url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F0B947D3-6C41-484D-A410-C23568EDF35E,"Carper Statement on Actions against Russia in Response to Cyber Attacks, Election Hacking",2016-12-30,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after President Obama announced new sanctions and other actions‎ against Russia in response to the country's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections.  “I applaud the responsible steps that President Obama has taken to hold Russia accountable and safeguard our democracy. The intelligence community has concluded that Russia's interference in our most recent election was unprecedented, and there must be real consequences for such outrageous actions. These sanctions make clear that any efforts to undermine our democratic processes will not be tolerated.  “The hacking of our election systems is not a partisan issue. All Americans, regardless of party affiliation, should be alarmed that any foreign power would interfere in and attempt to undermine the free and fair elections that are the hallmark of our democracy. I'm pleased that my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle have expressed their support for the sanctions and other actions that have been announced. Congress must work together to ensure that the extent of the Russian hacking is investigated in a comprehensive, transparent and nonpartisan way in order to ensure that this can never happen again.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-us-sanctions-against-russia,Senator Coons’ statement on U.S. Sanctions against Russia,2016-12-29,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.29.16 Senator Coons’ statement on U.S. Sanctions against Russia WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement after the White House announced sanctions against Russian officials, intelligence agencies, and institutions:  “I support today's actions by President Obama to hold Russia accountable for its cyberattacks that were designed to undermine and influence our 2016 presidential election.  An attack on our democracy is an attack on all Americans, so I am glad to hear many of my Republican and Democratic colleagues call for hearings, legislation and continued action to ensure a strong, united response.”   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=E9A11B6E-20BA-4AEF-BA91-220D286C61C9,"If you want to travel far, go together",2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Each holiday season, I am reminded of just how special this time of year is. Not only do I have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, but I have time to take a moment to reflect on the past year. 2016 was notably marked by one of the most divisive presidential elections in modern American history. Throughout the year, and over the course of the long campaign season, I was often reminded of an old African proverb: If you want to travel fast, go alone. If you want to travel far, go together. Across the First State, and around the country, many of us face the same challenges and have the same goals: to provide a safe home for our children, to care for our elderly relatives after their years of selflessly caring for us, keeping our families safe as we go about our daily lives, and preserving this planet for our grandchildren and the generations to come. Every day when I go to work on behalf of the people of Delaware, I think about how I can bring my colleagues in Congress together to tackle our shared challenges and achieve our shared goals. The challenges we face are not those that one person, or one party, can solve alone. If we ignore one another, and talk past one another, instead of using the 3 C’s – communicate, collaborate, and compromise - our country may go very fast, but we won’t make it as far as we’re able. By working together on behalf of every American, I believe we can make progress addressing the greatest challenges our country faces. In the coming year, there is much work to do in our continual effort to create an ever more perfect union. My profound hope is that my colleagues in Congress and all Americans can take this message to heart and that we all remember how far we have come together, as one nation, and work together in the coming year to continue moving our country forward. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a very happy New Year. May God bless you and your families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-un-resolution-targeting-israel,Senator Coons’ statement on U.N. Resolution targeting Israel,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.23.16 Senator Coons’ statement on U.N. Resolution targeting Israel WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the United Nations Security Council Resolution targeting Israel: “Earlier this week, Egypt called for a vote on a United Nations Security Council Resolution targeting Israel that would undermine prospects for direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a two state solution. I am encouraged that the vote has been delayed, and I call on the Egyptians to withdraw this unconstructive resolution. “Should this come before a vote at the UN, I urge the President to veto the resolution because it does nothing to advance peace or hope for a two state solution.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8E1D0FE4-440F-4B92-A325-CDECDA951EFC,Carper Calls on Top Federal Ethics Officials to Address Cabinet Nominees' Potential Conflicts of Interest,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent letters to the designated agency ethics officials at 17 federal agencies urging them to uphold the Ethics in Government Act and address potential conflicts of interest in nominees that require Senate confirmation. Senator Carper requested information on each agency’s efforts to fulfill their responsibilities under the Ethics in Government Act and Office of Government Ethics regulations, which set forth the uniform procedures and requirements necessary to address potential conflicts of interest prior to Senate confirmation. “As you may be aware, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to depart from the practices of past presidents and will not conduct himself in a manner consistent with federal conflict of interest laws,” Senator Carper wrote. “President-elect Trump also recently cancelled a press conference at which he had promised to announce the steps he would take with respect to his business and financial interests and, as of this date, has yet to reschedule it. However, the President’s nominees, if confirmed by the Senate, will be subject to criminal and civil penalties for violations of these laws, which require the disqualification of an executive branch official from participating in any governmental matter in which that official has any financial interest.” Public reports have indicated that some of President-elect Donald Trump’s most important nominees have been slow to complete the process to address conflicts of interest. Senator Carper concluded, “As the principal manager of your agency’s ethics program, you play an important role by assuring that public servants remain free from conflicts of interest and that public service remains a public trust. It is important that Congress support your office’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities under the Ethics in Government Act regardless of any inappropriate pressure that may occur. Senator Carper sent letters to the following agencies: Department of State, Department of Treasury, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Education, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Small Business Administration.   The text of the letters can be found below, and in pdf form here. Dear Designated Agency Ethics Official: I write today to request information on your agency’s implementation of the Ethics in Government Act and how you will address the potential conflicts of interest of nominees that require Senate confirmation. As you may be aware, President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to depart from the practices of past presidents and will not conduct himself in a manner consistent with federal conflict of interest laws. President-elect Trump also recently cancelled a press conference at which he had promised to announce the steps he would take with respect to his business and financial interests and, as of this date, has yet to reschedule it. However, the President’s nominees, if confirmed by the Senate, will be subject to criminal and civil penalties for violations of these laws, which require the disqualification of an executive branch official from participating in any governmental matter in which that official has any financial interest. Regulations issued by the Office of Government Ethics set forth the uniform financial disclosure procedures and requirements necessary to address potential conflicts of interests prior to Senate confirmation. First, a nominee’s financial disclosure statement, which lists certain financial holdings, must be filed with the designated agency ethics official, who coordinates and manages an agency’s ethics program. The designated agency ethics official then, in accordance with the standards and procedures of all other reviews, conducts an expedited review of this statement. Second, if this review identifies any current or potential conflicts of interest, the agency may require the nominee to take remedial action and memorialize these steps in an ethics agreement. This agreement will include promises to undertake specific actions upon confirmation in order to alleviate actual or apparent conflicts of interest, including through recusals, divestitures, resignations, waivers, or the establishment of qualified blind or diversified trusts. Third, the designated agency ethics official certifies that the nominee has no unresolved conflicts of interest and transmits the statement and ethics agreements to the Office of Government Ethics. The Director of the Office of Government Ethics then reviews these materials.  If satisfied that no unresolved conflict of interest exist, the Director signs and dates these documents and then submits them with a letter to the appropriate Senate committee stating that the nominee has complied with all conflict of interest laws and regulations. By law, presidential nominees are required to file their financial disclosure statement within five days of the President’s formal transmission of the nomination to the Senate. The nominee must, at or before the commencement of the first Senate committee hearing to consider the nomination, file an updated statement with the appropriate Senate committee. Failure to adhere to these long-standing requirements may subject an appointee to criminal or civil penalties under federal law. As the principal manager of your agency’s ethics program, you play an important role by assuring that public servants remain free from conflicts of interest and that public service remains a public trust. It is important that Congress support your office’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities under the Ethics in Government Act regardless of any inappropriate pressure that may occur. To better understand how your office will address the potential conflicts of interest of nominees that require Senate confirmation, please provide the following information by January 5, 2016: Have any representatives of the Office of the President-elect contacted your office? If so, please indicate the date on which your office was initially contacted.   Since November 8, 2016, for individuals the President-elect has announced his intention to nominate to an executive branch position, have you received any financial disclosure statements, including a Form OGE 278, for your review? If so, please indicate the date you initially received these statements.   Since November 8, 2016, has any individual the President-elect has announced his intention to nominate to an executive branch position refused to provide any information that you believe is necessary to conduct a conflicts analysis as required by law?   Since November 8, 2016, have you been asked to conduct an expedited review of a financial disclosure statement under a timeline you believe would not allow you to fulfill you responsibilities under the Ethics in Government Act?   What are the standards your office uses to make a referral to the Department of Justice when an executive branch official participates directly and substantially in a matter in which they have a financial interest?   What are the standards your office uses to make a referral to the Department of Justice when an executive branch official violates an ethics agreement, including an appointee’s failure to divest certain assets or participation in a matter from which the appointee is recused?   If an executive branch employee believes an appointee is participating in a matter from which the appointee is recused or is otherwise in violation of the Ethics in Government Act, where should this potential misconduct be reported? Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. With best personal regards, I am                                                             Sincerely yours,                                                                               Tom Carper Ranking Member cc:           The Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman   The Honorable Claire McCaskill United States Senator ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E0BDD14E-A031-40C1-AD23-4D359A4D61B5,"Carper, Durbin: Education Department Releases Data Showing Many For-Profit Colleges Receive More Than 90 Percent Of Revenue From Federal Taxpayers",2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) issued the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) released data providing a more accurate picture of for-profit colleges’ dependence on federal funding by counting Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance funding. The current federal “90/10 rule” bars for-profit colleges and universities from deriving more than 90% of their revenue from the Department of Education’s student aid programs but does not include these additional federal sources, encouraging for-profit colleges to target veterans and members of the military. The data was released in response to a request by Sens. Carper and Durbin – along with 18 other Democratic Senators – for public data on how much for-profit colleges actually receive from American taxpayers. Sens. Carper and Durbin were joined by 29 Senators in sending a similar letter to the Department in June. “Not all for-profit schools are bad actors, but all for-profit schools should demonstrate their financial well-being by securing at least 10 percent of their income from non-federal sources. We now have a crystal clear picture of which for-profit colleges are avoiding this requirement by exploiting the 90/10 loophole and relying too heavily on taxpayers,” said Senator Carper. ""Unfortunately, for many students who attended the schools that have closed in the last year, including ITT Tech, the data released today comes much too late. The 90/10 loophole has also led to the disproportionate harm of our nation’s veterans, servicemembers, and their families. They deserve to be treated as more than ‘dollar signs in uniform’ as Holly Petraeus said. They deserve to attain a high-quality education and meaningful degrees. Congress must finally close this dangerous loophole to protect veterans, servicemembers and taxpayer dollars.” “The data released today by the Education Department confirms what we already knew: for-profit colleges are some of the most highly-subsidized companies in America; many receive nearly all of their revenue straight from federal taxpayers. The current 90/10 rule, with its failure to include GI Bill and Defense Tuition Assistance makes our nation’s servicemembers and veterans an attractive target for predatory for-profit colleges,” said Senator Durbin. “Today’s data should encourage Congress to close this loophole and reduce the amount of revenue these so-called private sector companies receive from taxpayers.” Data released today shows seventeen for-profit colleges currently derive more than 90% of their total annual revenue from Title IV federal student aid. If GI Bill and Defense Tuition Assistance are considered, the number of for-profits in violation of the 90/10 rule jumps to nearly 200. The Department of Education found that if the 90% threshold was rolled back to its original 85%, 563 schools could not comply with the new rule. Last year, Sens. Carper and Durbin introduced the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act of 2015 to close the 90/10 loophole by counting DoD and VA education funds in the calculation of federal revenue for purposes of the 90/10 rule. In addition, Durbin is the author of the Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act to include these other federal funding sources and reduce the amount of allowable federal revenue from 90% to 85%.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo,Senator Coons statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.22.16 Senator Coons statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  “I am extremely disappointed that President Joseph Kabila has decided to remain in office past his constitutional term limit.  I urge President Kabila, former Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi, and other opposition and civil society leaders to reach an agreement that establishes a credible plan to hold free and fair elections in 2017, as well as a clear commitment from President Kabila not to further prolong his time in office or amend the constitution.  ""The National Episcopal Conference of Congo deserves immense praise for its efforts to mediate an inclusive agreement.  The Vatican and Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos also deserve recognition for their support of these negotiations. ""Three months ago, state security forces killed at least 48 people during two days of political demonstrations in Kinshasa.  While I join Mr. Tshisekedi in urging demonstrators to remain peaceful, we have already seen reports that at least 26 demonstrators were killed by security forces on Tuesday.  I strongly condemn the use of excessive force against demonstrators and call on security forces to respect the freedom of assembly.  ""I also call on the U.S. government to launch an investigation into allegations of money laundering linked to members of the Kabila family.  The lack of transparency regarding the Kabila family's business interests undermines democratic accountability in the DRC and heightens political tensions.  ""As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I intend to review our bilateral security assistance to the DRC.  The United States has made significant investments in the stability and economic prosperity of the DRC, and I have concerns that must be addressed in order for me to continue supporting this assistance."" Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A8B3DC0A-D6E0-4D0B-B10A-1BDEE7FDB629,"New Report Confirms Completion of DHS Headquarters Consolidation at St. Elizabeths will Enhance Departments Operations, Save Taxpayer Dollars",2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The completion of a consolidated Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headquarters project at the St. Elizabeths West campus would save taxpayers $1.2 billion dollars over 30 years and enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s coordinated national security efforts according to a new report released by Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The full report, released today, can be found here: “DHS Headquarters Consolidation at St. Elizabeths: Better Results for Less Money.” “The headquarters consolidation project at St. Elizabeths is crucial to the success of the department and to realizing the unified, cohesive DHS envisioned by Congress when it created the department 14 years ago,” said Senator Carper. “Bringing together key leadership and agency personnel in one, centralized location is critical to supporting DHS’s mission, reducing management challenges, and making the department’s operations more efficient. Bringing together multiple DHS entities on one campus will enhance national security and allow for a swift, coordinated response across the department when emergencies occur. It will also save taxpayers $1.2 billion over the next 30 years, which cannot be overlooked.” Carper continued, “Completion of the St. Elizabeths campus makes good financial and managerial sense and will build on recent efforts, including provisions passed in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, to help make the department more than just the sum of its parts. Given its importance to the safety and security of all Americans, the completion of the St. Elizabeths consolidation project must remain a priority in the coming years for both Congress and the Administration.” In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act, which pulled together 22 different agencies to form the Department of Homeland Security in order to foster a more unified and coordinated effort to defend our homeland. In 2006, the Bush administration proposed consolidating more than 50 DHS offices, many onto the St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast Washington, D.C. Construction began in 2009 but has significantly slowed in the face of inconsistent and inadequate funding from Congress. The President’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request fully supports timely completion of the St. Elizabeths project and includes $225.6 million for DHS and $266.6 for GSA to construct a new federally-owned headquarters for FEMA, as well as renovate the Center Building Complex buildings, which would house additional leadership staff. To date, St. Elizabeths has received nearly two-thirds of the total funding needed and requires only three years of additional funding, including FY 2017 funding, to be finished. If fully funded, the project will be completed in 2021.  The delays associated with failure to fully fund the project in FY 2017 will force the government to pay roughly $70 million in unnecessary expenses which would not be incurred if the construction was funded so it could remain on schedule. Specifically, the report released today recommends: Ø  Congress should fully fund the Fiscal Year 2017 President’s budget request. Ø  If Congress is not able to fully fund the project in Fiscal Year 2017 or if the federal government remains under a Continuing Resolution, DHS and GSA should be provided maximum flexibility to make the most efficient use of the funding provided. Ø  The new Administration should make sure finishing DHS’s headquarters consolidation project at St. Elizabeths remains one of the highest construction priorities given how the project will improve the Department’s ability to accomplish its mission and save taxpayer money in the long run. You can read the full report here: “DHS Headquarters Consolidation at St. Elizabeths: Better Results for Less Money.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/four-bipartisan-bills-from-senator-coons-to-become-law,Four bipartisan bills from Senator Coons to become law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.16 Four bipartisan bills from Senator Coons to become law Legislation focuses on supporting manufacturing, science, and small business WASHINGTON – After passing both the House of Representatives and the Senate, President Obama will soon sign into law the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which includes four bipartisan pieces of legislation authored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) focused on supporting science, manufacturing, and small business. “I’m thrilled Congress came together in a bipartisan way to pass this critical legislation to jumpstart America’s innovation economy and sharpen our country’s competitive edge,” said Senator Coons. “I’m pleased many of the priorities I’ve been fighting for in the Senate were included in this bill, such as my proposal to help the government utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science in tackling a range of challenges facing our country. This bipartisan bill also includes my legislation to strengthen and expand two key federal programs that support manufacturing companies and train scientists and engineers to start new businesses.”  A list of Senator Coons’ priorities that were included in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act are below: Promoting open science, innovation in government Senator Coons secured his proposal to encourage and increase the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science within the federal government to advance and accelerate scientific research, literacy, and diplomacy. This is the first ever legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), to grant explicit authority to the government to use these methods. Specifically, it provides clarification and guidelines for government agencies to utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science methods, harnessing the resourcefulness and innovation of the public to solve problems without requiring any new funding or authorizations. Delaware Nature Society, The Nature Conservancy, Stroud Water, and the National Park Service are all using open science to monitor and improve water quality in Delaware and learn more about Delaware’s environment. Congressmen Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), David McKinley (D-WV-01) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) championed a companion bill in the House. Improving the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program Senator Coons secured his proposal, co-sponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Angus King (I-Maine), to expand and improve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to better serve small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. The MEP program is the premier federal program addressing critical needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers. MEP centers offer resources that enable manufacturers to compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Built on a nationwide network of centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP program is a partnership between the federal government and a variety of private sector entities that serve as trusted business advisors and technical experts to thousands of small and medium-sized manufacturers. For years, the Delaware MEP has helped Delaware manufacturers train employees and implement process improvements that allow these important businesses to grow and create jobs. Strengthening the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps program Senator Coons secured his proposal, co-sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), to expand and improve the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) highly successful Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program that trains scientists and engineers with the skills needed to start new businesses and create new jobs. I-Corps connects scientists and engineers with the technological, entrepreneurial, and business communities necessary to move discoveries from the laboratory to the market.  This bill builds on NSF’s recent success with I-Corps to help create regional networks for innovation by providing researchers, students, and universities with the training and resources they need to develop products and services that benefit the economy and society. University of Delaware’s Horn Program and many students hoping to create their own companies have benefited from I-Corps.  Bolstering the field of sustainable chemistry Senator Coons secured part of his proposal, co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), to support research in the field of sustainable chemistry.  Sustainable chemistry is an innovative field that creates jobs and spurs economic development in the private sector, and includes goals such as reducing chemical risk to human health and the environment, increasing efficient use of resources, and designing products and processes with consideration of the entire lifecycle.  The legislation makes clear the importance and benefits of sustainable chemistry, and reaffirms the importance of the NSF’s Sustainable Chemistry Basic Research Program.  Delaware is home to a number of chemical companies like Croda and White Dog Labs that are seen as leaders in sustainable chemistry.  Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=220016DD-B62D-4872-B5BE-1C714AC51699,Working together to protect the Delaware River Basin,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Delaware River stretches from the Catskill Mountains in New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, covering 13,600 square miles, including nearly 1,000 miles in the First State. More than eight million people live within the Delaware River Basin's boundaries. More than 16 million people depend on the Delaware River as a source of clean drinking water. This natural treasure is not just an important habitat for wildlife—it's a major economic engine for our region, too. The Basin contributes $25 billion annually in economic activity. Through the maritime, agriculture, tourism, hunting, fishing and wildlife industries, it supports 600,000 jobs in our region. I believe it’s so important that we work together to ensure the Delaware River Basin is preserved and protected for generations to come, and that’s why I’m thrilled that Congress last week approved the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act, legislation that I co-authored with Congressman John Carney and Senator Chris Coons. This bill had strong support from a bipartisan group of cosponsors in both chambers of Congress, and with the help of environmental and conservation groups, we reached the finish line. Despite its ecological and economic importance for millions of families, until last week, there was no federal program to ensure the Delaware River Basin stays clean and healthy. The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act will require federal, state and local partners to work together and preserve the Basin. This is a win-win-win for the environment, for the millions of people who live within and near the watershed, and for the local communities and economies in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. I’m proud to have worked so closely with environmental advocates and my colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle to support this long-needed legislation. Next Congress, I will serve as the top Democrat on the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee and I look forward to keeping up our fight to protect Delaware’s natural resources and grow our economy. We have an obligation to work together to protect our environment and natural spaces so the generations to come can continue to prosper from their economic benefits, but also visit, explore and enjoy their natural beauty.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7BDA4F4B-373D-4231-BCDE-18E741CAA3A3,Carper Legislation to Improve Management of Federal Property Becomes Law,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama signed into law legislation to improve how the federal government manages its buildings and other property across the country. The Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016, which was introduced in the Senate by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), will establish a framework for federal agencies to better manage existing space in a more cost-effective manner and help facilitate the disposal of unneeded federal property. The House version of the bill, H.R. 6451, was introduced by Representative Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and passed the Senate early Saturday morning. “It's been clear to me and to many others for a long time now that we can get better results and save taxpayer dollars by simply improving the way we manage federal property,” said Senator Carper, ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  “This bipartisan bill will do just that by requiring federal agencies to account for their properties and help the government get a better handle on its vast assets. These commonsense reforms signed into law today will increase efficiency across the federal government and help to ensure that we are being better stewards of taxpayer dollars.” Specifically, the Federal Property Management Reform Act requires federal agencies to maintain an up-to-date inventory of the property it owns, provides for increased co-location opportunities for federal agencies with the Postal Service and establishes a Federal Real Property Council to develop uniform guidance for agency property managers to follow and share best practices in property management among agencies. The federal government’s real property holdings are vast and diverse, incorporating hundreds of thousands of buildings and permanent structures across the county, making it the largest property owner in the United States. The ability of the federal government to effectively and efficiently manage this vast portfolio has long been of concern to Congress and other watchdogs. In fact, every year since January 2003, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has placed real property management on its list of “high risk” government activities, citing long-standing problems with excess and underutilized property; deteriorating and aging facilities; unreliable property data; and a heavy reliance on costly leasing instead of ownership to meet new needs. Additionally, the Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016 will: Require agencies to maintain a current inventory of real property, including information about the cost and use of their facilities and how these properties fit into the agencies broader management plan; Codify and expand the duties of the Federal Real Property Council to ensure this body develops guidance and ensures the implementation of strategies for better managing federal property; Codify the broader management framework of the Administration’s National Strategy for the Efficient Use of Real Property, ensuring these actions become a permanent framework for agency property management.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delaware-delegation-applauds-commerce-departments-70-million-investment-in-a-university-of-delaware-led-manufacturing-institute,Delaware Delegation applauds Commerce Department’s $70 million investment in a University of Delaware-led manufacturing institute,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.16 Delaware Delegation applauds Commerce Department’s $70 million investment in a University of Delaware-led manufacturing institute Delegation welcomes news of key investment to create a national biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub NEWARK, Del. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.), and Congressman John Carney (D-Del.), today applauded the Department of Commerce’s selection of the University of Delaware to lead the country’s first manufacturing innovation institute focused on biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As part of the announcement, the Department will invest $70 million in a new UD-led manufacturing institute over five years, which will be matched by private and public funds, resulting in a nearly $200 million investment in the new institute. This significant financial commitment will accelerate innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and help train a world-class manufacturing workforce. “I’m thrilled to mark this tremendous victory for the University of Delaware and all the partners in this new institute,” said Senator Coons. “This announcement makes official what I’ve long known: the University of Delaware is a true hub of manufacturing innovation. This new institute brings together leading academic, non-profit and private sector organizations from across the country to accelerate innovation that ensures the United States remains the world leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.” “Here in Delaware, we have a vibrant research community, thanks to the University and its commitment to partnering with the public and private sectors to push innovation further,” said Senator Carper. “Working together is something we are very good at in Delaware, and this consortium of public and private universities, major manufacturers, government, trade organizations and nonprofits from across the country will be housed right here in Newark. I’m so excited to see how we can leverage the power of these partners to advance the biomanufacturing industry, which already contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to our country’s economy.""   ""The investment in this new institute represents a significant victory for innovation, for the University of Delaware, students here in Newark and the people of our state,"" said Congressman Carney. ""It's also an example of what we can achieve by working with partners across the public and private sectors, including the major universities, research institutions and pharmaceutical industry leaders who are bringing resources to this effort."" Biopharma is one of the most important sectors in the U.S. economy. Biopharmaceuticals treat and prevent some of the most common and debilitating diseases, including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. The industry relies heavily on complex advanced manufacturing processes to produce these medicines with great precision at a large scale.   The new institute, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), is comprised of more the 150 public and private partners. This is the eleventh institute in the Manufacturing USA network, and first one sponsored by the Department of Commerce. NIIMBL will be headquartered in Newark, Delaware.    Just weeks ago, legislation based on Senator Coons’ Manufacturing Universities bill passed the Senate and will be signed into law. Press Contact Brian Cunningham at 302-573-6054 or brian_cunningham@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-democrats-to-introduce-bill-to-require-president-and-vice-president-to-fully-divest-personal-financial-conflicts-of-interest,Senate Democrats to Introduce Bill to Require President and Vice President to Fully Divest Personal Financial Conflicts of Interest,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.16 Senate Democrats to Introduce Bill to Require President and Vice President to Fully Divest Personal Financial Conflicts of Interest Senators Also Reiterate Their Demand for Trump to Comply with Constitution's Emoluments Clause Washington, DC - On the day President-elect Donald Trump was supposed to inform the American people about his future with the Trump Organization, a group of Democratic U.S. senators announced they will introduce a bill in January that would require the President and Vice President to disclose and divest any potential financial conflicts of interest. It also would require presidential appointees to recuse themselves from any specific matters involving the President's financial conflicts of interest that come before their agencies. The co-sponsors of this legislation include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The senators have consistently asked for more transparency and accountability from President-elect Trump. In November, the lawmakers filed a Resolution stating the Senate's expectation that President-elect Trump needs to decisively and transparently divest all of his business interests and holdings and completely sever his affiliation with the Trump Organization to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts with the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits the President from accepting gifts or benefits from foreign governmental actors. ""Our President-elect has significantly greater risk of business and financial conflicts of interest than any other president, yet has so far refused to follow the precedent set by previous presidents.  To this day, President-elect Trump has refused to address his conflicts of interest,"" said Senator Coons. ""His continued delay in taking such steps is deeply troubling and calls into question his commitment to two fundamental responsibilities: running an open, transparent White House and fully severing his business ties before taking office. That's why Congress must act promptly to pass this legislation that will require the President to divest their financial interests and place the proceeds in a blind trust. The presidency is a full-time job with only one client: the American people."" ""The American people deserve to know that the President of the United States is working to do what's best for the country - not using his office to do what's best for himself and his businesses,"" said Senator Warren. ""The only way for President-elect Trump to truly eliminate conflicts-of-interest is to divest his financial interests and place them in a blind trust. This has been the standard for previous presidents, and our bill makes clear the continuing expectation that President-elect Trump do the same."" ""President-elect Trump's financial entanglements are unprecedented in American history, and the American people are still waiting to hear what steps he will take before January 20th to guard against conflicts of interest and corruption in his Administration. Just this week, the President-elect cancelled a scheduled announcement about severing his business ties, taking time instead to meet with Kanye West,"" said Senator Durbin.""The American people deserve to know that their President is putting the United States' interests before his own, his family's, or that of any foreign government."" ""It's simple. There's only one way for Donald Trump to end his conflicts of interest and reassure the American people that he is working for them and not for himself: Divest. Sell off the businesses and put the proceeds in a true blind trust,"" said Senator Merkley. ""The American people do not want the President encumbered by conflicts of interest that put him in violation of the Constitution or US law,"" said Senator Cardin. ""He shouldn't want such conflicts either. Through legislation, resolutions, and advocacy we will continue to uphold the Constitution and current law and require the President-elect to take serious steps to give the American people the transparency they deserve."" A fact sheet about the bill is available here. The legislation will be introduced when the Senate returns to session in January. Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-welcomes-united-states-attorney-general-loretta-lynch-to-delaware_,Senator Coons welcomes United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch to Delaware,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.15.16 Senator Coons welcomes United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch to Delaware Sen. Coons will host AG Lynch for a day focused on juvenile justice and the deployment of federal resources in Delaware to promote public safety WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons announced today that United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the nation’s highest ranking law enforcement official, will visit Delaware on Monday, December 19. Sen. Coons, co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Attorney General Lynch, will visit the Wilmington Police Department during a roll call, tour New Castle County’s Children’s Advocacy Center, and host a community discussion at the Delaware Historical Society focused on juvenile justice. “Providing resources to our cities, protecting our children, and understanding the challenges that face our youth in America’s judicial system are important topics that we will discuss with United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch,” said Sen. Coons. “I am honored to host her first visit to Delaware to see in person federal investments in the Wilmington Police Department, to help combat violent crime, and Children’s Advocacy Centers in Delaware, which address abuse impacting our most vulnerable citizens, our children.” The day will begin with Sen. Coons and Attorney General Lynch joined by public officials, as well as faith and community leaders, for a discussion on juvenile justice in Delaware and across the country. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the press. Shortly after, Sen. Coons and Attorney General Lynch will visit the Wilmington Police Department headquarters for a tour highlighting technology and training made possible by the Violence Reduction Network and a roll call with rank and file officers of the WPD. Wilmington was among just five cities originally selected to participate in the elite network bringing all of the expertise and experience of the federal government — led by former local police leaders who have reduced crime in their communities — to help cities make their streets safer. Through VRN homicide investigation assistance and resources, the WPD improved the homicide case clearance rate from 10 percent to 50 percent. The Attorney General’s time in Delaware will conclude with a visit to the Children’s Advocacy Center, located at the AI DuPont/Nemours Children’s Hospital. Attorney General Lynch and Sen. Coons will be joined by Children’s Advocacy Centers of Delaware Executive Director Randy Williams. Sen. Coons has fought fiercely to increase funding for the CACs nationwide, and the visit will emphasize the important work of the centers in forensics and post-trauma care. Sen. Coons has advocated for federal funding for children advocacy centers for the last three years, and he successfully secured $21 million to fund these centers’ important work protecting Delaware’s children in Fiscal Year 2017. “I’m honored that Attorney General Lynch has chosen to visit Delaware and to listen to constituents’ concerns about juvenile justice, public safety, and the protection of our children,” Sen. Coons said. “Throughout her tenue, Attorney General Lynch has proven to be an excellent leader of the Justice Department. She understands the importance of tackling violence in our cities; the need to faithfully safeguard our Constitution while protecting us from threats; and the responsibility we have to address the unjust impacts and unsustainable costs of our criminal justice system.” About Attorney General Loretta Lynch Loretta E. Lynch was sworn in as the 83rd Attorney General of the United States by Vice President Joe Biden on April 27, 2015. President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate Ms. Lynch on November 8, 2014. Ms. Lynch received her A.B., cum laude, from Harvard College in 1981, and her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1984. In 1990, after a period in private practice, Ms. Lynch joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York—the city she considers her adopted home. There, she forged an impressive career prosecuting cases involving narcotics, violent crimes, public corruption, and civil rights. In 1999, President Clinton appointed her to lead the office as United States Attorney—a post she held until 2001. In 2010, Ms. Lynch resumed her leadership of the United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn. AGENDA FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 Community Discussion on Juvenile Justice 10:30 a.m.  Delaware Historical Society 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 WPD Tour to Demonstrate Impact of Violence Reduction Network1 p.m. Wilmington Police Department 300 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 Tour of the Children’s Advocacy Center  3 p.m.                    Nemours/AI DuPont Hospital for Children 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 Press Contact Brian P. Cunningham 302.685.2795",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=89A1686D-E0B3-4B8C-9AB9-28D1260443CF,"Four Years After Tragedy at Sandy Hook, Senator Carper Releases Memo Detailing Federal Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence",2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, four years after the tragic events of Sandy Hook, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a minority staff memo detailing federal support for public health research on gun violence. At the request of Senator Carper, members of his staff received information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Justice, the National Research Council, and the National Science Foundation regarding efforts underway to support public health research on gun violence in accordance with President Obama’s January 2013 memorandum directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct or sponsor public health research on the causes and prevention of gun violence. “As we mark four years since the tragedy at Sandy Hook and that horrific day, I am underwhelmed by the limited efforts being taken across the federal government to research gun violence and work to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” said Senator Carper in reaction to the staff memo. “This cannot be a partisan issue. Congress has a responsibility to support research aimed at preventing mass shootings and protect our children and families as they go about their daily lives. I applaud those agencies making use of limited funding to research the causes and prevention of gun violence, and I call on my colleagues in Congress to support further research efforts in order to seriously combat this public health crisis.” According to the responding federal agencies, only modest steps have been taken by the federal government to improve data collection and increase evidence-based research. “Although the Obama Administration has repeatedly requested additional resources for gun violence research since fiscal year 2014, Congress has not appropriated any direct funding for this effort. As a result, policymakers still lack scientifically sound evidence on what policies would help to reduce gun violence,” staff concludes. The memo can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=7B7D6707-60DE-4996-AE78-643A57957832,"After Trump Delays Announcement on Business Plans, Carper and Senate Democrats Call on President-elect to Divest Holdings",2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with 22 Democratic senators, sent a letter urging President-elect Donald J. Trump to follow the advice of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), an independent, nonpartisan ethics agency, and divest his business holdings in order to resolve potential conflicts of interest and deal with constitutional requirements before he assumes office. “As a businessman with interests in the United States and around the world, your holdings have the potential for serious conflicts between the national interest and your personal financial interests,” the lawmakers wrote. They continued, “Whether the President of the United States makes decisions about potential trade agreements or sending troops into war, the American people need to know that the President is acting in their best interest. Divestiture of your businesses and the establishment of a blind trust controlled by an independent party would provide assurances that you will put the interests of the American people first and are fully committed to the success of your presidency.” The letter was also signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Co.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Udall (D-N.M), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).   The text of the letter can be found below and in PDF form here. December 13, 2016 President-Elect Donald J. Trump Trump-Pence Transition Office 1717 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20006   Dear President-Elect Trump: We write today regarding the steps you should be taking to address ethical concerns related to potential conflicts of interest as you prepare to become the President of the United States.  As a businessman with assets around the world, your holdings have the potential for serious conflicts between the national interest and your personal financial interests. We understand that the Office of Government Ethics, an independent, non-partisan ethics agency created in the wake of the scandals of Watergate, has recently advised you that the only way to resolve these conflicts of interest is through divestiture of your businesses. In your public statements, you have referenced that the President is not subject to the restrictions of federal conflict of interest laws. However, we understand the Office of Government Ethics has advised presidents across administrations to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with federal conflict of interest laws and standards of conduct regulations.  The President also is subject to the Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution, which will prohibit payments or gifts to your businesses by entities owned by foreign governments.  To address any conflicts of interest and constitutional requirements, we urge you to follow the advice of the Office of Government Ethics and divest your business holdings. Consistent with the practices of past presidents since passage of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, we also urge you to establish a qualified blind trust or an equivalent in which your assets are administered by an independent party and not controlled by members of your family.  Such actions are consistent with the steps called for in Senate Concurrent Resolution 56. Whether the President of the United States makes decisions about potential trade agreements or sending troops into war, the American people need to know that their President is acting in their best interest. Divestiture of your businesses and the establishment of a qualified blind trust controlled by an independent party would provide assurances that you will put the interests of the American people first and are fully committed to the success of your presidency. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=CDA878B6-00FC-49BB-8FAB-0BC7C6F6BFCB,Office of Government Ethics Responds to Carper Inquiry on President-elect Trumps Conflicts of Interest,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, received a response to his letter sent to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Director Walter Shaub requesting more information regarding how his office plans to address the potential for conflicts of interest in the upcoming Administration of President-elect Donald Trump. In his November letter, Senator Carper asked the Office of Government Ethics what guidance they are providing to the President-elect about addressing potential conflicts of interest. In their response, the Office of Government Ethics made clear that, “…[I]t has been the consistent policy of the executive branch that a President should conduct himself ‘as if’ he were bound by this financial conflict of interest law [18 U.S.C. § 208]. Given the unique circumstances of the Presidency, OGE's view is that a President should comply with this law by divesting conflicting assets, establishing a qualified blind trust, or both.” OGE also concluded in its response that, “Transferring operational control of a company to one's children would not constitute the establishment of a qualified blind trust, nor would it eliminate conflicts of interest under 18 U.S.C. § 208 if applicable.” “Clearly, transferring control of the Trump organization to his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, as the President-elect announced his intention to do yesterday, does not solve the numerous conflicts facing the President-elect and his incoming administration,” Senator Carper said today following OGE’s response. “President-elect Trump has a sworn duty to ensure the American people that, in every decision he make as President of the United States, he has no other interests than those of our country, and I urge him to heed OGE’s advice in order to do so.” The text of Director Shaub’s response can be found in PDF form here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-president-elect-trumps-nomination-of-rex-tillerson-for-secretary-of-state,Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.16 Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after President-elect Trump announced his intent to nominate Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to serve as Secretary of State:  “Rex Tillerson has decades of experience doing business internationally.  Business experience, though valuable, is different from fighting for the interests of the United States, which must include fighting for democracy, for human rights, and a free press. “Given Mr. Tillerson's long friendship with Vladimir Putin and the President-elect's flippant dismissal of clear evidence that Russia sought to influence our presidential election, this nomination further calls into question the President-elect's foreign policy principles.  Russia is not a business partner -- it is an adversary of the United States working hard to undermine democratic values around the world. “The Senate Foreign Relations Committee owes it to the American people to conduct thorough, detailed confirmation hearings on Mr. Tillerson’s nomination.”  Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=01A79A06-944C-4BA1-9260-DD1DF058DAC5,Ranking Member Carper Questions Defense Secretary on Reports of $125 Billion in Wasted Taxpayer Dollars,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD), Ashton Carter, seeking information on DOD’s efforts to implement recommendations from the Defense Business Board’s recent study which found DOD could save $125 billion over five years through streamlined operations. Ranking Member Carper pressed Secretary Carter on reports that these cost-saving recommendations have been purposefully ignored, writing, “Senior DOD officials reportedly expressed concerns in the spring of 2015 that the report’s findings regarding cost savings might undermine the justification for the agency’s budget requests to Congress. In addition, a copy of the report was reportedly taken down from the Board’s public website and public mentions of the report were discouraged.” Senator Carper requested more information on DOD’s efforts to implement the report’s recommendations and reduce wasteful spending, stating, “Although DOD may have already taken steps to address some of the report’s recommendations, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our nation’s military achieves its mission in a manner that uses taxpayer dollars as effectively and efficiently as possible. By targeting wasteful spending, we can be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The full text of the letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter can be found below and here.                Dear Secretary Carter: I write today to request information regarding the Department of Defense’s (DOD) response to the Defense Business Board’s (the Board) recent study, entitled Transforming DoD’s Core Business Processes for Revolutionary Change, and any plans to implement its recommendations. According to news reports, DOD commissioned the Board to conduct the study in order to create a financial baseline to evaluate the cost effectiveness of DOD’s core business operations. The Board found that six core business processes at the Department employed over 1 million people at a cost of $134 billion per year—almost double previous cost estimates. The Board also found that DOD could save $125 billion over five years by implementing the report’s recommendations, primarily through improving contracts, encouraging early retirements, modernizing information technology, and reorganizing DOD programs. However, it appears the Board’s recommendations have largely been ignored. Senior DOD officials reportedly expressed concerns in the spring of 2015 that the report’s findings regarding cost savings might undermine the justification for the agency’s budget requests to Congress. In addition, a copy of the report was reportedly taken down from the Board’s public website and public mentions of the report were discouraged. Although DOD may have already taken steps to address some of the report’s recommendations, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our nation’s military achieves its mission in a manner that uses taxpayer dollars as effectively and efficiently as possible. By targeting wasteful spending, we can be better stewards of taxpayer dollars To better understand how DOD plans to implement the report’s recommendations and reduce wasteful spending, I ask that you please provide the following information by January 9, 2017: A final copy of the full the Board’s January 2015 report. Senior department officials reportedly critiqued the conclusions of the Board’s study as unrealistic. Please explain with specificity which cost savings opportunities identified in the Board’s study are unrealistic, and why.  If cost savings would be realistic on a longer timeline, please explain. If cost savings are deemed unrealistic because of constraints that may be within the power of Congress to alter, please identify those as well.  Deputy Secretary Robert Work’s written statement in response to the Washington Post notes a longstanding concern that the Budget Control Act and subsequent budget agreements result in “budget instability” which makes achieving the $125 billion in savings identified by the report “unrealistic.” Please explain why this is the case. Deputy Secretary Work’s written statement in response to the Washington Post article also mentions that the Deputy Chief Management Officer and Chief Information Officer of the Department are “focusing” on reducing costs associated with information technology.  This response does not address the recommendation by the Board to fundamentally restructure the responsibilities of these offices to achieve that end.  Please identify what effort has been made within DOD, or in conjunction with others such as the Office of Management and Budget, to refine and implement this recommendation. The frequent change in leadership at DOD has previously been identified as an impediment to implementing similar cost-improvement initiatives. What could be done to ensure the continuity of these cost-savings efforts during the transition to the next administration? Thank you for your attention to this matter. With best personal regards, I am Sincerely yours,                   Tom Carper Ranking Member   cc:        The Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0BD7207C-2F7F-4ABB-A5C1-4A048B3F8177,Sen. Carper Statement on the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), who will serve as ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement today on the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The Senate passed WIIN by a vote of 78 to 21. “We owe Americans a commitment in Congress to make strong and sustainable investments in our nation’s infrastructure in ways that will protect our natural resources and water systems, enhance public safety and boost our economy. Although it is not the legislation I would have written, this bill contains many important environmental priorities, including badly needed funding to upgrade drinking and wastewater infrastructure in cities like Flint, Michigan. “In Delaware, our coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy and last year’s historic nor’easter. This bill will enhance Delaware’s coastal resilience by expanding our ability to reuse dredged material to build its dunes and coastlines, which are vital to protecting homes, businesses and infrastructure in our low-lying state. “I’m thrilled that the final legislation includes my bill with Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney to create a restoration program for the Delaware River Basin, a national treasure and major economic engine for our region. The Basin is an ecological powerhouse that provides drinking water for more than 15 million people and contributes billions of dollars to Delaware’s economy each year. This new restoration program is a win for our region and will require federal, state and local partners to work together and do their part to preserve the Basin for generations to come.” Some of the top priorities included in this legislation: Funding for Flint, Michigan: The bill provides funding to equip communities with programs and activities to reduce concentrations of lead in drinking water, including the replacement of lead service lines. Delaware River Basin restoration program: The legislation includes a bill spearheaded by Sen. Carper in the Senate and Rep. Carney in the House called the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act, which establishes a restoration program for the Delaware River Basin within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Regional Sediment Management: The legislation modifies an existing program for sediment management to allow expanded uses and increase flexibility in using sediment for shoreline protection and coastal restoration, including the reuse of dredged sediment to build dunes and re-nourish beaches. Coordination on Coastal Resilience: The legislation creates an interagency working group on resilience to extreme weather, which will coordinate research, data, and federal investments related to sea level rise, resiliency, and vulnerability to extreme weather, including coastal resilience. The group will study and issues recommendations on how to address the impacts on federal assets of recurrent flooding and sea level rise.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=1C85AD66-4BAB-4840-85B8-01C695DA1EC2,"Senator Carper on the CR: ""This bill fails to keep our promises to American workers""",2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), who will serve as the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement on his vote against yet another short-term spending bill that fails to keep numerous promises made to hardworking Americans over the past year. “Ensuring that our government has the funds to operate is the most basic job of Congress. But the American people also expect us to keep our promises when we say we’re going to fight for them. “Last year, when a drafting error in the omnibus funding bill inadvertently excluded tax credit extensions for fuel cell manufacturers and other clean energy technology industries, leadership in both the House and the Senate promised to do the right thing and correct the mistake. Similarly, we heard candidates make campaign pledges to stand up and fight for American workers. Unfortunately, it is now clear that the people making these assurances were all hat and no cattle. “Our failure to extend the Section 48 tax credits means that more than 20,000 Americans could lose their jobs in the coming months through no fault of their own. Our failure to find a long-term solution to address the looming shortfall of healthcare benefits for hardworking coal miners means that 20,000 men and women and their families have four more months of fear about what’s next. It’s beyond shameful to me that the will to follow through on promises made to decent, working people across this country is nowhere to be found, especially when they are counting on us. It’s also shameful that we continue to lurch from one funding crisis to the next, making the basic function of the federal government more expensive and less efficient.  “When the Senate returns in the new year, we have a great deal of work to do. We must actually live up to the many promises made to workers and we must fund our government in a responsible way, rather than scrambling to keep the lights on every few months. Enough with the rhetoric – it’s time to show the American people what our priorities are.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-coons-statement-on-reports-that-rex-tillerson-is-president-elect-trumps-selection-for-secretary-of-state,Sen. Coons’ statement on reports that Rex Tillerson is President-elect Trump's selection for Secretary of State,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.16 Sen. Coons’ statement on reports that Rex Tillerson is President-elect Trump's selection for Secretary of State WILMINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after reports that President-elect Donald Trump has selected Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his nominee for Secretary of State.  ""I am committed to giving any nominee from the President-elect thorough and fair consideration, and Mr. Tillerson would bring decades of international business experience to his service.  Still, I am deeply concerned that Mr. Tillerson's long and close ties to Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin could unduly influence his decision making at a time when we need to be direct and tough with Russia, given recent credible reports of Russian efforts to interfere in our democracy, and events in Syria and Ukraine. “As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I am eager to learn more about Mr. Tillerson's approach to Russia, North Korea, ISIS, China and many other critical issues that our next Secretary of State will have to face."" Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delaware-delegation-applauds-doe-decision-to-recognize-university-of-delaware-as-partner-in-new-manufacturing-research-consortium,Delaware delegation applauds DoE decision to recognize University of Delaware as partner in new manufacturing research consortium,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.16 Delaware delegation applauds DoE decision to recognize University of Delaware as partner in new manufacturing research consortium WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.), and Congressman John Carney (D-Del.), today applauded the Department of Energy’s designation of the University of Delaware (UD) as a partner in a new national manufacturing innovation institute, led by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and part of the federal “Manufacturing USA” initiative. This award will invest $70 million over 5 years in developing a broad range of breakthrough technologies and processes to improve productivity and efficiency, especially related to chemical manufacturing. The work undertaken through this latest institute will be beneficial to a number of industry sectors, including refining, biorefining, chemicals, paper, water, steel, fertilizing, carbon capture and utilization, and fuel cells.  “Today’s announcement from the Department of Energy makes official what I’ve long known: the University of Delaware is a true hub of manufacturing innovation,” said Senator Coons. “The success of programs like Manufacturing USA, which evolved from a private sector-led advisory group, demonstrates the combined power of savvy private sector innovation, high-quality scientific research, and smart federal investments. From our talented workforce to the quality of our universities, by so many measures Delaware is already a key contributor to the innovation pipeline. That central role, and the high-wage, high-quality jobs that manufacturing provides many Delawareans, is why I’ve fought so hard for manufacturing in the Senate. With the additional funding and the support of this latest Manufacturing USA designation, our state will be able to accomplish even more. I congratulate UD on this well-deserved designation, and I look forward to continuing to join forces with our congressional delegation, UD, state and local officials, and private sector leaders to solidify Delaware’s central role in twenty-first century manufacturing.” “I applaud the University of Delaware for receiving the Manufacturing USA grant award,” said Senator Carper. “UD has a reputation for supporting public-private partnerships that foster innovation, and with this grant award, the university can be a major part of a national effort to accelerate research and education in manufacturing.” “Bringing manufacturing jobs back to America and developing a well-trained workforce are crucial to our economy,” said Congressman Carney. “The University of Delaware has become a central part of that effort in our state -- that they’re being recognized nationally for their ingenuity comes as no surprise. I’m excited to see what they will accomplish given the resources this grant will provide.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0382A181-A37D-49B4-87AF-58F1E35E7B55,Sen. Carper Statement on AstraZeneca,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement on AstraZeneca’s announcement to lay off employees: “AstraZeneca’s announcement of layoffs to its Delaware headquarters is deeply disappointing. As Governor I led a team effort to bring AstraZeneca and its good paying jobs to our state, which helped to generate economic activity and provide a better quality of life for thousands of Delawareans. While I am heartened by AstraZeneca’s commitment to keep its North American headquarters in Delaware and that Delaware will be spared the majority of these layoffs, too many of our neighbors and their families will bear the brunt of this news. It is our duty now to ensure these Delawareans land on their feet and find great opportunity in the face of this adversity. For years, AstraZeneca has been a good corporate citizen and major employer in our state. While this is a tough time for the company, I am hopeful it will gain solid footing and be able to grow and thrive with the new drugs in its pipeline. For the Delawareans who still work there, I will continue working with the Governor and Congressional delegation to help AstraZeneca drive innovation, create good-paying jobs for more Delawareans and generate economic growth.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9116A5CB-7C20-41C5-96AF-2C7C6DE78D41,Senator Carper Applauds Senate Passage of NDAA with Critical DHS Priorities,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Defense. The final bill also includes provisions from the DHS Accountability Act of 2016 that Senator Carper has co-sponsored and long fought to pass. The Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 92 to 7. “The Senate has come together to approve this year’s critically important National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which ensures that our troops have the resources necessary to help keep our country and our citizens safe,” said Senator Carper. “This final bill makes important investments to support the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, strengthen our military capabilities, bolster our nation’s cyber defenses, and takes further steps to counter the ever-evolving threats to our national security.” Senator Carper also applauded the inclusion of provisions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Accountability Act of 2016 which will make long-sought changes to Department of Homeland Security operations through improved accountability and transparency while supporting continued efforts to bring cohesion to the department. The DHS Accountability Act was unanimously approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 25, 2016. Senator Carper continued, “I’m especially pleased that the final version of the NDAA approved today includes incredibly important provisions from the DHS Accountability Act of 2016. This bipartisan, common sense legislation makes smart improvements to management and operations at DHS, including a number of Secretary Jeh Johnson’s top legislative priorities that we have been working together on for more than two years. The legislation will support Secretary Johnson’s ‘Unity of Effort’ initiative through the authorization of Joint Task Forces, which will help ensure that the department’s components are working more closely together and carrying out more coordinated operations. It will also strengthen key leadership positions at the department to help ensure steps are being taken to improve management deficiencies highlighted in the GAO High Risk List. These long-sought improvements will have a lasting impact on the operations of the Department of Homeland Security for years to come, and I am grateful for the partnership of both Secretary Johnson and Chairman Ron Johnson to finally get this crucial legislation across the finish line.” Provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act make the following changes:  Authorizes use of Joint Task Forces at DHS, strengthening the department’s coordination and efforts to address homeland security challenges, including the interdiction of illicit drugs; Strengthens coordination at the department by establishing an Office of Strategy Policy and Plans to be led by an Undersecretary; Designates the Under Secretary for Management to serve as Acting Secretary if neither the Secretary nor Deputy Secretary is available and authorizes the Secretary to designate other officers in succession to serve as Acting Secretary; Revises the definition of management integration and transformation in the Homeland Security Act and requires DHS to report to GAO every six months on the status of the department's planned actions for removal from the GAO High Risk List; Strengthens responsibilities for the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and requires the CHCO to develop strategic workforce planning policies and performance measures to evaluate the planning efforts by the DHS components; Requires FEMA to initiate a study to determine the feasibility of gathering data on the use of Federal grant awards greater than $5,000 and report to Congress on the results of the study; Requires the Secretary to maintain a list of research and development projects at the department, including details for such projects and provide the information to the Senate and House Homeland Security Committees; Requires the President to review known instances of travel or attempted travel to the conflict zone in Iraq or Syria since 2011 and provide the information to the appropriate congressional committees; Directs the President to submit to Congress a national strategy to combat terrorist travel. Further, the President shall direct the head of relevant Federal agencies to develop implementation plans and provide a report to Congress; Makes modifications to the structure, operation and organization of the National Operations Center at DHS.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=BEBE01A3-2A40-42C4-AB0E-C4B0D0E74E94,"Senators Carper, Coons help secure funding for Dover Air Force Base, protections for Delaware National Guard",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) today applauded the Senate passage of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017 that authorizes more than $83 million in funding for new Dover Air Force Base construction projects and continues modernization of the Delaware National Guard’s C-130H aircraft. The NDAA passed the House last week, and President Obama is expected to sign it into law in the coming weeks. “I was proud to fight tooth and nail alongside Sen. Coons and Congressman John Carney to ensure Delaware received this much-needed funding in the National Defense Authorization Act, and I’m so pleased we could deliver a home run with runners on base for our First State military families,” said Senator Carper. “Just last week, I visited Dover Air Force Base to meet with the Commander and his team, tour the Base and see how these federal funds will be put to use. I’ve worked hard over the years to get Dover Air Force Base the equipment and facilities it needs to carry out its important airlift missions. No mission is more important than ensuring that our aircraft are well maintained and fully capable of delivering military supplies to our forces half way across the world. That is why I am delighted that the last hurdle to building a new C-5 maintenance hangar has been cleared with the passage of this bill.” “I’m thrilled the NDAA passed by the Senate today contains a number of Delaware priorities,” said Senator Coons.  “It authorizes more than $83 million in funding for projects at Dover Air Force Base, includes a much needed pay raise for our troops, and continues the modernization of the Delaware National Guard’s C-130H aircraft.  The bill will improve the quality of life for military families in Delaware and support new construction and enhanced operations at Dover and New Castle in the coming year.”   A list of Delaware specific funding included in the NDAA below: Authorizes $39 million for construction of a full-in maintenance aircraft hangar at Dover Air Force Base. Authorizes $41.115 million in funding for the replacement of Welsh Elementary School and Dover Middle School, which serve the Dover Air Force Base community Continues the process to modernize the Air National Guard’s C-130H aircraft, including the fleet at the New Castle National Guard base. Increases Army National Guard end strength by 8,000 to 343,000. Includes provisions that will benefit the more than 78,000 servicemembers and veterans who call Delaware home: Contains a 2.1% pay raise for military personnel. Makes no changes to out-of-pocket costs for active duty servicemembers or retirees.  Provides two comprehensive TRICARE options – a managed care option and no-referral network option – for servicemembers, their families, and retirees.  Standardizes appointment scheduling and first-call resolution when contacting Military Treatment Facilities. Contains no changes to housing allowance, including for dual military families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-from-senators-coons-ayotte-graham-gillibrand-supporting-manufacturing-education-will-become-law,"Bipartisan bill from Senators Coons, Ayotte, Graham, Gillibrand supporting manufacturing education will become law",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.16 Bipartisan bill from Senators Coons, Ayotte, Graham, Gillibrand supporting manufacturing education will become law Provision would strengthen U.S. engineering programs to meet 21st century manufacturing demands WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate passed the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that just passed the House, which includes important bipartisan legislation that will help U.S. universities and qualified organizations strengthen their engineering programs and prepare students to meet the demands of the modern manufacturing industry. The provision is based on the Manufacturing Universities legislation, led by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The bill will authorize the Department of Defense to support industry-relevant, manufacturing-focused, engineering training at U.S. universities and qualified organizations, including non-profits.  Universities and organizations would be selected through a competitive grant-based process and required to better align their educational offerings with the needs of modern U.S. manufacturers. President Obama is expected to sign the NDAA into law in the coming weeks.  “There are many measures to be proud of in this year’s NDAA, and one of those is the establishment of the Manufacturing Engineering Education Grant Program,” said Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Manufacturing is vitally important to the economic wellbeing of our country, and it is critical that our schools and universities are providing students the tools they need to be successful in this field. This program will go a long way in helping schools establish and modernize their curricula in manufacturing engineering.”  “I’m thrilled Congress came together in a bipartisan way to help students across the country acquire the skills they need for jobs in today’s advanced manufacturing industries,” said Senator Coons. “Manufacturing has evolved over the years and we need to ensure engineering programs meet the demands of 21stcentury manufacturing. This important legislation will help universities modernize curricula and better equip Delawareans and students across the country with the skills necessary for today’s advanced manufacturing jobs.”  “This legislation will help ensure that students in New Hampshire and across the nation have the education and skills they need to compete in the 21st century workforce and to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States,” said Senator Ayotte. “It has been an honor to work with my colleagues on this measure that will help better prepare our students for good-paying manufacturing jobs.”  “This bipartisan bill will give students many new opportunities and resources to pursue careers in manufacturing, and I’m very pleased that it passed the Senate today,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In recent years, high-tech manufacturing companies have struggled to fill open positions because prospective employees don’t have the requisite training. This bill will finally help our manufacturers overcome this challenge, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law by the President as quickly as possible.” “This is an incredibly important issue for our states’ institutions of higher education and manufacturing industries,” said Senator Graham. “I’m glad this important initiative is on track toward being signed into law.  I look forward to working on additional, innovative ways to ensure our manufacturing sector thrives and maintains its international competitiveness in the years to come.” The original bipartisan standalone legislation, S. 771, was endorsed by the Association of American Universities, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Precision Metalforming Association, the National Tooling & Machining Association, Young Invincibles, New York State Technology & Engineering Educators’ Association, North American Manufacturing Research Institution, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, Drexel University, the University of Missouri System, the University of Illinois, the University of California, Davis, the University of California, Irvine, Boston University, the University of Rochester, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the State University of New York (SUNY) System, Kent State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the University of Connecticut, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Clarkson University, the Ohio State University, Alfred University, Northern Illinois University, Wayne State University, Georgia Tech University, Florida State University, AMETEK Floorcare & Specialty Motors, Dow, DuPont, and Siemens.   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-senators-call-on-pres-elect-trump-to-stand-against-russian-aggression-support-nato-ukrainian-sovereignty,"Bipartisan Senators Call On Pres.-elect Trump To Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.16 Bipartisan Senators Call On Pres.-elect Trump To Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty Call for increased political, economic, and military support for Ukraine WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined a bipartisan group of 27 senators, led by Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), to call on President-elect Donald Trump to continue America’s tradition of support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.  “In light of Russia’s continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic, and military support for Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggression, and implement key structural reforms.  Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key provisions of the Minsk Agreement are met.  Accordingly, U.S. leadership on maintaining such transatlantic sanctions should remain a priority.” Full text of the senators’ letter: December 8, 2016 Dear President-elect Trump, As Members and friends of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, advocates for a strong US-Ukrainian relationship, and backers of NATO, we write to convey strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States Senate.  We look forward to working with you and your new administration to support our ally Ukraine and help it secure a peaceful and democratic future. Almost three years after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and military aggression in eastern Ukraine, daily ceasefire violations along the line of contact make a mockery of the Minsk Agreement and demonstrate that this conflict in the heart of Europe is far from over.  Russia has yet to withdraw its heavy weapons and continues its sabotage and subversion efforts.  It has not halted its disinformation war against Ukraine and the West, nor stopped its economic and political pressure aimed at undermining the Ukrainian government.  According to conservative estimates from the United Nations, approximately 10,000 people have been killed, over 20,000 wounded, and more than two million internally displaced since the conflict began.  And, unfortunately, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers still do not have full, unimpeded access to the Ukrainian-Russian border while Russia continues to supply weapons, equipment, and personnel to the separatists. Quite simply, Russia has launched a military land-grab in Ukraine that is unprecedented in modern European history.  These actions in Crimea and other areas of eastern Ukraine dangerously upend well-established diplomatic, legal, and security norms that the United States and its NATO allies painstakingly built over decades – a historically bipartisan global security framework that has greatly served US security and economic interests.  We believe it is in our vital national security interest to uphold these norms and values, and prevent America’s commitment to its allies and ideals from being called into question. In light of Russia’s continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic, and military support for Ukraine.  This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggression, and implement key structural reforms.  Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key provisions of the Minsk Agreement are met.  Accordingly, US leadership on maintaining such transatlantic sanctions should remain a priority. We look forward to continuing the tradition of bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress, which has authorized meaningful assistance programs through the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and other pieces of legislation.  We stand ready to work with you and your new administration on strengthening the US-Ukrainian relationship and look forward to learning more about your plans to engage on this important issue.   Sincerely,   ROB PORTMAN United States Senator   RICHARD J. DURBIN United States Senator   JOHN MCCAIN United States Senator   JEANNE SHAHEEN United States Senator   MARCO RUBIO United States Senator   SHERROD BROWN United States Senator   RON JOHNSON United States Senator   CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY United States Senator   CORY GARDNER United States Senator   RICHARD BLUMENTHAL United States Senator   PAT ROBERTS United States Senator   JACK REED United States Senator   CHRISTOPHER A. COONS United States Senator   JOHN BARRASSO United States Senator   BENJAMIN L. CARDIN United States Senator   LINDSEY GRAHAM United States Senator   ROBERT P. CASEY JR. United States Senator   JOHN BOOZMAN United States Senator   GARY C. PETERS United States Senator   JIM RISCH United States Senator   JEFF MERKLEY United States Senator   JOHNNY ISAKSON United States Senator   KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND United States Senator   JAMES INHOFE United States Senator   AMY KLOBUCHAR United States Senator   SHELDON WHITEHOUSE United States Senator   ROBERT MENENDEZ United States Senator     Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-legislation-would-help-states-improve-access-to-voting,Senators’ legislation would help states improve access to voting,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.16 Senators’ legislation would help states improve access to voting The Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely Voting Act would create a competitive grant program to encourage states to implement election reforms WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today reintroduced legislation to help states make substantial improvements in administration of their elections to make voting faster and more accessible to all voters.  The Louis L. Redding Fair, Accurate, Secure and Timely (FAST) Voting Act of 2016 would create a competitive grant program in the model of Race to the Top, encouraging states to aggressively pursue election reforms.  The states that demonstrate the most comprehensive and promising reform plans will earn a greater portion of the grant funding. In the 2016 election, long lines and voting-machine problems were reported in well over a dozen states, including Pennsylvania, Utah, Colorado, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Montana, Tennessee, Hawaii, Arizona, Rhode Island, and more.  There were also reports of confusion over new voter ID laws in Texas and Wisconsin, improper refusals of voter registrations in West Virginia, delayed absentee ballots in Pennsylvania and Alabama, and an absence of required bilingual support in Arizona and Florida. “Too many voters waited far too long to cast their ballots in this last election,” said Senator Coons.  “Long lines are a form of voter disenfranchisement, a polling place running out of ballots is a form of voter suppression, and making it harder for citizens to vote is a violation of voters’ civil rights.  This is the United States of America and the right to vote is in our DNA: we have to do better.  The FAST Voting Act is a creative way to jumpstart states’ election reform efforts and ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote in the next election.”  “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. But during this last election, reports indicated that computer problems, long lines, poorly trained poll workers, and outdated equipment all made it harder for voters in some places to cast their ballots,” said Senator Warner. “The FAST Voting Act addresses these challenges by encouraging and helping states to make voting faster and more accessible through commonsense reforms like reducing long waiting times, expanding early voting opportunities, and eliminating other obstacles that prevent people from exercising their franchise.” “Long lines, confusion, and mishaps at the polls aren’t simply an inconvenience – impediments to voting are a violation of Americans’ most basic civil right,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Instead of making it harder to vote, we should be making it easier. This bill gives states the resources and opportunity to implement more innovative ways to ensure that all Americans – no matter who they are or where they live – have access to a smooth, fair, and speedy voting process next election day.” “It is disheartening that in recent years, many Republican state legislatures around the country have been focused on passing discriminatory laws that make it more difficult to cast a ballot,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m proud to take a stand against this injustice and introduce legislation that would encourage states to make it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote.”  “Our right to vote and have our voices heard on Election Day is sacred, yet because of institutional barriers to the ballot, from outdated voting machines to confusing voter ID and registration laws, many Americans still had severe difficulty casting their ballots in the last election,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The FAST Voting Act would give Americans easier access to the polls and a more efficient registration process, and would go a long way toward eliminating voter suppression. Every American should have their voices heard on Election Day, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.” The program tasks applicant states with creating a comprehensive and coherent plan to improve their election processes by: Providing flexible registration opportunities, including same-day registration; Providing early voting, at a minimum of 9 of the 10 calendar days preceding an election; Providing absentee voting, including no-excuse absentee voting; Providing assistance to voters who do not speak English as a primary language; Providing assistance to voters with disabilities, including visual impairment; Providing effective access to voting for members of the armed services; Providing formal training of election officials, including state and county administrators and volunteers; Auditing and reducing waiting times at polling stations; and, Creating contingency plans for voting in the event of a natural or other disaster. The program also requires an assessment of steps the state has taken to eliminate statutory, regulatory, procedural, and other barriers to expedited voting and accessible voter registration.  The bill is named for Louis L. Redding, a prominent civil rights advocate who became the first African American to be admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1929.  He challenged school segregation in court and was part of the legal team that challenged Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court.   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=7951C356-713E-4171-91FD-A03003D8B083,Happy 229th Delaware Day!,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today is one of my favorite days of the year: Delaware Day! On this day 229 years ago, December 7th, 1787, a group of 30 elected delegates met at the Golden Fleece Tavern in Dover, Delaware to decide the future of Delaware and our nation. On that day, Delawareans made the unanimous decision to ratify the U.S. Constitution, making the small but strong state of Delaware the First State of our new nation. For five days, the State of Delaware composed the entire United States of America – until we let our neighbors in Pennsylvania join us. The rest, as they say, is history.  Delaware has played a tremendous role in launching the longest enduring experiment in democracy in human history, and each year on Delaware Day we come together and celebrate the incredible story of our state and share the richness of our history.  As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, there is no more perfect way to celebrate this year’s Delaware Day than with a visit to the First State National Historic Park. It was just two years ago that the First State became the last state in our union to get a national park. After years of hard work, I am incredibly proud that we were able to make this long-time dream a reality and ensure Delaware can tell its unique story to generations of Delawareans to come.  Delaware’s national park is composed of seven different sites spread across the state. From Fort Christina and the Old Swedes Church just outside Wilmington, to The Green in Dover which plays host to the Delaware General Assembly, to the Ryves Holt House in Lewes, our national park is an incredible celebration of Delaware’s role in the history of our country. I urge everyone to join with family and friends this holiday season and visit the sites closest to you. Delaware is the oldest state in our Union, and it teaches us that the American experiment in democracy flourishes when we put aside our personal differences, come together and work diligently for the betterment of our nation. That is the “Delaware Way,” and each day I go to work in Washington, D.C. I invoke the guiding principles of our state to try and reach consensus to solve problems facing our country. Today, on the 229th Delaware Day, I am proud to share our history with our country, and celebrate Delaware with our neighbors across the First State.  I wish you all a very happy Delaware Day. God bless.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=009EB28D-A77F-4543-B11F-FFCA8C1E3018,Carper Statement on Inauguration of Dr. Dennis Assanis as President of the University of Delaware,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement on the Inauguration of Dr. Dennis Assanis as the 28th President of the University of Delaware. ""I congratulate Dr. Dennis Assanis today as he is inaugurated as the 28th president of the University of Delaware. For nearly three centuries, the university has not only produced excellent graduates who are ready to excel in the workforce, but it has also been a driver of innovation in our state and region. The university continues to make strides through its new research and collaboration programs at the STAR Campus and ICE Lab, and it has always fostered the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, which is critical for a vibrant educational community. I am confident Dennis will continue this tradition of excellence and the university’s enduring commitment to our community. ""With a worldwide reputation as a scholar and educator in the engineering field, he is an excellent choice. He also has an impressive track record of developing initiatives to strengthen the faculty, graduate and undergraduate academics, research programs and global engagement. I welcome Dennis and his wife, Eleni, to the university community and look forward to working together to continue offering world-class education opportunities to students in the First State.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=99612626-3C4B-482E-874A-CEDBAA52735A,Carper Statement on Selection of Scott Pruitt to Lead EPA,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), who will serve as ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement today on President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Scott Pruitt, who currently serves as the Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, to serve as the next Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  “Since the EPA was created by President Nixon forty-six years ago, this country has seen cleaner air and cleaner water for all Americans. This progress has been made while growing our economy and putting Americans to work. Despite all our successes, we know more must be done to safeguard public health and ensure we leave a better environment for our children and grandchildren. This is especially true when it comes to tackling climate change.  “The task of leading the EPA is no easy one. The agency is not only charged with protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink, but also protecting public health. These should not be partisan issues. Across the political spectrum, I know we can agree on many things – we want cleaner air, a stronger economy, and to leave a healthy Earth for our children and grandchildren. “Over the coming weeks, my colleagues and I will have the opportunity to look closely at Mr. Pruitt’s record. I am interested in examining his vision for the agency, and while I am committed to a full and fair confirmation process, I am troubled by reports of the aggressive stance Mr. Pruitt has taken against the EPA and its efforts to protect public health and the environment during his tenure as Attorney General. Let me be perfectly clear: I’m not interested in rolling back the significant progress we have made over the past eight years. I’m not interested in attacking the clean water or clean air standards meant to protect public health or in denying the science of climate change. Any individual charged with leading the EPA who wants to ignore science or look out for special interests at the expense of public health can expect a fight with me. I look forward to the upcoming confirmation process and hearing from Mr. Pruitt directly on these incredibly important issues.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=CCCCAEC8-A2B6-4BA9-A419-41FB20436FD1,Senator Carper Statement on Selection of General John Kelly to Lead the Department of Homeland Security,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has selected General John Kelly, former commander of U.S. Southern Command, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “I sincerely congratulate my friend General Kelly on his selection to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. General Kelly is a man of steady leadership who has years of experience working with our neighbors in Latin America as commander of U.S. Southern Command. Having worked with General Kelly personally on efforts to address the root causes of the surge in migration of children and families to our southern border, I am encouraged by his ability to build relationships with our partners in the region. I also applaud his recognition of the primary role that our country’s demand for illicit drugs plays in fueling violence and instability in South and Central America. ‎The work General Kelly has done to cut the supply of illicit drugs traveling through Central America and Mexico into our country has aided law enforcement efforts here at home and helped to reduce the threat these drugs pose to public health. “The next DHS Secretary will face critical challenges on a number of fronts, including ever-evolving threats in cyber space, increased challenges in emergency preparedness due to more frequent and deadly extreme weather events caused by climate change, and efforts to continue the progress made by Secretary Johnson in improving management and efficiency and improving morale across the department. I am grateful to General Kelly for his honorable service to our nation and look forward to discussing with him during the confirmation process the importance of our continuing commitments in Central America and the department’s ongoing efforts to address emerging challenges. I also look forward to discussing the moral obligation we have to fix our broken immigration system and help the more than 11 million people already living in this country come out of the shadows and fully pursue the American dream.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-leads-tribute-to-vp-biden-on-senate-floor-youve-never-forgotten-from-where-you-came-or-for-whom-youre-fighting,Senator Coons leads tribute to VP Biden on Senate floor: “You’ve never forgotten from where you came or for whom you’re fighting”,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.16 Senator Coons leads tribute to VP Biden on Senate floor: “You’ve never forgotten from where you came or for whom you’re fighting” WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today led a series of bipartisan tributes on the Senate floor to honor Vice President Joe Biden. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and others are also delivering tributes over the next hour.  Senator Coons’ remarks are below: Thank you, Mr. President,  and it does bring me some joy to call you Mr. President. I’m honored to be here today with so many of our colleagues, and I am grateful to Majority Leader McConnell and Leader Reid for their enthusiasm in pulling together this bipartisan tribute. I’m honored to be joined by my senior Senator from Delaware, Tom Carper, who will make the closing remarks this afternoon… Mr. President, in a place known these days for some disagreements, my colleagues, our colleagues -- Republicans, Democrats, and Independents -- are all here today because we agree on one powerful and simple thing: our deep gratitude for the difference that you’ve made in your decades in public service. The greatest honor of my life is to serve in the seat that you held for 36 years – and not just literally this seat in the Senate, but also a seat on the 7:15 Amtrak train down from Wilmington every morning.  You logged over two million miles on Amtrak and millions more traveling around the world fighting for our country, and as long as I have the privilege of representing our state in the Senate, I’ll be humbled by the challenge of living up to your legacy of fighting for and making a real difference for the people of our shared home. Like so many Americans, I’ve long been inspired by your loyalty to your family, and I’m so glad to see so many familiar faces in the gallery today. This job requires a strong partner and a teammate, and to Dr. Biden, to Jill, your unwavering support for your family, for Delaware, and your country is something for which we’re all deeply grateful.  Mr. President, as a son of Delaware, and of Catherine Eugenia and Joe Senior, you’ve never forgotten from where you came or for whom you’re fighting. Even as Vice President, our fellow Delawareans have the blessing of a surprise visit week in and week out, to see you at the Columbus Day breakfast or Return Day or the St. Anthony’s Procession.  Whether meeting personally with world leaders you’ve known for decades, whether chairing the Judiciary or Foreign Relations committees, or just stopping by in a Claymont diner, there is universal agreement about what you’ve brought to this work: your passion, your heart, your character, and your integrity.  That’s because you genuinely listen to people.  You ask them questions, and then you lift them up. We know that when you give us your word as a Biden, you mean it, and you’ll keep it.  Your service as a Senator stands a model for all of our colleagues and for me. Through challenging times you always worked across the aisle, through eight presidents, you were willing to reach across to anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work for the American people. Mr. President, so many families across Delaware and this country, and I myself, as we’ve struggled with loss -- maybe the loss of a job, or loss of hope, or the impending loss of a loved one -- have experienced the incredible personal comfort and power of a call from you. When it comes to providing advice and inspiration that touches our hearts and makes a real difference, no one, no one is better than you. We know you will share our challenges, you will give us meaningful comfort and encourage us, and that you will fight for us. As we look ahead to next year and beyond, I know you and Jill have so much more great, good work to do, starting with the fight to cure cancer through the Cancer Moonshot. This next chapter will be every bit as exciting and meaningful as the life of service you’ve led for 44 years. What an honor to see you in the chair earlier this week as the Majority Leader led the Senate in a unanimous vote to rename a title of the 21st Century Cures cancer initiative after Beau. That bill, which we passed finally just an hour ago, would not have happened without your leadership.  Now, Mr. President, let me close with a line that you know all too well, a line you shared with me and many others countless times in this chamber, sometimes from this very desk. As the Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote, ‘History says, don’t hope on this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme.’  No one, sir, no one has done more to make hope and history rhyme than you. Thank you, Mr. President, for your service, your counsel, your advice, your friendship, and your leadership.   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-senator-coons-on-mattis-carson-haley-and-trump-transition,"[VIDEO] Senator Coons on Mattis, Carson, Haley, and Trump transition",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.16 [VIDEO] Senator Coons on Mattis, Carson, Haley, and Trump transition WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined “Morning Joe” on MSNBC this morning and discussed President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments and their upcoming confirmation hearings.  Transcript from Sen. Coons’ interview: “It's somewhat of a mixed bag, his transition process and the folks that he's nominated so far. Some of them are strikingly unqualified to run major federal agencies.  Some of them like General Mattis have impressive long, deep records of service.  So it's my hope ultimately after the confirmation process, we'll end up with a Trump Administration, with a Trump cabinet, that is broadly representative of our country and includes a lot of folks with the kinds of strengths and skills that a General Mattis will bring to the job of Secretary of Defense if he's confirmed.” “I don't know, for example, Governor Haley of South Carolina, but her previous experience in foreign policy I think is somewhat limited. Dr. Ben Carson, who’s been nominated to run the Housing agency, which is a nearly I think 36 billion dollar federal agency -- he's recognized as a very talented neurosurgeon, but just because you live in a house doesn't mean you're qualified to be the Secretary of Housing for all of the country. I have a brain, but that doesn't qualify me to be a brain surgeon, but I do think we'll have some questions about whether or not some of these folks who have been nominated really have the depth and qualifications.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=4396F665-5E85-4E8E-9603-6655CB8C538F,A great day at Dover AFB,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"On Monday morning, I had the opportunity to visit Dover Air Force Base (AFB) and spend time with some of the Air Force personnel who call Dover home. Delaware is lucky to have some of the best and brightest military and civilian personnel stationed here, and we are so proud to have them all as part of our family in the First State. In September, Congress approved a much-needed military infrastructure bill that included over $80 million in federal funding to build a new hanger for the C-5M Super Galaxy and replace the on-base elementary school. I fought tooth and nail to make sure Dover AFB received the critical funding it needed, and this week I was excited to visit the Base and see how these projects will help Dover accomplish the mission and take care of military families for years to come. I visited the 436th Maintenance Squadron Isochronal group who are charged with inspecting and servicing the C-5M Super Galaxy, one of the largest aircrafts in the world. From their station in Dover, C-5M Super Galaxies fly cargo around the world, delivering combat equipment to our troops in the field and bringing humanitarian aid to those in need. The men and women of Maintenance Squadron Isochronal group are working tirelessly to inspect the aircraft and ensure they are safe, effective, and can support our military and save taxpayer dollars by staying in flight longer. Along with supporting military operations around the world, Dover Air Force Base has the solemn duty of receiving the remains of our fallen soldiers when they return home. The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) unit is working to fulfill our nation’s commitment of ensuring dignity, honor, and respect to our fallen and prepare them to be returned to their families. Dover is the only port mortuary for the military, and every fallen service member killed abroad travels through Dover. Visiting the mortuary and meeting with the military and civilian personnel there, I saw first-hand the pride with which these men and women conduct their sacred duty. I am pleased by the continuing progress being made at the mortuary to improve its operations and ensure Delaware is doing its part to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. The military infrastructure funding approved by Congress in September will do a lot of good to ensure that the individuals working hard in Dover have the resources they need to do their work effectively and support our military around the world. I’m so proud of the work that the men and women of Dover AFB do every day, and I will continue working in the U.S. Senate to ensure that Dover Air Force Base has the resources it needs to perform its sacred mission and care for our military families in Dover.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-coons-op-ed-on-the-economy-of-alexander-hamilton,"ICYMI: Senator Coons op-ed on “The Economy of Alexander Hamilton""",2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.05.16 ICYMI: Senator Coons op-ed on “The Economy of Alexander Hamilton"" Sens Coons, Graham introduce resolution to recognize 225th anniversary of historic report on manufacturing WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced a resolution to recognize the 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s “Report on the Subject of Manufacturers” that urged Congress to promote manufacturing in the newly independent nation. At Coons’ request, the National Archives Museum in D.C. will display the original text of Hamilton’s report throughout December and January.  Coons also authored an oped in Sunday’s News Journal about the report titled, “The economy of Alexander Hamilton.” Read the full oped below: News Journal: Coons: “The Economy of Alexander Hamilton” By Senator Chris Coons “Hamilton,” the musical, rightly celebrates the extraordinary life and work of Alexander Hamilton, a founding father and our nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury. But of his many contributions to U.S. history, there’s at least one unsung accomplishment missing from the chart-topping soundtrack: Hamilton’s efforts to promote American manufacturing. Exactly 225 years ago, on Dec. 5, 1791, Hamilton delivered to the U.S. Congress a “Report on the Subject of Manufactures.” This remarkably detailed report followed a request from President George Washington, who argued in his first annual message to Congress that the people of the United States should promote manufacturing to make sure the newly independent nation wouldn’t have to depend on other countries for essential supplies and equipment, particularly when it came to the military.  The following December, Hamilton, in his role as Secretary of the Treasury, issued his groundbreaking report, which stressed the importance of a diversified national economy in which manufacturing, alongside agriculture, would play a crucial role in the country’s economic health. Given the desire of many of the founders that the United States remain a primarily agricultural nation, Hamilton’s report wasn’t just a work of extraordinary research, detail, and length – it was also highly controversial. Like so many of his ideas, Hamilton was ahead of his time. The Report on Manufactures promoted a modern economic vision based on investment, industry, internal improvements, and expanded commerce that has ultimately served as a driving force for centuries of economic growth and security.  But Hamilton’s report might not have happened without some important Delaware ties. Two of Hamilton’s friends, who also influenced the development of his economic principles, were Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, an early proponent of a system of property rights that eventually became the U.S patent system, and his son, the Delawarean E. I. du Pont, himself an entrepreneur and founder of the company that became DuPont. The du Ponts impressed upon Hamilton an appreciation for the importance of manufacturing and securing for inventors a right to profit from their inventions. Today, a respect for intellectual property rights continues to serve as a foundational principle of our modern economy. The concepts Hamilton outlined in his report – a diversified economy, strong manufacturing and innovation capabilities, intellectual property protections, and a solid financial infrastructure – are some of the most important structural pillars that have enabled our country to thrive and grow as a land of opportunity.  More than two centuries after Hamilton delivered his report, manufacturing remains a critical component of the American economy, contributing over $2 trillion each year. Twelve million Americans are directly employed in manufacturing jobs, with another 17 million jobs indirectly supported by it. More than 27,000 Delawareans work directly in manufacturing, with thousands others in supporting sectors.  Hamilton understood an appropriate role for central government in the United States, and he worked tirelessly to define that role. His report recommended government promotion of manufacturing through incentives to encourage risk taking and innovation, reflecting an idea that was new at the time and that remains true today: The federal government can play a constructive role supporting and sustaining innovation in the manufacturing sector.  Hamilton was right. Today, manufacturing represents 11 percent of our entire economy – but it accounts for 70 percent of industry-funded research and development, leading to game-changing innovations in materials and processes from composites and nanomaterials to advanced robotics and additive manufacturing (better known as 3-D printing).  The federal government continues to support R&D and innovation through a variety of entities, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Laboratories, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Patent and Trademark Office. Like Alexander Hamilton himself, manufacturing has played a tremendous role in making the United States the country it is today – all foreshadowed by a report to Congress delivered 225 years ago tomorrow. Manufacturing remains one of my top priorities in the Senate. To honor this anniversary and highlight the ongoing importance of manufacturing to the American economy, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has joined with me to introduce a Senate Resolution celebrating this document. I’ve also introduced a series of bipartisan bills to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. One proposal encourages universities to focus engineering programs on advanced manufacturing by designating 25 “Manufacturing Universities” for grant eligibility. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate this summer and may become law before the end of the year.  My Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative seeks to engage like-minded colleagues in the Senate in efforts to modernize America’s manufacturing sector and equip workers in Delaware and across the country with the skills to succeed.   In addition, at my request, the National Archives in Washington will display the original text of Hamilton’s report throughout December and January. If you’re able to visit D.C. over the next two months, I hope you’ll make the time to visit and view this important, if unsung, piece of American history.   Chris Coons is the junior United States Senator from Delaware and a member of the Democratic Party.   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/photos/2016-12-01-constitution-center-event,2016-12-01 Constitution Center event,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet Chris Services Issues Newsroom Contact Page Top 12.02.16 2016-12-01 Constitution Center event",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/coons-rubio-resolution-reaffirms-us-argentina-partnership-and-recognizes-argentinas-recent-economic-reforms,"Coons, Rubio resolution reaffirms U.S.-Argentina partnership and recognizes Argentina’s recent economic reforms",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.16 Coons, Rubio resolution reaffirms U.S.-Argentina partnership and recognizes Argentina’s recent economic reforms Resolution calls for the United States to continue to engage with key South American nation WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, earlier this week introduced a resolution in the Senate that reaffirms the partnership between the United States and Argentina and recognizes the economic reforms implemented by Argentina since the election of President Mauricio Macri in November 2015. “The relationship between United States and Argentina has long been characterized by strong commercial ties and bilateral collaboration on issues such as education and human rights,” said Senator Coons. “Since his election, President Macri has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening relations with the United States. His economic reforms should transform Argentina into a major engine of economic growth in the Western Hemisphere. In the coming years, the United States must continue to pursue close cooperation with Argentina on a range of bilateral, regional, and global challenges.” The Senators’ resolution upholds the U.S. Senate’s commitment to the partnership between the United States and Argentina and reaffirms that the Argentine Republic is a major non-NATO ally of the United States; encourages the State Department to coordinate an interagency strategy to increase cooperation with the Government of Argentina on areas of bilateral, regional, and global concern; commends President Macri and his Administration for making far-reaching economic reforms that will benefit the people of Argentina, stimulate economic growth, and deepen Argentina's integration with the global economy; praises the Argentine Government for resolving its dispute with international creditors; and encourages the Government of Argentina to continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, as well as the January 2015 death of AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman. Press Contact Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-coons-joins-amicus-podcast-to-discuss-threats-to-constitution-civil-rights,"ICYMI: Senator Coons joins Amicus Podcast to discuss threats to constitution, civil rights",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.16 ICYMI: Senator Coons joins Amicus Podcast to discuss threats to constitution, civil rights WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, this week joined Slate’s Supreme Court podcast, Amicus, to talk with host Dahlia Lithwick about President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to the constitution, civil rights, and his Cabinet appointments. Listen to the full podcast here: http://slate.me/2fN7VN9 Amicus: The Specter of KorematsuBy Dahlia Lithwick Just a few weeks into the era of President-elect Donald Trump, and already there is a lot of bruising around the edges of the Constitution. The past few weeks have brought talk of Muslim registries, jail time for flag burners, restrictions on voting, and the sweet mystery of the Emoluments Clause. This week, we sit down with U.S. Sen. Chris Coons to discuss how much of this talk we should take seriously and where the true threats to Americans’ constitutional protections lie. We also speak with Neal Katyal, former acting solicitor general of the United States, about the 1944 Supreme Court decision that upheld the internment of Japanese Americans. In 2011, Katyal issued an official apology for the role of one of his predecessors in that case. Korematsu v. United States has been in the news again recently, after one Trump surrogate cited it as a “precedent” for a possible Trump administration program that would require the registration of immigrants from a handful of predominantly Muslim countries. Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-president-elect-trumps-nomination-of-general-james-mattis,Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of General James Mattis,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.16 Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of General James Mattis WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on President-elect Trump’s nomination of General James Mattis to serve as Secretary of Defense: “General James Mattis is a serious strategic thinker with an inspiring record of service who has rightfully earned the respect of the American people. He understands that the decision to send our brave men and women into harm’s way is the gravest decision a president will face. General Mattis’ tenure as CENTCOM commander provides him deep experience running U.S. military operations and extensive familiarity with the challenges confronting the United States and our allies. I would hope that General Mattis’ service at NATO signals that the President-elect understands and remains committed to this critical alliance. “Some of my colleagues have expressed concerns that the nomination of a recently retired former general undermines our country’s deeply held tradition of civilian control of the military. I will consider this argument carefully, but our next president must be surrounded by experienced, qualified leaders who have the courage to provide unvarnished advice. Based on what I know of General Mattis, his record and experience offer a strong balance to the President-elect’s lack of familiarity with foreign affairs. General Mattis is a voracious reader who learns from history and understands the importance of alliances, diplomacy, and other tools of American power and influence. I look forward to digging deeper into the implications that granting General Mattis a waiver would have on our country’s history of civilian control of the military, as well as his record and experience.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E91B7A67-06D9-42FB-8818-A818A6BC32D1,"Carper, Warren Question GSA on President-elect Trumps Conflicts of Interest",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), Denise Turner Roth, seeking information on GSA’s efforts to protect taxpayer dollars and address conflicts of interest in its business relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and his family. Specifically, the Senators requested information on GSA’s terms of lease with affiliates of the Trump Organization to redevelop and manage the Old Post Office building in Washington, DC. “In 2013, GSA negotiated a lease agreement with Trump Old Post Office, LLC—a private company owned by President-elect Trump and his adult children,” the Senators wrote. “In a material term of the contract, GSA requires that no elected officials play a role in the agreement … However, once President-elect Trump assumes office, he will oversee GSA and have the authority to appoint a new GSA Administrator, which will effectively make President-elect Trump landlord and tenant at the same time.” The Senators continue, stating that GSA’s relationship with President-Elect Trump is also complicated by two provisions in the Constitution prohibiting the President from receiving additional ‘emoluments,’ writing, “The lease agreement between GSA and President-elect Trump states that the ‘Landlord [to whom the Trump Old Post Office LLC, pays rent] shall mean the United States of America.’ If the current lease agreement remains, President-elect Trump will receive compensation from the federal government separate from his annual salary, which is prohibited by the Constitution. Foreign governments are also reportedly paying for their official representatives to stay at Trump International Hotel because the property is affiliated with the incoming President—the Kingdom of Bahrain, for example, recently booked space at the Trump Hotel for a reception.” The Senators recommend that, “Accordingly, GSA should immediately take steps to identify and mitigate any potential conflicts of interest relating to its lease agreement with President-elect Trump, including removing itself from the agreement to avoid any violations of law.”   The full text of the letter to GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth can be found below and here. Dear Administrator Roth, We write today to request information on how the General Services Administration (GSA) intends to protect taxpayer dollars and address conflicts of interest in its business relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and his family. Under the terms of a lease agreement GSA executed with affiliates of the Trump Organization to redevelop and manage the Old Post Office building in Washington, DC, it is likely impermissible for this relationship to remain in effect while President-elect Trump is President. Accordingly, GSA should immediately take steps to identify and mitigate any potential conflicts of interest relating to its lease agreement with President-elect Trump, including removing itself from the agreement to avoid any violations of law.   In 2013, GSA negotiated a lease agreement with Trump Old Post Office, LLC—a private company owned by President-elect Trump and his adult children. Under the terms of this agreement, President-elect Trump committed $200 million to transform the Old Post Office Building in Washington, D.C., into a luxury hotel, and in return received the exclusive rights to run the hotel and retain all profits for a period of at least 60 years.  The Trump International Hotel held a grand opening ceremony on October 26, 2016. The terms of GSA’s lease agreement will become problematic once President-elect Trump takes office. In a material term of the contract, GSA requires that no elected officials play a role in the agreement. GSA’s contract with the Trump Old Post Office, LLC plainly states: “No…elected official of the Government of the United States…shall be admitted to any share or part of this Lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom…” Federal procurement officials include this clause in lease agreements to avoid the appearance of favoritism or preferential treatment toward federal officials. GSA officials managing the agreement are required to balance their duties to execute the terms of the contract entered into with the building’s tenant while also protecting the interests of the building’s landlord. However, once President-elect Trump assumes office, he will oversee GSA and have the authority to appoint a new GSA Administrator, which will effectively make President-elect Trump landlord and tenant at the same time. Terms of the agreement also require annual disclosures of sensitive financial information and for GSA to renegotiate rent adjustments and other payments to the Trump Organization. Such a scenario will present unmanageable conflicts of interest for career GSA officials and President-elect Trump and result in a breach of plain language of the lease agreement. GSA’s relationship with President-Elect Trump is also complicated by two provisions in the Constitution prohibiting the President from receiving additional “emoluments”—salaries, fees, or profits—from either the U.S. or foreign governments. Article II, Section 1, Clause 7 of the Constitution, states:  “The President shall…receive for his Services, a Compensation…and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.” Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution—often referred to as the “Emoluments Clause”—states: “And no Person holding any Office…shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument...of any kind whatever, from any...foreign State.” The lease agreement between GSA and President-elect Trump states that the ""Landlord [to whom the Trump Old Post Office LLC, pays rent] shall mean the United States of America."" If the current lease agreement remains, President-elect Trump will receive compensation from the federal government separate from his annual salary, which is prohibited by the Constitution. Foreign governments are also reportedly paying for their official representatives to stay at Trump International Hotel because the property is affiliated with the incoming President—the Kingdom of Bahrain, for example, recently booked space at the Trump Hotel for a reception. Once he takes office, payments from these foreign governments to entities owned by President-elect Trump’s would likely result in a violation of the Emoluments Clause prohibition of payments from foreign governments.             Immediately following his election, President-elect Trump stated he was “not interested in [his] company anymore” and vowed to disentangle himself from his financial assets by setting up a “blind trust—but indicated that he intends to transfer control of his company to his three oldest children, which does not meet the definition of a qualified blind trust. President-elect Trump has recently announced that he will soon leave his “business in total” and provide additional information on December 15, 2016. While the details of this announcement remain unclear, any financial arrangement that places President-elect Trump or his children in charge of the Trump International Hotel will still result in a conflict of interest for GSA as it manages a lease agreement that financially benefits the President. Despite the execution of the lease agreement nearly three years ago and the announcement of President-elect Trump’s candidacy in June 2015, we are not aware that GSA has engaged in advanced planning to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest involving the Old Post Office Building lease agreement. GSA has only recently stated that “[p]rior to Mr. Trump taking the oath of office, GSA plans to coordinate with the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and the President-elect’s transition team to allow a plan to be put in place to identify and address and potential conflicts of interest relating to the Old Post Office building.” However, GSA needs to provide assurances to the American people that your agency will take whatever steps are necessary to protect taxpayer dollars and avoid any conflicts of interests. To better understand the specific steps that the GSA is taking to address these issues, please provide the following information by December 9, 2016: 1.      What guidance has the OGE provided to GSA officials on how to minimize conflicts of interest surrounding the lease agreement? 2.      Has GSA received any advice from entities other than the OGE or developed internal guidance?  If so, what actions does this advice or guidance dictate? 3.      What steps, since President-elect Trump announced his candidacy for president in August 2015, has the GSA taken to investigate potential conflicts of interest with the Trump Hotel Lease? 4.      Legal experts from both Democratic and Republican Administrations argue that Mr. Trump, as President, must divest his hotel-related assets, or place them in a qualified blind trust, to avoid conflicts of interest related to this hotel.  Should President-elect Trump refuse to do so, refuse to follow the advice of OGE, or place his company under the control of his children, what actions will the GSA take to address potential conflicts of interest from its lease with Trump Old Post Office, LLC? In addition to a prompt response to these questions, please provide our staffs with a briefing on this topic during the week of December 12, 2017. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. With best personal regards, we are Sincerely yours,             Elizabeth Warren                                                        Tom Carper             United States Senator                                                 Ranking Member                                                                                                 Committee on Homeland Security                                                                                                 and Governmental Affairs   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-senator-coons-on-trumps-choices-for-secretary-of-state-president-elect-trump-has-very-limited-foreign-policy-experience-so-its-my-hope-that-he-will-nominate-someone-with-real-experience,"[VIDEO] Senator Coons on Trump’s choices for Secretary of State: “President-elect Trump has very limited foreign policy experience, so it's my hope that he will nominate… someone with real experience”",2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.01.16 [VIDEO] Senator Coons on Trump’s choices for Secretary of State: “President-elect Trump has very limited foreign policy experience, so it's my hope that he will nominate… someone with real experience” WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC to talk about President-elect Donald Trump’s choices for Secretary of State and Russia’s attacks on U.S. cybersecurity. Excerpts from the interview: Sen. Coons on President-elect Trump’s Secretary of State shortlist: “President-elect Trump has very limited foreign policy experience, so it's my hope that he will nominate for Secretary of State someone with real experience, someone who's well-grounded, and someone who can work in a diplomatic way with our vital allies and with Congress”  Sen. Coons: “Our role as a member of the loyal opposition… is going to be to make sure that President-elect Trump's nominees get what Judge Merrick Garland never got, which is a free and fair hearing” Sen. Coons on Russian attacks on U.S. cybersecurity: “I think it’s outrageous we haven’t had hearings yet, full hearings, in a number of committees…. Leaders of our intelligence community across a number of agencies notified Congress and made it clear to the public that they believe at the highest levels the Russian government was directly involved in hacking into elements of our political system”   Full video and audio available here: http://bit.ly/2gL1U8l    Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=11B74793-01D2-4DBF-9AFF-83ADB8C3B4D3,Carper Applauds EPAs Proposed Decision on Green House Gas Standards for Light Duty Vehicles,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), who will serve as ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement today praising the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed decision on greenhouse gas standards for light duty vehicles: “I am thrilled by today’s announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency intends to uphold strong fuel emission standards and continue the meaningful progress we’ve made over the years to reduce air pollution by curbing dirty emissions from our trucks and cars. Preserving these ambitious emission standards will not only continue to protect our air and help consumers continue to save money at the pump, they will also accelerate job creation in manufacturing as our auto companies develop technology to build the clean cars of the future. This is just further proof of something that I’ve long said—we can grow our economy and protect our environment at the same time. “This announcement is good news for all Americans, especially those who share my concerns that the next Administration may rollback the great progress we’ve made over the past eight years to ensure we have clean air for generations to come and stem the tide of climate change. I look forward to working with Senator Barrasso and the members of our committee to ensure these rigorous standards are implemented and to preserve our nation’s leadership in clean energy technology.” Sen. Carper has long been a supporter of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption through increasing fuel efficiency. In 2007, Sen. Carper played an instrumental role in securing the first increase in 32 years of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards as a part of the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act. Sen. Carper’s negotiations included the first ever application of CAFE standards to medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Today’s announcement came after EPA’s midterm review of  the GHG standards for light duty vehicles for model years 2022-2025, resulting in a proposed decision to keep the standards as-is.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8E2C9C5D-95E9-49F8-A1C5-7EFB3B42E811,HSGAC Hearing Statement: Initial Observations of the New Leadership at the U.S. Border Patrol,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held the hearing, “Initial Observations of the New Leadership at the U.S. Border Patrol.” Below is the opening statement of Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), as prepared for delivery: “I want to begin this morning by thanking our witnesses for being here today and for their leadership of the Border Patrol. Chief Morgan, Deputy Chief Provost – thank you for your service. Your job is incredibly important, and also incredibly challenging. I’ve always been impressed with the men and women from the Border Patrol who I’ve met on my many trips to the border. I still am. Border security has always been an important issue for this Committee, and it has commanded particular attention during my time as Chairman and Ranking Member. We all want stronger borders, and we all want to keep terrorists out of this country. But we need to remain clear eyed about the real risks and the real solutions. “Unfortunately, during this past campaign season, immigrants and refugees were too often unfairly attacked as a grave threat to our country. We heard a lot about walls and deportations, and not enough about addressing the underlying causes of the real immigration challenges that we face. As a result, many immigrants who have come to the United States from all corners of the globe are anxious that they will no longer be able to care for their families and contribute to our great country. This includes the ‘Dreamers’ who were brought here as children, but are now fearful of being ripped from jobs and schools and deported to countries they may not even remember. “We do not strengthen our country by ignoring the contributions of immigrants or by turning our back on refugees. Helping vulnerable people is part of our moral fabric as a country. Scripture teaches us that we have a moral imperative to the ‘least of these’ in our society and to treat other people the way we want to be treated. Doing so also contributes directly to our economic strength. For generations, our open and diverse society has attracted immigrants of all backgrounds who have continually enriched our country and helped us grow and prosper. The deeply troubling attack this week at Ohio State University, where I was once a Navy ROTC midshipman, weighs heavily on the minds of many of us across this country. It reminds us that we must continue to be eternally vigilant. We must work hard to meet both our security challenges as a nation and our moral imperatives. Indeed, I believe we can and must do both.  “Before I highlight some of the tools that I believe can help better secure our borders, I think it’s important to first recognize the significant strides we have already made along our southwestern border. For years, we worried about large scale undocumented migration from Mexico. Now, experts tell us that net migration from Mexico is less than zero. In other words, more Mexican nationals are migrating from the United States back to Mexico than are arriving here from Mexico. The men and women at Customs and Border Protection deserve much of the credit for this turn around, but perhaps the biggest factor for the change is the strengthening Mexican economy. That is an important thing to keep in mind as we talk about whether to reopen trade agreements in the region. “The surge we’re seeing today along our southwestern border right now is a different challenge, and mostly a humanitarian one. Thousands of children and families from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras – known as the Northern Triangle – are fleeing extreme violence and poverty in their home countries and seeking asylum in the United States. Haitian migrants, including many who had been living and working in Brazil until its recent economic decline, are another new concern. Most of these migrants are turning themselves in to agents – not trying to evade them – so it’s unlikely that we’ll fix these current challenges with a wall or new Border Patrol agents. Instead, we must address the root causes of this migration by helping the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras improve the desperate conditions too many of their citizens face every day. I traveled to the Northern Triangle once again this past October, and saw real efforts being made by the governments there to address the extreme poverty, violence, and hopelessness that drive so many of their citizens to make the dangerous journey across Mexico to our border. Last year, Democrats and Republicans provided $750 million to support these countries as they work to address these difficult conditions. I hope we can continue this bipartisan support. I believe it is cost effective and the right thing to do given that our addiction to drugs fuels much of the lawlessness and instability in the region. “We also have to work with our international partners to crack down on smugglers and traffickers who exploit migrants. I have been impressed, for example, with the vetted units that I have seen during my trips to the Northern Triangle, where our agents and officers work side by side with foreign officers to target and break up criminal trafficking networks. Of course, as the cartels become more sophisticated, we must also continue to evolve and take action here at home. That is why I have supported commonsense and cost-effective solutions to strengthen our border security and will continue to do so. That includes investments in advanced surveillance technologies, such as aerostats and drones, which – if used effectively – can be powerful force multipliers for our agents. It also includes some additional resources such as horses and boats, which may not be as high-tech but can provide our agents with great visibility across the border. Another commonsense solution involves fully staffing our ports of entry and making smart investments in our aging port infrastructure. “Finally, I would be remiss if I did not discuss how comprehensive immigration reform can also be a critical force multiplier. As Republican and Democratic Administration officials have testified over the years, immigration reform would create legal channels for migration and ‘shrink the haystack’ of unauthorized travelers so that border agents can focus on the most serious security risks. Comprehensive reform would also strengthen us economically. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it would provide a 5.4 percent boost in GDP –  more than a trillion dollars – by 2033. We should all keep this in mind as we head into the next Congress. “My thanks again to both of our witnesses for being here and for your leadership during this critical time. I look forward to your testimony.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-senators-question-rush-to-expand-doj-hacking-authority-without-congressional-oversight,Bipartisan Senators Question Rush to Expand DOJ Hacking Authority Without Congressional Oversight,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.16 Bipartisan Senators Question Rush to Expand DOJ Hacking Authority Without Congressional Oversight Coons, Wyden, Daines Requested Short-Term Delay of Controversial Hacking Rules; Starting Tomorrow, New Rules Allow Mass Hacking of Innocent Americans’ Phones, Computers Washington, D.C.–Senators Chris Coons, D-Del., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., today made a last-ditch effort to delay broad new government hacking authority that is now set to go into effect tomorrow. Wyden, Coons and Daines asked the Senate to pass or vote on three separate measures to block or delay a set of new rules that would broadly expand government hacking authority without any Congressional input or hearing. The bipartisan group of senators has repeatedly asked for hearings to consider potentially sweeping changes to how the government can hack, search or size Americans’ personal phones, computers and other devices. “If we fail to act today, these changes to Rule 41 will go into effect tomorrow without any hearing or markup to consider and evaluate the impact of the changes,” said Senator Coons. “While the proposed changes are not necessarily bad or good, they are serious, and they present significant privacy concerns that warrant careful consideration and debate. That’s why I joined my colleagues from both sides of the aisle today in calling for prompt passage of our legislation to delay implementation of the changes for six months. It is our responsibility to do our jobs and thoroughly evaluate the merits and ramifications of the proposed changes.”  “By sitting here and doing nothing, the Senate has given consent to this expansion of government hacking and surveillance,” Wyden said. “Law-abiding Americans are going to ask ‘what were you guys thinking? when the FBI starts hacking victims of a botnet hack. Or when a mass hack goes awry and breaks their device, or an entire hospital system and puts lives at risk.” “We can’t give unlimited power for unlimited hacking – putting Americans’ civil liberties at risk,” Senator Daines stated.  Sen. Wyden first asked the Senate to pass his Stopping Mass Hacking (SMH) Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Daines, to block the rules from taking effect. Sen. Coons followed by asking unanimous consent to pass his Review the Rule Act, to delay the changes for 6 months. After those requests were rejected, Sen. Wyden asked for a vote on just a 3-month delay, through his Stalling Mass Damaging Hacking Act, which was also denied by Republican leaders. Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-coons-ranked-in-top-three-of-the-most-productive-senators,ICYMI: Senator Coons ranked in top three of the most productive Senators,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.30.16 ICYMI: Senator Coons ranked in top three of the most productive Senators WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) came in third place in a list of current Senators who backed the most bills that have become law. The data is pulled from the independent congressional tracking website, GovTrack. Read the full article below:   Medill on the Hill: WHICH SENATORS HAVE PASSED THE MOST LAWS? By Benjamin Din   WASHINGTON — With a little over a month to go for the current Congress, what the lawmakers accomplished in the last two years can be measured in different ways. One yardstick: Who backed the most bills that have become law?  The top honor goes to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, according to an analysis of legislative data from GovTrack, an independent congressional tracking website. The second-term Minnesota Democrat has sponsored or co-sponsored 27 bills that have been enacted into law. By comparison, seven senators have seen 12 bills they put their names on —?the median number —?become law, including Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker and Republican Lindsey Graham. “I’ve always approached this work by putting the people of Minnesota first,” Klobuchar said in an e-mail. “For me, that means working across the aisle to get things done. While it hasn’t been the easiest year to bring people together —?OK, that was an understatement —?I have gotten to know the people I work with and always look for common ground when I can find it.” Ten other senators join Klobuchar in the 20-plus club. Despite Republican majorities in both the House and Senate in the 114th Congress, eight of the 11 are Democrats, and, contrary to conventional wisdom, there’s a healthy mix of experience levels included.  The longest-serving senator in the top 11 is Sen. Orrin Hatch, the most senior Republican in the Senate. Hatch was first sworn in as a senator for Utah in 1977. In contrast, the least-experienced senator, New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte, is wrapping up her first and final six-year term. She lost her bid for re-election by fewer than 1,000 votes. Sarah Binder, a George Washington University professor of political science who specializes in Congress and legislative politics, cautioned against defining success in the Senate by hard metrics, such as the number of bills enacted into law. Instead, it’s important to note the dual responsibilities of senators — as lawmakers and as “representatives coming and making present the views of their state.” Some politicians, she said, may not have their names on many bills that become law, but they have the power to influence the legislative agenda. Most notably, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has only sponsored or co-sponsored seven bills that became law, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has seen three of his enacted. No one would question their legislative influence. A CNN/ORC poll released Sunday found that more than 80 percent of Americans believe the country is more divided on major issues this year than in the past. However, Republican calls for bipartisanship are lower now than they were in 2008, when the Democrats took control of both Congress and the White House. Still, several of the senators who made the cut for the top 11 from both sides of the political spectrum echoed Klobuchar’s sentiments and emphasized bipartisanship as a factor in their success. In fact, two of the senators on the list —?Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, and Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat —?have worked together to produce bipartisan bills. Blunt told USA Today in June that the two have been friends for about 30 years, and of the about five things they agree upon, “all five of those are now federal law.” “When Ohioans write my office, they aren’t thinking about whether I’m a Republican or Democrat. They’re thinking about the loss of a job, a bill they’re struggling to pay or the crumbling road they drive to school or work each day,” said Brown, who came in fourth on the list of most bills enacted into law, in an e-mail. “My job is to serve them, and to do that I’ve got to seek out common ground with my colleagues. … We aren’t always successful, but striking up bipartisan conversations on the issues facing our constituents is the first step to passing legislation.” Bills can be insignificant —?such as ones to rename post offices and issue commemorative coins — and newer politicians may be more likely to introduce bills to bolster their records with re-election in view, Binder noted. Because of this, it’s possible that hard metrics could overstate or understate a senator’s influence. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who came in seventh, has been successful because she introduces bills that she believes can become law, spokesman Tom Mentzer said. A look at Feinstein’s legislative record in the 114th Congress shows she has worked on important California issues such as homelessness, which affects her home city of San Francisco, where she was once mayor. “A willingness to work with both parties and have flexibility to find common ground is vital,” he said in an e-mail. “It goes beyond the bills the senator introduces.”  Feinstein worked closely with Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., on a bill related to Lake Tahoe, a popular freshwater lake that straddles the California-Nevada border, Mentzer said. “She asked him to introduce her own bill because it would have a better chance at passage with a Republican sponsor,” he said. “It’s about getting results, no matter what path that requires.” Binder said it is not surprising that Democrats are heavy hitters in the Senate —?a traditionally more bipartisan chamber — even though Republicans are in control. With President Barack Obama in the White House, that “helps fuel more effort on the Democrats’ side, even when they’re in the minority,” she said. “Republicans and Democrats disagree on lots of issues, but when bipartisan solutions solve real problems I’m all for it,” Blunt, who ranked eighth in a four-way tie, said in an e-mail. “I’ve worked with my Democrat colleagues to pass legislation to boost manufacturing, expand access to mental health care, reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act, and provide the largest funding increase the National Institutes of Health has received in over a decade. I’ve always looked for areas of common ground where we can work together to address Americans’ priorities, and look forward to continuing that effort.”  The other senators on the top 11 list are Democratic Sens. Al Franken of Minnesota, Chuck Schumer of New York, Chris Coons of Delaware, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.  GovTrack compiles data on legislative records. Senators’ bills that became law include those that were enacted via a companion bill in the House.   Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=161178E1-7D90-4C34-954F-8030F6C18FA8,Carper Statement on Nomination of Elaine Chao as Transportation Secretary,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del), who will serve as ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in the 115th Congress, released the following statement today on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Elaine Chao, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, to serve as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). “I congratulate Elaine Chao on her nomination to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition to leading the department and implementing current transportation policy that directly impacts the daily lives of millions of Americans, the next DOT Secretary will play a critical role in working with Congress to develop an infrastructure bill. My hope is that we will be able to find the common ground necessary to make the critical investments in our country’s roads, highways, bridges and transit systems that we so badly need. “However, there are several key principles that I will look for in an infrastructure bill: prioritizing work to repair and maintain existing assets; providing funding for the major transit, bridge, tunnel and water projects that will transform our economy; and, most important, identifying a long-term and sustainable source of funding. Another top priority for DOT has been and must continue to be ensuring the safety of roads, railways and transit systems, as well as the safety of trucks, cars, pipelines and aviation. “I look forward to the forthcoming confirmation process, which will give my colleagues and me the opportunity to look closely at Ms. Chao's record on safety during her tenure as the Secretary of Labor and examine her vision for improving our nation’s transportation infrastructure.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3ACF6544-D218-4A66-A122-32CC41E93768,Carper Statement on Nomination of Rep. Tom Price as HHS Secretary,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement today on President-elect Trump’s nomination of Rep. Tom Price to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “Over 100 million Americans and their families depend on Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and health insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act for their health care. Preserving and improving these programs to ensure that all Americans have affordable access to the health care they need should be shared, bipartisan goals. “That is why I am troubled that Congressman Price has championed significant proposals that show little regard for the most vulnerable members of our communities, including jeopardizing the guaranteed protections in our bedrock health care programs. At a time when my constituents tell me health care costs remain far too high, Congressman Price’s proposals stand in direct contrast to what most Americans need and want. I look forward to meeting Congressman Price and reviewing his nomination carefully based on his legislative initiatives in Congress, as well as his intentions and ability to preserve and strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act moving forward.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8DB46093-325C-4AE7-816B-D44B018BE7B1,"Carper, Coons Urge President-elect Trump to Comply with Emoluments Clause in the U.S. Constitution",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del) joined a resolution today to state the sense of Congress that President-elect Trump should follow the precedent established by prior presidents and convert his assets to simple, conflict-free holdings, adopt blind trusts managed by an independent trustees, or take other equivalent measures in order to ensure compliance with the United States Constitution. The resolution notes that in the absence of such actions by the President-elect before he assumes office or without specific authorization by Congress, Congress will regard dealings by Trump-owned companies with any entity owned by a foreign governmental actor as potential violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Joining Senators Carper and Coons in introducing his resolution as original co-sponsors are Senators: Ben Cardin (D-Md.); Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.); Harry Reid (D-Nev.); Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.); Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.); Jack Reed (D-R.I.); Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); Tom Udall (D-N.M.); Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.); Michael Bennet (D-Colo.); Al Franken (D-Minn.); Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.); Chris Murphy (D-Conn.); Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii); Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.); Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); Ed Markey (D-Mass.); and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/carper-coons-urge-president-elect-trump-to-comply-with-emoluments-clause-in-the-us-constitution,"Carper, Coons Urge President-elect Trump to Comply with Emoluments Clause in the U.S. Constitution",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.16 Carper, Coons Urge President-elect Trump to Comply with Emoluments Clause in the U.S. Constitution Senators join Senate Resolution calling upon President-elect to comply with Emoluments Clause in the U.S. Constitution and prevent undue influence and corruption by foreign governments WASHINGTON— U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del) joined a resolution today to state the sense of Congress that President-elect Trump should follow the precedent established by prior presidents and convert his assets to simple, conflict-free holdings, adopt blind trusts managed by an independent trustees, or take other equivalent measures in order to ensure compliance with the United States Constitution.  The resolution notes that in the absence of such actions by the President-elect before he assumes office or without specific authorization by Congress, Congress will regard dealings by Trump-owned companies with any entity owned by a foreign governmental actor as potential violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Joining Senators Carper and Coons in introducing his resolution as original co-sponsors are Senators: Ben Carden (D-Md.); Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.); Harry Reid (D-Nev.); Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.); Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.); Jack Reed (D-R.I.); Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.); Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); Tom Udall (D-N.M.); Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.); Michael Bennet (D-Colo.); Al Franken (D-Minn.); Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.); Chris Murphy (D-Conn.); Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii); Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.); Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); Ed Markey (D-Mass.); and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Press Contact Sean Coit (Coons) 202-224-5024 Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-senator-coons-to-lead-bipartisan-tributes-to-vice-president-biden,ICYMI: Senator Coons to lead bipartisan tributes to Vice President Biden,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.29.16 ICYMI: Senator Coons to lead bipartisan tributes to Vice President Biden Bipartisan tribute to Vice President Joe Biden will be held on December 7 WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, below is an article from Politico spotlighting a bipartisan tribute to honor Vice President Joe Biden led by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.). The hour-long tribute is scheduled for the afternoon of December 7, 2016. Other Senators participating include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).  Politico: Senate to offer bipartisan tributes to BidenBy Seung Min Kim Vice President Joe Biden has his share of bipartisan admirers in the Senate, where he served for 36 years before heading to the White House as President Barack Obama’s second-in-command.  And a group of Democrats and Republicans will honor Biden’s legacy both in the administration and on Capitol Hill next month with a series of Senate floor tributes to the outgoing vice president — with Biden in attendance.  The tribute is the brainchild of Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who now holds the Senate seat that Biden occupied for more than three decades. Coons first approached Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) with the idea in August, and McConnell — who's worked closely with Biden in the past, including negotiating a way for Congress to extricate itself from the fiscal cliff crisis in late 2012 — was quickly on board, Coons said. “I don’t think we’re going to have a public life without Joe Biden,” Coons said in an interview Monday. “I am very hopeful that he will remain a very strong, very effective voice in Washington, internationally and in Delaware. I view it as a celebration of his next chapter in public service.” The hour-long tribute is scheduled for Dec. 7 in the afternoon. Coons will kick it off, and other top senators will follow with their own accolades for Biden — including McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). “The leader agreed with it and is helping to make it happen,” McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said. Biden spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak confirmed that the vice president indeed plans to attend the tribute.  Though his name has been batted around for various political jobs, including the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Biden has said he plans to focus on initiatives to battle cancer once he leaves office. His son, Beau Biden, died from brain cancer last year. “He has made an enormous difference already in fighting for cures for cancer, in supporting state and local law enforcement and in working in a bipartisan way to push some very important issues internationally and domestically,” Coons said. “But frankly, he also has a deserved reputation for being an incredibly loyal friend and for being a very straight-talking, common-sense senator.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=44530979-ECAC-4179-A2FC-AC33B8470670,Senator Carper Statement on Attack at Ohio State University,2016-11-28,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and a graduate of The Ohio State University, reacted to the incident at Ohio State earlier today in which eight individuals were injured, and one assailant killed, in an attack on the Columbus, Ohio campus. “The victims of the attack at Ohio State today, along with their families, are in my thoughts and prayers. I am heartened by reports that none of the victims appear to have sustained life-threatening injuries. The quick reaction by school officials and campus police and their preparedness for these kinds of emergencies helped to keep students away from the scene and mitigate this threat before more people could be harmed. I encourage university officials and state and local police to continue working together to gather information and fully investigate this attack. I will continue to monitor this situation as the investigation moves forward and I stand with my fellow Buckeyes as they come together as a community in this difficult time.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=6446B8EE-3EF0-457A-B770-4E63884D07F8,Giving thanks by serving others,2016-11-24,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today is Thanksgiving, an important opportunity for Delawareans and all Americans to take a break  and give thanks for all we have. I believe there is no greater joy in life than serving others, and on Thanksgiving, it brings me great joy to give thanks by serving our neighbors. On this day each year, I head to the Emmanuel Dining Room in Wilmington and join former Governor and Congressman Mike Castle to help our neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving with a home cooked meal and warm company. That’s because, to me, Thanksgiving is about giving back to my community and making sure we all have something for which to be thankful. Our nation is going through many changes, and sometimes it seems we are divided, but I have faith that our leaders can come together and solve the tests that lie ahead. It’s my hope that we remember that helping each other defines us as Americans, and is central to what makes our country great. This Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful and rejoice for the blessings of our lives, and also vow to keep working together for the betterment of our neighbors and our nation. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a warm holiday season. God bless, Tom Carper",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-a-few-thoughts-on-thanksgiving,Senator Coons: A few thoughts on Thanksgiving,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.23.16 Senator Coons: A few thoughts on Thanksgiving WILMINGTON, Del. - Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement for Thanksgiving: ""In the days since the election, I’ve heard from many Delawareans of different backgrounds and political perspectives. They’ve shared their hopes and fears about the election and what it means. ""Thanksgiving is often our only chance to see family and friends with other points of view. Our dinner tables reflect our national conversation, leading some to fear this Thanksgiving dinner might feel less like a family reunion and more like a cable news set. In the spirit of coming together, I hope we’ll try to see this holiday as an opportunity. ""What do I mean by that? I hope Thanksgiving will give us an opportunity to practice listening and hearing those with whom we disagree, rather than simply preparing our own comeback. I hope we can ask the questions we may not have asked before we went to the polls. I hope we’ll see this time as an opportunity to dive not just into Black Friday sales, but also into conversation with someone we may only see once a year. ""Elections are about far more than just winning or losing. They’re about listening to each other, taking stock of where we’re at, and figuring out how to move forward because, ultimately, we’re in this together. ""That’s not easy, especially after an election defined by levels of intolerance and divisiveness our country hasn’t seen in a generation. But we have to try to come together precisely because it’s hard. The only way we’ll change is if we begin to hear each other and find a common purpose. ""We can make a difference right now. We can listen to each other. We can look out for our friends, neighbors, or strangers who may be hurting. We can hear them and we can lift them up. We can find an opportunity to give back. ""Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday that reflects some of the best of our society. It’s a chance to take a breath and reflect on what we’re grateful for and what truly matters. Rather than avoiding these difficult conversations, let’s use them as a time to hear each other and to practice kindness. ""One way we can embody the spirit of Thanksgiving following a difficult election is by giving a few hours of our time to those in need of a helping hand. Visiting Volunteer Delaware is a great place to find a service project near you. ""I wish you a happy Thanksgiving with many laughs, fond memories, and -- yes -- some healthy disagreements."" Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-president-elect-trumps-nomination-of-governor-nikki-haley-to-serve-as-us-ambassador-to-the-un,Senator Coons' statement on President-elect Trump's nomination of Governor Nikki Haley to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the UN,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.23.16 Senator Coons' statement on President-elect Trump's nomination of Governor Nikki Haley to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the UN WILMINGTON, Del. - Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement following the nomination of Governor Nikki Haley to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: “Our next ambassador to the United Nations must use our influence to advance American interests and values, and build multilateral support for our positions. Governor Haley deserves fair, thorough scrutiny before taking on this important role. I commend Governor Haley for rejecting during the campaign President-elect Trump’s divisive rhetoric and for calling his proposed ban on Muslims from entering the U.S. for what it is: unconstitutional and un-American. I hope she will continue to provide her unvarnished opinion to the Oval Office should she be confirmed for this important post. I look forward to digging into Governor Haley's record, experience, and qualifications for this critical role.” Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/photos/2016-11-halifax-intl-security-forum,2016-11 Halifax Int'l Security Forum,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet Chris Services Issues Newsroom Contact Page Top 11.22.16 2016-11 Halifax Int'l Security Forum Photo credit: Halifax International Security Forum",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/coons-wyden-doj-dodges-senate-questions-about-government-hacking,"Coons, Wyden: DOJ Dodges Senate Questions About Government Hacking",2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.22.16 Coons, Wyden: DOJ Dodges Senate Questions About Government Hacking Washington, D.C. – Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Chris Coons, D-Del., are deeply disappointed with the Justice Department’s failure to substantively answer many of the questions by 23 U.S. lawmakers about a new expanded mass hacking authority that is set to go into effect next month if Congress does not act.   ""While I am pleased that the Department of Justice responded to our October letter concerning the proposed amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, many questions remain unanswered,"" said Senator Coons. ""That is why I continue to believe Congress should have a substantive debate surrounding any changes before they go into effect on December 1, 2016.  Congress should pass my Review the Rule Act (S.3475) and ensure we have adequate time to do our job and consider and debate these changes."" “The American people deserve answers to these very basic questions about how our government intends to hack thousands or millions of personal devices with a single warrant,” Wyden said. “The Justice Department’s failure to answer these questions should be a big blinking warning sign about whether the government can be trusted to carry out these hacks without harming the security and privacy of innocent Americans’ phones, computers and other devices.” The Justice Department’s response, which is available here, did not provide details about how the government will uphold fundamental protections, including: How to prevent “forum shopping” by federal prosecutors when seeking a single warrant to hack thousands or millions of devices; Whether and how the government plans to “clean” devices belonging to innocent Americans, including under what legal authority; How the government would prevent further damaging a compromised device already hacked by both a criminal and the government; Whether having your device “damaged,” and connected to a crime, is probable cause to search it. Sen. Coons and Sen. Steve Daines R-Mont., along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, have introduced a bipartisan bill to delay the rule changes for 6 months, co-sponsored by Wyden. Press Contact Sean Coit at 202-224-5042 or Sean_Coit@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F61D3E81-60C8-4988-A903-4E70126B35F6,Senator Carper Requests More Information Regarding Potential Conflicts of Interest in President-elect Trump's Administration,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Office of Government Ethics Director Walter Shaub requesting more information regarding how his office plans to address the potential for conflicts of interest in the upcoming Administration of President-elect Donald Trump.  “As you know, President-elect Trump is a businessman with considerable financial interests in the United States and around the world,” wrote Senator Carper. “The full extent of his financial interests remains unclear, in part because he was the first presidential candidate in modern history to decline to release his tax returns to the American public. These unique circumstances raise important questions about how the Administration of President-elect Trump will avoid conflicts of interest and ensure integrity of executive branch programs and operations.” Senator Carper continued, “As the independent ethics watchdog of the federal government, the Office of Government Ethics must provide assurances to the American people that your agency will advance a strong ethics program that holds the Administration of President-elect Trump accountable for any conflicts of interest.”  Specifically, Senator Carper requested more information on how the office plans to address the handling of the Trump organization, the President-elect’s financial and familial conflicts of interest, as well as ongoing financial disclosure obligations and outside fiduciary positions. The text of the letter can be found in PDF form here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/photos/2016-11-halifax,2016-11 Halifax,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet Chris Services Issues Newsroom Contact Page Top 11.21.16 2016-11 Halifax",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=5CB09085-234F-4647-BDB2-4F2C14155336,Need help finding the right heath care plan for your family?,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 18, 2016 Dear Friends, Every family in the First State and across our country deserves access to high-quality and affordable health care. The Affordable Care Act has made that worthy vision a reality by creating state-based health insurance marketplaces. These large purchasing pools enable the people who participate in them to choose a health care plan that helps them get healthy and stay that way. For the parents who, for the first time, have the insurance they need to take their child to the doctor, the opportunity to afford reliable health care coverage is not only life changing, but it’s also life saving. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with many of those Delawareans who have been able to find affordable health care—and peace of mind—by enrolling through our state’s health insurance marketplace. In three years, more than 28,000 Delawareans have signed up for health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, and most have received financial assistance to help cover the cost of premiums. Tens of thousands more have joined Medicaid. As a result, the First State’s number of uninsured population has dropped an estimated 35 percent. Today I visited La Red Health Center, where folks are offering free assistance to Delawareans who may want help to renew their health care coverage or enroll in a new health care plan through the marketplace for 2017. Like last year, most folks who sign up for insurance will receive financial help with their health care costs. This year’s open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2017, at www.Healthcare.gov. Individuals must sign up by Dec. 15 for their coverage to be effective on Jan. 1, 2017. If you don’t have health insurance – through the marketplace, your job, Medicare, or any other qualifying source – you may have to pay a fee.  The health insurance marketplace, financial assistance, and expanded Medicaid program remain in place for 2017. Delawareans seeking health care coverage from the health insurance marketplace should go to ChooseHealthDE.com or Healthcare.gov to get more information about what health care plan might work best for them, and to check out if they qualify for a plan with lower monthly premiums or Medicaid. Today, because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million Americans have gained health insurance and now enjoy the benefits of access to free preventive services, like cancer screenings, contraception, help with tobacco cessation, and yearly checkups. It’s my hope that more Delawareans and their families will get the health coverage they need to stay healthy and happy during this holiday season and into the future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=016EF5E8-9D31-4A66-B065-86E483CF67B5,Carper Responds to GAO Report on Student Loan Interest Rate Caps for Active Duty Servicemembers,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and a 23-year veteran of the Navy, responded to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that calls for improvements to ensure that eligible servicemembers can obtain a six percent interest rate cap on their federal and private student loans as required under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). “I am encouraged that more servicemembers have begun receiving the SCRA interest rate cap for student loans since the Department of Education began requiring loan servicers to conduct automatic eligibility checks,” said Senator Carper.  “However, I am concerned that servicemembers who receive inaccurate information from the Department of Defense may not receive the benefit. I plan to follow up with Secretary Carter on this report to ensure that our servicemembers are not being disadvantaged by outdated and inaccurate information.” “Implementing GAO’s recommendations will help ensure that the brave men and women who proudly serve our country receive the benefits they have earned while they are serving on active duty,” Senator Carper continued. “Ultimately, we must ensure that the federal government is doing all that it can so that eligible servicemembers receive SCRA benefits for both federal and private student loans. I also plan to follow up with the Attorney General, Department of Education and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding options for strengthening oversight of SCRA compliance.” GAO found the number of servicemembers with federal student loans increased dramatically when the Department of Education began requiring loan servicers to regularly use a Department of Defense (DOD) website to identify eligible servicemembers and automatically apply the rate cap without a written request from servicemembers. GAO found that 126,272 servicemembers received the six percent interest rate cap on their federal student loans for December 2015, compared to 382 in October 2008. However, the GAO report, “Student Loans: Oversight of Servicemembers’ Interest Rate Cap Could Be Strengthened,” which Senator Carper requested as part of his oversight of benefits and protections for servicemembers and veterans, found servicemembers continue to face challenges in obtaining the cap. For example, GAO identified a number of inaccuracies in DOD information used to inform servicemembers about SCRA, including erroneous statements that the rate cap does not apply to student loans. GAO also found that eligible servicemembers are at risk of not receiving the rate cap for some private student loans because automatic eligibility checks are only required for federal student loans, and that federal oversight of SCRA compliance for nonbank lenders and servicers is lacking.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5EAD4AB4-A7E9-4C52-AB20-C584B079D1E1,Carper Statement on Gen. Michael Flynn,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, released the below statement following the announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has selected retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to serve as his national security advisor. “As a 23-year veteran of the Navy and Naval Reserves, I admire and thank General Flynn for his service to our country. As a decorated combat veteran who has served honorably over the course of his 33 years in our military, I know General Flynn understands the serious threats to our country.  “However, comments he has made recently, particularly those equating all Muslims with those individuals who pervert this peaceful religion to serve their own twisted ideology, are deeply troubling. President-elect Trump has vowed to be a president for all Americans, but, with his selection of General Flynn, I don’t think he is making good on that promise. I know that General Flynn and I are united in our goal of defeating and destroying ISIS, but the inflammatory and hateful remarks he has made only further fuel those who wish to do us harm. In order to continue to take the fight to ISIS on the battlefield, we must be ready to keep working with Muslim Americans as well as our allies abroad from predominantly Muslim countries, and offensive generalizations about Islam are not only uncalled for, but entirely unproductive. If he is to assume this new role in the White House, it is my hope that General Flynn recognizes the error of his ways and takes a more thoughtful, constructive approach in dealing with the complex challenges we face moving forward.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-the-nomination-of-senator-jeff-sessions-to-serve-as-us-attorney-general,Senator Coons’ statement on the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as U.S. Attorney General,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.18.16 Senator Coons’ statement on the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as U.S. Attorney General WILMINGTON, Del. - Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as U.S. Attorney General: “Today, President-elect Trump nominated Senator Sessions to serve as Attorney General, the top federal law enforcement official in our country. During our time as colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Sessions and I have worked constructively together on some important matters, including the reauthorization of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. We have also disagreed about many issues fundamental to the direction of the country, including immigration, civil rights, and criminal justice. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the confirmation process is a responsibility I take seriously. The Department of Justice must ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. I am committed to treating Senator Sessions’ nomination fairly, and I expect Senators of both parties to scrutinize closely Senator Sessions’ record and experience to determine whether he is an appropriate candidate for this critical post.”   Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0C4F562F-AD02-48E1-ABED-95421B8D072F,Senator Carper Applauds DHS on Clean Financial Audit Opinion for Fourth Consecutive Year,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, commended the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the announcement that the agency has earned a clean financial audit for the fourth year in a row. “The mission of the Department of Homeland Security is one of the most difficult and complex of any federal agency,” said Senator Carper. “They do everything from securing our ports of entry, to defending our cyber networks, to keeping our cities and communities safe. It’s no small or easy task for any agency to produce a clean financial audit, let alone an agency as large and complex as DHS, but these impressive results for the fourth consecutive year show that it is possible. The key to success at any organization is strong leadership and it is obvious that, under Secretary Johnson’s leadership, what the department is doing to ensure accurate and complete financial accounting is working. I applaud the team at DHS for their ongoing commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and encourage the agency to continue and build on this progress.” In 2012, Sen. Carper joined Sens. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and Ron Johnson (R- Wisc.) in seeing passage into law of the DHS Audit Requirement Target (DART) Act, which requires DHS to obtain and pass full audits for its financial statements. By earning a clean bill of financial health from an independent auditor for the fourth year running, DHS continues to be in compliance with this law. DHS is the third largest Department in the government, with 22 components, 230,000 employees, and a 60 billion dollar budget. The Department of Defense is the only remaining large federal department that is unable to conduct a full financial audit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-bill-would-delay-changes-to-government-hacking-powers,"Bipartisan, bicameral bill would delay changes to government hacking powers",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.16 Bipartisan, bicameral bill would delay changes to government hacking powers Proposed Amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure would expand the government’s ability to search Americans’ computers and other digital devices WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.), together with Reps. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Ted Poe (R-Texas), introduced legislation to provide Congress the time necessary to seriously consider and debate the proposed changes to Rule 41 that would expand the government's ability to search computers and other digital devices. The Review the Rule Act would delay the proposed changes to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 from going into force until July 1, 2017. Without congressional action, the proposed changes will go into effect on December 1, 2016. Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 governs the procedures and parameters for issuing search warrants.  Under current law, a federal judge may issue a warrant to search property located within a specific judicial district.  At the urging of the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court ultimately approved two sweeping amendments to Rule 41: 1.     A judge may issue a warrant to remotely search, copy, and seize information from a device that does not have a known location (and may not be in the district) because the location has been concealed through technological means; and 2.     A single judge may issue a warrant to remotely search and copy information from suspected devices across five or more districts. “The proposed changes are serious, and present significant privacy concerns that warrant careful consideration and debate,” said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Our bicameral, bipartisan legislation will give Congress time to do our job and carefully consider and evaluate the merits of these proposed changes to the government’s ability to search personal computers and other digital devices. It is essential that these rules strike a careful balance: giving law enforcement the tools it needs to keep us safe, while also protecting Americans’ constitutional rights to privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches.” “We cannot give the federal government a blank check to infringe on Americans’ civil liberties,” said Senator Daines. “Congress needs the appropriate time to investigate the implications of this rule on Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights.”  “A single prosecutor should not have the power to hack into the phone or computer of virtually anyone in the United States,” said Senator Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Yes, federal law enforcement does need new tools to stop and prosecute botnets, but the proposed Rule 41 rule change goes too far. The sensible thing to do is delay the implementation of this rule and allow Congress to investigate further."" “This rule change would give the government unprecedented power to hack into Americans’ personal devices,” Senator Wyden said. “This was an alarming proposition before the election. Today, Congress needs to think long and hard about whether to hand this power to James Comey and the administration of someone who openly said he wants the power to hack his political opponents the same way Russia does.”   “I remain deeply concerned about the intended and unintended consequences of the expanded authorities contemplated in the proposed changes to Rule 41,” said John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member. “The bill we offer today will delay implementation until Congress has had a meaningful opportunity to examine the proposal in detail.  Until we have adequately addressed the privacy concerns raised by my colleagues, this rule change should not take effect.”          “Government does not have the authority to unilaterally legalize widespread abusive hacking,” said Rep. Poe.  “It is Congress’ responsibility to safeguard the constitutional rights of the people they represent from a power hungry Executive Branch. A delay in the proposed changes to Rule 41 is necessary to ensure that the newly elected Congress, and Administration, have the ability to carefully evaluate this rule change before it goes into effect to ensure that it is constitutional and in the best interests of the American people. Rushing to put the changes in place in the middle of the lame duck session is irresponsible. Too much is at stake to not get this right.” Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=BEBB705A-B572-45D5-B22E-62C3963BCCE6,Senator Carper to Lead Democrats on Senate Environment and Public Works Committee,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Longtime champion of healthy environment, modern infrastructure to serve as Ranking Member of key Senate panel  WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement on the announcement that he will serve as the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee in the 115th Congress. Senator Carper has long fought to create a healthier environment for all Americans and has been a strong advocate for making steady, long-term investments in our country’s outdated transportation systems. “I’m truly honored to serve in this position and eager to get to work. Our nation faces many challenges at this moment, particularly how we grapple with the very real and very damaging effects of climate change and the need to rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure, from roads and bridges to transit and water systems. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the incoming Trump administration to tackle these challenges head on. Senator Barrasso and I have enjoyed a good and productive working relationship over the years, and while we might not agree on everything, my hope and expectation is that we will do our best to come together where we can to make progress on numerous fronts. “Now is not the time to move backward. Over the last eight years, the Obama administration has made great strides toward stemming the tide of climate change and reducing air pollution. We should continue that work, not roll it back, as some are threatening to do. We’ve shown time and time again that we can grow the economy and protect the environment. We have an opportunity to make America a leader in developing cleaner energy and to make serious investments in our infrastructure. Both efforts will grow our economy and protect our citizens. Instead of shying away from that effort and movement, we should be embracing it so that we leave our children and grandchildren a better America and better world.”       Senator Carper has long held that our country does not have to choose between having a cleaner environment and having a robust, growing economy. Throughout his career, Senator Carper has consistently pursued policies that protect the environment and public health, while helping jumpstart new industries that can create jobs and help grow our economy. He has championed clean air legislation; defended the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to pursue commonsense regulations that curb harmful pollution; and worked across the aisle to provide tax incentives for clean energy deployment. As Chairman of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee from 2007-2013, Senator Carper held twenty-six hearings that focused on protecting and defending the Clean Air Act; on legislative initiatives that made the Clean Air Act stronger and more effective; and on oversight ensuring the largest source of carbon-free electricity in this country, nuclear power, is generated safely. Senator Carper is the co-author and continued supporter of a clean diesel program – the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) – that, according to the EPA, has created up to $12.6 billion in health benefits from reduced air pollution and saved over 450 million gallons of fuel. Since 2002, Senator Carper has called for a price on carbon and called for action on climate change – including sponsoring one of the first bipartisan bills in the Senate to address climate change. In 2007, Senator Carper was instrumental in passing updated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles – making our cars, trucks and vans much more fuel-efficient. The Obama administration has continued to build upon this effort, saving Americans thousands of dollars at the pump, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and better protecting clean air. Senator Carper has been a staunch supporter of the EPA, leading efforts in the Senate to defeat three Congressional Review Act resolutions that would have prevented the EPA from regulating toxic air pollutants and carbon pollution. Since 2009, Senator Carper has used his position on the Finance Committee to support emerging clean energy technologies, including successful efforts in extending tax credits that supported the construction of the first U.S. offshore wind project and the production of the first fuel cell vehicles to be sold commercially in the U.S. Senator Carper was a critical early voice championing the need and opportunity to make significant improvements to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which was finally enacted into law in 2016 after years of tireless work by Senator Carper and others.  As someone who commutes from Wilmington and Washington every day by train, Senator Carper understands just how critical safe, modern and reliable infrastructure is to Americans’ lives and to our country’s success. Senator Carper has been a tireless champion for robust funding to modernize and maximize our infrastructure in order to boost economic growth, strengthen productivity and competitiveness, and make life better for millions of people. He has staunchly advocated for raising the federal gas tax in order to make real investments in our transportation systems; prioritized steady, long-term funding for multimodal transportation choices, including passenger rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; and worked to enhance our country’s coastlines in order to protect communities from the impact of sea level rise and extreme weather. Senator Carper has long advocated for raising the federal gas tax. In 2015, Senator Carper introduced the TRAFFIC Relief Act to actually fix the Highway Trust Fund by raising gas and diesel taxes, rather than patching over the problem with short-term fixes. His legislation would have ensured the long-term solvency of the transportation trust fund to enable states and localities to get to work fixing and improving transportation networks, while also expanding and extending tax credits for hard-working Americans. As a senator from a low-lying coastal state with economically and ecologically significant coastal resources, Senator Carper has prioritized improving our water infrastructure and ensuring coordination between federal and state agencies on research and resilience efforts in the Senate-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. Senator Carper has worked to reduce transportation emissions and introduced the Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act (CLEAN-TEA) in 2008 to provide funding for emissions mitigation and require locally established emission-reduction goals.  Senator Carper, having served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland and Security and Government Affairs Committee, has highlighted the importance of security on our transportation network, including working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to strengthen U.S. airport security.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-president-elect-trumps-appointment-of-steve-bannon,Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.16 Senator Coons’ statement on President-elect Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon WASHINGTON - Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor: “In his election night victory speech, President-elect Trump pledged to be a president for all Americans. His choice of Steve Bannon as his chief strategist is deeply disturbing and fundamentally inconsistent with that pledge. Mr. Bannon personally has made despicable comments about women, the LGBT community, people of faith, and those with mental illness. At Breitbart, Mr. Bannon created an outlet built upon stoking racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism. These are not the values that have made America great. Inclusion and diversity are at the foundation of our nation’s success and our leadership in the world, and I will continue to defend those values. The President-elect must make it clear that the toxic blend of hate and bigotry that Mr. Bannon has made a living propagating has no place in a Trump administration.” Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-office-to-display-works-of-several-prominent-delaware-artists_,Senator Coons’ office to display works of several prominent Delaware artists,2016-11-14,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.16 Senator Coons’ office to display works of several prominent Delaware artists After recently hosting Chairman Jane Chu of the National Endowment for the Arts in Wilmington, Sen. Coons announces new art to be on display in Washington, D.C. office WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons today announced a new collection of art to be loaned and featured in his Washington, D.C. office. The collection will feature pieces from the Rehoboth Art League, Biggs Museum, and Wilmington’s Carspecken-Scott Gallery, including contributions from painters from up and down the state reflecting Delaware’s diverse landscapes reflecting agricultural and seaside roots.        “I am proud to display work from Delaware artists, including painters, photographers and digital media artists from up and down the state,” said Sen. Coons. “We know here in Delaware that the arts bring people together, lead to economic vitality, and help uplift our communities. I want to thank the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Rehoboth Art League and Carspecken-Scott Gallery for their generosity.” “We are delighted to share some of the wonderful Delaware works of art from the collections of the Biggs Museum of American Art,” said Charles Guerin, Executive Director of the Biggs Museum. “Senator Coons’ offices are a great venue for these artists and for visitors to see the best that Delaware has to offer in the visual arts. We are grateful to Senator Coons for this opportunity.” Paintings provided by the Biggs Museum of American Art include “House on the Shore,” by Edward Grant, and untitled works by artists Henryette Stadelman Whiteside and John B. Moll. “The Rehoboth Art League is proud to display works by both our talented member artists and from our permanent collection,” said Rehoboth Art League Artistic Director Jay Pastore. “The Rehoboth Art League is one of a few institutions in the state that actively collects works by both contemporary and Delaware Heritage artists, thus documenting the rich cultural history of Southern Delaware, with over one thousand works in our permanent collection.” Works provided by the Rehoboth Art League include “Winter Shore II,” by Lee Wayne Mills, “The Ghost Ship,” by Brook Hedge, “The Boat,” by John Landry, “Symbols of Delaware,” by Victor Letonoff, “RG#4,” by Barbara Warden, “Storm Over Milton,” by Bill Snow, and “Salt Marsh in Blue,” by Michelle Marshall. Works provided by the Carspecken-Scott Gallery include “Marshes at Indian River Inlet,” by Carol Balick,“Sussex Marsh,” by Mary Page Evans, and “Blue Pots,” by Sherry Brilliant. About Rehoboth Art LeagueThe Rehoboth Art League encourages artists and arts education and sponsors exhibits and programs that reflect the diversity of the community in an historic setting and in partnership with other organizations. About the Biggs Museum of American ArtThe Biggs Museum of American Art is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the fine and decorative arts of Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Nation from 1700 to the present. To fulfill its mission, the museum presents a broad range of exhibitions and public programs, actively interprets and cares for its collections, serves as an education resource to the community, and maintains strong ties with artists in the region. About Carspecken-Scott GalleryFor over 35 years Carspecken-Scott Gallery has exhibited artwork by contemporary Eastern and Mid-Atlantic artists. We provide outstanding conservation/restoration & framing services for all types of artwork with specialized emphasis on properly framing works for future preservation. We provide French mats, fabric wrapped mats, finished corner frames and all traditional and modern mouldings, matting and glass. Press Contact Brian P. Cunningham at brian_cunningham@coons.senate.gov or 302-573-6054 Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-urges-va-education-departments-to-relieve-disabled-veterans-of-unnecessary-student-loan-payments,"Senator Coons urges VA, Education Departments to relieve disabled veterans of unnecessary student loan payments",2016-11-14,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.14.16 Senator Coons urges VA, Education Departments to relieve disabled veterans of unnecessary student loan payments WILMINGTON, Del.– U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today sent a letter to the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Education, urging them to ensure that any veteran who is permanently disabled is discharged of their federal student loan debt. Such a discharge is allowed under current law, but the lack of coordination between the Department of Education (ED) and the VA is leaving behind potentially thousands of veterans who could otherwise have their loans discharged. Senators Coons, King, and Portman specifically urged the Departments to conduct a data match to identify permanently disabled veterans with outstanding student debt. This letter follows language the senators successfully included in the recently-enacted Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which urges the VA and ED to conduct such a match. “Earlier this year, ED and SSA conducted a data match that resulted in the identification of approximately 389,000 Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who are eligible for discharge of their federal student loans – nearly half of whom were in default on their loans,” Senator Coons and his colleagues wrote in their letter. “This kind of streamlining is a critical to protecting Americans with permanent and total disabilities from unnecessary financial hardship, but was limited to the two agencies in question. We believe the VA and ED should conduct a similar data match to ensure no veterans are denied the benefits for which they are qualified.”  Senators Coons, King, and Portman also said that Congress must pass legislation they introduced earlier this year – the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act – would end the Internal Revenue Service’s misguided policy of collecting taxes on discharged federal student loans following death or disability.   The complete text of the letter can be read HERE and is below:   November 14, 2016 Dear Secretary McDonald and Secretary King, We write to urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Education (ED) to streamline the disability verification process to ensure that any veteran who is permanently disabled is discharged of their federal student loan debt. Such a discharge is allowed under current law, but the lack of coordination between ED and the VA is leaving behind potentially thousands of veterans who could otherwise have their loans forgiven.  Section 437(a) of the Higher Education Act allows student loan borrowers who develop a permanent disability to have their federal student loans forgiven by the Department of Education. This student loan forgiveness also applies to veterans who have been determined by the VA to be unemployable due to a service-connected disability. To verify an individual’s eligibility for student loan forgiveness under the law, ED requires documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the VA regarding the borrower’s disability status. However, many disabled Americans have found the process to discharge these loans confusing and burdensome, discouraging them from following through with the process and leaving them to pay off student loans they otherwise would not be required to under law.  Earlier this year, ED and SSA conducted a data match that resulted in the identification of approximately 389,000 Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries who are eligible for discharge of their federal student loans – nearly half of whom were in default on their loans. This kind of streamlining is critical to protecting Americans with permanent and total disabilities from unnecessary financial hardship, but was limited to the two agencies in question. We believe the VA and ED should conduct a similar data match to ensure no veterans are denied the benefits for which they are qualified.  Congress recently recognized the complexity of the loan discharge process for veterans with a service-connected disability. At our urging, the explanatory statement that accompanies the recently-enacted FY17 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act directs the VA to enter into a data matching program with ED to improve coordination between federal agencies and eliminate the administrative hurdles that prevent too many veterans from receiving the loan forgiveness they deserve.[1] We urge you to act swiftly upon this recommendation from Congress.      Improving the loan discharge process for borrowers with disabilities does not end with administrative streamlining – there is more to be done, and Congress must act. Under current law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats the amount of student loans forgiven as income, which must be reported on an individual’s tax return and could potentially result in a tax liability. Instead of helping veterans and their families through loan forgiveness, this misguided policy simply replaces one financial burden with another, as some families are hit with thousands of dollars in immediate tax liability. That is why we have introduced legislation to exempt loans discharged due to disability or death from being treated as income – the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act (S. 2800). While we continue to work to ensure that this legislation becomes law, the VA and ED should work together to make veterans aware of this potential liability prior to discharging student loans.  We appreciate your attention to this important matter.   Press Contact Adam Lowenstein at 202-228-3454 or Adam_Lowenstein@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=7B9C5ACB-2448-4839-AC4B-60D189C843B5,Upholding our commitment to serve our veterans and end veteran homelessness in Delaware,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today marks Veterans Day, an important reminder to honor those who have sacrificed so much in service to our state and our country. Having served 23 years in the U.S. Navy, I know the sacrifices military members and their families make. They put their lives on hold during their service, and work long after they leave the military to heal wounds, both visible and invisible, suffered while serving in the line of duty. Veterans deserve not only our appreciation for their service, but also our commitment to taking care of them long after they return to civilian life. Veterans deserve access to high-quality healthcare that cares for them and their families, and reliable education that can put them on the path toward long-lasting careers. We also owe it to our veterans who have fallen on hard times to lift them up and help them back on the path toward leading healthy, happy lives. Earlier today, I joined Secretary Julian Castro, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Governor Jack Markell, Senator Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney at Memorial Plaza in New Castle to celebrate progress in Delaware’s commitment to ending homelessness for our veterans. In 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, and in his 2015 State of the State Address, Governor Markell announced that the entire state of Delaware would answer that call and take up this challenge together. Right away, the Delaware State Housing Authority and Delaware Health and Social Services teamed up to identify Delaware’s veterans struggling with homelessness and implement a plan to end veteran homelessness in our state. In less than two years, 414 homeless veterans have been placed in permanent housing in Delaware, and Delaware has become just the third state to reach its goal of effectively ending homelessness in our state – creating a sustainable, systematic response to ensure the number of homeless veterans in Delaware never moves backward from where it stands today. I am proud of the work Delaware has done to quickly respond to this challenge by coming together in an effort to uphold our sacred commitment to our veterans. While Veterans Day is only celebrated one day out of the year, we have a responsibility to care for our veterans each day as if it were their holiday. While serving in the military, our women and men in uniform can’t just take a day off. And we should never take a day off from caring for them. On this Veterans Day, I say Thank You to all of our veterans in Delaware and across the country. God bless you and your families on this day, and every day.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-veterans-day,Senator Coons' statement on Veterans Day,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.11.16 Senator Coons' statement on Veterans Day WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day.  ""The selfless contributions that generations of American veterans, past and present, have made to our nation should inspire us all to find ways to serve our fellow citizens,"" said Senator Coons. ""Today is a day to ask ourselves what each of us is doing, beyond saying thank you, to honor and support our veterans and to strengthen our nation.""   Press Contact Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-the-passing-of-attorney-general-janet-reno,Senator Coons' statement on the passing of Attorney General Janet Reno,2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.07.16 Senator Coons' statement on the passing of Attorney General Janet Reno WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the statement below following the passing of Attorney General Janet Reno. ""I am saddened to learn of the passing of Janet Reno this morning,"" said Senator Coons. ""As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I've seen firsthand the vast scope of responsibilities facing our nation's attorney general. Attorney General Reno demonstrated a relentless commitment to her work during her long tenure at the helm of the Department of Justice. I join my colleagues of both parties in honoring her groundbreaking role as the first female attorney general and her lifelong commitment to public service. My thoughts are with her family today."" Press Contact Adam Lowenstein at 202-228-3454 or Adam_Lowenstein@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=B7608C8F-3F67-4D9B-90F3-86385AF2997F,Senator Carper Statement on Latest Letter from Director Comey,2016-11-06,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON -- Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement today in response to the most recent letter from Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Director James Comey stating that, after a review of additional emails, it is standing by its decision made in July regarding its investigation into Secretary Clinton's emails. “Today's announcement from the FBI simply reaffirms what the agency made clear in July – that no further action is warranted in this case. After reviewing newly obtained emails over the past week, the FBI has once again confirmed what we already knew. The facts are clear, and Director Comey's latest letter should put this matter to rest once and for all. Just days before a national election, we can now turn our attention to the critical issues facing our country rather than engaging in unwarranted and irresponsible speculation on a matter that has been thoroughly reviewed and resolved.‎  “While I am grateful to the men and women of the FBI for all the work of the past nine days, which led to the letter sent by Director Comey today, this unprecedented episode should serve as a reminder to all of us that we must remain vigilant to ensure that no agency is allowed to improperly influence our elections – not this year and not any year in the future.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=C01CDDC4-F253-43E3-B798-73EE40B02E3C,"Carper, Coons, Carney Support Markell Request for Federal Disaster Declaration for September Storm and Flooding",2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) urged President Obama to approve Delaware's request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration due to the effects of the severe storm and flooding that impacted the state on Sept. 29 and 30, 2016. The request, made by Governor Jack Markell, noted the two days of exponential rainfall and tidal flooding that occurred along the Delaware Coast and lower Delaware Bay.  According to Governor Markell’s letter, total expenditures from the storm are expected to be more than $2.24 million. If approved, the declaration will make Public Assistance Funds from the Federal Disaster Relief Fund available to the state to assist in the response and recovery effort. “Our Sussex County communities that were hardest hit by the storm are in critical need of funding through the Federal Disaster Relief Fund to help families and businesses can get back on their feet. This emergency funding will also help ensure Delaware is prepared for similar disasters in the future,” said Sen. Carper. “I thank Governor Markell for his leadership, and I urge President Obama to approve this Disaster Declaration as soon as possible.” “The impact of significant rainfall packed a punch in September and many Delawareans struggled from the effects of flooding in Sussex County,” said Sen. Coons. “Businesses, homeowners and our infrastructure all continue to feel the ramifications of the storm. I support Governor Markell in his request of a Major Disaster Declaration and I strongly urge President Obama to approve the disaster declaration in an effort to restore Delaware coastal communities and our infrastructure to pre-storm conditions.” “Folks in Delaware were hit hard by the storm this September. And many of our businesses and communities are still reeling from the damages,"" said Congressman Carney. ""A Presidential Disaster Declaration will provide the necessary funding to repair our public infrastructure and property. I strongly support Governor Markell’s efforts to secure this declaration for our state. I will continue to work with him and the rest of our delegation to ensure Delaware receives the support we need to rebuild.” Portions of Delaware experienced 8.94 to 12.0 inches of historic rainfall over the two-day period.  The Federal Disaster Relief Fund is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Public Assistant Funds are meant to help communities quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. Governor Markell’s request can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=BD50B47F-376B-450E-8976-5A0769CAD141,New Report Finds Affordable Care Act is Helping Delawareans Quit Smoking,2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - The Affordable Care Act is helping Delawareans quit smoking by ensuring coverage for preventative health care services, according to a new report released by Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Reforms enacted by the Affordable Care Act require certain health insurance plans to provide coverage for preventive health services, including services to help quit smoking, without any out-of-pocket expenses. Each year, smoking-related illnesses cost the United States over $300 billion and are responsible for approximately 500,000 deaths nationwide. In Delaware alone, 1,400 adults die each year from smoking and the annual health care costs caused directly by smoking exceed $530 million. Earlier this year, Senator Carper initiated an inquiry into how health insurers in Delaware were providing coverage for services to help quit smoking. The inquiry found that health insurers offering plans on Delaware’s health insurance marketplace are providing coverage for tobacco cessation services consistent with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. “Kicking a tobacco habit is hard, and individuals often struggle to do it on their own. That’s why I’m so pleased the Affordable Care Act has created programs that help people quit smoking through their health insurance policies,” said Ranking Member Carper. “Health insurance companies in Delaware are providing tools to their customers that are helping them give up their harmful tobacco use, hopefully for good. Delawareans who smoke should contact their doctors and take advantage of these services to quit smoking without paying any out-of-pocket expenses.” According to the report, health insurers offering on Delaware’s health insurance provide coverage for multiple services to help quit smoking without any out-of-pocket cost or prior approval from an insurance company: Counseling services: Individual, telephone, and group counseling for current smokers. Seven tobacco cessation medications: Over-the-counter nicotine replacement products (skin patches, chewing gum, lozenges), prescription-only nicotine replacement products (nasal spray and inhaler), and prescription medications without nicotine (Chantix and Zyban/Bupropion). While coverage to help quit smoking is available in Delaware, the inquiry also found that availability of this coverage in other states may vary and that the coverage documents provided by health insurers were not always up-to-date or publicly accessible. Based on these conclusions, the report recommends: The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury should issue clear guidance on tobacco cessation coverage. Updated and clear guidance will provide clear direction that health insurers in every state must cover all seven Food and Drug Administration-approved tobacco cessation medications and all forms of counseling without out-of-pocket costs or prior approval from an insurance company.  Insurers should ensure policy documents are accurate and easily accessible. Coverage documents should be available to consumers while they are shopping for health plans and accurately reflect the coverage provided to help quit smoking.  The Affordable Care Act’s coverage requirements has helped approximately 76 million Americans with private health insurance gain access to preventive services, including 225,000 residents in Delaware. Approximately 20 percent of adults in Delaware still identify as smokers. Read the full report here: “Kicking the Habit: How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping Delawareans Quit Smoking.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=632913C9-6E20-4B89-9CAB-19DFE0E25196,Senate Committee Ranking Members Demand Answers From DOJ & FBI On FBI Review Of Recently Identified Emails,2016-10-31,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following comment after the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation failed to provide clarity regarding the latest review of Secretary Clinton’s emails. The Ranking Members on Saturday sent a letter to Attorney General Lynch and FBI Director Comey asking for details about the review, and on Monday received a vague response from the Justice Department’s office of legislative affairs. “The Justice Department’s response to our letter was disappointing and inadequate.  The vague letter that Director Comey sent to Congress last Friday has led to widespread confusion and unfair speculation.  In fact, it appears that when Director Comey sent his letter, the FBI had not even sought or obtained the authority necessary to review the emails in question. “We are deeply troubled by the fact that Director Comey apparently sent his letter without even knowing the basic facts about the emails.  The result is that the letter is being mischaracterized and misconstrued for political benefit, which is the very reason the Justice Department has a longstanding policy against publicizing investigations so close to Election Day. “Voters are going to the polls at this very moment, and it is incumbent on the FBI Director and Attorney General to provide Congress and the American people with clear, unambiguous answers about what the FBI knows and doesn’t know about the emails in question, including how many are duplicate emails that have already been reviewed by the FBI.  We renew our request that the FBI Director and Attorney General respond immediately to the specific questions we asked in our letter dated October 29, 2016.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-the-week-ahead-for-senator-chris-coons_,The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons,2016-10-31,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.31.16 The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons November 1 - November 6 Tuesday, November 1 – The Senator will host a visit from National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu today. The events are as follows: 9 a.m.        Tour of Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts (200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE) 10:30 a.m.   Walking tour of Creative District (100 W.  10th St. Wilmington, DE) 1 p.m.        Town Hall meeting on arts at the Baby Grand (818 North Market St., Wilmington, DE) Contact Brian P. Cunningham (Sen. Coons Office) at 302-573-6054 or Judith Kargbo (NEA) at 202-682-5528. Wednesday, November 2 at 2 p.m. – The Senator will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase of the Industrial Track Trail. This phase of the Industrial Track Trail forms the final link of the six-mile New Castle Industrial Track Trail, a critical segment of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. When complete, the trail will join with the Wilmington Riverwalk to provide a walking and bicycling connection between downtown Wilmington and Old New Castle. The project has been termed the ""crown jewel"" of Delaware's trail network. Governor Jack Markell, DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan, and DNREC Secretary David Small will be in attendance. DuPont Environmental Education Center, 1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Thursday, November 3 at 12 p.m. — The Senator will attend a continuing legal education event with Justice Stephen Breyer, Supreme Court of the United States on ""The Court and the World."" Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, DE. Thursday, November 3 at 4 p.m. — The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at “Congressional Dialogue,” hosted by the Delaware Community Foundation. Delaware History Museum and Center for African American Heritage, 504 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE. Friday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Delaware Barristers Association Awards and Gala. Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. – The Senator will the Delaware Theatre Company’s annual Ovation Wine Fest and Auction. Delaware Art Museum, 2300 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE Press Contact Brian Cunningham 302.573-6054 Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=70A2C9EB-3632-4971-AF06-43CB95943486,Restoring Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier today, I was joined by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regional Director Wendi Weber as I visited the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate the completion of one of the largest and most complex coastal restoration projects ever undertaken on the East Coast. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is one of two federal wildlife refuges in Delaware. Established in 1963, Prime Hook spans more than 10,000 acres and serves as an important sanctuary for millions of migratory birds traveling up and down the East Coast and across the globe every year. It’s also home to hundreds of other species of fish, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals. We are incredibly lucky to have Prime Hook in our own backyard, open seven days a week for bird-watching, photography, hunting and fishing, and most important, environmental education. In 2012, when Superstorm Sandy swept across the East Coast, inundating New Jersey’s beach communities in historic flooding and knocking out power for millions in New York City, Prime Hook bore the brunt of Sandy’s storm surges. Many of its protective beaches and dunes took considerable damage. Immediately following Sandy, I joined Senator Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney in securing federal funding to restore Prime Hook and protect it, and our communities, from future storms and sea-level rise. The $38 million restoration project got underway in July 2015. Nearly four years to the day since Sandy made landfall, we’ve completed one of the largest coastal restoration projects on the East Coast. We restored 4,000 acres of coastal marsh, rebuilt an 8,000-foot long, 9-foot high coastal dune, and dredged more than 25 miles of tidal channels to restore flow of tidal water to the wetland complex. I was proud to join Secretary Jewell and Wendi Weber earlier today to celebrate the success of this massive restoration and preservation project. Our combined efforts to rebuild Prime Hook are not just important to restore our natural buffer to increasingly dangerous storms and ever-rising seas, but they’re important to protecting an incredibly diverse, beautiful piece of nature. Nearly 75,000 people visit Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge each year, and the bulk of those are wildlife observers – families and students there to learn and explore. It is one of our greatest responsibilities to ensure that Prime Hook, and the wildlife that call it home, is protected for the generations to come.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-statement-on-recoupment-of-bonuses-to-national-guard-members,Senator Coons’ statement on recoupment of bonuses to National Guard Members,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.28.16 Senator Coons’ statement on recoupment of bonuses to National Guard Members “I share the concerns of my constituents and many Americans about recent reports of the recoupment of bonuses and education benefits awarded to members of the California National Guard during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the mid-2000s. These soldiers volunteered at the height of these conflicts and many served our country with honor and distinction over multiple combat tours. We should honor these heroes who inspire us all to do more to better serve our fellow citizens. Those who volunteer for military service deserve our admiration and respect, but these servicemembers are now facing unexpected tax liens, wage garnishment, interest payments, and other financial penalties.  “Most of these servicemembers accepted a bonus which, due to administrative errors and possible fraud, they were mistakenly offered. I support the decision by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to immediately suspend recoupment and launch a process to fully review the issue. The Pentagon should also investigate this matter more thoroughly to determine the extent of these errors and make sure soldiers from other states are not affected.  “We have a duty as Americans to support those who serve. I am reminded of this duty every time I visit with and hear from any veteran or current member of the military, but particularly the brave men and women of Dover Air Force Base and the Delaware National Guard. I will work to ensure our military servicemembers are adequately and fairly compensated for their invaluable service.” Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=D190B1E4-FD85-4E90-9B52-A22004676C7C,Sen. Carper Seeking Applications for U.S. District Court for District of Delaware Judge,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for consideration for the position of Judge of the United States District Court for District of Delaware. The objective of the EOI is to create a slate of qualified candidates for consideration for recommendation to the President. Candidates are recommended to the President by the senior Member of Congress from the President’s political party in a state where the vacancy exists. The President will formally nominate an individual to the Senate for its advice and consent. The EOI should include: 1) a letter of qualification; 2) a detailed curricula vitae; and, 3) the names of three references, 2 of which must be professional references. This information should be submitted as a package to the Senator’s Dover Office, 500 W. Loockerman Street, Suite #470, Dover, Del. 19901, to the attention of Lori James, State Director. Questions can be directed to Ms. James at (302) 674-3308. All application materials much be received by close of business on November 30, 2016.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=F95219DE-1321-41E6-B1D0-10F6C1DE93F9,Helping our southern neighbors prosper,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Last week, I traveled to Mexico and Central America to discuss regional efforts to address the root causes of migration to the United States from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Over the past several years, in my role as the top Democrat on the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have repeatedly traveled to Mexico and the Northern Triangle to meet with government officials, key leaders in the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to study the underlying reasons for the recent increase in migration from Central American countries to our southern border. Often, we focus too much attention to the symptoms of problems rather than working to address their underlying causes. This is particularly true when it comes to securing our borders and addressing the unprecedented number of families and unaccompanied children coming to our country from Central America. My latest visit to the region gave me the opportunity to sit down with leaders in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador and hear from them, first-hand, about their work to address the root causes of migration, including promoting economic opportunity, reestablishing rule of law, tackling violence, and inspiring hope in the Northern Triangle. I also got to hear about progress they are making to meet their commitments under the Alliance for Prosperity – a multi-national strategy among the Northern Triangle nations agreed to in November 2014 with the help of Vice President Joe Biden – to invest in key areas of their countries in order to bolster security and economic opportunity in the region and improve the lives of their citizens. Much like Plan Colombia, which helped pull that nation back from the abyss of being overrun by drug cartels thirty years ago, the Alliance for Prosperity has the potential to foster economic growth and combat the drug cartels and extreme violence in the Northern Triangle that force so many people from their homes. With our continued support, we can help make these nations a better place to live, work, and raise a family. By working to tackle the root causes driving migration to the United States, and helping these countries help themselves, we will not only strengthen America, but we will also help to create a stable, safe, and economically resilient region to our south, and help end preventable humanitarian crises at our border. I invite you to view the full read-out from my latest trip, and view photos from the trip posted to my Facebook page.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=748CEC10-2B05-4677-9009-F788282FB040,"Following the Collapse of ITT Tech, Senator Carper Releases New Staff Report Highlighting the Harm to Student Veterans Caused by School Closures",2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Compared to federal student loan borrowers, our nation’s veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill have substantially fewer protections when their schools suddenly close, according to a staff report released today by Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The new report, “Education Denied: The Importance of Assisting Veterans Harmed by School Closures,” highlights the significant and disproportionately negative impact that school closures, like the recent collapse of ITT Technical Institutes (ITT Tech) and Corinthian Colleges (Corinthian), have on veterans using the GI Bill. The report recommends steps that Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should take to ensure that comprehensive relief is available to veterans and their families when schools abruptly close so that they do not lose their benefits for good. The report also recommends a temporary extension of the housing allowance to ensure veterans and their families can pay their rent or mortgage while they seek to transfer to another institution of higher learning. “Our nation’s veterans have earned their G.I. bill benefits and they deserve to attain a high-quality education. It is unfathomable to me that these brave men and women, who volunteered to serve their country in a time of war, are now being left in the lurch by some of the largest recipients of Post-9/11 GI Bill taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Carper, a 23-year veteran of the Navy and Naval Reserves, who has fought tirelessly on behalf of student veterans. “This is shameful. We have an obligation to honor their sacrifice and ensure our veterans are afforded the same protections that federal student loan borrowers are given when their schools suddenly close. This report puts forth several recommendations that would provide student veterans and their families the comprehensive relief they deserve and ensure they are able to pursue their dream of a college education. VA and Congress also need to do more on the front end to hold bad actors accountable and ensure that we’re not continuing to send our veterans to schools delivering poor outcomes and destined for financial collapse.” Combined, ITT Tech and Corinthian have received over $1 billion from taxpayers through the Post-9/11 GI Bill since 2009. Since fiscal year 2013, nearly 9,000 veterans – including over 6,800 at ITT Tech– were actively pursuing their education at schools that shut their doors. While the Department of Education has discharged federal student loans for over 11,000 borrowers who attended Corinthian and has already begun taking steps to provide similar relief to students who attended ITT Tech, there are no comparable protections for student veterans utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Currently, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs does not have the authority to restore Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits or provide any extension of housing allowance benefits when schools permanently close. The report recommends that both Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs take the following actions to assist veterans harmed by school closures: Restore Benefits for Veterans Harmed by School Closures o   Congress must provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the authority to restore benefits for Post-9/11 GI Bill students who attend schools that close permanently. o   Congress must provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the authority to continue making housing payments for a limited time period to veterans and their families following school closures. o   Congress should consider allowing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to require schools that pose certain financial risks to set aside funds that could be used to reduce the cost to taxpayers of restoring benefits to the veterans harmed when schools close. Strengthen Oversight of Schools Receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill Funds o   The Department of Veterans Affairs should consider ways to enhance its use of existing authorities to ensure schools comply with Post-9/11 GI Bill program requirements. o   The Department of Veterans Affairs should draw on the full range of information it collects to identify schools engaged in prohibited practices and use its authority disapprove new student enrollments or withdraw program approvals when these practices occur. o   Congress should consider increasing funding for State Approving Agencies, which operate under contract with VA and are the primary entities charged with approval of a school’s participation in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. Senator Carper wrote to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald to convey the report’s findings and stress the important of protecting veterans from school closures. You can read the full report here: “Education Denied: The Importance of Assisting Veterans Harmed By School Closures.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=776E81FC-BFA4-4ADC-94D2-9BD776CA0E3E,Senator Carper Returns from Delegation Trip to Mexico and Central America,2016-10-17,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, traveled to Mexico and Central America and met with government officials, as well as key leaders in the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to discuss regional efforts to address the root causes of migration to the United States from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Specifically, Senator Carper focused on current initiatives being implemented under the Alliance for Prosperity to bolster security and economic opportunity in the region and improve the prospects of citizens of these countries. “Often, we focus too much attention to the symptoms of problems rather than trying to fix the underlying causes. This is particularly true when it comes to securing our borders and addressing the unprecedented migration of families and unaccompanied children coming to our country from Central America,” said Senator Carper. “My latest visit to the region gave me the opportunity to sit down with leaders in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador and hear from them, first-hand, about their progress in upholding their commitment to the Alliance for Prosperity and their work to address the root causes of migration, including promoting economic opportunity, reestablishing rule of law, tackling violence, and inspiring hope in the Northern Triangle. It also reinforced what we must continue to do to complement and support our neighbors’ ongoing efforts to improve their citizens’ lives.” In Mexico, Senator Carper met with key leaders including Roberta Jacobson, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico; Humberto Roque Villanueva, SEGOB Undersecretary for Migration, Population and Religious Affairs; Ardelio Vargas, National Migration Commissioner; and Refugee Commissioner Sandra Velasco Ludlow to discuss U.S.-Mexico relations, the flow of migrants through Mexico, and issues concerning drug and human trafficking. Senator Carper also met with Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu to highlight how Mexico is engaging with Central American leaders to tackle the underlying causes of migration. Senator Carper also spent time with Maria Eugenia Casar, Executive Director of the Mexican International Development Agency (AMEXCID), to hear about ongoing efforts to boost development in Mexico and across Central America. In Guatemala, Senator Carper met with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Todd Robinson, Congressional Representatives Jean Paul Briere and Maria Eugenia Tabush, and other Guatemalan officials about implementation of the Alliance for Prosperity and updates regarding migration, economic development and education in Guatemala. He also met with the first Women's Caucus of the Guatemalan Congress and shared strategies for strengthening political participation among women in the country. Senator Carper visited Villa Nueva Model Police Precinct to see local community policing and crime prevention efforts and also toured Fe y Alegria, a school offering free, quality education to impoverished children living in the country’s neediest communities.  In El Salvador, Senator Carper met with U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Elizabeth Manes and key justice sector leaders -- including Deputy Attorney General Roberto Parada Viscarra, National Police Director Howard Cotto and members of the Supreme Court -- to discuss efforts underway to combat violence and corruption  in the country. While in El Salvador, Senator Carper visited a repatriation facility where Salvadorans returning to their country receive support services and met with employees at League Collegiate Outfitters, a clothing manufacturer that offers education and work opportunities to Salvadorans, including the disabled and former gang members. Senator Carper also joined a discussion with Salvadoran economic officials and business leaders to discuss security issues and economic opportunity initiatives in El Salvador. Over the past two years, Senator Carper has repeatedly traveled to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, as well as Mexico and Colombia, to study the root causes of Central American migration. In December 2015, Senator Carper released the report, Stronger Neighbors - Stronger Borders: Addressing the Root Causes of the Migration Surge from Central America that found that the ongoing migration surge from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador reflects troubled conditions in those countries. He has also been a strong advocate for providing much-needed resources to address the underlying causes of migration from Central America and helped to secure $750 million to do so in the Fiscal Year 2016 spending bill. “By working to tackle the root causes driving migration to the United States, and helping these countries help themselves, we will not only strengthen America, but we will also help to create a stable, safe, and economically resilient region to our south, and help end preventable humanitarian crises at our border,” noted Senator Carper. In November 2014, the presidents of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador – joined by Vice President Joe Biden – announced their commitment to the “Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle.” The Alliance for Prosperity directs action in four key areas: fostering economic growth by strengthening trade and building critical infrastructure such as roads, energy pipelines, and the electric grid; investing in education and workforce development; promoting the rule of law by tackling corruption, improving public safety, and strengthening the judicial system; and rebuilding citizens' trust in the government by increasing transparency and improving the delivery of basic services. On his most recent trip, Senator Carper saw the initiatives being implemented in these countries under the Alliance for Prosperity. Please visit Senator Carper’s Twitter and Facebook pages for more highlights and photos of his most recent trip to Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/the-week-ahead-for-senator-chris-coons-october-17-21,The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons October 17-21,2016-10-17,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.17.16 The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons October 17-21 A look at the week ahead Monday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend Delaware’s annual Jefferson-Jackson reception. The event will be highlighted by keynote speaker, Congressman Elijah Cummings (Md-7th District). UA Local 74 Executive Conference & Banquet Center, 205 Executive Drive, Newark, DE 19702. For press inquiries contact Delaware Democratic Party communications coordinator Travis Williams at 302.650.8844. Wednesday, October 19 at 9:30 a.m. – The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at the Delaware Department of Health & Social Services’ Disability Mentoring Day. Disability Mentoring Day has expanded into all three counties for a day of networking and discovering careers. Disability Mentoring Day is a national effort to promote career development for young adults with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing and on-going peer mentoring. Courtyard Marriott, 400 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716. Open to press. Contact: Jill Fredel, DHSS 302.255.9047. Wednesday, October 19 at 5 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at NCALL’s 40TH Anniversary Celebration. NCALL will celebrate 40 years of serving Delawareans by advocating for affordable housing, improved communities and sustainable development, primarily in rural areas. The Outlook at the Duncan Center, 500 Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19904. Open to press. Wednesday, October 19 at 6 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks at the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards. The awards honor individuals, organizations, community groups and corporate volunteers in the areas of arts and culture, community service, education, environment, health, human needs, public safety and social justice. Dover Downs, 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE. Open to press. Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 a.m.  — The Senator will attend the 2016 Delaware Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Guest speaker will be Eric Metaxas, author of “If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty.”  Chase Center on the Riverfront. Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Thursday, October 20 at 11 a.m. – The Senator will attend the groundbreaking of the Food Bank of Delaware’s new 80,000-square-foot facility in Newark. The Food Bank of Delaware provides nutritious foods to Delawareans in need and facilitates long-term solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty through community education and advocacy. 222 Lake Drive, Pencader Corporate Center, Newark, DE 19702 (off Route 896). Open to press. Contact Food Bank’s Kim Turner 302.444.8074. Thursday, October 20 at 6 p.m. – The Senator will attend the second annual Meals on Wheels’ Ultimate Tailgate event. The Ultimate Tailgate will feature the best of our area restaurants serving their unique interpretations of tailgate food. Sheraton Wilmington South, 365 Airport Road, New Castle DE 19720. Press Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-573-6054 or Brian_Cunningham@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8687FBAB-27E6-439E-8DEF-8B5C0BBB9C99,Carper Expresses Strong Support for International Agreement to Cut Harmful Climate Pollution,2016-10-15,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, expressed support for an international agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol. The amendment will begin phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and is used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial applications. Senator Carper has long advocated for a reduction in the use of HFCs because they negatively impact our global climate. “I applaud both President Obama and Secretary Kerry for their continued leadership on efforts to combat climate change and reduce international greenhouse gas pollution. The Montreal Protocol has been a great example of how governments can work together to address a global environmental problem – it has moved the globe away from using ozone-destroying substances without negatively impacting the world economy.  “I am thrilled to see the international community use the Montreal Protocol to address another environmental challenge – climate change. If left unchecked, HFCs could account for a tremendous portion of climate pollution in the decades to come. Fortunately, however, through an amended Montreal Protocol, we have an international framework that will guide countries around the world as they transition the materials we use to cool our homes and chill our food to safer alternatives that have a lower global warming impact.  “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, as well as this and future administrations, to implement a cost-effective way to phase down the use of HFCs in the United States so we can meet our climate goals.  As we continue to see the drastic effects of climate change, like sea-level rise and increasingly powerful storms, the United States and countries around the world must continue to find ways to reduce pollution that causes climate change, and this is a step in the right direction.” Senator Carper has long been a leader on reducing the harmful impact of HFCs on our environment. He sponsored legislative language that was included in the 2007 Lieberman-Warner climate change bill that was the first of its kind to address this issue. Subsequently, that language was included in other climate change bills, and has encouraged the Obama administration to work multilaterally to curb the use of harmful HFCs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=282804C7-3ACE-4A58-B4BC-E89D9E0B2F6C,It's October: time to change your passwords,2016-10-14,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October marks National Cyber Security Awareness Month - an important reminder of the growing and ever-changing threats we face in cyberspace. As we become more connected in our daily lives, it is also more important than ever that we understand the vulnerabilities we face and take steps to secure our most personal information. With the growing prevalence of social media, online banking and online shopping, more and more of our personal and financial information is stored and accessible to us online. However, this modern convenience also means that information is potentially accessible to others who might wish to use it for their own financial gain or other malicious purposes.  That is why each October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Cyber Security Alliance, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center team up to sponsor National Cyber Security Awareness Month and help Americans better protect themselves online. There are common-sense steps that each of us can take to better secure our personal information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Below are a few tips you can use to make sure you are doing everything possible to protect yourself online: Set strong passwords and change them regularly. Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software as secure as possible by installing updates in a timely manner. Limit the amount of personal information you post online, and use strong privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely. Be cautious about what you receive or read online— if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As the top Democrat on the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have been laser-focused on improving cyber practices across our country and empowering agencies like the Department of Homeland Security to ensure our federal networks are protected against cyber attacks. Last year, Congress approved the bipartisan Cybersecurity Act of 2015. This important legislation included a number of provisions I championed to allow the federal government and the private sector to share cyber threat information, and to strengthen federal agencies’ defenses against cyberattack. I am proud of this bipartisan accomplishment that is already working to enhance our cybersecurity even as we continue to look for ways to improve.  When it comes to cybersecurity, we cannot rest on our laurels. The threats we face online are growing and changing every day, and we must each remain vigilant in protecting our most personal information. Not just in October, but every day, I will continue to support efforts to improve cyber security across the federal government, and I hope each of you will also continue to practice safe “cyber hygiene” by keeping your personal cyber security in mind every time you go online to update social media accounts, make a purchase, or pay a bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-newsletter?ContentRecord_id=1D95CF47-2E7B-4D6E-97E4-D0535BF5BD51,Investing in the next generation of American manufacturers,2016-10-07,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today marks National Manufacturing Day, an annual celebration of the strength of American manufacturing and the important role it plays in the global 21st century economy – and will continue to play for years to come. Just seven years ago, our economy was shedding jobs at a rate of over 600,000 per month, and many experts thought we were headed for a second Great Depression. In the seven years since, through hard work, innovation, and boundless determination on the part of American workers, we have come a long way from that precipice. Earlier today, in fact, the Labor Department announced employment numbers for September that marked 79 straight months of private sector job growth equating to 15.3 million jobs created. While there is still more work to be done, the past seven years have shown that the American worker will continue to out-work and out-compete the rest of the world when given the opportunity. That is why it is as important as ever for us to continue supporting our modern American manufacturing sector. Through investments in the next generation of manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and their innovative ideas, we will continue to see a manufacturing sector that will provide good-paying jobs for years to come. On Monday, Senator Chris Coons and I were joined by U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in a visit to RC Fabricators, a Wilmington steel manufacturer that details, fabricates, and erects steel and other metals for the construction industry. RC Fabricators has invested in an apprenticeship program that helps young manufacturers gain the high-quality skills they need to pursue careers in the highly competitive 21st century economy. In June, Delaware received a $200,000 U.S. Labor Department grant award to help expand this apprenticeship program to new sectors and populations, conduct outreach and work with employers to start new apprenticeship programs, and promote greater inclusion and diversity. This grant was a part of ApprenticeshipUSA, the Labor Department’s coordinated effort with industry and education leaders, nonprofits, and local governments to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship and expand the use of this time-tested, earn-while-you-learn model. We must do everything we can to continue to grow and modernize our manufacturing sector in Delaware and across the country, and investments in high-quality training for the next generation of manufacturers is crucial to this effort. American manufacturing helped our economy become the most robust in the world in the 20th century. I’m confident that investments in the next generation of American manufacturers,  like those RC Fabricators have made in their apprenticeship program, will help us continue to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world in the 21st century economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/president-obama-signs-coons-flake-wildlife-trafficking-bill-into-law,President Obama signs Coons-Flake wildlife trafficking bill into law,2016-10-07,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.07.16 President Obama signs Coons-Flake wildlife trafficking bill into law WILMINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama signed into the law the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, a bipartisan bill Senator Coons introduced with Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.): “I’m thrilled President Obama signed the END Wildlife Trafficking Act into law today. Not only is this bill good policy and a step forward in the fight to end wildlife trafficking, but it’s a clear example of how Congress can work together to address the urgent challenges of a complex world. I’m grateful to my friend, Senator Flake, for his tireless efforts and partnership on this important issue.  “We deeply appreciate the hard work of our colleagues in the House, Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel, and thank the thousands of individuals in Delaware, in Arizona, and across the country who expressed their support for this bill. We also recognize this bill couldn’t have made it across the finish line without the relentless work of the wildlife and international security advocacy communities. Of course, our work on this issue is not complete. I look forward to continuing to fight against the scourge of wildlife trafficking that threatens iconic wildlife and global security.” Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=1B195C4E-7DC7-46A3-B001-A0CC22153346,EPW HEARING STATEMENT: Examining the Local Impacts of EPAs Climate Regulations,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, released the following statement on the committee’s hearing to examine the local impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate regulations. “Thank you, Chairman Capito, for holding this hearing today and thank you to the witnesses for being here to offer their valuable testimony. In today’s hearing we will focus on the costs and benefits of the EPA’s proposed carbon regulations, known as the Clean Power Plan. “I was born in Beckley, West Virginia, and have spent most of my adult life in Delaware. As a native of a small town supported by coal mining, and now as a Senator representing the lowest-lying state in the nation, I have a unique perspective on the balance that we must strike to make climate regulations work for each state. “The debate on the costs and benefits of climate change action is not a new one. For decades, fears of the costs to combat climate change have prevented any real action on this issue in Congress. “Since coming to the Senate, I have tried to work with my colleagues on a climate compromise that would use market forces to reduce carbon pollution and reduce the costs of compliance. “As part of a compromise, I worked with Senator Byrd and a handful of other coal-state Senators on language that would have provided more than $10 billion in incentives to support the deployment of clean coal power plants. This language – along with other language intended to help the coal industry reduce its carbon emissions – was included in the Kerry-Boxer Climate Change bill, which regrettably did not pass into law.  “Instead of coming to a compromise on climate change – Congress came to a stalemate. “Missing the opportunity to enact comprehensive climate change legislation in 2010 was tragic failure. It is becoming clearer that the price of inaction is much greater than the price of doing something. As each year passes by, the more severe, the more costly, and perhaps irreversible, the effects of climate change become. For those of us from states that are already being harmed by climate change, the message is clear - we can no longer afford inaction. “Many states, such as New York and Delaware, have already taken action to reduce the largest emitter of carbon pollution - power plant emissions. As we will hear today, the economies of these states continue to grow at a faster rate than the states that have yet to put climate regulations in place. “Unfortunately harmful air pollution does not stop at the border of states that have taken action. In fact, many states along the mid-Atlantic, which are sometimes referred to as the states at the end of America’s tail pipe, continue to suffer the harmful health and environmental effects of polluted air despite enacting aggressive measures to curb harmful emissions such as carbon pollution. That’s why we need all states to do their fair share to protect the air we breathe and stem the tide of climate change. The EPA’s Clean Power Plan attempts to do just that.  “Under the Clean Power Plan, states are given their own carbon pollution targets and allowed to find the most cost-effective way to find reductions. In fact, it sounds similar to the compromises I tried to find with my colleagues on the Kerry-boxer Climate Change bill. As we will hear today, if West Virginia takes advantage of these flexibilities provided by the EPA, the state will be able to meet the carbon reduction standards in the coming decades.  “The other reality we must confront is that today, coal is not as competitive a commodity in the marketplace as it once was. That fact remains, regardless of what the EPA does or does not do to curb carbon emissions. Unfortunately, West Virginia has been hesitant to take advantage of its other energy resources. We will hear today that the Clean Power Plan provides West Virginia with an opportunity to diversify its energy portfolio, which in turn will stimulate the local economy. “No compromise is ever perfect, but the worst thing we can do is put our heads in the sand and take no action while in search of the perfect solution. We must act now while the ability to mitigate the most harmful impacts of climate change is still within our grasp. “We don’t have to choose between growing our economy and curbing the effects of climate change. In fact, acting to stem the tide of climate change will protect the future economic prosperity of our country.”  Minority Witness Testimony Karan Ireland, Program Director, WV SUN https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/e6d6155a-3e6b-409d-9c14-5722ea0965cf/testimony-of-karan-ireland-epw.pdf James M. Van Nostrand, Professor and Director for Energy and Sustainable Development, West Virginia University College of Law https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/60eccad7-171a-4c8b-8ec0-31d6f634d617/testimony-of-james-m-van-nostrand-epw.pdf",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5F796AB7-BBEF-4CCC-B1DA-A531EED2A780,Senator Carper Statement on Departure of DHS Deputy Secretary Ali Mayorkas,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the month. “Strong leadership is the key to success for any organization and DHS has been incredibly fortunate to have Alejandro Mayorkas and Jeh Johnson as the team at its helm. For the past seven years, Ali has worked tirelessly to change the Department of Homeland Security for the better. He is a dedicated and thoughtful public servant who has been committed to ensuring that DHS is more than the sum of its parts, and I sincerely thank him and his team for their diligence. “Throughout his tenure, Ali has been focused on ways in which the department can improve its functions in order to more effectively fulfill its mission. From strengthening the department’s cybersecurity policies, to enhancing the federal government’s partnerships with state and local law enforcement and developing critical immigration programs that reduce fraud and promote economic growth, Ali has been determined to make the tough decisions necessary to move the department forward. Being a change agent in the federal government can often be difficult, but the significant improvement in morale that we saw among the department’s employees this year is a testament to the good work that Ali, along with Secretary Johnson, has done to put DHS on a better course for the future. “I wish Ali and his family all the best as they start this new chapter in their lives, and I thank him for his service to the department and to our nation. While his leadership will be missed at DHS, I am confident that Ali will bring the same vigor to his future work. I look forward to working with Acting Deputy Secretary Russ Deyo and Secretary Johnson in the coming months to ensure we finish the important work that Ali started and end the year on a strong note.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/photos/20160824-white-dog-lab,2016.08.24 White Dog Lab,2016-10-04,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet Chris Services Issues Newsroom Contact Page Top 10.04.16 2016.08.24 White Dog Lab",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/photos/20161003-dol-sec-perez-visits-wilmington,2016.10.03 DOL Sec. Perez visits Wilmington,2016-10-04,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Meet Chris Services Issues Newsroom Contact Page Top 10.04.16 2016.10.03 DOL Sec. Perez visits Wilmington",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F8F90FC8-EE6F-4DFB-BE5A-098E8A451D59,"Labor Secretary Perez, Sens. Coons & Carper highlight programs aimed at growing a skilled workforce",2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) were joined by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez to highlight the crucial role that apprenticeships play in equipping workers with the skills they need to compete in today’s labor market. The visit comes just days ahead of National Manufacturing Day (Oct. 7), an annual celebration of the strength of American manufacturing and an opportunity to educate and motivate the next generation of manufacturers. Carper, Coons and Perez toured RC Fabricators, a Wilmington steel manufacturer that details, fabricates and erects structural steel and miscellaneous metals for the construction industry. Students in the company's apprenticeship program gave a demonstration of some of the skills they’ve learned. Afterward, Coons and Perez visited Zip Code Wilmington, a software development school that offers apprenticeships to workers looking to enter careers in technology and software development. In June, Delaware received a $200,000 U.S. Department of Labor grant award to help expand the apprenticeship program to new sectors and new populations, conduct outreach and work with employers to start new apprenticeship programs, and promote greater inclusion and diversity. This grant was a part of ApprenticeshipUSA, the department’s coordinated effort with industry and education leaders, nonprofits, and local governments to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship and expand the use of this time-tested, earn-while-you-learn model. “The Department of Labor’s investment in apprenticeship programs in the First State is helping to provide hardworking Delawareans with the high-quality training they need to pursue rewarding careers in the competitive 21st century economy,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “We must do everything we can to grow and modernize our state's workforce, and I’m pleased that Secretary Perez is prioritizing  programs at the Department of Labor that benefit job-seekers and employers not only in Delaware, but across the country.” “Continuing to expand career opportunities and training for the working middle-class is key to the economic health of this country,” said Senator Coons. “These apprenticeship programs like the ones we saw today help students get their career off on the right foot by developing marketable skills and encouraging them to pursue challenging and rewarding professions.” “Apprenticeships are a tried and true training strategy than can help more people access the skills and training they need to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Sec. Perez. “Across the country, states like Delaware have recognized that the learn-while-you-earn model is crucial to the competitiveness of businesses, the strength of the economy, and their future workforce. That is why we awarded $175 million in grants last year to help meet President Obama's goal of doubling the number of apprenticeships in this country by 2019. We remain committed to working with states and businesses to promote apprenticeships as a means to help create shared prosperity for more Americans.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/coons-gardner-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-medicare,"Coons, Gardner Introduce Bill to Strengthen Medicare",2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"10.03.16 Coons, Gardner Introduce Bill to Strengthen Medicare Washington, DC – Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced the Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act, legislation that aims to strengthen and protect the Medicare program by spurring innovation to reduce costs. The Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act establishes a program which would award grants to small, entrepreneurial labs pursuing commercialization for new drugs or medical devices that have the greatest potential to significantly reduce the top 10 cost drivers to the Medicare program while maintaining and improving quality of care. The legislation also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish an optional coordinated review pilot program that simultaneously assesses grantees for FDA approval and a national coverage determination under the Medicare program. Currently, HHS and CMS evaluate grantees first for FDA approval and then national coverage determination, which prolongs access for Medicare beneficiaries. Lastly, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to prepare and submit an annual report to Congress about the cost savings and improvements in care resulting from the commercialization grant program. “I am proud to join Senator Gardner in introducing this bill to assist more small businesses in getting their innovate technology to the market, in turn reducing long-term costs to our Medicare program. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, finding ways to help small businesses grow is something I’ve been proud to champion and I look forward to moving this bill forward,"" said Coons. “According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare benefit payments reached $597 billion in 2014 and accounted for 14 percent of the federal budget. In order to address the sustainability of the Medicare program, it’s important that we do everything we can to encourage innovation and bring down the cost of care,” said Gardner. “The Reducing Medicare Costs Through Innovation Act is a commonsense bill that has the potential to not only save the Medicare program money, but it could also lead to higher quality care and improved patient outcomes.”   Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bill-from-coons-roberts-would-help-startups-and-small-businesses-invest-in-research,"Bipartisan bill from Coons, Roberts would help startups and small businesses invest in research",2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.30.16 Bipartisan bill from Coons, Roberts would help startups and small businesses invest in research Bill helps startups and small businesses claim newly available R&D tax credit WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) yesterday introduced the Support Small Business R&D Act, legislation that will help startups and small businesses take advantage of the newly available research and development (R&D) tax credit. Specifically, the bill would require the Small Business Administration and Internal Revenue Service to partner to develop educational and training materials for entrepreneurs who invest in research and could be eligible to use the R&D credit to offset their expenses.  These materials would be provided to SBA programs around the country and business development entities that partner with SBA programs, such as universities, business accelerators, and business incubators. At the end of 2015, Congress passed legislation that not only made the R&D credit permanent but also expanded the credit to allow more startups and small businesses to access it.  The inspiration to expand the credit was drawn from a proposal by Senators Coons and Roberts known as the Innovators Job Creation Act.  However, despite these changes to the credit, many small businesses do not have the information necessary to take advantage of this opportunity to offset their research costs.  The Support Small Business R&D Act is designed to address that knowledge gap. “By including our proposal to expand the R&D credit to startups and small businesses in bipartisan tax legislation, Congress took a big step towards encouraging our small companies to innovate,” said Senator Coons.  “But our responsibility does not end now that this proposal is law.  I am proud to work with Senator Roberts to make sure that our startups and small businesses have the tools they need to take advantage of the R&D credit and continue to invest in advanced research.” “The goal of the 2015 legislation is to make sure that small businesses and innovative startups, the major job creators in our economy, are able to easily access the R&D credit,” said Senator Roberts. “The R&D credit is complicated, so it is critical that small businesses and startups interested in the R&D credit have access to basic assistance from the Small Business Administration and the IRS to put them on the right track to claiming the credit. The bill we introduce today directs the federal government – at no new cost to taxpayers – to help our job creators to utilize the R&D credit, which will provide long-term benefit to the economy.” “We welcomed legislation passed by Congress in 2015 that expanded the R&D credit to provide access to startups and small businesses,” said Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D, MBA, President, University City Science Center. “The challenge now is to raise awareness in the startup community. We believe the Support Small Business R&D Act is an important step towards encouraging the SBA and IRS, in partnership with business incubators like the Science Center, to help educate the startup community about the R&D credit.  This critical legislation introduced by Senators Coons and Roberts will help us explain the benefits of the R&D credit to the startups that are driving economic activity in the Philadelphia and Delaware region.” “Recent changes to the R&D tax credit greatly expand access to the credit for new businesses, but not nearly enough of them are aware of this; ITIF endorses the Support Small Business R&D Act, proposed by Sens. Coons and Roberts, which would require the Small Business Administration and IRS to expand knowledge sharing and training on these instruments, and provide a report to Congress of their progress,” said Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, President, ITIF. “New businesses are the primary source of net new jobs in the U.S. economy,” said Jason Wiens, Policy Director, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. “With entrepreneurs focused on building successful companies and creating jobs, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many entrepreneurs are unaware of government resources made available to them or how to benefit from this assistance. More needs to be done to educate founders and small business owners about all the ways government is trying to help.” Senator Coons is a member of the Small Business Committee and the Ranking Member on the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations, which oversees funding for the SBA and IRS. Coons is a strong advocate for policies to encourage innovation and has long been a champion of the R&D tax credit as a key incentive for investment in advanced research.  Details about his work on the R&D tax credit can be found on his website here.    Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-coons-calls-on-us-news-and-world-report-to-include-accessibility-and-affordability-in-college-rankings,Senator Coons calls on U.S. News & World Report to include accessibility and affordability in college rankings,2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.29.16 Senator Coons calls on U.S. News & World Report to include accessibility and affordability in college rankings Sen. Coons: “Current rankings…reward schools for how exclusive they are, but not how inclusive they are” WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today called on U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), the leading college ranking source, to change its current rankings methodology to include measures of access and affordability. Senator Coons criticizes USNWR for fostering competition among colleges that has shifted the focus away from enrolling low-income students. “I am concerned that your current ranking system fails to factor in the extent to which colleges and universities admit low-income students,” wrote Senator Coons. “Overlooking low-income student access deprives applicants of critical data and creates perverse incentives for schools to create barriers to entry for high-achieving, low-income students… The current rankings also reward schools for how exclusive they are, but not how inclusive they are.” Senator Coons also writes, ""the rankings should include affordability metrics, such as the net price for low-income students. Such changes would likely cause schools to shift their priorities to efforts that would improve outcomes for low-income students.”  A full PDF of the letter can be found here: http://bit.ly/2dCDERy.  Senator Coons recently introduced legislation, along with Republican Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), to incentivize access for low-income students and increase graduation rates for all students. The Access Success and Persistence In Reshaping Education (ASPIRE) Act will spur some of the nation’s more selective institutions to improve access for low-income students and will devote resources to help boost completion rates at institutions that serve disproportionately high numbers of low-income students.     Full text of Senator Coons’ letter to USNWR is below: September 29, 2016 Mr. Brian Kelly Editor and Chief Content Officer U.S. News & World Report 1050 Thomas Jefferson St, N.W. Washington, DC 20007 Dear Mr. Kelly: I am writing to raise several issues associated with the methodologies and rationale the U.S. News & World Report uses for its college rankings. As our nation’s high school students begin applying to college, many will look to your rankings to help inform major decisions about their future. I am sure considerable work goes into the challenge of making your rankings as fair and helpful to students as possible, so that students have information to help them choose the institutions that are right for them. That said, I am concerned that your current ranking system fails to factor in the extent to which colleges and universities admit low-income students. Overlooking low-income student access deprives applicants of critical data and creates perverse incentives for schools to create barriers to entry for high-achieving, low-income students. While your current rankings reward schools for how many students they graduate, they do not adequately account for the socioeconomic status of the students they educate. College completion rates are important, but without an exclusive metric on low-income student access, such as the percentage of enrolled Pell-grant recipients, they may still mask broader inequities. While the schools in your top 25 have impressive graduation rates, their median Pell recipient enrollment rate is just over 14 percent, compared to a national average of 39 percent. Without giving greater emphasis to Pell enrollment rates, our most well-resourced, highest-rated schools have less incentive to admit low-income students who often require more resources to be successful. This also means that schools that do enroll high rates of Pell students, but struggle to graduate them, will not see their efforts adequately accounted for in your rankings. The current rankings also reward schools for how exclusive they are, but not how inclusive they are. By factoring in acceptance rates, the rankings may incentivize schools to cap enrollments instead of expanding slots to enroll more qualified low-income students. The rankings also effectively penalize schools who try to innovate with new admissions criteria, such as making SAT and ACT scores optional for admissions. Many schools have found that grades are an equally powerful predictor of college success compared to test scores. Some schools, like the University of Delaware, are making test scores an optional part of applications. Others, like Hampshire College, eliminated them all together. For their efforts, Hampshire College was excluded from your rankings and the University of Delaware would have the weight of their test scores reduced if more than a quarter of their students did not submit test scores. Considering Hampshire’s enrollment of low-income students increased after doing away with test scores, it is troubling that schools trying to improve their low-income student accessibility are not credited for their efforts or even penalized according to your rankings. College rankings should never be at odds with student access.  The rankings also reward schools for their alumni’s generosity and how well they pay their faculty, but do not measure how well they make college affordable for low-income students. These rankings have contributed to the much-discussed “college arms race,” where schools have invested in merit aid and amenities to attract students with the highest test scores in order to boost their standing in the rankings. According to a report by New America, some schools have risen in your rankings by pouring their resources into merit aid for students with the highest test scores, who often come from families that can well afford to pay for college. As a result, need-based aid has been neglected by these schools, leaving well-qualified, low-income students behind as schools work to rise in the rankings. Schools must make difficult choices with limited resources, yet too often investment in low-income students is at odds with increasing their position in these rankings. To reduce this conflict, the rankings should include affordability metrics, such as the net price for low-income students. Such changes would likely cause schools to shift their priorities to efforts that would improve outcomes for low-income students.  Beyond the rankings, an even easier fix that could increase access and not obscure affordability would be to more accurately and accessibly list data on the true cost of attendance for universities. While many of the top schools on your list have shockingly high “sticker prices,” many also offer deep tuition discounts for low-income students. However, the rankings prominently display only the high sticker prices. Students that do want to know the real cost must navigate a maze of links only to find financial aid information hidden behind a pay wall. These barriers may mislead and harm low-income students, who will see only tuition prices well over $40,000 per year and unfortunately conclude they cannot afford to attend a college that costs two to three times their families’ annual income. Removing the sticker price and providing free access to the financial aid data would open up more possibilities for low-income students.  I look forward to your thoughtful consideration of the issues raised in this letter and respectfully request that you consider making changes to your future rankings. I am eager to review your response and would welcome a meeting to discuss your college ranking system.                                                                                      Sincerely,   Christopher A. Coons U.S. Senator Press Contact Jonathan Kott at 202-224-5042 or Jonathan_Kott@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-coons-carper-honor-delaware-firefighters-chris-leach-and-jerry-fickes-on-senate-floor,"Senators Coons, Carper honor Delaware firefighters Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes on Senate floor",2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.29.16 Senators Coons, Carper honor Delaware firefighters Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes on Senate floor WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Senator Chris Coons and Senator Tom Carper spoke on the Senate floor to honor the service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Chris Leach and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes. Click here to view the full video the speech. Below is a full transcript of the Senators' remarks as delivered: SENATOR COONS: Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that Senator Carper and I come to the floor this evening to honor Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes, two brave Wilmington firefighters who lost their lives this past Saturday night. In any state, in any community, the loss of a firefighter or a police officer is devastating. But in our small state of neighbors -- a close-knit state with an even closer-knit first responder community, a community that includes families and multiple generations -- it is especially hard.To those who knew Chris and Jerry, it must be little comfort now that we’re here on the floor of the United States Senate to pay tribute to their lives. But in the next few minutes, we hope to capture just a fraction of the light that they brought to their families and to our community with their love and their service.Lieutentant Christopher Leach wasn’t supposed to be working on Saturday night, but he filled in for another firefighter, likely thinking it would be a shift like any other, but always willing to step forward and serve.After getting the call there was a fire in a Canby Park rowhouse, Chris did what he’d been training to do since 1993. Chris did what he’d told his friends all the way back to Salesianum High School, what he’d always wanted to do as long as they could remember: he fought fire.Chris grew up in the volunteer fire service. He joined the Talleyville Fire Company in 1993 at the age of 18, rising steadily through the ranks of the volunteer fire service to Captain. The more time he spent at the firehouse, the more he loved it.Four years later, at age 22, Chris joind the Claymont Fire Company and served as a full-time firefighter and EMT there. Chris was a lifelong learner, doing whatever he could to develop new skills to support his crewmates and to help save lives. Chris took classes all over our country, from Virginia to Texas to California.And Chris’s training paid off. In July of 2002, at a house fire in Claymont, a firefighter from the ladder company fell through the first floor and into the basement. Chris and two others saved that firefighter’s life, earning Chris a series of recognitions, including fireman of the year from New Castle County volunteer fire service and from the Claymont Fire Company.Several months later, Chris joined the Wilmington Fire Department, where he was assigned to Engine 4, B platoon. He was only there a couple years before he was transferred to Special Operations command of Engine 1-B, where he quickly was recognized for his work, and then to Rescue 1-B. At the time of his passing, he was serving with Engine 6.All of this time, Chris never stopped learning and improving, never stopped acting on his passion for firefighting. He researched, and applied for, and earned a $200,000 grant for extra training and equipment. He wrote the Standard Operating Procedures for the Special Operations Command. He trained as an instructor in NIMS, the National Incident Management System, and made sure that every Talleyville volunteer member became certified in the NIMS system. He served on the New Castle County Task Force rescue team, and he earned a bachelor of science in the Fire Service Administration from Waldorf University.Throughout a long and distinguished firefighting career, Chris was constantly achieving and growing, saving lives and building new skills. Described by so many I’ve spoken to as a “firefighter’s firefighter,” his commitment to his brothers and sisters at the firehouse was relentless. If he thought the department needed something done, he’d go do it himself. If the fire company couldn’t afford something, he’d find a way to make it happen.That commitment went beyond just his professional leadership. Chris, I've heard from so many, was a good and loyal and faithful friend, a softball teammate, but also a practical joker; a lover of Billy Joel and Lynyrd Skynyrd; a so-called “Mr. Fix-It” and “King of Nicknames;” a big guy with a big heart and a deep voice who couldn’t hide when he entered a room.Chris was someone who volunteered at the firehouse on his days off and visited elementary schools to talk about his love of firefighting and to help persuade a young generation to join him. As his friend, Andy Millis, described him, Chris was the kind of lieutenant you just wanted to work for.He loved his job, he loved his colleagues, and he loved his responsibility. But there was nothing he loved more than his family. His mother, Fran, his sister, Katie, Katie’s wife, Carolee. His fiancée, Kate, and her boys, Landon and Casey.Chris, most of all, loved his beautiful children. He said there was nothing greater than being a father to his kids, Brendon, age 16, Abby, 14, and Megan, 12. He took them camping and fishing, to the beach and to Cub Scouts, and always found a way to be there for their every activity. Chris lived for his kids.Chris lost his own father, Michael, to cancer in 2004, and always kept his dad’s funeral card in his helmet. Chris honored his father by being a great dad himself -- just as Michael was to him.We can only hope that in the brief time each of us have here that we shine brightly and relentlessly for the people we love and the community we serve. Few, few shine as brightly as Chris Leach did.With that, M. President, I’d like to yield the floor to my colleague from Delaware, Senator Carper, who will share some words about another hero whom we also lost on Saturday, Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes. SENATOR CARPER: I want to thank my colleague Senator Chris Coons for allowing me to join him and together offer this tribute to Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes. Earlier this day this floor was busy with joyful activity as Democrats and Republicans tried to work together to come to agreement on a spending plan to fund our government past the end of this fiscal year to the beginning of the coming fiscal year and work out some difficult compromises. We said goodbye to one another and headed back to our respected states until after the election. On the heels of a joyous afternoon comes a far more serious one, and now is the opportunity to say goodbye and thank you to two Delawareans who were really true public servants who tragically lost their lives this past weekend trying to save the lives of others. Chris Leach and Jerry Fickes. I’m going to talk about Jerry as Senator Coons has shared with us some wonderful words about Lt. Chris Leach. On Saturday, Jerry Fickes, a 13-year veteran of the Wilmington Fire Department, rushed into a burning home when a member of the Search and Rescue team, Lieutenant Chris Leach, became trapped in the blaze. While Jerry and Chris were inside the building, the first floor gave way, and tragically, both Jerry and Chris lost their lives. Jerry Fickes Jr. was a husband, father, son, U.S. Army veteran, and beloved member of Delaware’s firefighter family. He was born in Evanston, Illinois to his mother, Jo Ann, who sadly predeceased him, and his father, Jerry, after whom he is named. Growing up in Illinois and later moving to Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, Jerry’s early life was full of innocent mischief and football games outside with the neighbors and his five brothers and sisters: Karen, Jeri, Kimberly, Steven and David.  The neighborhood kids played together so much, crossing through each other’s yards constantly to get to different houses, that the neighbors were unsuccessful at keeping shrubs along their property line. When Jerry started his freshman year at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, his grades were less than stellar. But, in reality, Jerry was just bored. Once he joined the Army ROTC, things turned around. The Army ROTC gave him structure and he became very driven and goal-oriented. By the time he reached his junior year, during which he would meet his future wife, Laura, while she was working the phone in their dorm’s office, Jerry had it all together. Jerry was a serious student, but he was known as a fun guy, too. He graduated with a degree in computer science and mathematics, but also had a lot of gym credits because he made being active a priority. His motto became “Mind, Body, Spirit: If you have all three, then you’re sound.” College and the ROTC taught Jerry that there’s a lot more to learning than just memorizing facts. And that’s when everything started to click for Jerry. He took actuarial exams before graduating college and started his obligation to the army with officer training at Fort Benning. He took a test and scored so well that the Army asked him what he would like to do. Jerry told them he wanted to go in the infantry, because he wanted to make a difference and that’s where he felt he could best do it. I think that tells us a lot about Jerry Fickes.  His wife Laura recalls the first time she met Jerry – in a tiny office in his dorm building where she answered the phones. When people would call for him, everyone would say his name differently. Fix, Ficks. Laura could never find his name in the directory until finally, one day, she met him in person. She asked him, “How do you say your name?” and he just replied, “You can say whatever you want to say” and walked away.  Little did she know, she would take that name just a few years later as her own. Once married, Jerry had the opportunity to become an actuary with Alico in Wilmington, Delaware, and the newlyweds, with their hard to pronounce last name, came to the East Coast. Jerry worked at Alico for a while and then later became a consultant for Ernst and Young in Philadelphia. But something always nagged at Jerry. You see, Jerry had the heart of a servant, and when the first Gulf War came around, he knew he could use his training in chemical warfare to be an asset to the Army. He called his reserve unit in Kansas to be put on the activation list, but at the time, and much to his wife Laura’s relief, he wasn’t called up. But Jerry wanted to do more. So it didn’t surprise Laura one bit when Jerry decided to join the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company in Newark, Delaware as a volunteer firefighter. For over a decade, Jerry selflessly juggled his firefighting duties with a full-time career in financial services and a new family that would eventually include two young sons, Ben and Josh.  It also didn’t surprise Laura when, after 12 years of volunteering, Jerry could no longer ignore his true calling. So he gave up his job in financial services to work full-time with the Wilmington Fire Company. From day one, Jerry jumped at the chance to take every call that came in on his shift. Because of this, his fellow firefighters called Jerry “a dynamo.” Sometimes, his determination to get the job done right would leave Jerry covered in melted roof shingles or draped in insulation from an attic while everyone else’s gear was nearly clean. Those mischievous days running around the neighborhood in Kansas weren’t far off. Around the firehouse, Jerry was known as a prolific prankster. His friends recall that he would often pull a prank and then sit back, watching and waiting as everyone tried to figure out who was responsible for this latest joke. Jerry lived a full life, but perhaps no job was more important to him than helping to raise his two sons, Ben and Josh. Jerry was always interested in hearing about his sons’ and even their friends’ interests, goals and projects. He was the first to help them research a science project, chaperone big gatherings or teach Sunday school at Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin. Even though Jerry didn’t care much for running, he knew how much his son Ben did. Jerry was so interested in his sons’ passions that Jerry did the first few triathlons with Ben, and, this past May, they both ran a marathon! They were both getting excited to run their next race. In fact, just last week, Jerry was thrilled to learn that his son had qualified for the Boston Marathon – a huge point of pride for him. Ben, a Charter School of Wilmington graduate and now a freshman at Northeastern in Boston, and Josh, a junior at Charter, both learned from their dad what is really important in life – to serve others. To shake adults’ hands and look them in the eye. Give your seat up on the subway or the bus or the train for someone else. This is how Jerry lived his life, and what he passed down to his children.  Jerry was a true public servant, devoting his entire adult life to others. He was also a man of deep faith. His service, and ultimately, his sacrifice, reminds me of a passage in the Bible - from the Book of John: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” While no words can ease the suffering of Jerry’s family, we seek solace in the memory of a life lived for others. And a life given to others by a brave and selfless man. I pray, and will continue to pray, for Jerry’s wife of 26 years, Laura; their two sons, Ben and Josh; Jerry’s father Jerry, Sr.; his brothers Steven and David, his sisters Karen, Jeri and Kimberly and his many nieces and nephews, and his brothers and sisters in the Wilmington Fire Services. Words can never truly express the pride we have in our hearts for our firefighters or how grateful we are for their sacrifice, and that of their families. Because the work that they do every day – the work that Jerry got up and did every day – is unlike any other. From the moment he and his fellow firefighters put on that uniform every morning, they have answered a call that they know could put their life at risk in just a moment.  I’m reminded of the words of the firefighter’s prayer: “When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may race, give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age … and if, according to our fate, I have to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.” The prayer embodies the selflessness that Jerry Fickes displayed every single day. He took an oath to serve, knowing that, one day, he might not come home, but feeling even more strongly that he had to help others. Now, it is my hope that our community in Delaware can be a part of that protecting hand looking after Jerry’s family and helping to comfort them in their time of need.  To all of Delaware’s firefighters who are in mourning but continue to put on your gear and go to work to protect our communities, we salute you and we say thank you. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to lives lived in the service to others. God Bless you all and God Bless Jerry Fickes.  I yield the floor. SENATOR COONS: Thank you, Senator Carper. Mr. President, before we conclude, let us share our deepest gratitude to Arty Hope and Brad Speakman, two Wilmington firefighters who were also badly injured in Saturday’s fire. They are still in the hospital, Chester-Crozer, recovering, and we pray for a speedy recovery.We’re thankful as well for the safety of John Cawthray, Peter Cramer, and Terrance Tate, firefighters who were also injured in the fire, and for all of their colleagues.Mr. President, for Delaware’s first responder community, in some ways tomorrow will be like any other. Our firefighters, our police officers, our EMTs, and paramedics will be on call, keeping us safe and secure. And we, the rest of us in our community and state and country -- we'll go on about our lives, many folks really not thinking about them until the moment we need them.But no matter what we’re doing and what we’re thinking, when their shift starts, they’ll be on. They’ll be on duty, ready to run without hesitation, even into situations that would cause the rest of us to run in the opposite direction.As Christiana Fire Chief Rich Perillo said this past Sunday, “the only thing we ever signed up to do is protect our neighbors and neighborhoods, and that we will continue to do, no matter what comes our way.”We are both so grateful for the dedication, the service, and the love shown by the Delaware fire service to protecting neighbors.In that sense, today and tomorrow and the days after that will be like any other, in that we can continue to rely on our first responders. And we are grateful for that.But in so many other ways -- in the ways that truly matter -- it just won’t be the same. For Chris and Jerry’s families and friends, for their brothers and sisters at the firehouse, for all the members of our first responder community, and for all the Delawareans who had a chance to work or serve with them and to be protected by them, things won’t be the same.That’s why we pray for their families. We pray that tomorrow will be just a little easier for them than today. And the next day a little easier than tomorrow, and so on, until the pain is eventually matched by the joy that comes from remembering someone you love, and by the gratefulness we all feel for having had the privilege to know someone special.One of life’s unsung joys is the look on a child’s face in the presence of one of their heroes.Mr. President, have you ever seen a young child as a fire truck goes by, their eyes wide with amazement as the station door rises, sirens wail, the lights flash, and the bright red truck goes by, with an American flag waving from the back?As adults, we notice it, we wonder what might have happened, and we go back to our day. Even though a child doesn’t know more than we do where the truck is going, they know, they know that that’s what a hero looks like.As a father, I look at firefighters like Chris and Jerry with the same sense of awe that young children do. Not just because of their uniforms or the sirens or the truck, but because of their commitment. Their deep and lifelong commitment to a dangerous job.They love their children and their families. They’ve been there for their friends and neighbors. They’ve served their communities and their brothers and sisters at the firehouse tirelessly, all while risking their lives every day, leaving for a shift never knowing if they’ll come home that night or the next morning. That’s what a hero looks like.This week, and in the weeks to come, I know Senator Carper and I and our whole community will remember, will mourn, will pray for, and be grateful for Chris and Jerry. Like a child watching an engine rush by, we’ll see their lives fly by in our memories and our tributes, knowing they went by too quickly, leaving us before we can truly appreciate where they’re going, or why.But amidst so much we cannot know, we can take solace in knowing that they’re going for a reason far bigger than any one of us.And as we watch them pass into memory, we can say to ourselves what the child says when he sees a fire truck go by: that’s what a hero looks like.Let me leave you with the same passage from Scripture shared by Senator Caper from John 15: “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”Thank you, Chris and Jerry, for your sacrifice, your service, your love, and for laying down your lives for all of us.And thank you, Senator Carper, for joining me tonight.Thank you, Mr. President. ### Press Contact Adam Lowenstein at 202-228-3454 or adam_lowenstein@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.coons.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/the-week-ahead-for-senator-chris-coons-october-3-7,The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons October 3-7,2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Democrat,House,DE,Christopher Coons,C001088,www.coons.senate.gov,,,legacy,"09.29.16 The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons October 3-7 A look ahead at Sen. Coons' schedule for October 3-7 Monday, October 3 – The Senator will host Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez for tours and roundtable discussions in New Castle County on workforce development. Monday, October 3 at 10 a.m. – Sens. Coons and Carper with Secretary Perez will try their hand at welding alongside apprentices and will then take part in a roundtable with local elected officials, community leaders, and program participants on the importance of apprenticeship programs. RC Fabricators, 824 Locust Street, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Monday, October 3 at 12 p.m. – The Senator and Secretary Perez will join students enrolled in Zip Code’s coding school for a hands-on coding challenge. The Senator and Secretary will then join Delaware’s Secretary of Labor Patrice Gilliam-Johnson and business and community leaders on a tour of Zip Code and participate in a roundtable on workforce development. Zip Code, 1105 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Monday, October 3 at 6 p.m. – The Senator will attend the Belle Everett dinner, the annual gathering of the Kent County Democratic party. Felton Fire Hall, 9 East Main Street, Felton, DE. Wednesday, October 5 at 12 p.m. — The Senator will participate in a panel discussion for Yale Divinity School called “Faithful Citizenship and the 2016 Election.” He will join panelists Otis Moss III ’95 M.Div., Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and Miroslav Volf, Henry B. Wright Professor of Systematic Theology and Founding Director of the Center for Faith & Culture at Yale. National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Open to press. Wednesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend the City of Wilmington’s 14th Annual Wilmington Awards ceremony. The Wilmington Awards is designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of distinguished Wilmington citizens who excel in the fields of the arts, athletics, business, education, environment, and health or science. The awards also recognize individuals for their community service, heroism, contributions to the faith community, and dedication to the cause of human and civil rights. During the awards ceremony, senior citizens are recognized for their life-long accomplishments. City Council Chambers, 800 North French Street,1st Floor, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend the 27th annual Business Hall of Fame ceremony. The honorees at the will be former DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman; real estate developer Paul McConnell of the McConnell Companies; Allen Fasnacht, patriarch/co-founder of family-owned Funland in Rehoboth Beach; and former Delaware Community Foundation president Fred Sears. University of Delaware’s Arsht Hall, Goodstay Campus. 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Friday, October 8 — The Senator will mark National Manufacturing Day by hosting Unites States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse with the following list of events: 9:30 a.m. Merck Animal Health28387 DuPont Blvd, Millsboro, DE Sen. Coons and Sec. Scuse will tour Merck’s labs with local students and 4H club members and will discuss careers in agriculture, science and manufacturing. 12:30 p.m. Polytech High School823 Walnut Shade Rd, Woodside, DE Sen. Coons and Sec. Scuse will have a working lunch along with students from different disciplines including the Industrial Training Lab at Polytech High School. 2 p.m. Croda, Inc.315 Cherry Ln, New Castle, DE Sen. Coons, Sec. Scuse will receive a tour from representatives from Croda, and discuss some of the career opportunities that are available in manufacturing.   Press Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302-573-6054 or Brian_Cunningham@coons.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9CD6614A-AE28-4DBE-9C45-B48E9209B53C,Carper Statement on Passage of Spending Bill to Keep Government Open for Business,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Democrat,House,DE,Thomas Carper,C000174,www.carper.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 9, 2016. “Lurching from one short-term spending bill to the next is hardly an ideal way to govern, but I’m pleased that we were finally able to come together and reach a responsible agreement that will keep our government open for business. The spending measure passed today not only prevents a harmful government shutdown, but also includes important investments that will make a real difference for people in my home state of Delaware and across the country. “I’m thrilled that this bill makes critical investments in our military infrastructure, including $83 million for the Dover Air Force Base, as well as additional funding to support the Delaware National Guard. This investment will help to ensure the men and women who serve our country at Dover have the resources they need to execute their mission efficiently and effectively. The bill also provides long overdue resources to help combat the Zika virus and protect our families from this threat to our public health. “While we’ve managed to avoid a crisis for now, I want to remind my colleagues that we were sent to Washington to do much more than simply keep the lights on. Instead of patting ourselves on the back and immediately adjourning, we should be addressing the rest of our unfinished business, like protecting our military and veteran students, filling the seven-month vacancy on the Supreme Court and passing a comprehensive, long-term budget plan. When we do return after the election, we must get serious about tackling these issues and doing the jobs that the American people hired us to do.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z