Chris Coons

Trump promised he would lower costs on day one. Nearly two years later and costs of everyday goods are still going up.

Imagine telling families struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills to take inflation with a “grain of salt.”

Ukraine agreed to the energy ceasefire. Russia broke it just two hours later. So why is Trump pointing fingers at Ukraine instead of telling Putin to stop attacking Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure?

Pope Leo is in my prayers, as are the more than a billion around the world who look to him for spiritual guidance, strength, and healing.

Happy birthday to the US Navy! Today we celebrate an incredible legacy of excellence, determination, and service. Here's to 251 more years of fair winds and following seas.

Lifting sanctions on Russian diesel will do next to nothing to lower fuel costs for American families, but it will help fund Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine and damage our standing in the world. I joined my bipartisan colleagues in urging President Trump to rescind this deal.

Imagine spending 544 days in an Iranian prison, finally coming home, and getting hit with a $20,000 tax bill from the IRS. That’s what happened to @jrezaian. It’s outrageous, and it’s long overdue that we fix it. I passed the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act to make sure Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad aren’t penalized for the time they spend in captivity.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced Delaware’s first-ever grant through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, a $626,870 award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to the Mental Health Association in Delaware to expand suicide prevention and mental health services for veterans. The SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program provides funding to community organizations working to reduce veteran suicide and expand access to mental health services. The award follows bipartisan efforts by Senators Coons and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to expand access to SSG Fox funding. The senators introduced the Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act last year, and successfully secured report language in the FY26 MilCon-VA appropriations bill directing the VA to prioritize applications from states that had not previously received funding. “For too long, Delaware veterans have been shut out of a program designed to support them, and Delaware has been left behind by Washington in its effort to ensure that every veteran who comes home has help when they need it,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud that my bipartisan work with Senator Cramer changed that, and I’m grateful to the Mental Health Association in Delaware for putting this funding to work and making sure more veterans can get the care they need.” “We are incredibly honored to be a recipient of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. For 16 years, the Mental Health Association in Delaware has been committed to supporting service members, veterans, and their families through our Annual Military & Veterans Mental Health Summit and throughout our broader work in the community. This grant allows us to take that commitment even further. With this funding, we will expand suicide prevention efforts for veterans and for the individuals and organizations that support them. We will also add three peer mentors/case managers to Veterans Treatment Court, one in each county, creating greater access to connection, support, and resources for veterans when they need them most. This is the first time Delaware has received this funding, and we recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with it. We are honored to be entrusted with this opportunity and deeply committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country. Our veterans have given so much to all of us; this grant gives us an opportunity to give back by strengthening the safety net of support around them and their families. We are ready to do this work, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve those who have served,” said Jennifer Smolowitz Ianni, executive director, Mental Health Association in Delaware. With a long history of military service and a major military presence anchored by Dover Air Force Base, Delaware is home to tens of thousands of veterans and military families. Despite $174 million authorized for the SSG Fox program since its founding in fiscal year 2021, until this year, neither Delaware or North Dakota had received funding.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the history, culture, and contributions of Native communities across our country. We have a responsibility to make sure Native communities have a seat at the table as we work toward a stronger future for all Americans.

Pay attention to the appalling pattern of weakness from Trump. If Putin wrote a wishlist, this is what it would look like.

Trump’s relentless attacks on Fed Governor Lisa Cook are ridiculous and blatantly partisan. Nothing about this witch-hunt passes muster.

“As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” – Eze 33:11 I support punishment for the evil acts of Nidal Malik Hasan, but broadcasting his execution as televised entertainment is simply wrong.

We should ask ourselves what other countries engage in public executions and whether we want to be in their company. I know I don’t.

Lifting sanctions against Russian diesel as they step up their attacks on Ukraine again shows there are no values underlying Trump’s foreign policy and there’s no limit to what he’s willing to do to help his political prospects. It’ll do next to nothing to lower fuel costs, but it the costs to our security and our standing in the world will be enormous.

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Trump used YOUR tax dollars to promote himself. That’s right. You paid for Trump’s political advertising. Now he’s reversing course – not because he cares it's illegal, but only because he got caught.

https://t.co/xhbM5voqpi

No. Don't pat yourself on the back for raising millions of Americans' health care costs by hundreds of dollars and then cutting some of them a check for a fraction of it. https://t.co/JhXuBai8gO

My statement on the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. https://t.co/8EQgigpKgc

Maybe a small price for a billionaire, but not for millions of Americans.

Three years after Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel, the wounds remain. It’s time to work tirelessly toward lasting peace and security for all. https://t.co/XfJY1paNXB

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel: “Three years on, the wounds left from Hamas’ brutal attack on Israeli civilians are still just as painful and devastating. One thousand two hundred souls were ripped away from their families and their futures, and 251 more were taken hostage in an attempt to destroy Israel’s spirit. In that, the attack failed. In meetings with the families of hostages and victims of the attacks, I’ve seen a strength and will to turn pain into progress I could not have imagined. Their perseverance in their search for justice has touched so many lives and cannot be forgotten. Together, we must continue to work toward a just and lasting peace in the region. “May the memory of those lost always be a blessing, and may they continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved them – and in the hearts of all of us who remember them around the world.”

Trump and Republicans reversed Democrats' efforts to fight tax fraud. The result? More tax fraud. You pay your fair share, while wealthy tax cheats make off with millions. https://t.co/N3e0XyPH88

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Strategic Technology and Resilient Alliances (STRATA) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. and allied critical minerals supply chains by accelerating innovation and developing new technologies at every stage of mining and refining critical minerals. Representatives Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Ami Bera (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “China’s critical mineral dominance poses a challenge the U.S. cannot address through traditional mining and processing alone,” said Senator Coons. “The STRATA Act would use America’s advantages in innovation and our strong ties with partners and allies around the world to secure our critical mineral infrastructure. By working with our allies to advance new technologies, build technical capacity, and strengthen supply chains, we can expand access to critical minerals and protect our national security.” “America is a nation of innovation. As we race to counter China’s dominance of critical minerals and secure our supply chain, we must maintain our competitive edge with new technological advances that can expedite the delivery of new critical mineral sources, reduce our dependency on foreign adversaries, and protect our national security,” said Senator Sheehy.“The STRATA Act will accelerate breakthroughs in extraction, processing, recycling, recovery, and advanced materials, working with our allies to build resilient supply chains and keep America at the forefront of critical-minerals innovation.” “The Chinese Communist Party has spent decades cornering the market on critical minerals and using supply chains as a tool of economic coercion,” said Rep. Kim. “We cannot wait another moment to address this challenge. The STRATA Act plays to America’s greatest strengths: innovation and our strong alliances. By launching a Critical Mineral Innovation Initiative at the State Department, sharing technology with allies, and expanding domestic recycling, we will build a secure supply chain faster and smarter. I’m proud to partner with Senator Coons in the Senate to get this bill signed into law, because economic security is national security, and the STRATA Act delivers both.” Critical minerals are essential to advanced technologies, energy infrastructure, semiconductors, and defense systems, but critical minerals supply chains remain heavily concentrated in China. The United States has made significant investments in expanding domestic mining and processing, including recent federal investments in new mining technologies, mineral recovery, and processing capacity. The STRATA Act would complement those efforts by making innovation and international collaboration a central part of the U.S. critical minerals strategy. The legislation would establish formal partnerships with trusted allies to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced extraction and processing technologies, mineral substitution, recycling, recovery from waste streams, and new materials. The STRATA Act would: Establish a Critical Minerals Innovation Partnership Program at the State Department to coordinate U.S. and allied strategies, develop joint research and innovation initiatives, and support partnerships with universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and industry Create International Centers of Excellence at academic institutions to advance research, technical assistance, workforce development, and long-term partnerships across the critical minerals supply chain Launch a public digital platform serving as a centralized clearinghouse for funding opportunities, solicitations, and collaborative research, while creating pathways for startups and emerging companies to participate Connect innovation to commercialization and national security by coordinating with federal agencies, financing institutions, the National Science and Technology Council, and the National Defense Technology and Industrial Base Council to help move promising technologies from research and development ultimately into deployment Strengthen supply chain safeguards and transparency by establishing standards for data security, sensitive technologies, supply chain transparency, monitoring, and verification, while limiting participation by countries and entities of concern Build long-term allied capacity through technical assistance, joint research, shared infrastructure, and cooperation on environmental, labor, and human rights standards The STRATA Act would authorize these partnerships for 10 years and require congressional notification before establishing new partnerships. The legislation would also prohibit partnerships with countries of concern and entities of concern. “The STRATA Act represents forward-thinking policy that the United States needs to maintain its technological edge and its leadership on science diplomacy,” said Daniel Correa, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of American Scientists. “Structured partnerships with our allies on critical minerals innovation can ensure that the best science and the best talent are working together towards shared security and economic prosperity.” “Engaging earlier and in-depth on critical technologies that will shape our collective futures is a statecraft imperative for liberal democracies globally. I’m delighted to see this Committee and the Legislative Branch recognizing and acting to drive a leadership role for the US and the DoS. Now is absolutely the time!” said Dawn Meyerriecks, former director of the Directorate of Science and Technology at the Central Intelligence Agency. “Increasing the legibility of existing investments, agreements, and supplies of critical minerals can surface information for policymakers and private investors focused on securing supply chains,” said Joshua Levine, director, Technology & Statecraft, Foundation for American Innovation (*affiliation for identification only). “STRATA works to do this, within a defined timeline, and should be seen as a positive step toward loosening chokepoints for inputs critical to American innovation and next-generation technologies.” “STRATA is a well-timed and strongly bipartisan effort to tackle one of the most important national security challenges of the day — how to ensure that the growing demand for critical minerals to power our defense systems, energy transition and the infrastructure to support America’s lead in the AI revolution does not strengthen China’s already strong position in these supply chains,” said Geoff Pyatt, Ambassador (ret.), senior managing director of Energy and Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates. “The State Department — and the energy security team that I was honored to lead — has worked closely with the Congressional foreign affairs leadership to make sure that America’s national security toolkit is fit for purpose on these issues. And China has already demonstrated in repeated instances its willingness to weaponize its market dominance in these sectors for strategic advantage. I applaud Senator Coons and his Senate colleagues for focusing SFRC attention on this critical line of effort.” “America and our allies have the ingenuity and industrial base to lead the world in critical minerals mining and processing,” said ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell. “The STRATA Act puts these advantages to work and funds the joint research needed to surpass China and secure the supply chain that next-generation energy technologies rely on.” “The STRATA Act takes a smart, forward-looking approach to securing the critical minerals our economy depends on, investing in the researchers and entrepreneurs developing new ways to produce, recycle, and replace these materials. NAIA supports this bill and thanks Senators Coons and Sheehy for their leadership,” said a representative from the New American Industrial Alliance. Read the full text of the STRATA Act here.

Court of Appeals judge ran right-wing lobbying firm while serving on the federal bench in potential violation of ethical requirements WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.) submitted a complaint against Judge Jennifer Mascott of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with Circuit Executive Margaret Wiegand, calling for a review of Mascott’s conduct in light of recent reporting by Politico indicating that Mascott continued to run her late husband’s public affairs firm after her confirmation to the federal bench. “In our view, the ethical implications of Judge Mascott’s decision to lead this firm while simultaneously serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit deserve review,” the senators wrote. “Although ownership of an independent public affairs firm does not necessarily constitute judicial misconduct, ongoing and active engagement in managing that firm can be.” In August, Politico broke the news that Mascott was “deeply involved in daily operations” at Adfero, a Washington public affairs firm she inherited from her late husband, for at least six months after her confirmation to the Third Circuit. While serving as a judge, Mascott worked out of Adfero’s Washington offices, oversaw staffing and business development operations, and made key “operational and strategic” decisions. Mascott also pushed the previously non-partisan firm in a conservative direction, bringing on consultants and clients “with strong MAGA credentials.” “If she is logging time [at Adfero] and it has the potential to interfere with her judicial duties, that is a no-go,” Charles Geyh, a law professor at the Indiana University Mauer School of Law who studies judicial ethics, told Politico. “Under a basic reading of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges,” the senators continued in their complaint, judges “may not maintain a second profession that could take time and focus away from their Senate-confirmed job. We are concerned that by dedicating extensive time and attention to her role in Adfero, Judge Mascott may have engaged in misconduct.” The two senators also posed questions about whether Mascott’s work with Adfero has detracted from her work on the Court of Appeals, noting that since joining the bench, Judge Mascott “has issued only three written opinions in precedential cases, two of which are only about a page long.” Other Third Circuit judges have written significantly more in that time. “As representatives for the people of Delaware in the United States Senate, we want to ensure that the judges serving our state on the Third Circuit are fully committed to doing their best work, free from undue distraction or unethical conduct,” the senators concluded. “We look forward to your review of this complaint and thank you for your attention to this matter.”