Senate passes Coons bill to expand protections for White Clay Creek

The Senate voted unanimously on Sunday to pass legislation authored by Senator Coons that would add approximately nine miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the waterway.

The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act of 2011, which was co-sponsored by Senator Tom Carper and Senator Bob Casey, now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives.

“The White Clay Creek watershed is rich in natural resources, and it is important that we preserve those resources for the next generation,” Chris said. “Growing up, I spent considerable time in the White Clay Creek watershed and know that it is an important resource for Delaware and the region. It’s up to all of us to fight to protect our natural resources.”

“Yesterday, the Senate passed an important piece of legislation that will help safeguard one of Delaware’s great outdoor treasures,” said Senator Carper. “Through preserving nine additional miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries, this measure will help ensure that Delawareans will continue to enjoy this waterway’s natural, cultural and recreational benefits for generations to come.”  

The legislation, which comes at no cost to taxpayers, would expand the original Wild and Scenic Rivers designation to include two small stream sections that were omitted from the original designation.

Representative Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.) is the lead sponsor of the companion legislation in the House. However, if the House does not pass this version of the legislation before January 3, both the Senate bill and the House bill must be reintroduced and reconsidered by both chambers in the next Congressional session. Unanimous Senate passage provides strong momentum that could help the new version of the bill move quickly in the next Congress.

Senator Coons disappointed indefinite detention provisions survived 2013 NDAA

When the Senate debated the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act last month, included among its provisions was an amendment to repeal powers granted to the U.S. military in last year's NDAA to indefinitely detain American citizens.

Senator Coons, who pledged last December to work to remove those powers, cosponsored the amendment and praised the Senate's progress on Twitter:

The Senate just passed our amendment to ban indefinite detention of US citizens without a trial. It's about time we got this right.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) November 30, 2012

That progress was short-lived, however, and the amendment was stripped out of the bill when Senate and House negotiators met to reconcile the chambers' versions of the legislation. As a result, the military's power to detain American citizens indefinitely has survived.

Here's how Senator Coons reacted to the news:

"As a nation, we must strike the essential balance between national security and civil liberties. I am deeply disappointed that the final version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act fails this test by removing an amendment I cosponsored, along with Senator Feinstein, to prohibit the indefinite detention of American citizens by the military."

"The detention authorities provided by this legislation were not requested by the Pentagon and will not make us safer. At the same time, they erode the fundamental promise of our Constitution – that an American citizen has a right to due process of law. Our civilian criminal justice system has proven itself capable — time and again — of obtaining convictions and tough sentences for terrorists that act on our soil.  Civilian trials not only provide tough sentences for terrorists, but they also protect all of us from the prospect of facing a military tribunal for a crime we did not commit."

"We live in a dangerous world, and we must ensure our military has the tools and resources they need to keep us safe. But threats to our safety are no excuse for curtailing the liberties guaranteed to every American citizen by the Founders of our country."

Video: Protecting Americans' right to privacy

Senator Chris Coons took to the Senate floor on Thursday to urge the support for the FISA Amendments Act to protect Americans from warrantless wiretapping.

Video: Season's Greetings

Holiday Greeting from Senator Chris Coons.

ICYMI: Sec. Chu endorses Sen. Coons’ proposal to spark investment in renewable energy projects

The Hill published an article on Wednesday on Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s support for Sen. Coons’ legislation that would open a financial structure for renewable energy.

The Obama administration lent its support Wednesday to a congressional effort that would open a financing structure for renewable energy.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu called on Congress to approve legislation that would let investors utilize master limited partnerships for renewable energy, which he said would spur development.

“It’s a world of difference and it will have a profound effect on capital private investment,” Chu said during an Energy Department event on wind energy.

Master limited partnerships are financing structures that are taxed like a partnership and traded like a stock. The arrangement reduces capital costs by spreading it among a greater number of investors, and by taxing the entity at one level instead of two.

Currently, the mechanism is available only to coal, gas and oil projects. It has been instrumental in funding pipeline construction across the country.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) is leading the congressional push to expand master limited partnerships to renewable energy. The concept has picked up bipartisan support in the Senate, and he predicted it will pick up more backers from both sides of the aisle next Congress.

Coons said last week that he had raised the issue with senior administration officials, and that he hoped the White House would advocate for the change.

It appears that message has reached Chu.

He said Wednesday that opening master limited partnerships would “level the playing field” for renewables, such as wind, with other energy investments.

“If the cost of financing goes down — guess what — the cost of wind goes down,” Chu said.

Video: Sen. Coons calls for an end to gun violence

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on December 19, 2012 to reflect on the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. and call on Congress and the White House to work together to end gun violence in America.

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule: Dec. 17 – Dec. 23

Monday, December 17 at 10:30 a.m. — The Senator will speak at a press event on the dredging of the Nanticoke River.  Deepening the Nanticoke River clears the way for increased business and commerce for many industries in Sussex County and other communities along the waterway. Senator Carper and Congressman Carney will also participate. Nanticoke River Yacht Club, 30 N. Market Street, Blades, Delaware – Open to press.

Monday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 4:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Wednesday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "The State of the Right to Vote After the 2012 Election." Senator Coons, an advocate for voters’ rights, introduced legislation last month to help states improve their elections. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, “Benghazi: The Attacks and Lessons Learned.” Although Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is no longer available to testify due to illness, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Thomas Nides will testify. 216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, December 20 at 4:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 5:00 p.m.  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change

###

Senator Coons joins leadership of Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee

Senator Coons will join the leadership of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee for the next Congress, leading efforts to help Democratic senators better engage with business leaders across the country.

The Steering and Outreach Committee is what's known as a "leadership committee" and exists effectively to strengthen the engagement between individual Democratic senators and community leaders."Engaging directly with community leaders gives senators the opportunity to thoughtfully exchange ideas, hear concerns, and collaborate on our nation's policy priorities," Senator Coons said. "Building bridges is what the Steering and Outreach Committee is all about, and I'm honored to be asked to play a role in shaping the direction of the committee in the next Congress. Businesses play an important role in our economy, and at this critical time in our economic recovery, we need to continue to work with business leaders to help them create jobs and strengthen our communities. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and helping our caucus continue to engage constructively and productively with the business community."

This week, the Steering Committee hosted 14 leaders from the labor movement for a frank discussion with senators about job creation and the fiscal cliff. In September there were separate meetings with LGBT leaders on the state of the equality movement and housing leaders on mortgage refinancing, affordable housing, and financial literacy. There have been quite a few meetings with business leaders about job creation.

Video: Senator Coons talks about the importance of the National Guard on their 376 Anniversary

In honor of their 376th anniversary, U.S. Senator Chris Coons took to the Senate floor on December 13, 2012 to talk about the important work the National Guard does for protecting our nation at home and abroad.

Senator Coons seeks applicants for Senate Page Program

U.S. Senator Chris Coons is now accepting applications from qualified high school juniors for the Senate Page Program’s spring 2013 session.

“The Senate Page Program is a tremendous opportunity for juniors in high school to learn about the inner workings of the legislative branch first-hand,” Senator Coons said. “The Senate Page Program is steeped in history and helps encourage young people to be engaged, lifelong participants in America’s civic and political systems.”

The spring session runs from January 28 through June 7, 2013.  The deadline for submitting applications is December 21, 2012.  To be considered for the program, an applicant must be a United States citizen or subject to agreements of the Department of State and must have a Social Security number. Applicants must be a junior in high school who will be 16 years old on or before January 28, 2013. Applicants must verify a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or a home school transcript and a certification of immunization to qualify for attendance at page school. Applicants are required to be covered by health insurance; if not covered, they will be required to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Pages have served in the United States Congress for more than 175 years. Thirty pages – all of them high school juniors at least 16 years old — serve in the upper chamber at any one time and are selected by sitting Senators. Their duties consist primarily of delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol complex, as well as taking messages for Members, preparing the chamber for Senate sessions, and carrying bills and amendments to the Senate desk.

The Senate enrolls its pages in the Senate Page School, which is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and convenes classes in the early morning before the Senate convenes. The pages are paid a salary, from which automatic deductions are made for taxes, Social Security, and a fee for housing and meals.

Students interested in applying should contact Senator Coons’ Wilmington office at 302-573-6345 or email Latisha Bracy at latisha_bracy@coons.senate.gov to obtain an application and for additional information about the Senate Page Program.