interference? Do you think it needs to be a special counsel? Sen. Coons:Well, Chuck, first, you know, so many of us have just gotten used to in the era of Trump that being a normal question. Joe Biden will not run the White House as a family business as President Trump has, and he will not interfere in decisions made by senior leadership at the Department of Justice. He won't view the attorney general as his personal attorney, as President Trump clearly has viewed Attorney General Barr, so I'm confident that whoever is nominated to be the attorney general will restore the rule of law and will follow the appropriate process once they're in place. Q: I understand wanting to take your word for that but the public is pretty skeptical now, and it may not be President-elect Biden's fault, but do you think there needs to be some protection? Is it a special counsel? Is it keeping the Delaware U.S. Attorney on and letting him  making it clear publicly that he is not going to be interfered with? Sen. Coons:Either of those options may well work, Chuck, but frankly, this is news to all of us within the last week. I think we should trust that an attorney general nominated by Joe Biden will restore the rule of law to how the Department of Justice works and will be an attorney general following the Constitution for the American people, not a personal attorney for the president. Q: Senator Chris Coons, Democrat from Delaware, thanks for coming on and sharing your perspective with us, sir. I appreciate it. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/carper-coons-blunt-rochester-secure-major-wins-for-delaware-in-ndaa", "Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester secure major wins for Delaware in NDAA", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) applauded the passage of the FiscalYear 2021NationalDefense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which each of them voted to support. The bill includes a3% pay raise for troops, improvements to veterans' access to care, new programs forHistorically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), andmore. I'm proud that Congress has come together to pass the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act, which will ensure the men and women in our Armed Forces have the necessary resources to keep our country and our citizens safe,said Senator Carper, a 23-year veteran of the Navy and Naval Reserves.By working together across party lines, this year's NDAA will increase pay for our troops, invest in improving base housing for military families, and create better access to health care for our Vietnam veterans. I'm especially proud that during these hard times, we also delivered for Delawareans by securing resources for ROTC students in HBCUs like Delaware State University, support for Delaware jobs, and critical investments to modernize Delaware Air National Guard's fleet of C-130 aircraft. This bill will improve our military readiness by upholding our promise to support our nation's veterans, service members and their families. For 60 years, Congress has passed an annual defense bill to ensure the readiness of our troops and the defense of our country. I'm proud that we also secured meaningful wins in the bill for all Delawareans,said Senator Coons.The FY21 NDAA includes support for ROTC students at HBCUs like Delaware State University,better care for our veterans, support for Delaware jobs, and more. It has been a year of unprecedented challenges, and this bill helps Delawareans and Americansto meet themat home and abroad. One of the most serious and consequential obligations of our Congressional Delegation is working together to secure key provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act,said Representative Blunt Rochester. This year, working with Senators Carper and Coons, I'm proud to say that we have managed to secure vital care for our veterans, increase pay for our men and women in uniform, and create new opportunities for students at our incredible HBCUs like Delaware State University. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance our national security interests and Delaware's interests. The annual defense bill passed today includes: Increasing pay for troops:TheNDAA supports a 3% pay raise for our military, a 10% increase to hazardous duty pay, and over two dozen types of bonuses and special pay for troops.  Ensuring access to care for Vietnam veterans: The NDAAprovidesa presumption of service-connection for bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism in veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. Based on theFair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act,which Carper, Coons, and Blunt Rochester cosponsored, the larger piece of legislationwill ensure that more Vietnam veterans access care without burdensomedelays.  Delaware jobs: The NDAA provides an additional $165 million to the CH-47 Chinook helicopter program for five CH-47F Block-II aircraft and advance procurement for future aircraft.This heavy-lift aircraft is critical to the Army and national security. The bill also authorizes additional support for four more V-22 Osprey aircraft. The funds are a win for the hundreds of Delaware Boeing employees at Ridley Park.  Remediation forharmful chemicals known as PFAS: The NDAA builds on provisions in last year's defense bill to increase funds for ongoing studies related to PFAS contamination in drinking water, a problem that has affected the Dover community.It also requires a survey on and research into firefighting technologies to phase out the use of foams containing PFAS and an interagency working group to coordinate research and other activities related to PFAS.  Two new programs for HBCUs like Delaware State University: The NDAA includes provisions from theFLIGHT Act, bipartisan legislation led by Coons and Blunt Rochesterand supported by Carper,to provide new resources for Reserve Officers' Training Corps students at HBCUs like Delaware State University. The bill will help improve diversity in our military ranks and ourpilot workforce.  Improving base housing for military families: The NDAA authorizes an additional $60 million for oversight and improvement of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) program and to continue addressing environmental and maintenance issues in government-owned family housing. This year's bill also updates minimum health and safety standards for all military base housing, requires transparency for private housing company contract performance fees, and requires a report on the status of other military housing reforms.  Modernizing Delaware Air National Guard's fleet of C-130 aircraft: The NDAA rejects the Trump Administration's request for cuts to the Air National Guard's C-130 airlift capacity. Thanks to the work of the Delaware congressional delegation and Governor John Carney, the NDAA provides funding to maintain and upgrade airlift capacity, including $55 million to support propulsion and propeller upgrades for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve C-130H airlift aircraft, $79 million for C-130 engine upgrades, and funding for seven additional C-130J aircraft. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-bipartisan-bill-to-promote-sustainable-chemistry-to-become-law", "Senator Coons bipartisan bill to promote sustainable chemistry to become law", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Senate today includes the bipartisanSustainableChemistry Research and Development Actof 2019, ledbyU.S. SenatorChris Coons (D-Del.)and cosponsored by SenatorsSusan Collins (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.). The bill will support American manufacturing and American jobs while also protecting human health and the environment by helping to realize the full innovation and market potential of sustainablechemistry technologies. The bill now heads to the president's desk and is expected to become law this week. Thechemical sector is an integral part of Delaware's economy, andI am proud thatthislegislation will support greenchemistryinnovation,create new companies and jobs, andpromote sustainable use of resources,said Senator Coons. By creating a cohesivenationalvision for sustainablechemistry researchanddevelopment, improving training ofchemists and other professionals,and building new partnerships with the private sector,this billis an exciting opportunity to maintain our scientific leadership and ensure the sustainability of ourchemical enterprise for years to come. Having worked closely with industry and academia to further sustainable technology innovation, DESCA is excited to see the passing of the SustainableChemistry R&D Act to coordinate the efforts of government in concert with these sectors for a cohesive strategy to drive innovation, build and strengthen talent, and ultimately drive economic growth. Critically, coordinating efforts in education and training as well as technology development, removing barriers to technology commercialization, and eliminating duplicative funding and research efforts will be among the key drivers of the success of this initiative,said Dora Cheatham, Executive Director, Delaware SustainableChemistry Alliance. By advancing sustainablechemistry research, education, training and commercialization, this legislation will provide critical benefits for people and the environment in the U.S. and globally,said Professor LaShanda Korley, director of the University of Delaware's new Center for Plastics Innovation. The center is working on catalytic and functionalization approaches to transform plastics into fuels and other valuable products. The passage of the SustainableChemistry R&D Act opens the door to accelerated US innovation that can deliver the safer, more sustainablechemicals and materials the global market is demanding for products in virtually every sector. Representing more than 125 companies across the entire value chain working to deliver products with more sustainablechemical ingredients, the GC3 has supported this bill for more than a decade. The SustainableChemistry R&D Act is smart policy that can catalyze faster progress with focused, coordinated federal action. The end result is accelerated research and innovation, expanded manufacturing capacity, enhanced market opportunities, and high-value jobs in better, more sustainable products,said Michele Jalbert, Chief Operating Officer, GC3. ACS applauds the passage of the SustainableChemistry Research and Development act as part of the NDAA. This legislation, representing over a decade of work, will increase innovation, coordination and investment in green and sustainablechemistry. We appreciate the strong leadership of Senators Coons and Collins, as well as Representatives Moolenaar and Lipinski, to boost science and ensure a sustainable future,said Glenn Ruskin, Vice President, External Affairs and Communication, AmericanChemical Society. The AmericanChemistry Council and our members congratulate Sen. Coons, along with Sens. Susan Collins, Shelley Moore Capito and Amy Klobuchar, on final passage of the SustainableChemistry Research and Development Act. Sustainablechemistry research and development is the instrument that will make solutions to global challenges possible. Through R&D investments and innovations, thechemical industry is developing the products and technologies that help save energy, enable renewable energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, advances in research and development also will help enable our member companies to continue to produce more sustainablechemistries with enhanced risk profiles, improve product quality while using less materials, divert materials traditionally considered waste into new and innovative uses, and design packaging and products that can be more easily recycled and reused,said the AmericanChemistry Council. Many years in the making, the bipartisan Sustainable Chemistry Research and Development Act provides a model for how we can address a transition to safer chemicals as we grow business and job opportunities. The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and the over 250,000 businesses and investors we represent, applaud the leadership of Senator Coons, for having the vision and willingness to work across party lines for the benefit our health, economy and our country,said David Levine, ASBC President and co-Founder. TheSustainableChemistry Research and Development Act of 2019is endorsed by the GC3 SustainableChemistry Alliance, the AmericanChemical Society, Alternative Fuels & Chemicals Coalition (AFCC), the AmericanChemistry Council, the American Sustainable Business Council, 3M, Ashland, BASF,Beautycounter, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO),Chemours, Delaware SustainableChemistry Alliance, The DowChemical Company, DuPont, Environmental Working Group, The LEGO Group,NohboLLC, Procter & Gamble, and the University of Delaware. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-blunt-and-reps-fitzpatrick-castro-celebrate-passage-of-global-child-thrive-act", "Sens. Coons, Blunt & Reps. Fitzpatrick, Castro celebrate passage of Global Child Thrive Act", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), along with U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), celebrated the passage of the Global Child Thrive Act, which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation strengthens the implementation of policies that advance early childhood development internationally, which includes learning and physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development for children younger than eight years old. With nearly 250 million children in low- and middle-income countries suffering from poor development due to poverty and stunting alone, it's critical that that we do everything possible to support children in meeting their developmental milestones,said Senator Coons.I'm pleased that the Senate passed the bipartisan Global Child Thrive Act, which I have been proud to champion with Senator Blunt. Together, we understand the value of investing in the reduction of preventable child deaths worldwide and ensuring the healthy development of future generations. Children who experience poverty and hunger in their earliest years face developmental challenges that could shape their entire lives,said Senator Blunt.This bill would strengthen our country's childhood development policies across the world, especially those affecting the most vulnerable children. I've been proud to work with Senator Coons and Representatives Fitzpatrick and Castro on this bill, and I appreciate our colleagues' support on this critical issue. I am thrilled to see our bipartisan and bicameral Global Child Thrive Act in this year's NDAA. One of my greatest concerns has always been the welfare of children, not just children in the United States but children across the globe,said Congressman Fitzpatrick.I would like to thank Rep. Castro, Sen. Coons, and Sen. Blunt for their partnership on getting our legislation over the finish line. It is of the utmost importance that we help other countries help their children. As we all know, focusing on children is focusing on our future. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children are more vulnerable than ever before. This bipartisan legislation is a robust measure to elevate, educate, and empower vulnerable children around the world,said Congressman Castro.I appreciate the leadership of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who co-wrote this important legislation, and thank Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Chris Coons of Delaware for partnering with the House on this bill. \"It was an honor to work with Senators Blunt and Coons and their staff on the Global Child Thrive Act. Thank you Senator Blunt for your life-long dedication to the well-being of children and Senator Coons for your passion for Africa, especially for its children. We at CRS are grateful to you both for your bipartisan leadership, which will ensure hundreds of thousands of the world's most vulnerable children reach their God-given potential-- an outcome that benefits us all,\"said Bill O'Keefe, EVP of Mission Mobilization and Advocacy at Catholic Relief Services. The Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005 created the U.S. Government Special Advisor on for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, who is tasked with coordinating all U.S. assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children among U.S. departments and agencies, among other responsibilities. The Global Child Thrive Act builds upon that foundation by strengthening the implementation of policies that advance early childhood development internationally. The bill expands the number of agencies over which the Special Advisor has explicit authority to coordinate early childhood development policies. It also directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to engage relevant executive agencies to incorporate early childhood development into current programming over the next five years. To incorporate early childhood development into current programming, the agencies would: build on the evidence and priorities outlined in Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for International Assistance 2019-2023';identify evidence-based strategic priorities, indicators, outcomes, and targets to support inclusive early childhood development;support the design, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects in partner countries, with the goal of taking them to scale;support bureaus, working groups, and task forces implementing relevant sector strategies and public laws; andfocus on improving coordination with foreign governments and international and regional organizations with respect to official country policies and plans for early childhood development. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-rubio-praise-passage-of-their-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-us-israel-strategic-alliance", "Sens. Coons, Rubio praise passage of their bipartisan bill to strengthen US-Israel strategic alliance", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and MarcoRubio(R-Fla.) applauded the passage of their bipartisanUnited States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act(S.3176), which was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan bill will strengthen the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance by authorizing $3.3 billion in annual security assistance consistent with the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding and ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and address both conventional and emerging threats. A strong U.S.-Israel relationship remains a bipartisan priority. The $3.3 billion in annual security assistance codified today was agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding negotiated and signed by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2016,Senator Coons said.Tensions in the region continue to threaten Israeli security, and I'm proud that Congress is deepening the strategic U.S.-Israel alliance and bilateral non-security cooperation in the face of these challenges. The inclusion of this important and bipartisan bill in this year's NDAA reaffirms our nation's unwavering support to our strongest ally in the Middle East: the Jewish State of Israel,Senator Rubio said.As Israel faces unprecedented threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other malign actors, we must continue to advance initiatives that protect and support our mutual security interests. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-scott-bill-to-strengthen-partnerships-between-hbcus-like-dsu-and-federal-agencies-heads-to-presidents-desk-to-become-law", "Sens. Coons, Scott bill to strengthen partnerships between HBCUs like DSU and federal agencies heads to presidents desk to become law", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, the Senate passed the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students (PARTNERS) Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.). The bill, previously passed in the House of Representatives, is now headed to the President's desk for signature.If signed into law, this legislation will strengthen partnerships between federal agencies and the country's more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The HBCU PARTNERS Act builds on the president's 2017 executive order on HBCUs and provides pathways for Congressional oversight and public engagement. It will require federal agencies with relevant grants and programs to undertake annual planning and coordinate their efforts to support and expand HBCU participation in those programs. The bill strengthens the rigor and transparency requirements of existing law by requiring that agencies track their progress toward past goals and share their plans with Congress. In addition, it codifies the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, ensuring an ongoing avenue for the institutions' priorities and policy concerns to be raised. HBCUs like Delaware State University play a critical role in helping to ensure that every American has access to higher education, and I'm so proud that our bipartisan bill to support the missions of HBCUs is one step closer to becoming law, said Senator Coons. We have much more work ahead to make college accessible and affordable for all Americans, and HBCUs are an important part of that work,said Senator Coons. OurHBCUs have unlocked opportunities for generations of students, especially in underserved communities, and I am excited that this bipartisan bill is making its way to thePresident's desk,said Senator Scott. TheHBCU PARTNERSAct is a great step forward for these schools and their students.Ilook forward tothis criticallegislation being signed into law to help these institutions continue their legacies. \"Once again, Delaware's Congressional Delegationhasshown unparalleled commitment in working for the passage of the HBCU Partners Act,\"said Delaware State University President Tony Allen.\"This time, Senator Coons, in particular, made the fundamental case, 'excellence requires access.' The PARTNERS Act opens the door to a new level of access toresearchand funding opportunities. We expect it will be a significant catalyst toward propelling the first HBCU into research one status in history. This is a momentwhose time has come, and Senator Coons led the wayagain.\" The HBCU PARTNERS Act was co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Chris Van Hollen (DMd.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (D-Ver.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). A companion bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (N.C.-12) and Mark Walker (N.C.-06). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are agents of access and equity in this country,said CongresswomanAdams. TheHBCU PARTNERS Actrecognizes these contributions in the most important way possible: by affording these institutions the ongoing support and investment needed to deepen their transformational work. This legislation will require every administration and the federal agencies it manages to plan and coordinate, on an annual basis, their efforts to strategically engage with and invest in HBCUs. In addition, it codifies the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, ensuring an ongoing avenue for HBCU priorities and policy concerns to be raised and addressed.Advancing the mission of HBCUs and the success of the communities they serve must be on the minds of our country's leaders, and more importantly, it must be part of their agendas. Thank you to my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus for their support, as well as all of the organizations that are tireless advocates for HBCUs, in getting this bill passed. Creating a comprehensive federal partnership with America's HBCUs is essential for Congress' shared goal of directing unprecedented support for North Carolina's HBCUs like North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, Elizabeth City State, North Carolina Central, Bennett, Johnson, C. Smith, and Shaw  proud and historic institutions which I am privileged to support,CongressmanWalker said.With this bipartisan legislation passed through Congress and on its way to the president's desk, the HBCU PARTNERS Act further cements our nation's commitment to these vital educational institutions. Full text of the bill is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-tillis-reps-brown-blunt-rochester-murphy-celebrate-passage-of-bill-to-train-pilots-support-rotc-students-at-hbcus", "Sens. Coons, Tillis, Reps. Brown, Blunt Rochester, Murphy celebrate passage of bill to train pilots, support ROTC students at HBCUs", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate today includesThe Fostering Leadership and Inclusion by Growing HBCU Training (FLIGHT) Act of 2020, legislation led by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and U.S. Representatives Anthony Brown (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.),and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.).The bill was co-sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.).The FLIGHT Act will provide new resources for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and minority institutions, with special emphasis on support for flight training. The bill now heads to the president's desk for signature. I am proud that the NDAA includes the bipartisan FLIGHT Act, which will help ensure our leaders and role models in Delaware and across the country reflect the diversity of America itself,said Senator Chris Coons. Our service members come from all walks of life, but people of color remain underrepresented at the military's highest levels. Our current officers in uniform will become our policy experts, our CEOs, and often our political leaders, and the FLIGHT Act is just one of many steps we must take to ensure that those who lead our country also fully represent it. A diverse military makes this country stronger. Through new partnerships with military installations and actively encouraging participation in ROTC and flight training, we'll tap into the exceptional talent at HBCUs and minority institutions,said House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Anthony Brown.Minority groups are severely underrepresented in our officer corps, and even more so among military pilots and other critical units. The FLIGHT Act is an important step forward for diversity and inclusion in our armed services and I look forward to seeing the next generation of pilots earn their wings. I am thrilled that today's passage of the NDAA includes the FLIGHT Act. I've long talked about the need to ensure that America's promise and opportunity is available to all of its citizens, and with the passage of the FLIGHT Act, we've taken an important step in that direction,said Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester.This legislation not only provides students at our nation's HBCUs like Delaware State with a unique opportunity to learn and grow, but also provides our nation's military with access to new and exciting talent that can help advance our national interests and enhance our security. I'm grateful to all of our partners in this effort, including my dear friends, Senator Coons & Representative Anthony Brown, and look forward to seeing the new heights our students can reach because of the FLIGHT Act. This is an outstanding opportunity to boost diversity in our military,saidSenator Thom Tillis.This legislation will allow HBCUs, like Elizabeth City State University, to invest additional resources for ROTCprograms andincrease training opportunities for students. I'm proud to work across the aisle to support this bipartisan legislation that will provide more access to pilot training and help advance the promising military careers of young men and women who are serving our nation. The FLIGHT Act's inclusion in the FY2021 NDAA is a major victory. Lowering barriers to entry into aviation for minority students is a win-win for our state and our nation. I'm especially excited about the implications for Elizabeth City State University in my district. ECSU is the only 4-year institution in North Carolina to offer a flight program and one of the few HBCUs in the country to do so. They do a tremendous job in their mission to help more minority students achieve their dreams of becoming pilots. I am very pleased this year's NDAA will aid them in that mission,said Representative Greg Murphy. America's military is more resilient now because of the recent commitments we've made to improve readiness, while diversifying our ranks,said Senator Tim Scott.HBCUs are filled with strong leaders ready to serve our nation in uniform and build upon the strength of our diverse armed services. Like many others who've had the privilege of leading men and women in our armed forces, I know our people are our military's greatest assets and diversity is a source of enduring strength. That's why I'm proud to see the FLIGHT Act included in this year's NDAA. With the FLIGHT ACT, we are breaking down barriers and building a diverse leadership corps by investing in the training of ROTC students at Delaware State University and other HBCUs across the country,said Senator Tom Carper.As a ROTC student who went on to proudly serve as a naval flight officer, I know the skills these students will learn as part of their aviation and ROTC training will not only contribute to our national security, they will also be an invaluable foundation for success in their military and civilian careers as well. I thank Senator Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester for their work on this bill and I look forward to making sure that students who are eager to take flight and serve their nation will reap the benefits. People of color are underrepresented in American military leadershipparticularly at higher ranks and in high-investment, training-intensive specialties like aviation. As a whole, the Air Force is almost 20% African-American. But that diversity is deceptive: only 1.7% of Air Force pilots (and less than 3% of civilian pilots) are Black. Similar asymmetries affect other branches of the Armed Forces. Aspiring military aviators can significantly improve their career prospects with undergraduate pilot training, but ROTC scholarships do not cover flight training costs. This makes it more difficult for low-income students to become pilots. The FLIGHT Act establishes two pilot programs, with the goals of: Lowering the barriers to ROTC participation for students at HBCUs and minority institutions. Many ROTC students at HBCUs must commute to host institutions for classesoften over long distances. This bill would provide funding and resources to mitigate that inconvenience, in part by encouraging partnerships between the institutions and nearby military bases.Supplementing flight training costs for ROTC members enrolled at HBCUs. While these funds can be used at commercial flight schools, priority is given to students who would also receive their flight training at HBCUs. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-and-tillis-reps-lowenthal-and-pocan-introduce-resolution-honoring-human-rights-day", "Sens. Coons and Tillis, Reps. Lowenthal and Pocan introduce resolution honoring Human Rights Day", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, and Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) today introduced resolutions in the United States Senate and House of Representatives honoring Human Rights Day and the 72ndanniversary of the United Nations' ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) and 47 Representatives also joined the resolutions. As co-chair of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, I am proud to introduce this resolution on the occasion of Human Rights Day,said Senator Coons.Inthe face of growing illiberalism and authoritarianism around the world, let us celebrate the brave individuals striving for fundamental rights and freedoms, and fight for those who suffer from violence and oppression. Looking to the future, we must rededicate ourselves to the principles outlined in theUniversal Declaration of Human Rights 72 years ago. It's an honor to co-chair the Senate Human Rights Caucus with my good friend Sen. Coons,said Senator Tillis.The mission of the Caucus is to defend and promote internationally recognized human rights norms around the world and contribute to global leadership in advocating for and protecting human rights. At the end of this difficult year, it is important that we take time to recognize these universal values as well as the courageous individuals who have dedicated their lives to upholding them by honoring the 72ndanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Seventy-two years ago, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted, acknowledging every person is of equal worth and deserves equal dignity,\"said Senator Lankford.The United States should continue to stand for fundamental human rights the right to life, the right to freely speak and access information, and the right to freely practice your faith, change your faith or have no faith at all. I'm proud to reaffirm that commitment today. \"Since I joined Congress in 2013, I have joined with my colleagues in introducing this resolution each December to remind us of the basic rights and freedoms we as Americans enjoy, but that are denied to so many people around the world,said Congressman Lowenthal. Our nation was founded on the basic principles of life, freedom, and humanity that are enshrined in the UDHR, and we must remain a beacon of freedom and hope throughout the world. It is our duty and responsibility to continue to advocate and fight for the universal protection of human rights.\" Now more than ever, it is imperative that we affirm global human rights and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights,said Congressman Pocan. As authoritarianism creeps into democracies across the globe, we must keep fighting to ensure freedom, equality and basic human rights for all people. I am proud to introduce this resolution honoring Human Rights Day and the 72ndanniversary of the United Nations' ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. \"As a Jewish organization working for Palestinian rights, we deeply understand that every person - with no exceptions - must live in freedom, equality, and with full human rights. This is at the core of ensuring justice and liberation for us all. JVP Action is proud to endorse this resolution to recommit to supporting human rights across the world,said Stefanie Fox, Executive Director Jewish Voice for Peace Action. Championed by former UNA-USA board chairwoman Eleanor Roosevelt, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law and has helped countless people achieve greater freedom and dignity across the globe. We sincerely thank Rep. Alan Lowenthal, Sen. Chris Coons, and Sen. Thom Tillis for helping commemorate the UDHR's 72ndanniversary and honoring the core American values that underpin this historic document,said Rachel Bowen Pittman, Executive Director, UNA-USA. Human rights are universal and indivisible. At AJWS, we have repeatedly spoken out against assaults on human rights around the world because we believe in the Jewish value of the inherent dignity of every individual, which is completely aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We look forward to working with champions in Congress to rebuild and reinvigorate U.S. foreign policy with universal human rights at its core,said the American Jewish World Service. The international community must always rememberthathuman rights are a fundamental part of our mutual humanity and it's up toeach and every one of us to fight for them to be respected, protected, and fulfilled for all.Generations of people growing up in this country, many from different cultures and backgrounds from around the world, will now affirmand perhaps even take for grantedthe values of interdependence, inclusion, non-discrimination, and accountability -- which generations before them came togethertodeclare. We must never forget the pain and tragedy from which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights first arose, nor how powerfully the document has guided us like a candle in the dark through many difficult moments, filling us with hope, community, and compassion in the face of cruelty, oppression, and injustice. The human experience knows no political affiliation nor no nationality - we are all part of the human family and we must cherish each other's rights,saidJoanne Lin, Amnesty International USA's National Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs. The resolution is endorsed byAmerican Jewish World Service, Amnesty International USA, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), and Freedom House. The text of the resolution is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-epa-eroding-cost-benefit-analysis-in-rulemaking", "Carper Statement on EPA Eroding Cost-Benefit Analysis in Rulemaking", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s final rule to erode the cost-benefit analysis it uses for regulations.\r\nIn the face of a worsening climate crisis and deadly respiratory pandemic, the Trump Administration has repeatedly acted to put the wellbeing of polluters before human health and the environment. It is something that has become all too common over the past four years. When EPA announced plans to make this change in June, I called it out for what it wasa legally flawed effort to justify air pollution. Clearly, the administration has no intention of giving up in its war on science.\r\nIn addition to undermining the essential work by career civil servants, changing EPA's cost-benefit process is a waste of time and resources. President-elect Biden is committed to following science and making climate action a key focus of his presidency. I have no doubt that this rule will be reversed by the next administration.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/audio-sen-coons-breaks-down-stimulus-negotiations-on-wdel", "[AUDIO] Sen. Coons breaks down stimulus negotiations on WDEL", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)joinedPeter MacArthur on WDEL to discussbipartisan COVID reliefnegotiations and what theycould mean for Delawareans. Senator Coons said,I'm in Washington this week, and we are trying hard to negotiate a bipartisan compromise package. It's $908 billion and it would provide support and relief for small businesses, restaurants that have closed or are suffering real revenue loss. It would provide more money for the distribution of the vaccine. It would provide support for schools and for childcare, support for state and local governments, and another round of $300 a week unemployment checks that would last 13 weeks, so I support this framework. I think it is a badly needed down payment on getting us through the next couple of months. What matters to me is the calls I get from Delawareans every single day  folks who were calling in, crying on the phone, saying I've lost my job,' I've lost my car,' I may lose my apartment or my house,' how do I care for my kids?' I don't see how we go home for the holidays particularly as the virus is getting  we are at theworst point of this pandemic, more than 40,000 Delawareans infected, more than 800 who passed away,Senator Coons said. Full audio is availablehere. A transcript is provided below. Q: Let's check in with U.S. Senator Chris Coons to talk about where things stand now, Senator, and where you see them going from here. Sen. Coons:Good morning, Peter. It's great to be with you. I'm in Washington this week, and we are trying hard to negotiate a bipartisan compromise package. It's $908 billion and it would provide support and relief for small businesses, restaurants that have closed or are suffering real revenue loss. It would provide more money for the distribution of the vaccines. It would provide support for schools and for childcare, support for state and local governments, and another round of $300 a week unemployment checks that would last 13 weeks, so I support this framework. I think it is a badly needed down payment on getting us through the next couple of months. But these negotiations are hard. There are some points on which my Republican colleagues are not so far agreeing to bend. Q: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is not so much in favor of the money you're talking about for local and state governments. What seems to be the hold up there? Sen. Coons:Well, I was texting back and forth with Governor Carney last night. Many in the Republican majority are concerned that state governments have already received money, and they don't see the additional need. I hear from both our governor and from other state leaders, and from senators who are former governors themselves, that there are many states that have had COVID expenses that have exceeded what they've received federally, and where they may have made it through this year, but the revenue losses they're seeing as a state really makes them worried about next year  about their ability to continue to employ teachers and paramedics and public health officials. So it's a disagreement over whether or not states need another round of relief. Q: Clarify for me the $300 that you mentioned  is that a tack on for people who've run out? Is it in addition to people who were currently receiving unemployment? How does it work exactly? Sen. Coons:Yes  two things. The CARES Act, which we passed now nine months ago, provided a federal $600 a week on top of state unemployment assistance, and it provided unemployment assistance for groups of folks who don't otherwise get state unemployment  so-called gig workers  people who might have several different part time jobs. It extends both, and it extends them into early next year. Q: I expect that you're doing a ton of work behind the scenes above and beyond what a lot of people might realize. Obviously, you were very much in the mix for Secretary of State, and the understanding is the President-elect told you, I need you in the Senate,' and Politico this week, Senator, I'm sure you've seen the article, labeled you as possibly the most critical individual Democrat on Capitol Hill in terms of, I believe, reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans. Does that perception add to the pressures of the obligations you feel as you work through this economic recovery package? Sen. Coons:Peter, it does  you know, that was a very kind article, but it misses the point that there are many other Democrats who are good friends to the President-elect and who are also working hard alongside me. Obviously, Senator Carper is also someone who has a lot of experience, a lot of relationships, and works well across the aisle. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is very close to the President-elect, is also helping out. There's a lot of folks here who are pitching in to try and solve this. We've had an impasse on whether or not there will be another round of state and local aid for more than nine months, so trying to solve it in one week is a steep challenge. But we have been trading back and forth draft ideas. I'm currently negotiating with Senator Graham of South Carolina, and he's someone who's an experienced lawyer. He understands the Republican position; I understand the Democratic position. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois is doing a lot of the hard work, and we're also doing a lot of talking with Mike Crapo of Idaho. Anyway, it's a group of senators. We're trying to hammer out a compromise. What matters to me is the calls I get from Delawareans every single day  folks who were calling in, crying on the phone, saying I've lost my job,' I've lost my car,' I may now lose my apartment or my house,' how do I care for my kids?' I don't see how we go home for the holidays particularly as the virus is getting  we are at the worst point of this pandemic, more than 40,000 Delawareans infected, more than 800 who have passed away. I think Governor Carney has done a strong job of managing this in our state, but nationally this is a public health crisis. There is hope on the horizon because of three very promising vaccines, but we've got a tough couple of months from here to when those are widely publicly available. Q: Finally, Senator, does the transition period play into the difficulties in reaching a settlement here, or do you think that might be overstated? Sen. Coons: I think that may be overstated. Look, it's been very hard to work positively in a Senate where every Democrat recognizes Joe Biden as the President-elect and Kamala Harris as the Vice President-elect, and very few Republicans recognize that. A number of them privately called me to say, you know, please compliment the President-elect on his win, I look forward to working with him,' but they haven't publicly acknowledged he's going to be the President-elect. Once we get past the electoral college, all of them recognize that it'll be time to move forward. The Supreme Court very brusquely dismissed the last significant legal effort by President Trump's lawyers. I think there's no question that Joe Biden is the next President of the United States, and there's a lot of interest and engagement around who's being nominated for what position. I'm enjoying working with the transition team and look forward to supporting the nominees that the President-elect is putting forward. Q: Well, Senator, as new developments come up with the relief package, you have an open door here to come on and let us know what those are and let Delawareans know where things stand. Sen. Coons:Thank you, Peter. Great to be on with you. Q: Alright, take good care. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-opposes-sale-of-new-advanced-military-equipment-to-uae", "Sen. Coons opposes sale of new, advanced military equipment to UAE", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after his votes to support two Senate resolutions disapproving of arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Today, after much deliberation, I voted to support resolutions disapproving of the sales of F-35 fighter jets and armed drones to the United Arab Emirates. Congress must preserve its role in reviewing arms sales. In this case, there has not been a thorough review process and the Trump Administration has not provided adequate consultations and answers to Senators' questions. In a recent classified briefing, the Administration failed to address a number of my concerns. In particular, I am concerned about the UAE's ability to safeguard sensitive American technology and their role in the conflicts in Libya and Yemen. I am grateful for the UAE's bold leadership in normalizing relations with Israel, avoiding annexation of the West Bank, and paving the way for a broader and more stable peace in the region. I also appreciate the Emirati military's role in standing up to Iran's malign activities and their deployments alongside U.S. service members in Afghanistan and against terrorist groups around the region. Even so, in the absence of a thorough review process and without assurances that the use of these weapons will be consistent with U.S. interests and values, I cannot support the sales at this time. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-braun-coons-introduce-bipartisan-climate-legislation-to-support-global-trillion-trees-initiative-and-combat-deforestation", "Sens. Braun, Coons introduce bipartisan climate legislation to support global Trillion Trees initiative & combat deforestation", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, introduced legislation to support U.S. leadershipin reducing carbon in the atmospherebyrestoring and conserving forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal habitats. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Angus King (I-Maine) cosponsored the bill. As a lifelong conservationist, I believe that Trillion Trees is a common sense proposal to help improve our land, water, soil, and air, without imposing onerous Washington regulations,said Senator Braun. I am proud to come together with my colleagues on this bipartisan solution to help advance a key objective that President Trump called for in his State of the Union Address. The wildfires and severe stormswe've experienced this yeararea devastating reminder of how climate change is impacting our lands  and a clear signal that we need to act now to protect them for future generations,said Senator Coons. Removing carbon from the atmosphere is one of the many critical steps we should take to mitigate climate risks. I'mglad to work with this bipartisan group of senators to invest in a solution that will benefit the health of people and ecosystems around the world. I have long held the position that we can protect our environment without harming our economy, and this legislation is one example of the type of action we can take to reduce emissions and protect our natural resources while creating new economic opportunities,said Senator Young. We just lived through the hottest November on record; every year that carbon levels increase, temperatures increase and it gets harder to stabilize our planet's climate future,said Senator King. Without action, climate change's effects on our planet will grow more and more dangerous, fueling extreme weather events and endangering lives across the globe. Today's bipartisan proposal recognizes the immense value of our working forests in this climate fight, and is a commonsense step in the right direction, calling for our nation to lead in efforts to preserve ecosystems that remove carbon from the atmosphere. We can't delay any longer; we need to start working now, on a bipartisan basis, to address this crisis and protect our environment for future generations. In advanceof the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from 2021 to 2030, the World Economic Forum launchedtheglobal One Trillion Trees initiative, 1t.org.The Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act would allow theUnited States to take a leadership role in supporting this effortto store carbon, promote biodiversity, and end deforestation at home and abroad. Meeting the challenge of climate change demands a range of solutions. This bill signals the U.S. is ready to lead in marshaling a key part of the solution set -- the substantial power of natural and working lands,especially forests, to increase carbon sequestration. We're pleased to see this important first step. Lynn Scarlett, Chief External Affairs Officer, The Nature Conservancy Any serious proposal to act on climate must include natural solutions  healthy forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems  that sequester carbon and bolster resilience through ecologically appropriate reforestation and restoration. We're proud to work with our good friends Senators Chris Coons, Mike Braun, Todd Young, and Angus King on this forward-thinking, bipartisan effort to help address climate change by tapping natural ecosystems and their ability to store carbon and make communities safer. Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Sens. Braun (R-IN) and Coons' (D-DE)Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Actwould provide important innovative policies that advance conservation and ecological restoration while bolstering rural economies. The bill establishes science-based objectives for increasing the net carbon stock across U.S. forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems. This legislation is a great bipartisan step in conserving and restoring our nation's forest and will help expand our natural carbon markets. Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, BPC Action \"Natural solutions are a crucial part of effective climatepolicy. TheTrillion Treesand Natural Carbon StorageActwill expand the carbon sequestration capacityof America's forests and grow the use of embodied carbon building materials. The American Conservation Coalition thanks SenatorsBraun,Coons,Young, and Kingfortheirstrong leadership on this important bill.\" Quill Robinson, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Conservation Coalition The American Forest Foundation applauds Senator Braun and Senator Coons for legislative efforts to unlock the carbon potential on private forestland. Family forest holdings make up 36% of all U.S forests. Providing resources to enable family forest landowners to enter carbon markets will allow them to both improve their forests and sequester carbon at scale. Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation While our forests provide a habitat for the birds we love, they do so much more for the survival of our planet. Trees, as well as other existing natural resources, provide some of the first lines of defense against pollution that contributes to climate change. By investing in our forests, we're also investing in our future. Michael Obeiter, senior director of federal climate strategy at the National Audubon Society It's critical for the U.S. to take a global leadership role in promoting sound land-use management and to encourage other donor nations to follow.Trillion Trees provides the basis for a foundational structure for extraordinary progress in the developing world in terms of trees for water, people, agriculture, industry, biodiversity, and demonstrable carbon offsets  all of which will improve lives and livelihoods around the world. David H. Barron, Chairman, The ICCF Group WethankSenator Braun for his leadership,together with SenatorsCoons,Young, and Kingin recognizing the role of forests and forest products as a natural climate solution. As a private forest owner himself, Senator Braun's first-hand experience and leadership is vital to ensuring that policy supports healthy markets, working forests and forests products as three vital and interconnected parts toclimate mitigation, forest health and resilience. We look forward to working withthe Senatorsto advance this important objective. Dave Tenny, President & CEO ofthe National Alliance of Forest Owners On the heels of a record-breaking fire season at home and abroadand due to unrelenting deforestation around the worldthe plight of our forests has never been more dire. Conserving and restoring natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands are critical to addressing the intertwined crises of climate change and nature loss and to ensuring forest-dependent communities and Indigenous peoples thrive. The Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act provides a path for us to come together in a bipartisan manner to tackle these challenges. As the enormity of the climate crisis grows each day, it is imperative that we take a holistic view in our response and that the United States displays leadership on cutting carbon emissions at every level. Safeguarding our valuable lands and forests is an important part of the solution. As a new administration and Congress gear up to tackle a variety of environmental issues, acting on climate and protecting forests and nature are obvious priorities and opportunities. Kerry Cesareo, Senior Vice President, Forests, World Wildlife Fund Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) applauds the bipartisan efforts of Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN) and Angus King (I-ME) for introducing the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Solutions Act, legislation that supports sound forest management practices to reduce carbon in our atmosphere for generations to come. Reforestation and conservation are central to a clean environment and economic growth. So, too, are incentives that help landowners practice sustainable forestry and reduce and sequester carbon emissions. By encouraging international cooperation to conserve our global resources, the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Solutions Act asserts U.S. leadership in the fight to improve air quality and protect our forests and coastal habitats worldwide. CRES commends Sens. Braun, Coons and Young for championing this legislation in the Senate and for their work to bring forth commonsense solutions that will encourage a cleaner future for our nation and the world. CRES Executive Director Heather Reams The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) applauds the efforts of SenatorsMike Braun, Chris Coons, Todd Young, and Angus King on the introduction of the Trillion Trees And Natural Carbon Storage Act. This bill recognizes forests and forest carbon markets for what they are: sustainable solutions to climate change. Trees built America. They clean our water and air. They provide us with spaces to recreate and homes for millions of wildlife species to thrive. They also have the capacity to sequester tremendous volumes of carbon. Most (nearly two-thirds) of America's forests are privately owned. These private landowners need economic incentives to retain ownership of their forestland, as well as professional expertise to effectively manage their forests. This bill would create a federal loan guarantee program, providing the requisite access to established environmental marketplaces where forestland owners can sell the carbon credits they produce. As public land managers and the primary deliverers of assistance to private forestland owners, state forestry agencies need every tool available to actively manage public forests and address boundary-less forest threats like wildfire, pests, and disease. Forest carbon markets are one of these essential tools and should be included in any and all climate change solutions proposed by Congress. NASF looks forward to continuing its work with Senator Braun and other congressional leaders to develop bipartisan climate change solutions that enhance public benefits from all forests. NASF President and Arkansas State Forester Joe Fox Fighting climate change requires a powerful tool: nature itself.This scientifically robust bill puts the U.S. on a path to unlock the potential of nature-based climate solutions. The window of opportunity for bipartisan climate action opens wider every day. The time to act is now, and EDF congratulates Sens. Braun and Coons on their efforts to work collaboratively and effectively.\" Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President of Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund Natural climate solutions areat least 30 percentof global action needed to avoid the worst climate scenarios that science reveals now stand before us. We applaud Senators Coons, Braun, Young and King on the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act. Their collaboration demonstrates why natural climate solutions and carbon markets have bipartisan appeal: they provide local economic benefits and climate benefits at the same time. James Roth, SVP Global Policy and Government Affairs, Conservation International TheTrillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act: Creates the International Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to encourage and accept donations in support of international reforestation, restoration, and deforestation prevention efforts.Authorizes $10 million for USDA Forest Nursery Revival programsto ensure that the supply of seeds and saplings allows for increased domestic planting.Engages America's allies in conservationby authorizing the Secretary of State and USAID to increase their forest management cooperation efforts with other nations in order to better promote reforestation and sustainable land use management abroad.Amends existing international conservation programsto explicitly include carbon sequestration and forest management among the list of approved technical assistance categories.Makes it easier for private landowners to participate in carbon credit marketsby authorizing USDA to provide loan guarantees for related projects.Requires that USDA establish objectives for increasing the net carbon stockof American forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal blue carbon habitats. This legislation is supported by The Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense Fund,World Wildlife Fund,National Audubon Society, Bipartisan Policy Center, American Forest Foundation, American Conservation Coalition, National Association of State Foresters,Conservation International, and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. Thebill textis availablehere, and asummaryof the bill ishere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-biennial-water-infrastructure-bill-delivers-major-wins-for-delawareans", "Carper: Biennial Water Infrastructure Bill Delivers Major Wins for Delawareans", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020), which would authorize $10 billion in new federal investment to build new water resource development projects across the country, with significant resources authorized for projects in the First State. From improving and expanding water infrastructure to investing in disadvantaged communities, replenishing beaches and improving coastal resilience, WRDA 2020  coauthored by EPW Ranking Member Carper and Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in the Senate and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter Defazio (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Mo.) in the House  would deliver major wins for Delaware.\r\nLike the water that moves ships from the Port of Wilmington to ports across the globe, our nation's water infrastructure is essential to the movement of our economy. Ports, shipping channels and other Army Corps of Engineers projects support economic growth, facilitate commerce, sustain jobs and create new ones, too, Senator Carper said. This reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act will expand and enhance investments in Army Corps' projects throughout the country that help us safely navigate our waters and protect our communities from flooding and storm damage.  As the lowest lying state in the nation, climate change poses profound threats to Delaware. This legislation will help to fortify communities in the First State against the worsening impacts of climate change and expand funding to rebuild our beaches, Senator Carper continued. I thank Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves for working with Chairman Barrasso and me on this legislation.\r\nAmong its provisions, WRDA 2020 will:\r\n \r\nProtect Delaware's beaches from storm damage and assist with their renourishment;\r\nPromote resiliency projects in communities throughout the First State to address the impacts of climate change; and,\r\nEnsure the operation and maintenance of Delaware's ports and waterways, including the Port of Wilmington and Indian River Inlet.\r\n \r\nClick here for more in-depth background information on WRDA 2020, and click here for additional background about the major wins for Delaware in WRDA 2020.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-portman-release-new-report-on-federal-government-s-failure-to-conduct-adequate-oversight-of-companies-seeking-to-operate-shelters-for-unaccompanied-children", "Carper, Portman Release New Report on Federal Governments Failure to Conduct Adequate Oversight of Companies Seeking to Operate Shelters for Unaccompanied Children", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Latest in a series of bipartisan reports shows that gaps in HHS's grant process failed to sufficiently protect unaccompanied children and wasted taxpayer dollars\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), respectively, released a bipartisan staff report identifying failures in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) shelter grant processes to ensure the safety of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and safeguard over $32 million in taxpayers funds.\r\nThe report confirms that HHS awarded Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter grants to two companies with a documented history of failing to provide adequate care of children VisionQuest National, Ltd. and New Horizon Group Home, LLC. As a result of their previous failures in caring for children and other regulatory issues, VisionQuest and New Horizon struggled to acquire zoning and licensing approval to open shelters across the country, meaning that taxpayers paid for facilities that will never open.\r\nA review of several prior funding opportunity announcements and interviews with HHS officials demonstrated that, prior to fall 2019, HHS did not require grant applicants to disclose prior adverse actions their respective state and local governments had taken against them. The Department conducted no independent research into the disciplinary history of either VisionQuest or New Horizon. These oversight failures could have endangered unaccompanied children trusted to the care of these companies. Additionally, until November 2019, HHS also had no policy to restrict funding for grantees that did not have a license to operate. HHS's policy of awarding grants to applicants, including VisionQuest and New Horizon, prior to the applicants securing zoning and licensing approval led to issues that could cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. Currently, HHS is attempting to recoup funds disbursed for facilities that failed to open.\r\nOur latest report makes clear that, while HHS has taken moderate steps to protect the safety of migrant children while in U.S. government custody, significant gaps in our broken immigration system continue to fail an already vulnerable population of children. Lack of proper oversight of for-profit ORR shelter applicants has put the safety of migrant children at risk. Additionally, these failures have potentially wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on shelters that will never actually open, said Senator Tom Carper. While our findings show a serious need for improvement, I'm hopeful that our recommendations lay out concrete steps that the next administration can take to prioritize the care and safety of minors who are already fleeing unspeakable conditions in their home countries. I look forward to working with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that our nation upholds our moral responsibility to these children, including by reducing the number of children who require time in shelters in the first place.\r\nOur work on this Subcommittee has long focused on ensuring that the federal government and its grant recipients do a better job of caring for unaccompanied children, said Senator Rob Portman. Our bipartisan report found that the Office of Refugee Resettlement failed to exercise appropriate oversight and wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on organizations that could not acquire state licenses to open the planned shelter facilities. We can and must do better, and I'm pleased that ORRhas adopted many of the recommendations outlined in this report. I look forward to working with them to continue to improve their operations and meet their responsibilities under the law.\r\nSince 2015, PSI has conducted extensive oversight of federal government programs designed to protect and care for unaccompanied children. The Subcommittee has issued two prior bipartisan reports in 2018 and 2016 and held three hearings on August 16, 2018, April 26, 2018 and January 28, 2016.\r\n\r\nThe report's key findings include:\r\n(1) HHS disbursed $32,125,779 in grant funding for six facilities that failed to open, including five proposed facilities by VisionQuest and one proposed by New Horizon.\r\n(2) VisionQuest failed to obtain necessary zoning permits, which prevented the opening of five VisionQuest facilities. HHS discontinued the grants.\r\n(3) The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services revoked the operating license of a New Horizon facility for children in June 2018, but HHS awarded New Horizon a grant in March 2019 to house UAC in a new facility in North Carolina.\r\n(4) HHS learned of New Horizon's ongoing licensing problems 14 months after HHS awarded New Horizon a grant for a shelter facility.\r\n(5) Prior to late 2019, HHS did not require grant applicants to disclose prior documented licensing allegations or concerns. HHS did not conduct independent research on previous adverse government actions against applicants related to the care of children.\r\n(6) In 2018, the City of Philadelphia transferred all youth residents out of programs run by VisionQuest due to confirmed instances of child abuse. HHS subsequently gave shelter grant awards to VisionQuest, including a grant to house UACs in one of the same facilities investigated by the City of Philadelphia.\r\n(7) HHS is attempting to recoup funds disbursed for facilities that failed to open.\r\n(8) During the course of the Subcommittee's investigation, HHS began restricting disbursement of grant funds to grantees without an operating license. HHS previously disbursed grant funds before a facility obtained an operating license. As a result, VisionQuest and New Horizon received over $32 million in funding from HHS even though the facilities never opened.\r\n(9) HHS has begun requiring disclosure of licensing issues and allegations of abuse.\r\nAs noted in the report, while HHS has started to require certain ORR grant applicants to report licensing issues and allegations of abuse, these changes may not be permanent. For example, HHS maintains full discretion to remove the licensing requirement in future announcements if it needs to expand its shelter capacity. The report includes the following key recommendations to ensure the safety of unaccompanied children and efficient use of taxpayer dollars:\r\n(1) HHS should permanently require ORR grant applicants to disclose any prior or current adverse governmental action taken against them regarding the care of children in their grant applications.\r\n(2) HHS should permanently require ORR grant applicants to be licensed at the time of application.\r\n\r\n(3) HHS reviewers should proactively check state databases for information on previous adverse governmental actions regarding the care of children taken against applicants for ORR funding.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/senators-release-watchdog-report-showing-serious-challenges-facing-the-u-s-national-air-quality-monitoring-system", "Senators Release Watchdog Report Showing Serious Challenges Facing the U.S. National Air Quality Monitoring System", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  In case you missed it, yesterday, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) released a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) showing a number of serious challenges facing the vital national air quality monitoring system. When adjusted for inflation, the GAO report shows a steady decline in federal support for state and local monitoring efforts that are central to the basic function of the national air monitoring system. It also shows an uneven understanding of concentrations of dangerous air toxics near industrial facilities.The consequences of these problems tend to hit low-income communities and communities of color the hardest since they are often located in industrial areas and rely on underfunded local programs.\r\nTo ensure that all Americans can breathe clean air, we must first be able to effectively measure the pollutants that exist and where, said Senator Carper. As we are about to celebrate 50 years of progress with the Clean Air Act, today's GAO report is a reminder that the EPA can and must do better when it comes to protecting the public from air pollution. This report is a wake-up call that investments and updates are needed in our aging air pollution monitoring system. For too long the air monitoring system has been ignored, especially in terms of tracking air toxics, like mercury, in our communities. For a decade, I have worked with Senator Collins on legislation to improve how we track and monitor mercury pollution, S.181, Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act. Today's GAO study gives us just another reason why our legislation and other legislation that improves our air monitoring systems need to pass Congress.\r\nAn effective air quality monitoring system helps guard against public health threats triggered by air pollution. In downwind states like Rhode Island, missing a bad air day' warning could mean serious consequences for high-risk groups, said Senator Whitehouse. These findings point to troubling gaps in the EPA's funding and oversight of the network, which can disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities. Congress and the EPA ought to act swiftly on the GAO's recommendations.\r\nThe State of Maine, located at the end of our nation's air pollution tailpipe,' is on the receiving end of pollution generated in other states, said Senator Collins. Understanding the occurrence of harmful air pollutants is critical for public health, particularly for Maine which has among the highest rates of asthma in the country. This report also underscores the need for Congress to pass legislation, such as the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act I introduced with Senator Carper, that would improve air quality monitoring.\r\nThe national ambient air quality monitoring system measures concentrations of air pollutants and provides standardized information on pollution levels across the country. This information is essential to helping the EPA and state and local agencies enforce the Clean Air Act and understand the health risks to the public.\r\nDespite national improvements in air quality over the last few decades, many areas still face serious problems. According to an EPA report based on 2010 population statistics, around 40 percent of the U.S. population currently live in areas that do not meet the Clean Air Act's National Air Quality Standards for at least one common outdoor pollutant. It is critical to have data to ensure compliance with our laws and manage environmental and public health risks, the GAO report notes.\r\nA decline in EPA funding necessary to sustain this monitoring system is a serious impediment to collecting this information. The GAO report shows that federal funding for state and local monitoring programs has remained relatively level over the past 16 years, amounting to an approximately 20 percent decrease when adjusting for inflation. Declining federal support forces agencies to choose between hiring staff, upgrading to newer technology, and maintaining the current level of service, particularly as air quality monitoring costs continuing to increase. The report recommends a funding increase to help operate and maintain air monitoring networks across the country.\r\nThe GAO report also includes an in-depth examination of the role of the national air quality monitoring system, how it is managed, national air quality trends, and the need for additional information in addition to the recommendations for action listed below:\r\n \r\nDevelop, publish, and implement an asset management framework for sustaining the system that considers key characteristics of effective asset management, such as resources needed to sustain the monitoring system, using quality data to manage infrastructure risks, and targeting resources toward assets that provide the greatest value.\r\nEstablish an air quality monitoring modernization plan that considers leading practices including establishing priorities, assessing risks, and identifying the resources needed to achieve goals, and measuring and evaluating progress.\r\n \r\nThe full report is accessible here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-coons-we-have-a-chance-to-work-together-in-a-bipartisan-way-and-deliver-the-relief-americans-need", "[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: We have a chance to work together in a bipartisan way... [and] deliver the relief Americans need", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.)joinedMSNBC'sMorning Joeto discuss thebipartisan framework fora$908 billion COVID-19 relief package and theimmediateneed for Congress to work together to pass relief fortheAmericanpeople. On another round of relief checks, Sen. Coons said, What I'm hearing from Delawareans up and down this state is that many cannot pay their rent or mortgage, many have lost their jobs or are afraid that they're not goingto beable to make it through the rest of this winter, and I think another round of relief checks would help make sure that our economy doesn't dip even deeper into a recession in the months that come between now and when we have the vaccine. Onwhetherthe Senatecan pass a relief bill before the holidays, Sen. Coons said,Bluntly, I don't understand how any of us can go home for the holidays and look our constituents in the face or the mask because so many are suffering. This is part of why we have a federal government, is to deal with disasters. On the federal response to COVID-19, Sen. Coons said, And in this particular case, a disjointed federal response, different standards, different direction and frankly the way in which our current president, Donald Trump, has failed to give us a positive and consistent message about the public health crisis we're in has made this worse. Full audio and video is availablehere. A transcript is provided below. Q: Joining us now, one of the senators working on a bipartisan deal, Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware. He is also a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Coons, Chris, what's standing in the way of relief checks? Sen. Coons:Well, Mika, we've had a more than six-month impasse from when the House passed a broad solid relief package for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and recession to now. And you just mentioned the key critical issues: whether or not there should be another round of stimulus checks to families and individuals, whether there should be more support for state and local governments, and whether there should be some liability relief for employers and business owners. A group of us met last night for several hours to try and hammer out the liability relief so that we can help reopen the economy, help businesses operate safely, and yet, also ensure that those who've been harmed through reckless behavior get some help and some relief themselves. Q: So what would be the argument against another round of relief checks? Sen. Coons:Well, I support it. I think many in the Congress have supported it, but frankly, most of the Republican caucus in the Senate has opposed it. The 908 coalition, which is the group of senators that's put together this next proposal, really was trying to stay below a trillion dollars simply because there's been pressure from the Republican majority here for months to not do another really large relief package. What I'm hearing from Delawareans up and down this state is that many cannot pay their rent or mortgage, many have lost their jobs or are afraid that they're not going to be able to make it through the rest of this winter, and I think another round of relief checks would help make sure that our economy doesn't dip even deeper into a recession in the months that come between now and when we have the vaccine. Q: So Senator Coons, you understand the politics of the Senate very well. Mitch McConnell has been more optimistic about this $908 billion proposal than he has about anything else in the last six months. Do you see something getting done by the end of the year and is it even conceivable to you for you all to go on recess without taking care of the people of Delaware, the people of America, who may lose their jobs and their livelihoods if you don't? Sen. Coons:That's why I think we have to work even harder and get to the table with some fresh thinking and some new ideas. Because bluntly, I don't understand how any of us can go home for the holidays and look our constituents in the face or the mask because so many are suffering. This is part of why we have a federal government, is to deal with disasters. And in this particular case, a disjointed federal response, different standards, different direction, and frankly the way in which our current president, Donald Trump, has failed to give us a positive and consistent message about the public health crisis we're in has made this worse. We have a chance to work together in a bipartisan way as we did months ago in passing the CARES Act and deliver the relief the American people need. Q: So is a perception from the outside true, is it real that Mitch McConnell and some Republicans are actually receptive to this, they may agree to some version of this bill that you all have put forward? Sen. Coons:They may agree to some version. But those two sticking points: he doesn't want to provide any more relief to state and local governments and he is demanding broad, long-standing changes to the law in how people who get hurt are able to be compensated. We wanted a lot more support for the teachers and paramedics and nurses who work for state and local government, and he wants a very broad change to the law in terms of how people who get harmed through the recklessness of others can recover. That's a conversation we're trying to close. This is the art of legislating and we need folks to bring their best ideas to the table. But I remain optimistic. One of the things Joe Biden and I share  and it's partly rooted in our state  is an optimism about our ability to solve problems even in the most divided and partisan time. Q: So it's December 8th. You don't have a lot of time ahead of you to get this massive deal done. Is there a chance that you all go home and face your voters without passing something? Sen. Coons:Yes, there is a real chance of that. This impasse has lasted for months and months and months. Many in my caucus have found it incredible that we've had deals on the table over and over in recent months, and we haven't been able to close the deal. The American people, anyone who is watching, needs to call their senator's office and say deliver another round of relief. It's what will help this country get through this winter. This pandemic has infected nearly 15 million people, taken nearly 280,000 American lives. If we're going to slow the destruction of this pandemic, we need to provide more support for state and local governments, for hospitals, for schools, for the distribution of the vaccine, and for relief for individuals, families, and small businesses that need help reopening. Q:Alright. Before you go, I'm just curious in your Republican counterparts and these meetings and discussions  do they recognize Joe Biden as the President-elect? Sen. Coons:Well, look, I have had a number of private conversations with senators who want me to convey their congratulations to the President-elect, but are not yet willing to say so publicly. It's my job to keep working with them, but I will tell you it is a striking moment we're in that President Trump still has the Republican party by the neck and is insisting that they ignore reality, which is that there is no chance that Joe Biden will not be sworn in as President of the United States on January 20th. The certifications in states, the lawsuits that have failed, it is clear that Trump is out of time. As Garry Kasparov would say, check and mate. Q: Well, we can ask him. Alright. Senator Chris Coons, thank you very much. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-blasts-epa-for-failing-to-improve-soot-standards-and-protect-lives", "Carper Blasts EPA for Failing to Improve Soot Standards and Protect Lives", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to set newer, more protective standards for particulate matter (PM) pollution. This soot-causing air pollution is linked to serious health problems, like asthma, strokes, heart attacks, and early deaths, and research has linked exposure to it to more adverse outcomes from COVID-19.\r\nDoing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. In the last hours of the Trump Administration, EPA continues to work around the clock to cement its anti-science, pro-polluter agenda. The Trump EPA's decision to ignore science and keep the current standards unchanged will cost tens of thousands of lives every year into the future, long after the Trump Administration is gone.\r\nWhen EPA announced plans to keep these rules unchanged in April, we were enduring the first wave of a deadly respiratory pandemicone that today has claimed close to 300,000 lives in our country. What was true in April is still true todaythe cost of protecting public health is far less than the cost of breathing polluted air. It has become abundantly clear that COVID-19 is deadlier for Black, brown, and Indigenous Americans, who are also more likely to live in areas with higher levels of particulate matter pollution. The Trump EPA is failing to do its job and protect communities of color from the harmful pollution that's worsening COVID-19 outcomes. Amid the second wave of cases, EPA is still spearheading its own Pandemic of Pollution.\r\nIn April 2020, Senator Carper condemned EPA, when it announced plans to not develop newer, more protective standards for PM. In June 2020, Senator Carper, along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a letter urging EPA to pursue stronger standards to protect Americans from PM.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-coons-announce-completion-of-amtrak-s-third-track-in-wilmington", "Carper, Coons Announce Completion of Amtraks Third Track in Wilmington", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) joined representatives from Amtrak to announce a recently completed $71.2 million project to increase capacity between Wilmington and Newark, Del. on the Northeast Corridor. This joint project with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) includes installation of 1.5 miles of a new, electrified main line third track between Ragan and Yard interlockings, a bridge replacement, and eliminates a previous two-track bottleneck. The change brings improved safety, on-time performance and a reduction in delays.\r\n\r\nThis project is nearly 20 years in the making, and I am thrilled that we are finally going to reap the benefits of improved, more reliable rail service along the Northeast Corridor, said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, ranking member on the Environment and Public Works Committee and a frequent Amtrak rider. We must continue to improve our nation's transportation infrastructure in a way that promotes multi-modal transportation and takes cars off the road, for the sake of safety, congestion, and our environment. This project is a great example of a good public investment that benefits passengers, drivers, the air we breathe and promotes improvements to rail service in the future.\r\n\r\nThis year started as one of the best for Amtrak, and while ridership is down, the completion of this project and removal of a significant bottleneck will mean more commuter and intercity trains can use the Northeast Corridor and increase the potential volume of rail service through Delaware, said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons. Our transportation system and passenger rail network desperately need additional investment and a focus on building the infrastructure we deserve. This project is an example of how we can make much-needed infrastructure upgrades, and I am grateful for the investments Amtrak has made in Delaware along with the federal government and state to make this project possible.\r\n\r\nAs a regular Amtrak rider myself, I know the importance of a reliable and consistent Northeast corridor. Delawareans have come to rely on Amtrak and SEPTA as a primary transportation option, whether for work or for leisure, and this project to help reduce delays and improve on-time performance will help continue to bolster rail travel in the First State, said U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. I want to commend all of the hard work done by DelDOT and the Delaware Transit Corporation to make this project possible.\r\n\r\nThe completion of this project marks an important rail capacity expansion milestone on the Northeast Corridor, resolving bottlenecks which previously constrained SEPTA and Amtrak from operating service at maximum capacity, said Bill Flynn, CEO of Amtrak. As we anticipate the return of pre-COVID-19 ridership growth, it is vital that we have the proper infrastructure in place to support a higher capacity railroad.\r\n\r\nThe project developed as a shared benefit investment as part of a 2011 agreement between DTC and Amtrak and was funded using Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants issued to DTC along with Amtrak funds.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the successful completion of this important project, Amtrak continues to invest in its infrastructure and this year has installed over 69,000 new railroad ties, over 30 miles of new continuous welded rail and completed over 220 track miles of track surfacing on its owned and maintained lines in the Northeast Corridor and Michigan, aimed at ensuring a smoother and safe ride for customers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/coons-carper-announce-amtraks-third-track-in-wilmington", "Coons, Carper announce Amtraks third track in Wilmington", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today,\r\nU.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper and (both D-Del.) joined Amtrak and SEPTA\r\nrepresentatives to announce a recently completed $71.2 million project to\r\nincrease capacity between Wilmington and Newark along the Northeast Corridor. This\r\njoint project with the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Delaware\r\nTransit Corporation, orDTC,includes installation of 1.5 miles of a new, electrified\r\nmain line third track between Ragan and Yard interlockings, a bridge\r\nreplacement, and eliminates a previous two-track bottleneck. The change brings\r\nimproved safety, on-time performance, and a reduction in delays. This\r\nproject is nearly 20 years in the making, and I am thrilled that we are finally\r\ngoing to reap the benefits of improved, more reliable rail service along the\r\nNortheast Corridor,said\r\nU.S. Sen. Tom Carper, ranking member on the Environment and Public Works\r\nCommittee and a frequent Amtrak rider.We must continue to improve our nation's\r\ntransportation infrastructure in a way that promotes multi-modal transportation\r\nand takes cars off the road, for the sake of safety, congestion, and our\r\nenvironment. This project is a great example of a good public investment that\r\nbenefits passengers, drivers, the air we breathe and promotes improvements to\r\nrail service in the future. This\r\nyear started as one of the best for Amtrak, and while ridership is down, the\r\ncompletion of this project and removal of a significant bottleneck will mean\r\nmore commuter and intercity trains can use the Northeast Corridor and increase\r\nthe potential volume of rail service through Delaware,said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons.Our transportation system and passenger rail\r\nnetwork desperately need additional investment and a focus on building the\r\ninfrastructure we deserve. This project is an example of how we can make\r\nmuch-needed infrastructure upgrades, and I am grateful for the investments\r\nAmtrak has made in Delaware along with the federal government and state to make\r\nthis project possible. As\r\na regular Amtrak rider myself, I know the importance of a reliable and\r\nconsistent Northeast corridor. Delawareans have come to rely on Amtrak and\r\nSEPTA as a primary transportation option, whether for work or for leisure, and\r\nthis project to help reduce delays and improve on-time performance will help\r\ncontinue to bolster rail travel in the First State,said U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.I want to commend all of the hard work done\r\nby DelDOT and the Delaware Transit Corporation to make this project possible. The\r\ncompletion of this project marks an important rail capacity expansion milestone\r\non the Northeast Corridor, resolving bottlenecks which previously constrained\r\nSEPTA and Amtrak from operating service at maximum capacity,said Bill Flynn, CEO of Amtrak.As we anticipate the return of pre-COVID-19\r\nridership growth, it is vital that we have the proper infrastructure in place\r\nto support a higher capacity railroad. The\r\nproject was developed as a shared benefit investment as part of a 2011\r\nagreement between DTC and Amtrak. It was funded using Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and Federal Highway Administration grants issued to DTC along with Amtrak funds. In\r\naddition to the successful completion of this critical project, Amtrak\r\ncontinues to invest in its infrastructure and this year has installed over\r\n69,000 new railroad ties, over 30 miles of new continuous welded rail and\r\ncompleted over 220 track miles of track surfacing on its owned and maintained\r\nlines in the Northeast Corridor and Michigan, aimed at ensuring a smoother and\r\nsafe ride for customers. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/four-years-ago-today-bipartisan-senators-pay-tribute-to-then-vp-joe-biden-reflect-on-work-together", "Four years ago today, bipartisan senators pay tribute to then-VP Joe Biden, reflect on work together", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today,U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) shared speeches from Dec. 7, 2016, when senators from both sides of the aisle gathered to pay tribute to then-Vice President Joe Biden following a vote to approve the 21st Century Cures Act, which also included funding for Biden's Cancer Moonshot initiative. To view the video compilation on Sen. Coons' Twitter account, please clickhere. Four years ago, Republicans and Democrats came together to reflect on Joe Biden as a friend, a trusted colleague, and a legislative partner,said Senator Coons. These speeches are a testament to Joe's warmth, his heart, and the respect he's earned from Republicans and Democrats alike. I hope this same spirit will guide us as we work together to face the challenges ahead. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/only-10-days-to-get-covered", "Only 10 days to get covered!", "2020-12-05", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear friend,\r\n\r\nThis year has not been easy. Our normal lives have been upended in ways we never could have imagined. In Delaware, we have lost over 700 brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and grandparents to the coronavirus.Today, and every day, I pray for the loved ones who have had to say goodbye much too soon.\r\nWhile each day brings fresh hardships and difficulties, there is still much we can do to keep our loved ones safe and healthy. That includes ensuring that they have quality, affordable health insurance. From now until December 15th, you can find a plan that works for your family's needs and budgets by visiting healthcare.gov or choosehealthde.com. In the First State, our premiums are down for the second year in a row! And more than 8 out of 10 Delawareans will get financial help to cover premiums and deductibles, which will bring their average premiums to $110 per month.\r\nEven if you or someone you know already has insurance, more affordable options may be available. Go to healthcare.gov and see what cost saving alternatives you qualify for. And Delawareans who may need extra help enrolling will have access to free in-person assistance from federally funded and trained specialists at Westside Family Healthcare, and by certified application counselors at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center in Wilmington and La Red Health Center in Georgetown.\r\nWe each have a responsibility to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe during these trying times. That means wearing a mask, socially distancing and staying home as much as we can. It also means ensuring we have access to quality, affordable health care. There's no time to waste. To ensure you have health care in 2021, register anytime from today to December 15 at healthcare.gov or choosehealthDE.com and make sure you get covered.\r\n\r\nStay safe and stay healthy,\r\nTom Carper", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-epa-s-draft-national-recycling-plan-is-a-wasted-opportunity", "Carper: EPAs Draft National Recycling Plan Is A Wasted Opportunity", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  As the public comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s draft National Recycling Strategy comes to a close, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, submitted comment on EPA's draft plan and is imploring the EPA to seize the opportunity to reimagine our nation's crumbling recycling system and re-envision and revise its draft National Recycling Strategy. As the co-founder of the Senate Recycling Caucus, and as a passionate, lifelong recycler, I commend EPA for bringing together more than 250 stakeholders to the table to discuss national recycling practices. However, simply bringing together hundreds of stakeholders alone is not a sufficient process for producing a comprehensive national recycling strategy. The product that EPA has put forward for public comment makes that clear, Senator Carper wrote. I'm afraid that this draft National Recycling Strategy is largely a woefully inadequate and unimaginative approach to addressing our country's wide-ranging and complex recycling problems. It would be a wasted opportunity for EPA to press forward without addressing some of the serious flaws in this proposed strategy. In the final days of the Trump Administration, the EPA is hastening to finalize its draft National Recycling Strategy. As it is currently drafted, the draft National Recycling Strategy fails to convey bold and visionary structural changes that would help the United States  at the national, state and local level  adapt to challenging new international policies and the burgeoning plastic pollution crisis. While China's decision to restrict the import of plastics and mixed paper materials presents an enormous challenge for the United States in the short term, it should also motivate us to consider forward-looking strategies, Senator Carper continued. China's policies and the worsening impacts of waste on our environment and public health demand a creative and aggressive strategy to embrace a circular economy and rethink outdated attitudes and practices regarding waste and waste management. To address the complex and wide-ranging challenges confronting our national recycling system, Senator Carper's comments on EPA's proposed National Recycling Strategy focus on the need to establish a national strategy that:\r\n\r\n \r\nEmbraces the elements of a circular economy;\r\nRecognizes the need to enhance markets for recyclable materials;\r\nImposes producer responsibility for the lifecycle impacts and costs associated with products;\r\nReimagines public education in the context of an aggressive circular economy strategy; and,\r\nCreates the appropriate incentives to end the production and use of materials that cannot be reused or recycled. \r\n \r\n\r\nSenator Carper's public comment may be found here or below.\r\n\r\nDecember 3, 2020\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Andrew Wheeler\r\nAdministrator\r\nU.S. Environmental Protection Agency\r\n1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20460\r\n\r\nRE: Draft National Recycling Strategy\r\n\r\nDear Administrator Wheeler:\r\n\r\nThank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft National Recycling Strategy. I write today with serious concerns about both the contents of the draft strategy as well as the haste with which EPA is proposing to finalize this strategy, just days before the start of a new Congress and a new Administration.\r\n\r\nAs the co-founder of the Senate Recycling Caucus, and as a passionate, lifelong recycler, I commend EPA for bringing together more than 250 stakeholders to the table to discuss national recycling practices. However, simply bringing together hundreds of stakeholders alone is not a sufficient process for producing a comprehensive national recycling strategy. The product that EPA has put forward for public comment makes that clear. I'm afraid that this draft National Recycling Strategy is largely a woefully inadequate and unimaginative approach to addressing our country's wide-ranging and complex recycling problems. It would be a wasted opportunity for EPA to press forward without addressing some of the serious flaws in this proposed strategy.\r\n\r\nFor years, the United States relied on shipping most of its plastics and mixed paper materials overseas for processing, primarily to China. The flaw in this process was laid bare in 2018, when China began to prohibit imports of mixed paper and plastic, including those shipped from the United States. When China closed its doors to these imports, the United States looked to other Southeast Asian countries to accept its mixed recyclables, but to no avail. Those countries have since imposed restrictions similar to China's. It is clear that countries around the globe no longer wish to be used as the United States' dump. Understandably so.\r\n\r\nChina's National Sword policy rattled the United States recycling system. Two years later, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the cracks in that system. Recycling in the United States is primarily done at the state and local level, resulting in a patchwork of systems that collectively fail to meet even the modest recycling targets met by other nations around the world. The status quo is unsustainable. While China's decision to restrict the import of plastics and mixed paper materials presents an enormous challenge for the United States in the short term, it should also motivate us to consider forward-looking strategies. China's policies and the worsening impacts of waste on our environment and public health demand a creative and aggressive strategy to embrace a circular economy and rethink outdated attitudes and practices regarding waste and waste management.\r\n\r\nThese challenges confronting our recycling system present an opportunity to reimagine recycling in the United States, to articulate an aggressive national strategy, and to support local and state efforts. Unfortunately, EPA's proposed National Recycling Strategywhile properly motivatedfalls well short of what this nation needs. My comments on EPA's proposed National Recycling Strategy will focus on the need to establish a national strategy that:\r\n\r\n \r\nEmbraces the elements of a circular economy;\r\nRecognizes the need to enhance markets for recyclable materials;\r\nImposes producer responsibility for the lifecycle impacts and costs associated with products;\r\nReimagines public education in the context of an aggressive circular economy strategy; and,\r\nCreates the appropriate incentives to end the production and use of materials that cannot be reused or recycled.\r\n \r\n\r\nEmbracing a Circular Economy\r\n\r\nAfter reading EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy, one may deduce that to fix our growing waste management issues, all we need to do is revitalize recycling in the United States. That is simply not the case. Though important, recycling is not a silver-bullet or sole solution to our nation's growing waste management problems. It is critical that we also emphasize the need to reuse and reduce. The United States must establish a circular economy, one that keeps materials in a loop, minimizing the use of new material inputs and reducing waste production. A strategy focused only on recycling, without also addressing the need to reduce and reuse new material inputs, is a failed strategy.\r\n\r\nMany businesses have stepped in to fill the void in federal leadership in addressing the United States' waste management problems. For example, Marriott International promises to remove single-use plastics from most of its 7,000 hotels by the end of the year; Hyatt Hotels plans to do the same in 900 of its hotels. These are welcome commitments from Marriott and Hyatt, and should be a model for other responsible businesses. To be clear, though, a nationwide ban on all single-use materials is simply not an option. American society still relies heavily on single-use products for medical and other essential uses. And with so little material actually being recycled, finding ways to reduce plastic usage is critically important.\r\n\r\nOn September 26, 2018, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), on which I serve as Ranking Member, held a hearing entitled, Cleaning Up the Oceans: How to Reduce the Impact of Man-Made Trash on the Environment, Wildlife, and Human Health? During that hearing, Dr. Kara Lavender Law testified that to reduce the flow of waste into our oceans and waterways, we must prevent the production of waste, especially plastic waste, in the first place.[1] Dr. Law also noted that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to solving the burgeoning plastic crisis. Single-use products, specifically plastics, should be examined as a case study for why a one-size-fits-all approach will not solve the mismanagement of plastic waste. An estimated 40 percent of plastics are used only one time before they are discarded.[2] Single-use products are simply being utilized at levels far too great for recycling markets to accommodate, or for our environment to endure.\r\n\r\nA staggering 80 percent of the plastic leaking into the ocean is never formally collected.[3] The equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean each minute, impacting over 800 marine species.[4] An estimated 90 percent of seabirds have consumed plastics, and humanson averageingest between 39,000 and 52,000 plastic particles, called, microplastics, annually.[5] According to the Ocean Conservancy, marine debris could reduce economic benefits that humans derive from the oceans in the future by one to five percent, or about $2.5 trillion.[6]\r\n\r\nBarring a concerted effort to reconsider the costs and chart a different course, global plastic production is expected to double in the next ten years, and we can expect some 250 million tons of plastic to circulate in the ocean by 2025.[7] The plastics crisis has garnered the interest of the national media, prompting investigations and exposs like the March 31, 2020 PBS Frontline episode entitled, Plastic Wars.[8] Growing national pressure and attention on the production and management of plastics should be examined and reflected in EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy and, yet, EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy entirely ignores these critical issues.\r\n\r\nConsidering these implications, it is clear that EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy must include greater emphasis on reduction and reuse and the broader tenants of a circular economy. The current draft National Recycling Strategy fails entirely to even acknowledge these options, much less support them.\r\n\r\nEnhancing Markets for Recyclable Materials\r\n\r\nRather than focus on the overarching need to find and develop healthy and effective markets for recyclable materials, EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy focuses almost exclusively on enhanced education and infrastructure investments. Indeed, the first two objectives of EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy focus exclusively on these points. While those are important elements of a recycling strategy, they are woefully inadequate responses to a huge national and global problem. On June 17, 2020 the EPW Committee held a hearing entitled: Responding to the Challenges Facing Recycling in the United States. More Recycling's Nina Butler testified before the EPW Committee that breaking away from the education and infrastructure narrative is critical. She said that,\r\n\r\nCitizens, or their lack of recycling education, are not the problem. Yes, continuous education and outreach to citizens regarding how to recycle, and what can and cannot be recycled, should be a part of citizen education, but education alone will not be enough to solve our growing waste problem. Neither will one-time infusions of capital. Policies to reduce, reuse and recycle must be grounded on the basic principles of economics that guide our behavior.[9]\r\nAnd, as EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy points out, investments in technology and more advanced infrastructure are needed. These efforts are worthless if markets for the materials that these facilities will eventually process do not exist. Even if we have the technology and infrastructure to recycle more materials, they will not be recycled if they are not profitable. Therefore, better markets are the critical ingredient to increasing recycling rates, not better infrastructure.\r\n\r\nIn order to truly revolutionize United States recycling systems in a way that creates jobs, grows the economy and protects the environment, EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy must break from the false narrative that education and infrastructure alone can solve all of our problems. EPA must go further to highlight the importance of improving markets, especially domestically.\r\n\r\nAt the June EPW Committee hearing on recycling, in addition to receiving testimony from More Recycling, Senators also received testimony from the Consumer Brands Association and Closed Loop Partners.[10] Each witness testified that enhancing domestic markets is the single most important means to increase recycling rates.\r\n\r\nAgain, this is especially apparent in the case of plastics. Low petroleum prices have decimated the market for recycled plastic products, which cannot compete financially with virgin plastic prices.[11] At the June EPW Committee hearing, Nina Butler with More Recycling testified that, in order to deal with plastics effectively, we must look at the production, use and fate of plastics holistically.[12] Ms. Butler also noted in her testimony that, plastic recycling is a trickle compared to a tsunami of new plastic production. We know that recycling is market-driven, so any approach to re-envisioning our national recycling strategy must first acknowledge that existing single-use plastics recycling markets are insufficient to effectively promote both recycling and an effective circular economy. As long as new and cheaper materials are available, recycled materials do not stand a chance. We must reevaluate the market for recycled materials and explore ways to build a circular economy to ensure a better domestic materials management system.\r\n   To its credit, EPA's draft National Recycling Strategy does eventually get around to the necessity of addressing the most fundamental need of a national recycling strategy in its Objective 3: Improve Markets. Section 3.5 of that Objective states as a priority, Increase demand for recycled materials through policies, programs, initiatives, and incentives, focusing on materials with less mature markets. While this section is arguably the most significant part of the EPA's draft National Recycling strategy, it fails to adequately elaborate on specific actions that the recycling industry and producers should take to propel U.S. recycling forward. Instead, EPA must seize on effective strategies to kick start the recycling market. These measures could include: mandatory recycled content requirements; government procurement mandates; product stewardship requirements; and design-for-recycling guidelines.\r\n\r\nRequiring Producer Responsibility\r\n\r\nSociety now bears the environmental and public health costs of waylaid material, and taxpayers bear the burden of recycling costs. Producers currently share no part of these costs or burdens, but they should. Producers must be accountable for the health, safety, environmental and societal impacts associated with and costs incurred over the lifecycle of their products. A growing coalition of consumer brands, NGOs, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and environmental groups all support policies that would establish producer responsibility for these impacts and costs.\r\n\r\nEPA's draft National Recycling Strategy fails to recognize, but should embrace, policies that would have product producers bear the costs associated with product recycling and disposalcosts now borne by taxpayers. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) holds producers, manufacturers, and other entities involved in the product chain responsible for the end-of-life management of products, rather than continuing to have the public bear that burden. When producers internalize the costs of managing the full lifecycle of their products, they are financially motivated to make decisions that are better for the environment.[13] Those decisions might include improved packaging design, reduced material use, reduced toxicity in packaging, and improved recyclability. This approach also allows the costs of processing and disposal to be incorporated into the total cost of a product, creating incentives to develop and use materials that eliminate or significantly reduce costs.\r\n\r\nRecycling trade associations, consumer brand companies, non-profit organizations, and NGOs suggest that EPR may be one of the key tools in our toolbox to ensure the recyclability of materials, like single-use plastics. Many of these same groups point out that an EPR system can only work at the national level, not the state or local level.\r\n\r\nThe Recycling Partnership's Accelerator Recycling report released in September 2020 is evidence that some industry leaders are beginning to embrace product stewardship.[14] The Recycling Partnership's approach would shift some of the recycling cost burden onto industry by charging a packaging fee to brand companies to fund infrastructure and education investments. The American Chemistry Council, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and others support this approach.[15]\r\n\r\nExtended producer responsibility laws for packaging, electronics, and other items are already being implemented in states across the country, as well as internationally. The Product Stewardship Institute has a map with EPR laws by state, which include EPR for products such as cell phones, batteries, mattresses, and more. [16] These types of policies are critical to creating a circular economy.[17]  Furthermore, regarding EPR, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has said that, assigning such responsibility could in principle provide incentives to prevent wastes at the source, promote product design for the environment and support the achievement of public recycling and materials management goals.[18] In Canada, extended producer responsibility laws and other policies have helped the country achieve a 70 percent recycling rate. Alternatively, beverage container deposit laws, commonly referred to as bottle bills, run by industry have also shown to be successful. As a variation of an EPR theme, bottle bills place a refundable deposit on certain recyclable beverage containers to help reduce litter and capture material for recycling. Successful bottle deposit programs like the state of Oregon reported a 90 percent recovery rate from their bottle redemption program.\r\nEPA's draft National Recycling Strategy should incorporate product stewardship policies for plastics and other materials that are woefully mismanaged today. Of all plastic ever produced, only about nine percent has been recycled. That means over 90 percent of plastic is landfilled, incinerated or littered across the Earth, including in our oceans and waterways.[19] Those statistics tell us that plastic producers should fund much-needed recycling infrastructure. Not only do producers have the financial means to support improved recycling, but they also play an outsized role in the waste problem by producing massive amounts of single-use products that end up as waste, not as recyclable material.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\n\r\nThe United States recycling rate currently sits at about 35 percent. EPA recently announced a goal of reaching a 50 percent recycling rate by 2030. Though it marks an improvement over the status quo, we need to set more ambitious goals to spur market development and growth. The European Union (EU) set a recycling target of 50 percent for 2020 and 65 percent by 2035. EPA proposes a relatively paltry 50 percent target for the United States in 2030.[20] We should strive to meet the recycling rates of countries like Canada, which has a 70 percent recycling rate. We can achieve higher rates of recycling if we choose to implement policies that help us get there, like enhancing our domestic recycling markets by shifting financial burdens to producers and embracing a circular economy approach. We know that each year, the United States produces 35.4 million tons of plastic.[21] Of that amount, about 8.4 percent  three million tons  is recycled.[22] 26.8 million tons of plastics are then disposed of in landfills each year.[23] Comparably, many countries in Europe are recycling plastics at rates of 35 to 40 percent.[24]  During the COVID-19 pandemic, recycling was deemed critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security[25] because recycling is essential to our economy. According to EPA's statistics, the recycling industry constitutes approximately 757,000 jobs, $36.6 billion in wages, and $6.7 billion in tax revenues in the United States.[26] In other words, two jobs are created for every 1,000 tons of material that is recycled.[27] The more we recycle, the more jobs we can create. We need a national recycling strategy that honors that reality and seizes the huge promise an effective recycling system represents. Recycling is one of the most important and tangible ways that every American can contribute to a more sustainable world. That's why Americans across the country want to see recycling work for our economy and the environment. Sadly, by ignoring the facts and failing to capture broader aspirations, EPA's proposed draft National Recycling Strategy fails to provide Americans that opportunity.\r\n\r\nI encourage EPA to develop a strategy that incorporates this feedback and carefully considers all the public comment it has received on this draft National Recycling Strategy. An honest assessment of our current state of affairs should be ample incentive to produce a National Strategy that fundamentally transforms our nation's recycling system. That effort will surely take substantial timeand will certainly require further shepherding by the incoming Administration.\r\n\r\nShould you or your staff have any questions relating to this letter, I would invite the members of your staff to contact Avery Mulligan of my Senate Environment and Public Works Committee staff at avery_mulligan@epw.senate.gov.\r\n\r\nWith best personal regards, I am,\r\n\r\nSincerely yours,\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThomas R. Carper\r\nRanking Member", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/senate-passes-bill-to-rename-thermopolis-post-office-after-lifelong-resident-former-postmaster", "Senate passes bill to rename Thermopolis post office after lifelong resident, former postmaster", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to rename the Thermopolis, Wyo., post office after former Postmaster Robert Brown, who passed away on September 11, 2020. Brown's career with the U.S. Postal Service spanned 44 years, including 18 years as the postmaster. U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Tom Carper, D-Del., introduced the legislation earlier this year. U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who was Brown's son-in-law, cosponsored the legislation.  Renaming the post office after Bob Brown is a fitting tribute to his service  first in the military and later as the Thermopolis postmaster, Enzi said. He was born and raised in Thermopolis and exemplified Wyoming values. I'm glad the Senate passed this bill to honor and remember him. Bob Brown was an American hero who inspired everyone who knew him.Renaming the Thermopolis post office after himisa perfect way tohonor his memory,Barrasso said. Bob, my late father-in-law, served as postmaster in Thermopolis for many years after returning from his service in WWII and Korea. Many knew him as the nicest guy in town. I am deeply appreciative of Senator Enzi and Senator Carper's work to get this bipartisan bill passed in the Senate. This is awonderfulway to honor Bob's memory and service to Thermopolis and our nation. While I was never fortunate enough to meet Robert Brown, I know he was a man who dedicated his life to his country. He didn't just serve in the Army; he served with courage and distinction in combat in both World War II and later in the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star and later returned to his community where he continued to serve his fellow citizens for years as a postmaster in the U.S. Postal Service. I know that our country is better for his lifetime of service to others, said Carper. I want to thank my colleague, Senator Enzi, for graciously allowing me to be his wingman in this effort to rename the Thermopolis post office in Mr. Brown's honor. I know that his memory will live on for generations in the community he served so well. The bill calls for the post office in Thermopolis to be officially named the Robert L. Brown Post Office. The bill must now be passed by the House of Representatives.  After graduating from Thermopolis High School, Brown was inducted into the Army in 1944 and served in both the Europe and the Pacific theaters. In 1950, when he was part of the National Guard, Brown deployed to Korea where he was a member of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. Along with a unit citation, he received the combat infantry badge and the Purple Heart. After his service, he returned to Thermopolis and began working at the post office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-selection-of-brian-deese-to-lead-the-national-economic-council", "Carper Statement on Selection of Brian Deese to Lead the National Economic Council", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's selection of Brian Deese to serve as Director of the National Economic Council.\r\n\r\nTwo of the biggest crises facing our country right now is an economy that has left too many Americans behind for too long, especially during this pandemic, and the existential threat of climate change thatleaves our survival on this planet hanging in the balance.In Brian Deese, President-elect Biden has selected an individual who fundamentally believes and understands thatthese two crises areinextricablyconnectedthat building afairer, more prosperous economyis impossible withoutachieving environmental equity and ensuring a healthy, habitable planet.As the first climate policy expert to serve as Director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese will put combatting the climate crisis at the center of the incoming Administration's economic agenda and work tirelessly to bring much-needed reliefand opportunityto American families and workers.\r\nBrian's track record speaks for itself. During the Obama Administration, he was integral in crafting the bailout of the American auto industry at the height of the Great Recession. He's been tested during crises, has successfully worked to protect American jobs, and helped to rebuild our economy once before. He went on to be a lead negotiator of the Paris Climate Agreement, helping to bring the world together in support of ambitious action on climate. Most recently, he has worked with the nation's largest companies to help reduce their impact on the environment we all share. That experience will prove to be an asset as President-elect Biden works to advance the boldest climate agenda from anyadministration to date that holds all stakeholders accountable.\r\nHaving worked with Brian when he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, I know that he has the talent and intellect to be successful in any line of work. But we are fortunate that he has chosen to dedicate his time and talents to public service. He is not just passionate about making our world a better, fairer and healthier place; he has the experience to make those goals a reality. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Brian and his family, and I look forward to working with him in the coming years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/to-honor-epa-s-50th-anniversary-let-s-look-to-the-future", "To honor EPAs 50th Anniversary, lets look to the future", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend, \r\nThis week marks the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency. Many people may not remember a time before the EPA, before the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act became law of the land. But I do. Polluters dumped waste into our waterways without consequence, factories released toxic fumes, and acid rain fell from the sky. Smog in major cities around our country was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. In the face of all of that adversity, the American people got to work and created a movement. Millions took to the streets calling for transformative action to protect our planet. In response, a Republican presidentPresident Richard Nixonhelped lead the effort to create a new federal agency with the mission of protecting human health and the environment. In the time since, the EPA has been instrumental in protecting the air we breathe, cleaning up the water that we drink, and improving public health. Despite those 50 years of progress, sadly, the last four years have reminded us that progress is not permanent. Fortunately, though, neither is the damage that has been done to our nation's leading environmental agency. With forward-looking leadership, EPA can and will be restored to help our nation overcome the most pressing challenges of our day. That is what my friend and fellow Delawarean, President-elect Joe Biden, has promised. Right now, EPA can help us reduce the air pollution that is worsening COVID-19 outcomes. Right now, EPA can help to address the environmental inequality that stems from systemic racism. EPA can help our nation reduce harmful pollution and prioritize environmental justice in ways that ensure we uplift economically disadvantaged communities, foster greater economic prosperity and achieve equity. In fact, environmental quality and economic growth go hand in hand. On top of a deadly pandemic, an ever-deepening economic recession and a national reckoning of racial injustice, the United States is grappling with another crisisthe climate crisis. We may not be experiencing all of the same problems we were in 1970, but make no mistake. From rising sea levels and more frequent and severe extreme weather events, our planet is at stake. Guided by science, EPA can help us combat the climate crisis. EPA must use every tool in its arsenal and mobilize our entire economy to reach net-zero carbon pollution by no later than 2050. When future generations look back to this moment 50 years from now, I want them to say that the United States rose to meet the challenges of todaythat EPA was guided by science and ensured cleaner air, clearer water, and healthier communities everywhere. That EPA helped to save our planet from the climate crisis. Now, it's up to us to make that future our reality. In Friendship, \r\nTom Carper", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/bipartisan-group-aims-to-launch-new-generation-of-main-street-entrepreneurs", "Bipartisan group aims to launch new generation of Main Street entrepreneurs", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, U.S. SenatorsChris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.)and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) introduced theNext Generation Entrepreneur Corps Actto spur new business and job creation in underserved communities by startinga competitive fellowship for entrepreneurs. With a five-year investment of $368 million, the bill will identify talented entrepreneurs through a national competition and directly support the creation of more than320new businesses each year. During this crisis, small businesses are struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels, with hundreds of thousands of businesses permanently closed. Even before the public health crisis, entrepreneurs faced substantial barriers to entry. The majority of would-be entrepreneurs have limited access to capital; and this problem is worse for minoritieswho are twice as likely to be denied loans, more likely to receive lower loan amounts when they do receive loans, and pay higher interest rates than their whitepeers. These barriers to entry are also stark in low-income areas, where there are proportionally fewer self-employed workers and small businesses. Creating opportunities for business growth in a post-COVID-19 economy will be necessary to regain the 10 million jobs still missing due to the pandemic,Senator Coons said.New businesses account for nearlya thirdof total job creationeach year. We must ensure that entrepreneurs canact on their innovative ideas in the places that needthemthe most. We need a range of bold new approaches to rebuild Main Street America in distressed communities, and the Next Generation Entrepreneur Corps should be part of this effort. As a former business owner and entrepreneur, I understand the challenges that come with starting a business,said Senator Tim Scott.Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and it's important that we continue to spur economic development. I created my Opportunity Agenda to help create hope in underserved communities, and the Next Generation Entrepreneur Corps Act is a great avenue to help encourage small business creation in those communities. I look forward to my Senate colleagues supporting this legislation. As our country works to rebuild from the pandemic, we need to make sure we are supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. These men and women have the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and grit to make sure we are rebuilding and revitalizing our communities during this critical time,said Representative Crow.I'm proud to join with Senators Coons and Scott as well as my colleague Representative Balderson to support these entrepreneurs and make sure we continue to foster growth in our hardest hit communities. It's critical now more than ever our country identifies and uplifts the next generation of entrepreneursincluding those in my home state of Ohio,said Representative Balderson.The skills and talent these individuals bring to the table will help fuel America's economic recovery. We just need to ensure they have the right resources at their disposal. The United States has national fellowships to attract the next generation of talent to public schools, international development work, and public service. Now, withnearly 75% of small businesses experiencing a negative impactfrom COVID-19,theNext Generation Entrepreneur Corps Actseeks toinvest in a new waveof talent to rebuild Main Street. TheNext Generation Entrepreneur Corps Actwill: Create a competitive fellowship program. A selection committee of 12 industry expertswillreview applications and select 320 entrepreneur fellows annually, from diverse backgrounds, to start both traditional and high growth-potential businesses in distressed, low-income census tract areas. The program will also set forth a framework to expand the number of fellows selected annually for greater impact.Provide healthcare, living expenses, and student loan support.Fellows will receive a $120,000 two-year stipend for living and basic startup expenses,health care,and interest-free federal student loan deferral for two years.Provide mentorship and networking opportunities.Fellowswillreceiveimmersive training,bematched with a local business mentor, andaccesssupport from an advisory board of CEOs andventurecapitalists.Partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a)Small Business Development program.This SBAprogramcurrentlyhelps socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to government contracting.Through this program, fellows will be provided a fast track to apply for 8(a)certification, and fellows with 8(a) eligible businesses will be matched with mentors via the 8(a) Mentor Protg program.Provide access to capital.Fellows will connect with investors and SBA-backed lenders and receive fast-track access to credit. A $30 million fund will encourage equity investment in corps members' businesses.Be availableto transitioning business owners, new entrepreneurs, and previous business owners who have lost their business due to the public health crisis, butcurrentlylackthe resources or capital to start another venture. A full summary of the bill is availablehere. This legislation is supported bytheCenter for American Entrepreneurship,theGreater Philadelphia Chamber,theSCORE Foundation, Prosperity Now, Young Invincibles,theNetwork for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Small Business for America's Future,theSmall Business Majority, BUILD.org, NextGen Chamber of Commerce, Engine, andtheEconomic Innovation Group. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-meets-with-president-elect-biden-s-nominee-to-lead-dhs", "Carper Meets with President-Elect Bidens Nominee to Lead DHS", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Carper, Mayorkas discuss ways to boost morale at DHS, restore public trust in the Department and tackle the root causes of migration\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released the following statement today after virtually meeting with Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Joe Biden's intended nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security.\r\nI have been fortunate enough to work alongside Ali Mayorkas for many years, and I have gotten to know him both as a public servant and a person. He is a man of great integrity and principle, with an incomparable work ethic, who understands the complexities of this critical agency and the threats facing our country at this crucial moment. I am even more sure, after meeting with him today, that he is the right person to take the helm at DHS and begin a new, productive chapter at the agency.\r\nI was glad to talk with him today about the importanceofworking expeditiously to fill vacancies at DHS with qualified, experienced individuals who can support him in his efforts to boost morale across the workforce and restore the public's trust in this Department. It's understandable that the American people may be leery of this agency,which was deeply politicized during the Trump administration and used as an instrument to carry out some of its most extreme and harmful policies during the last four years. But Ali Mayorkas appreciates the work that lies aheadofhim and his team in order to earn back the public's trust. He is eager to show that he will be a thoughtful leader, and I know that he is well-qualified and well-prepared to hit the ground running on day one.  \r\nWe also had an opportunity to discuss the urgent need to address the root causes of irregular migration to our country  not simply the symptoms. As someone who has traveled to Central America numerous times, it is clear that violence, extreme poverty, corruption and a lack of opportunity has forced too many families to flee for their lives and leave the only home they have ever known. Today, these challenges are being exacerbated by extreme weather, such as flooding and droughts, that are a result of climate change. I look forward to working with President-elect Biden and Ali Mayorkas to seriously address these systemic issues with smart solutions and compassion.\r\nI believe that the American people are desperate to see individuals at the highest level of our government lead with their actions, not just their words. That is exactly what they will have with Ali Mayorkas leading the charge at DHS. He is anxious to get to work, meet with the men and women at DHS and work with communities across our country to ensure their needs are being met. I hope our committee considers his nomination swiftly, and I look forward to continue working with him in the years to come.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-statement-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-environmental-protection-agency", "Carper Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\r\nFor 50 years, the American people have relied on the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the air we breathe is clean, the water we drink is safe, the communities we call home are free of pollution, and the products we use are free of toxins.\r\nMany people may not remember a time before the EPA, before the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act became law of the land. But I do. I remember when industries polluted our skies with plumes of acrid smoke and poisoned our waterways with toxic waste. Communities were cloaked in suffocating smog. Many of us have the luxury of largely forgetting these frightening circumstances today because of the work of EPA. For half a century, EPA has relied on sound science to implement our nation's clean air, clean water and safe chemical laws. During that time, our economy has expanded, industries have innovated and business have created millions of new jobs, proving that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental quality. But we have just seen the proof that this progress is not permanent. Over the last four years, EPA has endured a hostile administration hell-bent on turning back the clock. But even after a president who promised to get rid' of the agency in every form, EPA is still the world's gold standard of science-based and compassionate care for our environment because regulations can come undone and career employees can come under attack, but science evolves and our bedrock environmental laws endure.\r\n\r\n Just as progress is not permanent, neither is the damage that's been done to our nation's top environmental agency. The leadership and forward-looking vision of President-elect Biden and his administration will restore and renew EPA. Fifty years after its birth, EPA will once again help our nation overcome the most pressing challenges of our day.\r\nOn top of a deadly pandemic, an ever-deepening economic recession and a national reckoning of racial injustice, the United States is grappling with another crisis. The climate crisis. There's a saying that, history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.' We may not be experiencing all of the same problems we were in 1970, but make no mistake. From rising sea levels and more frequent and severe extreme weather events, we face mounting environmental threats againand, this time, it's our survival on this planet that's at stake. Guided by science, EPA must use every tool in its arsenal and mobilize our entire economy to reach net-zero carbon pollution by no later than 2050. As we combat the climate crisis, the EPA must foster economic prosperity and achieve environmental equity. Today, too many people in our countryprimarily in communities of color and Indigenous communitiesstill suffer the consequences of toxic pollution in the air they breathe and the water they drink. Systemic racism still plagues our society and decades of environmental progress has not been distributed equally. EPA will be critical in our efforts to prioritize environmental justice and finally make good on our promise of clean air, safe drinking water and healthy communities for everyone in this country.\r\nWhen future generations look back to this moment, I want them to say that EPA helped us meet and resolve the greatest challenges of our day. That EPA was guided by science and ensured cleaner air, clearer water and healthier communities everywhere. That EPA was pivotal in saving our planet from the climate crisis. Now, it's up to us.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/opening-statement-of-ranking-member-carper-business-meeting-to-consider-substitute-amendment-to-american-nuclear-infrastructure-act-of-2020", "Opening Statement of Ranking Member Carper: Business Meeting to consider Substitute Amendment to American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a business meeting to consider substitute amendment to S. 4897, American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, and 8 General Services Administration Resolutions. Below is the opening statement of Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), as prepared for delivery:\r\nWelcome, everyone, to the last Senate Environment and Public Works Committee business meeting of the 116th Congress. Today marks the end of an era. It is the last EPW business meeting to be led by our friend and colleague, Chairman John Barrasso of Wyoming. Mr. Chairman, I'm proud of all we've accomplished in this committee these past four years by working together. I'll mention a few. We enacted a comprehensive reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act, and we are on the cusp of doing so again, two years later. Last year, we unanimously reporting out of committee the most significant highway funding bill the Senate has ever seen, one with a substantial climate title included in it. In addition, we've enacted a slew of wildlife bills that improve conservation efforts, protect habitat and the creatures that God has put on this Earth. And, we reached a consequential bipartisan compromise to enact a nationwide phasedown of HFCs. That's worth a half degrees Celsius alone in our battle against the climate crisis. I would be remiss not to mention one of my favorite moments that we've shared togetherwhen a nominee from Wyoming sat before us and testified at his confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary for Interior. Your friend, Rob Wallace, said these words: Along the way I've learned so much, especially that no one ever really wins by winning everything, that bipartisan solutions are always the lasting ones...'\r\nMr. Chairman, as my staff knows, these words of wisdom really struck a chord with me and a number of our colleagues, as well. Because that's something all of us have learned along the way, toothat bipartisan solutions truly are lasting solutions. When I reflect on our work together over the last four years, it gives true meaning to these words. Because that's exactly what we endeavor to do on this committee and more often than not, we do it well. We foster lasting solutions to clean our air and water and combat global warming while creating an environment that fosters economic growth and job creation.\r\n So thank you, Mr. Chairman, and a special thanks to your staff led by Richard Russell, some of whom I suspect may go with you to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. And, a special thank you for bringing the timeless words into our lives of your friend, Rob Wallace, and into the work of this committee.\r\nThis markup falls on a monumental day for our nation. Today is the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1970, I was a young naval flight officer preparing to head out on my first of three tours of duty in Southeast Asia. As our nation waged a war abroad, we faced deepening divisions and mounting environmental crises at home. Polluters dumped waste into our waterways without consequence, factories released toxic fumes and acid rain fell from the sky. In Cleveland, Ohio, not far from where I went to college at OSU, the Cuyahoga River was so polluted that it caught on fire. In California, an offshore oil rig spilled millions of gallons of oil onto the beaches. Many of us saw it with our own eyes. Smog in major cities around our country was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. In the face of all of that adversity, the American people didn't just sit around and whine about it. They created a movement. Millions of Americans took to the streets calling for transformative action to protect our planet. In response, a Republican president  President Richard Nixon  helped lead the effort to create the Environmental Protection Agency, a new federal agency with the mission of protecting human health and the environment. For 50 years, the EPA has been instrumental in protecting the air we breathe, cleaning up the water that we drink and improving public health. As we celebrate the strides made over the last 50 years to clean up our air and improve public health, it's all so timely that our committee is considering legislation that will help to harness our nation's potential for nuclear powerby far the largest source of clean, reliable, carbon-free energy in our countryand make it safer still.\r\nToday, we are considering the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, co-authored by our chair and by Senators Booker and Whitehouse to support advanced nuclear technologies. During our committee hearing on this legislation in August, I shared some of my reservations about the bill, specifically its proposed changes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's permitting process. Some of you may recall that we had recently enacted the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, or NEIMA, which made several necessary changes to the NRC's regulatory structure for advanced nuclear technologies. I feared that any additional and unwarranted changes to that structure could seriously disrupt the regulatory process, jeopardizing safety. I also expressed my concerns that creating a new but unfunded incentive program for the existing nuclear industry at EPA would risk asking the agency to do more with far fewer resources. Given the budget restraints placed on the NRC through NEIMA, it was important to me that this new legislation would not further strain the NRC in a way that jeopardizes safety and public health. For six months, my staff has been working with Chairman Barrasso's staff to address those concerns. Today, I am happy to say that our substitute amendment resolves them. I thank Chairman Barrasso and his staff for working with my staff. Supporting nuclear energy and advanced nuclear technologies is a high priority for me, so I am grateful for the chairman's willingness to help us get to yes' on this legislation. Today, we are also moving eight General Services Administration prospectus resolutions, including one for a Veterans Administration building in Hawaii. Several of us on this committee, including Senators Ernst and Sullivan, have also served our country in uniform, and I know we take a special pleasure in moving that GSA resolution out of our committee today. Let me conclude my remarks this morning by briefly sharing with our colleagues the passage of S. 4684 during wrap-up last evening. Introduced by Senator Mike Enzi and me, it calls for the naming of the Post Office building in Thermopolis, Wyoming after its former Postmaster, Robert Brown, the late father of Bobbi Barrasso, our chairman's wife. Robert Brown didn't just serve in the Army. He served with courage and distinction in combat in both World War II and the Korean War. Among his many military awards was the Bronze Star. He passed away earlier this year at the age of 94. Several months before his death, Mr. Brown was driven to a treatment facility in Montana hundreds of miles away and later that day, driven back home to Wyoming. His driver for that memorable road trip was his son-in-law, our chairman John Barrasso, a man of many skills: surgeon, talk show host, driver, and chairman of this committee that all of us revere. So, my friend, as you weigh anchor this year and set sail for your next assignment on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, we all wish you fair winds and a followings sea. God bless you, Mr. Chairman.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-als-caucus-applauds-passage-of-legislation-to-eliminate-ssdi-5-month-wait-period-for-als-patients", "Senate ALS Caucus applauds passage of legislation to eliminate SSDI 5-month wait period for ALS patients", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate ALS Caucus, today applauded Senate passage of the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019, introduced by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)both founding members of the Senate ALS Caucus. This landmark legislation represents a long overdue win for the ALS community. The bill removes barriers for ALS patients seeking access to the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they earned. Specifically, the bill eliminates a mandatory five-month waiting period for patients with medically-determined ALS. While the statutory purpose of the waiting period is to allow temporary conditions to reverse, there is currently no cure or treatment to halt or undo the effects of ALS, and many ALS patients lose their fight with the disease before ever receiving benefits. The bill will help alleviate some of the financial hardship that accompanies an ALS diagnosis. Passing the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act has been a priority for the Senate ALS Caucus since its founding in January 2020. Today, we celebrate a bipartisan win for the ALS community. The Senate voted in favor of timely financial support for those facing a recent ALS diagnosis,said Senator Coons. Speedy access to support programs like SSDI after a diagnosis is essential  and one of the priorities we set when we launched our bipartisan caucus earlier this year. We must continue to build on this progress to make life easier for ALS patients and their loved ones. Today's win is about the patients and their families,said Senator Mike Braun, The financial burden of ALS is staggering and time is of the essence for those diagnosed with ALS. The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act is a step in the right direction toward providing timely access to SSDI benefits to ALS patients. Allowing Americans who face this difficult diagnosis to immediately receive the benefits they have earned is a simple act of humanity that will make life easier for ALS patients and their families,said Senator Whitehouse. I hope the House will act quickly so we can finally eliminate this bureaucratic obstacle. Americans suffering from ALS shouldn't have to wait for assistance, especially given their tragically short life expectancyand now they won't have to. By waiving the statutory disability benefits waiting period, our bill makes support available to those suffering from this terrible disease much faster. I'm grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting this important legislation, and I strongly urge the House to do the same,\"said Senator Cotton. ALS is a cruel disease that progresses fast, currently without a cure. Help can't come soon enough once someone is diagnosed and this bill recognizes that. It takes courage to be a true champion for patients and we are grateful to Senators Braun, Coons, Whitehouse and Cotton for driving this legislation forward,I AM ALS CEO Danielle Carnival said. To the thousands of advocates who drove this bill forward, you are our hope. You are changing history one step at a time. This passage in the Senate is in celebration of your efforts. \"The ALS Association and ALS community urges the House to immediately pass the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, which just passed the Senate,\"said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of The ALS Association. \"The legislation would make SSDI benefits accessible to people with ALS right away. Our community has worked tirelessly with congressional champions over the years laying the groundwork for this bill, educating lawmakers and the public about the rapid progression of ALS and the long delays in diagnosis. Over the course of a five-month waiting period, many people living with ALS will experience serious loss of ability and will have incurred significant expenses for care and treatment. They urgently need support. The Senate ALS Caucus is working to uphold its mission to advance policies that improve the quality of life patients with ALS, and S. 578 passing is an encouraging victory toward that mission. Passage of S. 578 follows Senate passage ofS. Res. 588earlier this year, which aimed to raise awareness of ALS by designating May 2020 as ALS Awareness Month. ABOUT ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the ability of the brain to control muscle movements. Individuals with ALS progressively lose the ability to speak, walk, and breathe. There is no effective treatment for the disease, no known cause, andcurrentlyno cure. ABOUT THE SENATE ALS CAUCUS: The Senate ALS Caucus founded in January 2020 by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). The Caucus brings together senators from both sides of the aisle who share a commitment to working collaboratively to advocate on behalf of ALS patients and their families to: raise awareness about the difficulties faced by ALS patients and their families; advance policies that improve the quality of life for ALS patients; expand the network of support for those suffering from ALS; and advocate for investments in research that will enhance our understanding of the causes of ALS, identify effective treatments, and eventually discover a cure. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-on-groundbreaking-at-seaford-river-walk", "Senator Coons on groundbreaking at Seaford River Walk", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Yesterday, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons\r\n(D-Del.) released the following statement on the groundbreaking for the first\r\nphase of the revitalization of the old J.B. Robinson Oyster House site along the\r\nriver walk in Seaford. \"Seaford is a truly unique gateway to the Nanticoke\r\nRiver and an ideal location for fishing and recreation,\" said Sen. Coons. \"I'm\r\nthrilled that Seaford residents will soon have better public access to the\r\nbeautiful river, which honors a rich cultural history as an important part of\r\nour state. As someone who spent a lot of time in local government doing\r\nland-use planning, I know how challenging this process can be, and I'm grateful\r\nto Mayor Genshaw and all the community partners who've made this project a\r\nreality.\" For more information, visit Chesapeake Conservancy at chesapeakeconservancy.org/news/\r\nor email Jody Couser at jcouser@chesapeakeconservancy.org.       ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-young-reps-norcross-mckinley-bill-to-expand-registered-apprenticeships-in-high-growth-job-sectors-passes-house", "Sens. Coons, Young, Reps. Norcross, McKinley bill to expand registered apprenticeships in high-growth job sectors passes House", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) and U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and David McKinley P.E. (R-W.Va.) celebrated the House passage of theNational Apprenticeship Act of 2020. The bill, which includes their bipartisan and bicameralApprenticeship Hubs Across America Act, will invest more than $3.5 billion to create nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years. I am proud that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 includes our Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act, a bill to expand organizations like Delaware Pathways that help employers design, develop, and deliver Registered Apprenticeship Programs,said Senator Coons.As the economic disruption of COVID-19 has left millions of Americans without work, it is more important than ever for the government to invest in quality job training programs, like RegisteredApprenticeships, and create more opportunities for America's displaced workers and youth. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to consider the National Apprenticeship Act immediately. As a member of the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus, I have witnessed the benefits ofapprenticeshipsand the opportunities they provide. Now that a global pandemic has left countless Americans without work, it is more important than ever that we invest in career-supporting apprenticeship programs. I'm pleased that ourApprenticeship Hubs Across America Actis one step closer to becoming law,said Senator Young. A Registered Apprenticeship shaped my life  laying the foundation for me to go from the construction site to Congress,said Congressman Norcross.I am pleased that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 includes our Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act, which will provide students and workers across the country access to apprenticeship opportunities by expanding and strengthening the proven models developed by the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Expanding access to RegisteredApprenticeships our country's most successful workforce training program  will allow workers to earn while they learn and accelerate our economic recovery. I urge our colleagues in the Senate to consider the National Apprenticeship Act and support American workers and their futures. Investing in job training programs andapprenticeshipsis crucial, especially when COVID-19 has left millions of Americans without work. By increasing access toapprenticeships,we will close the skilled workers gap, create good-paying jobs in our communities, and help aid in our economic recovery,said Congressman McKinley. TheNational Apprenticeship Act of 2020is endorsed by American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), Jobs for the Future (JFF), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National Skills Coalition (NSC), National Taskforce on Tradeswomen's Issues (TWTF), North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), and Third Way. The bill text of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 is availablehere. A one-pager for the Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-automakers-should-all-support-voluntary-framework-deal-with-california-ford-honda-volkswagen-bmw-and-volvo", "Carper: Automakers should all support voluntary framework deal with California, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, echoed a new letter sent by Ford Motor Company and encouragedallautomakers to follow the lead of Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo anddrop litigation against states' regulatory authority and announce their support for thevoluntary agreement with California and 13 other states, including Delaware, that will deliver more greenhouse gas emissionsreductions than under the Trump administration's illegal rollback. For four years, nearly every automaker told me that they wanted to see a deal between the Trump administration and the state of California. Automakers urged the administration to govern responsibly and support a 50-state solution that would provide near-term flexibility as the industry moves toward stronger standards. But in those four years, only five automakers have shown the leadership needed to make that a reality.\r\nWith so much at stake  American jobs and the entire auto industry, our nation's economy and the planet's climate crisis  five automakers had the courage to buck the Trump administration and choose another way. Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo worked with California to forge a responsible alternative path, one that would promote American jobs, protect clean air, and support the clean cars of the future.\r\nIn a new letter, Ford is calling the rest of the automakers to join that agreement. I echo that call. Actually, since the four automakers' agreement with California was first announced, I have repeatedly called other automakers and urged them to join it. For more than a year now, I have picked up the phone and told every automaker that staying stuck in neutral or reverse is no longer an option.\r\nRemaining silent or merely withdrawing support from the outgoing administration's illegal rollback and challenges to state authority is not enough, not when there is so much at stake. To demonstrate real leadership, automakers should also announce their support for the voluntary agreement led by Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo, and begin to work with the President-elect on rules to make the near- and long-term reductions in emissions from cars and trucks that must be made. Once again, I will say this: staying stuck in neutral or reverse is not an option. For four years, Senator Carper met repeatedly with Trump administration officials andurged themtoseek common groundand work with automakers and the state of California to strike a deal on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards. In July 2019, Ford Motor Company, Honda Motor Company, Volkswagen, and BMW  which together account for about 30 percent of U.S. vehicle sales  reachedan agreement with the state of Californiaon standards that would achieve continuous annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants while saving consumers money. Despite this, the Trump administration continued to pursue and finalize its rollback. Below is atimeline describing Senator Carper's oversighton the so-called Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rules:\r\n \r\nIn October 2018, Senators Carper, Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.)released documentsproving that Congress rejected legislative efforts to preempt or limit California's authority in 2007;\r\nAlso in October 2018, Senator Carper urged Secretary Chao and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to abandon plans to dismantle the clean car standards,highlighting a non-exhaustive list of 10 major legal deficiencies in the administration's proposal;\r\nIn December 2018, Senators Carper and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)demanded disclosureof the administration's contacts with the oil industry regarding the fuel economy rule, after reporting revealed details of a covert lobbying campaign driven by fossil fuel groups to weaken fuel economy rules and increase demand for oil consumption;\r\nIn May 2019, Senator Carper and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) wrote a letter to Administrator Wheelerdemanding documentsexplaining numerous comments from Administrator Wheeler about EPA's fuel economy rollback that contradict data presented to him by EPA's own experts (May 2019);\r\nIn January 2020, Senator Carper led a letter to Paul Ray underscoring theconcerns about the rule that were raised by EPA's own Science Advisory Board. Later in January, following a review of a leaked draft final rule obtained by his office, Senator Carpersent another letterto the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Administrator Paul Ray, urging him to overhaul or completely abandon the Trump administration's Part 2 of SAFE Vehicles. In his letter, Senator Carper outlined some of his most serious concerns with the draft final rule which was submitted to OIRA on January 14, 2020, including concerns that it appeared to be incomplete, resulted in costs to consumers that exceed the purported benefits of the rollback, and did not appreciably improve safety, all while adding vast amounts of harmful greenhouse gas pollution to the environment;\r\nIn March 2020, Senator Carper asked the EPA IG to open an investigation after receiving reports of seemingly purposeful and potentially unlawful efforts on the part of EPA political officials to avoid the standard processes and statutory requirements associated with finalizing the SAFE Vehicles rule, including potential efforts to conceal documents that should eventually be made public. In that letter, Senator Carper also recounted significant concerns EPA officials had with the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) August 2018 proposed rule, as well as the extensive negative media reports that resulted from the disclosure of EPA's documented concerns with the proposal; and,\r\n\r\nIn May 2020, Senator Carper urged the EPA IG to expand its investigation after documents obtained by Senator Carper's office revealed that the previous reports he had shared with the EPA IG were accurate. In addition to efforts to illegally conceal documents that should have been made public when the rule was finalized, Senator Carper provided the EPA IG new documents that revealed significant inaccuracies and technical errors in the final rule that, apparently, EPA officials repeatedly asked DOT officials to correct. Those documents also revealed that EPA officials apparently believed the failure to correct those inaccuracies and errors would make the rule legally vulnerable to challengebut despite this, DOT officials proceeded. Additionally, those documents showed that EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler requested that sweeping changes be made to the rule after it was signed but before it was published in the Federal Register.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/carper-defazio-and-grijalva-file-amicus-brief-over-nepa-rule-changes-by-the-trump-administration", "Carper, DeFazio, and Grijalva File Amicus Brief over NEPA Rule Changes by the Trump Administration", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, joined Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Congressman Ral M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, in the case of Wild Virginia v. Council on Environmental Quality.\r\n\r\nThe three lawmakers filed the amicus brief on behalf of Members of Congress regarding the Trump administration's revisions to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The amicus brief states Member of Congress have on multiple occasions communicated to the administration that the legal defects of the Trump NEPA regulations fundamentally undermines NEPA's protections and should not adversely affect their constituents.\r\n\r\nCongress intended that the NEPA review process would protect the public by requiring agencies to carefully examine the environmental impacts of their actions, the lawmakers wrote. The 2020 Rule, however, removes or weakens core elements of the NEPA review process, thereby undermining NEPA's protections that have made the law so valuable to [our] constituents.\r\n\r\nThe brief asserts that four core elements of NEPA review have been undercut by the updated NEPA rule: consideration of cumulative and indirect impacts, analysis of all reasonable alternatives, public participation, and the requirement to consider environmental impacts before project commencement.\r\n\r\nRead the lawmakers' amicus brief here.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sens-coons-cornyn-introduce-landmark-legislation-to-invest-1b-annually-in-civics-education", "Sens. Coons, Cornyn introduce landmark legislation to invest $1B annually in civics education", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced landmark legislation to invest $1 billion annually in civics and history education from K-12 through higher education. The Educating for Democracy Act would create a variety of grants to states, non-profits, institutions of higher education, and civics education researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education in schools across the country. It would also strengthen policymakers' understanding of young Americans' achievement in civics education by increasing the frequency of and encouraging participation in the National Assessment of Education Progress exam. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) in the House. Civic engagement is crucial for the health of our democracy,said Senator Coons.With expanded civics education in K-12 and higher education, this bill will equip new generations of Americans with deeper understanding of their responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise their cherished rights. I am proud to work with Senator Cornyn on this bipartisan effort to expand access to civics education and invest in the future our democracy. The United States continues to be a model for the world because we are taught from a young age the merits of democracy, our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the civic duties that are inherently part of being an American,said Senator Cornyn.This bill would help our schools inspire the next generation of public servants and teach all young Texans the value of freedom, and I'm glad to work with Sen. Coons on this bipartisan legislation. Civic education is the cornerstone we need to rebuild the civic strength of our country,Louise Dub, the Executive Director of iCivics, which leads CivXNow, said.We thank Senator Coons and Senator Cornyn for their leadership in introducing this bill, which makes a critical investment in civic education. TheCivXNow coalition is excitedto support their efforts. The Educating for Democracy Act takes the necessary steps to bridge the divide in the United States and invest in the future of our democracy,said Congresswoman DeLauro. If students of all ages are not given the information in their classrooms to actively participate in our democracy, we cannot expect them to stay engaged and informed as adults. Federal investments to expand civic education will help us build a nation adequately informed of our democratic principles, norms, and institutions in order to sustain our democracy. Thank you, Senators Coons and Cornyn for introducing this legislation in the Senate. I am proud to have introduced this bill in the House and to work across the aisle and across chambers to give the next generation the tools they need to carry out their civic responsibilities. In order to preserve America's unique form of governance, it is important that we prioritize access to civics and history education,said Congressman Cole. By equipping students with the fundamental knowledge of our democratic principles, we can encourage active citizen participation in our government the way our Founding Fathers intended for generations to come. As an original sponsor of this legislation in the House, I am proud to see the Senate introduce their own version of this important legislation. Research showsthat students who receive quality civics education are more likely to vote, discuss politics at home, complete college, and develop skills that lead to employment. These students are also four times more likely to give back to their communities through volunteering and working on community issues and are more confident in their ability to speak publicly and communicate with their elected representatives. A one-pager on the bill is availablehere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-janet-yellen-to-serve-as-treasury-secretary", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Janet Yellen to Serve as Treasury Secretary", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of Janet Yellen to serve as Secretary of the Treasury.\r\nThis year, millions of families have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, breadwinners have been out of work. Too many small business owners have been forced to close their doors. Parents have struggled to pay for necessities at the super market, while our President focuses solely on the stock market. We desperately need leaders who can help workers and families recover, build an economy that works for all Americans and put us on a more equitable and sustainable fiscal path going forward. President-elect Biden knows exactly what it takes to lead our country out of an economic crisis and, in Janet Yellen, he has found a partner who has the brilliance, the decades of experience and the gravitas needed to lead a successful recovery now.\r\nThe selection of Janet Yellen to lead the Treasury Department is historic, but also pitch perfect for this moment. A trailblazer throughout her life, Janet Yellen was the first woman to lead our central banking system as Chair of the Federal Reserve, where she was widely regarded as a steady hand who helped to continue our economic recovery in the wake of the Great Recession. Now, she would be the first woman to lead the Treasury Department in its long 231-year history, and the only person to have served as Treasury Secretary, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Chair of the Federal Reserve. A decorated economist and renowned academic, it would be nearly impossible to find any individual more qualified for this position. And it would be even more difficult to find a nominee who is so well respected across the board, from progressives to Republicans alike.\r\nIn addition to her impeccable credentials, Janet Yellen has long been sounding the alarm on climate change. An early supporter of the Kyoto Protocol and a member of the Climate Leadership Council, Yellen has been making the economic case for mitigating the risks posed by climate change since the 1990s. As Treasury Secretary, she would have the authority to advance an ambitious climate agendaand the unique ability to ensure that corporations take the existential threat of climate change seriously. I look forward to working with her and the entire Biden Administration to ensure that this is, once again, a top priority across the federal government. \r\n\r\nJanet Yellen would be an excellent choice for Treasury Secretary in a time of prosperity, but she is an extraordinary pick for the moment in which we find ourselves right now. We are lucky that she is willing to continuing serving our country in such a crucial role.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-on-dr-tony-allens-selection-to-lead-biden-harris-inaugural-committee", "Sen. Coons on Dr. Tony Allens selection to lead Biden-Harris inaugural committee", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) released\r\nthe following statement on the selection of Dr. Tony Allen, president of\r\nDelaware State University, to serve in a personal capacity as chief executive\r\nofficer of a Presidential Inaugural Committee, which will organize activities\r\nsurrounding the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice\r\nPresident-elect Kamala Harris. \"I have known Tony for 25 years, and he is a terrific\r\nchoice to help bring Delaware to D.C. and to bring the excitement of the\r\nBiden-Harris ticket to the American people through the inauguration,\" said\r\nSen. Coons. \"This will be a difficult inauguration to pull off as we\r\nconfront the realities of the pandemic. Fortunately, as Tony's strong\r\nleadership at DSU has already shown, he can both innovate in tough times and\r\ndeliver real results. He's a great choice to lead this important\r\ncommittee.\"                                                          ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-on-the-passing-of-delaware-national-guard-corporal-erin-sasse", "Senator Coons on the passing of Delaware National Guard Corporal Erin Sasse", "2020-11-27", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of\r\nthe Senate National Guard Caucus, released the following statement on the death\r\nof Cpl. Erin Sasse of the Delaware Army National Guard. Cpl. Sasse was killed\r\nwhile trying to assist a disabled motorist following a crash on Interstate 95. \"Cpl. Erin Sasse epitomized the best of Army values. She\r\nserved with the 153rd Military Police Company, a highly respected unit of our\r\nDelaware National Guard,\"said\r\nSen. Coons.\"Erin's instinct\r\nto risk her own safety in slowing down to assist a disabled motorist on a\r\ndangerous interstate is a testament to her courage and her character. Her\r\nfamily, friends, and fellow soldiers knew her as a remarkable and incredibly\r\ncaring person, and her tragic loss will be felt by many for years to come.\r\nAnnie and I send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Erin's husband Randy\r\nand their three children.\" For more information, visit the Delaware National Guard's Facebook\r\npage atbit.ly/3mj9S78.                                                                                   ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-on-epa-s-proposal-to-weaken-pollution-standards-for-vessels", "Carper on EPAs Proposal to Weaken Pollution Standards for Vessels", "2020-11-25", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, underscored the damage posed by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s proposed rule that would significantly relax pollution control standards for large industrial ships under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act. When large ships arrive at ports, they often need to discharge ballast water in order to load new cargo. That ballast water frequently contains harmful pollutants and aquatic invasive species. That's why I worked hard to see theVessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) become law to ensure commercial shipping vessels adhere to basic pollution control standards in order to better mitigate the spread of invasive species and protect our nation's waterways. \r\nOne of the key principles of VIDA was ensuring that the new pollution control standards set forth by EPA would be at least as stringent as existing standards. In fact, the law explicitly and unambiguously forbids EPA from weakening any existing ballast water standard. But, after four years, it should surprise no one that the Trump EPA is simply ignoring the law. In clear defiance to the rule of the law and a 94-6 bipartisan vote in the Senate, EPA is instead proposing to weaken existing ballast water standards. No doubt, President Trump's EPA will be remembered for its unrelenting torrent of environmental rollbacks that cater to specific industries with special interests. This proposed rule is no exception. In addition to weakening pollution control standards, EPA has determined that U.S. vessels operating exclusively in the Great Lakes system are not required to meet any discharge standard whatsoever. According to EPA, these vessels do not have to install ballast water management systems. I worked closely with my Senate colleagues from the Great Lakes States and, once again, EPA's interpretation of the law could not be further from our clear, unambiguous, legislative intent.\r\nIt should also surprise no one that the Trump EPA arrived at these conclusionsasserting incorrectly that there is no new and reasonably accessible technology to reduce these ballast water threatsbased on outdated and incomplete information. Perhaps another legacy of this Environmental Protection Agency will be its uncanny ability to disregard science and to selectively overlook information it deems inconvenient. This proposal represents yet another departure from responsible governing. During the final days of the Trump administration, this proposal exemplifies what the Trump EPA does besttouts adeeply irresponsible and legally fraught rollback assome kind of framework for regulatory certainty. It's why the American people are ready for an EPA that actually does its job and heeds its mission.\r\n   ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/have-a-happy-and-safe-thanksgiving", "Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving", "2020-11-25", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 25th, 2020 \r\n Dear Friend, \r\nIt goes without saying that 2020 has been a hard year for every American. We have all sacrificed a great deal as our country has grappled with the coronavirus pandemic. And the fact that Thanksgiving also looks very different for all of us this year is understandably difficult. Most years on Thanksgiving, I like to start my morning running the Thanksgiving Day Multiple Sclerosis race in Wilmington. Then, I head down to the Emmanuel Dining Room to make sure my neighbors are able to partake in not only a delicious Thanksgiving meal, but also invaluable fellowship. Even though this Thanksgiving looks differentand in spite of the hardships of this year, there's still so much to be thankful for. More than ever, we should all be especially grateful for our good health and the health of our family and friends. We should give thanks for the food on our tables.Weshould express our sincere thanks for the health care heroes and frontline workers who have put themselves in harm's way this year to keep our country running and keep their fellow Americans healthy and safe. And we should give thanksfor the men and women abroad defending our country. Let usnot forget: there are too many families who will not even get to Zoom with a family member or loved one over Thanksgiving dinner because they've been lost to the coronavirus.I know thatmissing gatherings forThanksgiving may seem tough,especially when being with family and loved ones feels more important than ever.But we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to keep each other safe. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially recommended that Americans stay at home this weekend and celebrate Thanksgiving with only your household. Over the last few weeks, we've gotten some much-needed good news. Help is on the way in the form of three promising, highly effective vaccines. But it's not time to spike the football just yet. Instead, that good news should be extra incentive to stick to the public health measures that we know are effective to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe until we put this pandemic in our rearview mirror. As Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci, leading experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reminded us last week, now is the time to be doubling down on mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing and avoiding crowds, and to stay that course until vaccines become available. After all, if Americans pulled together to do the right thing and wore a mask in public, this simple, selfless act would save more than 130,000 lives in the next few months alone. I am an optimist by nature. I always see the glass half full. And I truly do believe that there is new hope on the horizon. But we need to make sure that all of our neighbors and loved ones are around for the New Year, and next Thanksgiving and next Christmas. Let's all heed the advice of the experts and stay home now so that we'll be able to celebrate together for years to come. Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving, \r\nTom Carper", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-joins-booker-colleagues-urge-robust-funding-for-state-and-local-governments-to-distribute-covid-19-vaccines", "Carper Joins Booker, Colleagues to Urge Robust Funding for State and Local Governments to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Public health experts have estimated that a bare minimum of $8.4 billion is needed for COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and 15 of his Democratic Senate colleagues in urging Congressional leaders to provide robust funding to ensure the swift distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as a part of any upcoming legislation to address the pandemic.\r\nWith the recent news of at least one COVID-19 vaccine possibly being available to be distributed within the next month, many state and local governments lack the proper funding that is needed to distribute the vaccine. According to a recent letter sent by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) to congressional leaders, a minimum of $8.4 billion is needed to distribute COVID-19 vaccines nationwide. Some experts even estimated that $10 billion is required in order to fund community vaccination clinics alone.\r\n\r\nFor months, as states, territories, Indian Tribes, and other localities have been responding to COVID-19 and working tirelessly to keep their residents safe, they have also been preparing to undertake one of the largest vaccination efforts in our nation's history, the lawmakers wrote in a letter sent today to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy. To accomplish this, jurisdictions must recruit and train thousands of health care workers, modernize data systems and registries, stand up vaccination sites, develop communications and educational materials, and build and support the infrastructure needed to distribute multiple types and doses of COVID-19 vaccines, among other activities.\r\nTo ensure that jurisdictions throughout the country are well-positioned to immediately, efficiently, and equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines as they become available, we respectfully request that any upcoming legislation to address the pandemic include robust funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts, the lawmakers concluded.\r\nThis letter was also signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tina Smith (D-MN). \r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/coons-honored-with-friend-of-farm-bureau-award-for-support-of-delaware-agriculture", "Coons honored with Friend of Farm Bureau Award for support of Delaware agriculture", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) receives the national Friend of Farm Bureau Award from President Richard Wilkins of the Delaware Farm Bureau during a ceremony in Camden, Del., Nov. 23, 2020. For additional photos, visit https://bit.ly/3nRkv14. (U.S. Senate Photo by Brendan Mackie/Released).CAMDEN, Del.  Today, U.S. Sen. Chris\r\nCoons (D-Del.), co-chair of the Senate Chicken Caucus and member of the Senate\r\nAppropriations Committee, received the American Farm Bureau Federation's Friend\r\nof Farm Bureau Award during a ceremony at the Delaware Farm Bureau here.   President Richard Wilkins of the DEFB presented Coons with\r\nthe national-level award, which honors members of Congress who work to advance\r\npolicies supporting agriculture and farmers. Delaware agriculture plays a critical role in our state's\r\neconomy and helps to keep food on the tables of American families across the\r\ncountry, Senator Coons said. Finding ways to support our hardworking farmers\r\nis one of my top priorities. I'm honored to receive this award and will\r\ncontinue using my position in the Senate to advocate for agriculture and\r\nDelaware farmers, especially during this difficult time. As Senate Chicken Caucus co-chair, Coons has led the\r\nbipartisan effort to secure federal assistance for contract poultry growers\r\nhurt by the coronavirus pandemic. Coons also uses his position on the Senate\r\nAppropriations Committee to secure funding for vital agriculture, rural\r\ndevelopment, and environmental priorities, including support for the poultry\r\nindustry, agricultural research, farm conservation, and rural housing programs\r\nin the appropriations bills for the fiscal year 2021. For more photos of the ceremony, visit https://bit.ly/3nRkv14.(U.S. Senate Photo by Brendan Mackie/Released).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-sen-coons-big-difference-between-the-stock-market-and-whats-happening-in-grocery-markets", "[VIDEO] Sen. Coons: Big difference between the stock market and what's happening in grocery markets", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees, joined MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell to discuss the need for urgent COVID-19 relief and stimulus. I think it's important that Majority Leader McConnell show that he recognizes that we need to fund our recovery, that we need to provide an additional round of funding, yes to small businesses, but also to state and local governments, to families and individuals who are struggling, even on a day that the Dow Jones hits a new all-time record,said Senator Coons.There is a big difference between the stock market and what's happening in grocery markets in local communities all over our country. We've got families that are hurting and struggling. We have more than 6 million Americans who are on the verge of being evicted either because they're late on their mortgages or on their rent, and we need to take decisive steps to put a floor under our economy. Senator Coons concluded,The very wealthiest Americans and those who hold stocks and bonds in their retirement accounts should be pleased about the all-time high for the Dow Jones, but that shows that there is confidence in the markets because they believe a transition is now finally under way, and we should be able to work across the aisle during this lame duck period to deliver some of the additional support that small businesses, employers, and employees and their families need and deserve going into this holiday season. Full audio and video are availablehere. A transcript is provided below. Q: And Delaware Democratic Senator and Foreign Relations Committee member, Chris Coons, joining me now. Senator, thanks very much, thanks for being with us. And an almost happy holiday to you. It's certainly a happier day for the Biden team there in Wilmington who can now start working on background checks, and as these nominees come forward, begin to think about getting ready for confirmations. Sen. Coons:That's right. This long overdue transition is now fully, finally, completely under way. And I'm excited by the nominees announced by President-elect Biden and to work with them and to support their nominations and confirmation. We should follow long-established precedent and have the relevant committee hearings before the inauguration so that the most senior members of the Biden-Harris Cabinet are in place on the very first day of the next administration. Q: Well that would be a really rapid schedule. Is there any sign that Mitch McConnell is going to let that happen? Sen. Coons:Well, I've spoken to a number of Republican colleagues, and I am hopeful that they will work with the incoming administration, particularly given the seasoned, senior, qualified folks who have been nominated. President-elect Biden has shown real leadership in moving forward with nominees who are both experienced, well-known to members of the Senate, folks who have been previously confirmed to senior positions, but who also break new ground. We're going to have Avril Haines, the first woman to lead the intelligence community, and Janet Yellen, the first woman to be Secretary of the Treasury, and Alejandro Mayorkas, the first immigrant and Latino-American to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. And these are folks who've got great, significant, relevant experience in the areas to which they're being nominated and who have shown the ability to be confirmed to senior positions by the Senate in the past. Q: When I said that it would be a rapid schedule, obviously a rapid schedule given how late the transition is starting. It would normally not be so. But Mitch McConnell also has not been willing to deal on Covid and has not even endorsed or said that Joe Biden is the President-elect. Sen. Coons:Well, regardless of what the majority leader has said, the reality is that Joe Biden is the President-elect, and Kamala Harris is the Vice President-elect, and with the GSA administrator now recognizing that reality and having delivered a written ascertainment, the transition is going to be well under way. It's not the President-elect's fault that the transition has been delayed by several weeks by outgoing President Trump's temper tantrum about the transition. And frankly I am optimistic that we will promptly begin the appropriate consultations with those senators who are most likely to be the committee chairs and that these very qualified nominees will be able to make progress. We shouldn't be holding up the transfer of critical national security information, for example, to the President-elect or to his team, or the transfer of critically needed public health information about Operation Warp Speed and planning for the delivery of vaccines to more than 300 million Americans, just because President Trump steadfastly refuses to accept the outcome of the election. Q: Do you think McConnell is trying to wait until after the Georgia runoffs on January 5 before acknowledging Biden's success? Sen. Coons:I certainly hope not. That's a long time to wait. That's until January 5th. And I frankly think that would harm our whole nation. I think it's important that Majority Leader McConnell show that he recognizes that we need to fund our recovery, that we need to provide an additional round of funding, yes to small businesses, but also to state and local governments, to families and individuals who are struggling, even on a day that the Dow Jones hits a new all-time record. There is a big difference between the stock market and what's happening in grocery markets in local communities all over our country. We've got families that are hurting and struggling. We have more than 6 million Americans, Andrea, who are on the verge of being evicted either because they're late on their mortgages or on their rent, and we need to take decisive steps to put a floor under our economy. The very wealthiest Americans and those who hold stocks and bonds in their retirement accounts should be pleased about the all-time high for the Dow Jones, but that shows that there is confidence in the markets because they believe a transition is now finally under way, and we should be able to work across the aisle during this lame duck period to deliver some of the additional support that small businesses, employers, and employees and their families need and deserve going into this holiday season. Q: Do you think Joe Biden should reach out to Senator McConnell? Sen. Coons:I think they should reach out to each other, as folks who served together for a long time, who know each other, and who have worked well in the past. I do think it's important for the Majority Leader and the President-elect to have a personal conversation promptly. I was really encouraged by the outcome of the conversation the President-elect had with Speaker Pelosi and with Minority Leader Schumer here in Wilmington last week, and I think they laid the groundwork for a very strong working relationship. I look forward to being a part of those in the Senate who are helping carry forward President-elect Biden's agenda for his administration. I think he won a strong electoral victory. He in the end I think will have received 80 million American votes -- excuse me, that I think we will see in the end that President-elect Biden has accomplished what is a significant win in the electoral college as well as in the states that have certified his election, but we have unfinished work to do, in working across the aisle, in crafting a bipartisan agenda that will deliver relief to the American people. And a key part of that is for President-elect Biden to reconnect with someone who has been a colleague in the past and who could be a partner in the future if he chooses the responsible path of cooperating with the incoming administration and that of course is Majority Leader McConnell. Q: Senator Chris Coons, thank you very much. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-peters-colleagues-request-regular-gao-briefings-on-schedule-f-executive-order-implementation", "Carper, Peters, Colleagues Request Regular GAO Briefings on Schedule F Executive Order Implementation", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) joined Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Oversight and Reform Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Gerald E. Connolly in sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting regular briefings to inform Congress about the implementation status of President Trump's Schedule F Executive Order.\r\nThe executive order could precipitate a mass exodus from the federal government at the end of every presidential administration, leaving federal agencies without deep institutional knowledge, expertise, experience, and the ability to develop and implement long-term policy strategies, they wrote. It would be a critical loss for the American people.\r\nOn October 21, 2020, the President issued an executive order that would undermine the foundation of the federal workforce: the civil service, which consists of non-partisan professionals who serve all Americans without regard to political party. This executive action could multiply the number of political appointees within the federal workforce by tens of thousands and permit the mass firing of current federal employees whom agency heads determine make substantive contributions to executive branch policy.\r\nIn response to the executive order, on October 27, 2020, Chairwoman Maloney and Chairman Connollyintroduced the Saving the Civil Service Act to prohibit the use of funds to implement the order. The bill also would allow any position or appointment that was converted pursuant to the executive order to be converted back to the competitive service and provide anyone converted to a Schedule F who was subsequently fired to be reinstated with backpay. Senator Carper joined Ranking Member Peters and more than 40 U.S. Senators last week to introduce a bill that would also block the implementation of the President's harmful executive order.\r\nClick here to read today's letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-statement-on-john-kerry-appointment-to-serve-as-special-presidential-envoy-for-climate", "Carper Statement on John Kerry Appointment to Serve as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Biden appointed former Secretary of State John Kerry to serve as a Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and to serve as part of the National Security Council (NSC).\r\n It is going to take a concerted international effort to confront and overcome the global climate crisis. But before we even get there, it's going to take perseverance, political expertise and diplomacy to convince other countries to join the fight to save our planet. No one understands what it's going to take better than John Kerry. As our nation's former Secretary of State, John Kerry knows firsthand how to unite the international community to confront the climate crisis. After all, he worked tirelessly to bring the Paris Agreement to the finish line. And when it was time to ratify the historic accord, Secretary Kerry brought his young granddaughter with him to sign the agreement on behalf of the United States. He reminded the world that climate action is about leaving behind a healthy, habitable planet for future generations.\r\n As my former colleague in the Senate, he is also acutely aware of the political process. He will bring to this role both his diplomatic and political expertise. And, after devoting the last several years to his organization focused on climate change, John Kerry knows better than anyone how to ensure this crisis receives the international attention it so desperately needs. One call after another, world leaders continue to raise the issue of climate change in their congratulatory calls to the president-elect. President-elect Biden understands that the world is watching, and he knows that time is wasting. With the first-ever National Security Council seat dedicated to climate change, Secretary Kerry's historic appointment is a message to be heard around the world. The United States of America will lead the world on climate change once again.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-alejandro-mayorkas-to-serve-as-dhs-secretary", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to Serve as DHS Secretary", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of Alejandro Ali Mayorkas to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).\r\nDHS is an agency with a budget of over $50 billion. The 240,000 men and women who work at the agency are charged with such critical missions as protecting our country from ever-evolving domestic and foreign threats, responding to national disasters, and securing our elections against foreign interference. As we see record-breaking storms, floods and fires fueled by climate change, continued irregular migration to our southern border, and the highest number of hate crimes in a decade, it is more important than ever that we have qualified and steady leadership at the Department to help us tackle these challenges and create a safer and more secure country for every American.\r\nI have had the pleasure and the privilege of working with Ali Mayorkas during his many years of service at the Department of Homeland Security. He is a man of great integrity and principle, with an incomparable work ethic, who understands the complexities of this critical agency and the threats facing our country. I can think of no better choice to help rebuild, refocus and lead the Department in this moment than Ali Mayorkas.\r\nJoe Biden's selection of Ali is undoubtedly historic. Ali was born in Havana, Cuba and understands firsthand what it's like for a family to come to the United States in search of refuge. He will become the first immigrant and first Latino to lead this consequential agency. But nominating Ali also shows just how much our President-elect values experience and expertise. Ali Mayorkas has held numerous positions within the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Most recently, Ali served as DHS Deputy Secretary during which time he helped implement the program to protect DREAMers, led the Department's response to Zika and Ebola and drafted and shepherded through Congress cybersecurity legislation to help DHS better protect our .gov' and private sector networks, among many other accomplishments. He is not an ideologue with a partisan agenda. He is a thoughtful, policy-minded individual who has spent much of his career learning about these agencies by working his way up and collaborating with career civil servants.\r\nDuring the Trump Administration, DHS became an agency focused almost solely on implementing draconian measures to curb immigration, while demonizing immigrants in the process. This country has always been a beacon for the oppressed, the marginalized, the persecuted around the world. Under President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas' leadership, I know that we can be again. We can once again implement smart solutions that have proven effective to protect our country. We can work constructively with our neighbors in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala and recommit to addressing the endemic violence, corruption, poverty and lack of opportunity that forces too many families to flee the only home they've ever known. And we can also get back to the critical, nonpartisan work of improving DHS' management and mission cohesion that has too often been given short shrift during the Trump Administration.\r\nI want to extend my sincerest congratulations to my friend Ali on his nomination. I am supremely confident that he will provide the leadership that this agency so desperately needs. As our country faces so many unprecedented challenges, it more important than ever that the Department of Homeland Security is able to hit the ground running on day one. That is why it is so crucial that the Government Services Administration (GSA) finally ascertain the results of the election, allow the Biden-Harris Transition to begin the hard work of organizing a government, and allow us to bring these qualified and capable nominees before the Senate for a confirmation hearing in the very near future.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-statement-on-the-nomination-of-tony-blinken-to-serve-as-secretary-of-state", "Carper Statement on the Nomination of Tony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of Tony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State.\r\nFor the last four years, we have recklessly abandoned our alliances and walked away from carefully crafted international agreements with no alternatives in place. From the Paris Climate Accords to the Iran nuclear deal, President Trump, and those around him, seemed to be solely driven by a desire to tear down good policies, simply because they were achievements of the Obama Administration. For the last four years, our country's foreign policy has been transactional rather than strategic. For the last four years, our country has turned our back on our allies and cozied up to autocrats, ceding our leadership role in the world and compromising the democratic values that the United States has helped to spread across the globe by the power of our example.\r\nI've long said that there is no one better equipped to finally restore our country's standing in the world than Joe Biden. One of the reasons that I am so confident in President-elect Joe Biden's ability to do so is because I know that he will empower and surround himself with experienced, thoughtful and eminently qualified individuals like Tony Blinken.\r\nHaving begun his career at the State Department, Tony Blinken not only respects the agency and the critical role it plays in representing the United States to the world. He also respects our diplomats and foreign service officers around the world who work every day to keep our country safe. He has decades of experience in foreign policy and has been tested on the world stage. He helped to build the coalition of over sixty nations and the Kurds to fight ISIS on the battlefield, successfully reducing the terrorist group's land holdings and influence. Alongside others, he advocated for the Iran Nuclear Deal that successfully kept the Iranian government from developing a nuclear weapon, and which subjected the country to rigorous, intrusive and unprecedented inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Additionally, during his time as Deputy Secretary of State, he showed compassion and leadership by working to address and reduce refugee crises around the world. In 2017, he was an outspoken voice in support of raising the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States each year to 110,000. In the years since, that same crisis has seen the Trump Administration has slash refugee admissions to their lowest number since the Refugee Act of 1980. \r\nFinally, Tony Blinken has helped to guide Joe Biden's thoughtful and strategic foreign policy for decades. With Tony Blinken at the helm of the State Department, the world will know that when the Secretary speaks, he speaks for President Biden. And I have no doubt that Tony will put in place a strong team around him to help build upon the important work that Joe Biden has led for years, especially his work with our neighbors in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to improve governance and economic opportunity and fight corruption. America will once again play a leading role in efforts to bolster the long-term prosperity and success of our region, rather than trading in ill-conceived threats and transactions in pursuit of short-term gains.\r\nThere are enormous challenges facing our world today that no one country or region can solve on their own. The coronavirus pandemic has made that especially clear. I stand ready to work with Secretary Blinken and President Biden to help rebuild trust with our allies, stand up to our adversaries and bad actors, and work toward peace throughout our world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/11/carper-urges-gsa-to-ascertain-president-elect-biden-to-ensure-americans-environmental-and-health-protections", "Carper Urges GSA to Ascertain President-Elect Biden to Ensure Americans Environmental and Health Protections", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Thomas Carper", "C000174", "www.carper.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, urged General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Murphy to ascertain the results of the 2020 Presidential Election for the sake of Americans' environment and health. In a new letter to GSA Administrator Murphy, Senator Carper underscored the urgency and importance of a smooth transition to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris's administration, given the global crises of climate change and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\r\nGSA must immediately ascertain the President-elect's clear election victory and assist in facilitating a timely and effective transition of power to the incoming administration, as required by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, Senator Carper wrote. Failing to do so risks the health and safety of millions of Americans as the nation grapples with a pandemic that continues to grow more severe every week.\r\nSenator Carper outlined three specific areas currently hindered by GSA's refusal to ascertain President-Elect Biden: air pollution and the coronavirus, evaluation and approval of disinfectants amid the pandemic, and preparation for the next administration to assess and remediate contaminated Superfund sites.\r\nI urge you to fulfill your lawful duty and begin the process of facilitating an orderly transfer of power to the new administration, so that President-elect Biden and Vice-President elect Harris can protect human health and the environment effectively on day one, Senator Carper continued.\r\n\r\nThe full letter can be read here or below.\r\n\r\nNovember 23, 2020\r\n\r\nEmily Murphy\r\nAdministrator\r\nGeneral Services Administration\r\n1800 F St NW\r\nWashington, D.C. 20006\r\n\r\nDear Administrator Murphy:\r\n\r\nI am deeply concerned that the General Services Administration (GSA) continues to delay providing resources and access to critical information to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and their team as they prepare to take office in January. GSA must immediately ascertain the President-elect's clear election victory and assist in facilitating a timely and effective transition of power to the incoming administration, as required by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Failing to do so risks the health and safety of millions of Americans as the nation grapples with a pandemic that continues to grow more severe every week.\r\n\r\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, I am particularly concerned that the Biden Administration (hereafter the Transition) is being hindered in its preparations to protect human health and the environment in several areas:\r\n\r\n \r\nAir Pollution Exposure and Coronavirus Disease (COVID). Lack of access to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) career officials and important environmental data prevents the Transition from further evaluating research demonstrating that air pollution leads to more adverse outcomes from COVID. This lack of access hinders the Transition's ability to prepare effective policies to address this health hazard.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nEvaluation and Approval of Disinfectants amid the Pandemic. The Transition's lack of resources and access to EPA information also risks possible delays in the evaluation and approval of surface disinfectants that can be used to ensure surfaces are free of the COVID-19 virus.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nManagement of Contaminated Sites. The Transition must prepare the Biden administration to immediately and effectively manage the nation's Superfund sites. The Trump administration has added several sites to the National Priorities List this fall. The incoming administration needs to prepare to protect the health of communities at these contaminated sites and the safety of the drinking water supplies in surrounding areas. Of particular concern are the six sites that were added to the Superfund National Priorities List in September, affecting communities in Delaware, South Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kansas, and California. Continued lack of access to information makes preparing to manage these sites that have long awaited cleanup more challenging.\r\n \r\n\r\nI urge you to fulfill your lawful duty and immediately begin the process of facilitating an orderly transfer of power to the new administration, so that President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris can protect human health and the environment effectively on day one. Thank you for your attention to this matter of national safety.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThomas R. Carper\r\nRanking Member\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-president-elect-biden-selections-for-key-cabinet-positions", "Sen. Coons statement on President-elect Biden selections for key Cabinet positions", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Biden announced nominees for key Cabinet positions: Tony Blinken for Secretary of State, Jake Sullivan for National Security Advisor, Linda Thomas-Greenfield for Ambassador to the United Nations, Avril Haines for Director of National Intelligence, Alejandro Mayorkas for Homeland Security Secretary, and John Kerry for Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. President-elect Joe Biden is bringing professional competence and deep experience to his Cabinet and the highest levels of our government. Beyond their decades of work in national security and foreign relations, these nominees are genuinely good people and team players who will work tirelessly to advance U.S. interests and values. I look forward to confirming these nominees quickly, and working with President-elect Biden and his Cabinet to build back better our leadership on the world stage and tackle our most pressing global challenges. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-president-elect-bidens-nomination-of-tony-blinken-as-secretary-of-state", "Sen. Coons statement on President-elect Bidens nomination of Tony Blinken as Secretary of State", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "House", "DE", "Christopher Coons", "C001088", "www.coons.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WILMINGTON, Del.  U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced Tony Blinken as his nominee to serve as Secretary of State. Tony Blinken will be an outstanding Secretary of State. I have known and worked with Tony for over a decade and no one better understands and conveys President-elect Biden's vision for building back better our nation's role in the world than Tony. World leaders will know that when Tony speaks, he is speaking for the President. He is a capable, measured, thoughtful and inspiring leader, and our diplomats around the world will be encouraged to have his leadership at the State Department. We have a lot of important and difficult work to do together in the years ahead  advancing our values, restoring our alliances and tackling the challenges of this century from China and climate change, to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and future global health crises  and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Blinken and President Biden to deliver strong results. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 643, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "DE", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 643, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=DE&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 568, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 75, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "DE", "label": "DE", "count": 643, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 643, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-11-23,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecoons~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fsen-coons-statement-on-president-elect-bidens-nomination-of-tony-blinken-as-secretary-of-state", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=DE&year=2020&_next=2020-11-23%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecoons~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fsen-coons-statement-on-president-elect-bidens-nomination-of-tony-blinken-as-secretary-of-state&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 170.62541306950152, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}