Interested in working for Senator Coons in Washington or Delaware? The Office of Senator Chris Coons is seeking interns for offices in Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, and Dover, DE for the summer of 2014. Responsibilities include answering phones, greeting visitors, sorting mail, handling requests for flags and tours, and assisting front office as well as legislative staff. Summer internship positions are full time. Please note that all positions are unpaid, but may qualify for academic credit if eligible.
This position requires outstanding organizational abilities, strong communication skills, attention to detail, poise, flexibility, and an ability to prioritize in an extremely fast-paced office. Motivated, hard-working, and professional applicants looking to get a taste of Capitol Hill or state congressional offices are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should e-mail Eric Wall at Eric_Wall@coons.senate.gov with the subject line reading “Intern” and include a cover letter, resume, and one brief (2-3 pages) writing sample. Applicants should also specify which offices they are interested in applying to. Applications received by May 15 will be given priority. Delaware ties a plus, but not required. Absolutely no walk-ins or phone calls.
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has once again recognized Senator Coons’ strong environmental voting record, awarding him a 92 percent rating for 2013 in their latest National Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered by Congress and the corresponding voting records of all members. Senator Coons’ lifetime rating is now 95 percent.
The 2013 LCV scorecard includes 13 Senate votes that demonstrate Chris’ commitment to addressing important environmental issues affecting Delaware and the nation. Chris scored above the Senate average by 35 percent and Delaware was noted as one of 26 states with an average score above 90, thanks to high scores from all three members of the Delaware congressional delegation.
At home in Delaware and in the Senate, Chris has been a strong voice for environmental conservation, clean and renewable energy development, and measures to curb and combat the effects of climate change. Over the last year, Chris voted for disaster relief for victims of Superstorm Sandy and investments to make our communities more resilient against future storms, as well as to preserve investments in advanced next generation biofuels by the Department of Defense, the nation’s single largest energy user. He also opposed efforts to block EPA regulation of greenhouse gases for the purpose of combating climate change.
Chris advocated heavily for the inclusion of strong conservation provisions in the farm bill approved by Congress last week. He has led a letter to the Appropriations Committee for the past three years urging robust funding for farm bill conservation programs.
For over 40 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health, and energy issues. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes to be scored.
Local scientists, chemists and engineers packed the dining room at Brantwyn Estate on Friday to engage in open discussion with Sen. Coons about his recent work in Washington to promote advanced manufacturing and innovation. The event was the sixth joint meeting of the MIT Club of the Delaware Valley and the Delaware Section of the American Chemical Society.
Chris, who holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Amherst College and worked for eight years for a materials-based science company, shared his genuine excitement about invention and innovation, as well as his keen understanding of the financing challenges materials-based science companies face. He discussed his efforts in the Senate around these issues, including leading the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign to grow our nation’s manufacturing sector, introducing the America INNOVATES Act to modernize aspects of our national lab system, and working on new bipartisan legislation to reauthorize investments in basic science and technology through innovative programs like the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).
“I’m trying to help make the connection in the Senate between advanced manufacturing, research and development, and job opportunities,” said Chris. “America is and can continue to be one of the most productive manufacturing countries in the world, but manufacturing relies very heavily on R&D, on patents, and on continuous innovation.”
“At a time of scarce public resources, science is a critical investment,” Chris continued. “Right now, I need your voice, because there are very few in Congress who understand the compounding value of investment in basic and applied science, about the risks we face in intellectual property, and the importance of getting STEM education at the elementary school level right. We've got huge challenges ahead but also great opportunities – in green chemistry, in reimagining advanced polymers, in advanced manufacturing – and I'm looking forward to working with you to ensure our nation remains a leader in science.”
Barring a last-minute change of heart by members of the House of Representatives, at midnight tonight, the government of the United States of America will shut down for the first time in 17 years.
It is as embarrassing as it is frustrating.
There is no reality where the Senate and President Obama agree to repeal the Affordable Care Act — which was passed by Congress, upheld by the Supreme Court, and sustained in the last presidential election — but the House of Representatives has been unrelenting in its drive to tear it down. They know that shutting down the government won’t stop the new health insurance marketplace from opening tomorrow, but are determined to make their point, no matter the cost to our nation.
Delawareans deserve better than this.
There are too many important things Congress should be working on — helping businesses create jobs and grow our economy, first among them — for it to be wasting its time on these needless partisan conflicts.
Congress should be working together to invest in our nation’s aging infrastructure, revitalize our schools, and keep our communities safe.
It can’t seem to pass laws anymore, but Congress has become very good at manufacturing crises. This one was months in the making, and completely preventable.
I’m a member of the Senate Budget Committee and am proud to have helped write a budget that not only fairly replaces the sequester and responsibly reduces the deficit, but still invests in economic growth. The full Senate debated and ultimately approved that budget, but a few Senate Republicans have blocked negotiations with the House from moving forward — ensuring that the federal government will operate without a budget for the fifth straight year.
I’m also a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has passed 11 spending bills for the Senate to consider. We tried to pass one of them earlier this year — the bill funding the departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, which had bipartisan support in Committee — but Senate Republicans blocked even debate of the measure.
It is insanely frustrating.
I’m doing what I can to bring the Delaware Way to Washington, steering clear of needless partisanship, working with my Republican colleagues on constructive legislation, and generally trying to put our nation’s interests above our political priorities.
I regret that some in Congress have once again delivered us to the doorstep of an economic crisis, but I will continue to do everything I can to bring us back.
If the government does shut down, my offices in Wilmington and Dover will be closed and most of my team will be furloughed. If you wish to weigh in on the shutdown, you can call my Washington office at 202-224-5042. For those in need of individual help with a federal agency, my website will be updated with the direct contact information of those who can help.
Note: Kristina Biddle, a student at Saint Mark’s High School in Wilmington, was sponsored by Senator Chris Coons during her semester in the prestigious Senate Page Program.
It was mid-August and I was preparing for my junior year at St. Mark’s High School when I received the call that I had been appointed as Senator Coons’ first United States Senate Page. Before I knew it, my car was packed and I was headed to Washington D.C. I knew I would be waking up at five in the morning, going to school, and working on the Senate floor. Little did I know that I would be attending three joint sessions, having conversations with Senators, and making friends and experiences that would last a lifetime.
During our first week we had to learn all the names and faces of the Senators. I remember all of the Pages sitting in the lobby with our flashcards trying earnestly to make sure we knew every Senator like the back of our hand. We soon learned that we would be sitting on the rostrum each day ready to get the call to run our next errand. Our tasks included getting water and podiums for the Senators, riding the subway to the various buildings delivering papers, going on amendment and roll call runs, and so much more. Our every move was televised because we were on CSPAN every day.
Three days after arriving, we were fortunate enough to attend a rare joint session of Congress where President Obama presented his Jobs Bill. Walking from the Senate Chamber to the House Chamber is an experience itself with all the reporters talking and taking pictures of the Senators and Representatives. We also attended two other joint sessions of Congress. The second one we attended, we heard the President of South Korea speak in the House Chamber. His story was inspiring and we listened through headphones and read the speech to understand what he was saying. The last joint session and my favorite was the State of the Union. We sat in the lobby and saw the spouses of the Senators walking in and out and we felt star struck! We heard the President speak for the second time about his outline for his legislative agenda. How rare to attend our first joint session the first week upon arriving, and our last joint session the week we were departing.
One of my favorite aspects of being a Page was being able to sit and listen to the Senators give speeches. We sat just a few feet away from the debates which were being broadcast all over the country. We heard speeches about the payroll tax cuts and other important matters to our country. One particular day that remains vivid was when the Senate continued its session well into the night, with seemingly endless votes. Although we were tired by the time the Senate adjourned at 2:30 a.m., witnessing the Senate carrying out its work with such perseverance was surreal. We soaked up each new day, learning what cannot be taught in any classroom, with an ever-growing curiosity.
We understood that being a Page had incomparable perks. Namely, the Capitol was our office! Wearing our blue suits, Page pins, and Senate ID’s granted us access to anywhere within the Capitol. We loved walking past signs that said “Senators Only” or “This Corridor is Closed.”
Another bonus was when a celebrity was in the building. I was able to meet Harrison Ford which was exciting. Although we did not meet them, we heard legendary astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and John Glenn give speeches in the Rotunda. Some of us were also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Bono.
Some of our field trips were very exciting too. My favorites included the annual Army-Navy Game. There were a few previous Pages in attendance who currently attend either the Naval Academy or West Point. We went to the Kennedy Center to see “Billy Elliot,” the Newseum, a college tour of Georgetown University, as well as Williamsburg and Jamestown. We also had many educational field trips to places such as Mount Vernon, Lincoln’s cottage, and even the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol during the Civil War period was of particular interest to me. A tour of the dome where we stood at the very top of the Rotunda and the outside portion of the top of the Capitol’s dome was unforgettable. The sights including views outside the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and all of the surrounding monuments were breathtaking.
A day that was one of my personal favorites was December 7th, Delaware Day - the day that Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The Senators from Delaware invited us to come to a celebration for Delaware Day which included some of Delaware’s most popular restaurants. It was exciting for me to show my fellow Pages some of the things that make Delaware great.
Another part of being a Page was attending the Page School. School began promptly at 6:15 a.m. The teachers sacrificed their own time and were there at 5:30 each day to provide us with any help we needed. The length of each class depended on what time the Senate was going into session that day. Therefore, we could have fifty minute periods or just fifteen minute periods. No matter how short or long the periods, they made sure they filled in each minute with teaching new information. The school teachers had high expectations of us and were always willing to help us as much as we needed them. They challenged us to our greatest potential. My math teacher also came into school on Sundays to help those of us who were musicians. It really meant a lot to us knowing that they were willing to help us in our interests outside of school.
Being a Page is a unique experience that only thirty teenagers get to do for a semester. The students here are different from the typical American teenager. This group wanted more than the average high school experience. The Senate Page Program offered us the adventure we were looking for with its demanding schedule and numerous unknowns. A common quality within this select group was the driving force of curiosity in every aspect of our lives. Because we came from all parts of the country, there were many differences that we naturally carry with us. These differences are what make us interesting and interested in one another. I know that we are all connected through the Page experience and we will always be connected for the rest of our lives.
I am filled with extreme gratitude to Senator Coons for sponsoring me throughout this exceptional journey.
The League of Conservations Voters (LCV) released its 2011 National Environmental Scorecard on Tuesday, providing new insight into how members of Congress voted on a wide range of environmental issues. During a year when the LCV saw an unparallel assault on our environmental wellbeing, Senator Coons remained committed to protecting our environment for future generations and received a perfect score on the LCV’s 2011 Scorecard.
The 2011 Scorecard includes 11 Senate and a record 35 House votes on issues ranging from public health protections to clean energy to land and wildlife conservation. Chris was one of 31 senators to earn a perfect 100% score.
For over 40 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.
Senator Coons this evening voted 'yes' on the motion to proceed to the bipartisan Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, which would clarify that Members of Congress are subject to insider trading laws and create new reporting requirements for those who serve. In particular, it prohibits members and their staff from using "nonpublic information" obtained as part of their official duty for "personal benefit."
Chris feels strongly that Congress should live by the same rules as every other American, and that the STOCK Act is worthy of the deep, bipartisan support shown in the Senate's overwhelming cloture vote Monday night.
The STOCK Act clarifies what some perceive to be a hole in existing insider trading laws, stating explicitly that Members of Congress owe a "duty" to the United States Government and their citizens, and thus cannot breach that duty by trading on nonpublic information. Beyond this clarification, the STOCK Act provides a general prohibition against any personal gain derived from obtaining nonpublic information through a member's duties.
The Act also increases the reporting requirements under the Ethics in Government Act. Currently, any purchase or sale of a security (public or private) must be reported annually. The Act will now require reports to be made within 30 days of the transaction.
With the motion to proceed agreed-to, the STOCK Act now awaits a vote of final passage later this week, then consideration in the House of Representatives and the President's signature.
All eyes turn to Capitol Hill tonight, where the President of the United States will deliver the State of the Union address at 9:00 p.m. One of the themes Senator Coons expects the President to discuss is the critical importance of ensuring American manufacturers stay competitive.
Chris has been a leader on this issue, fighting to make sure quality products are “Made in America, Manufactured in Delaware.” He has reached across the aisle to build bipartisan support for legislation he drafted with Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, called the AGREE Act, which will help local small businesses access capital and recruit talented, high-skilled workers, and invests in research and development by making that tax credit permanent.
In the President’s address to the nation tonight, Chris hopes to hear a continued commitment to American manufacturing, following up on the Administration’s recent report on “insourcing” and previous launch of a new Office of Manufacturing Policy. Specifically, Chris would like to hear the President call on Congress to quickly pass tax incentives for companies that bring manufacturing jobs back to America and lay out plans for job training initiatives and education, particularly for students perusing technical degrees.
In the second installment of Senator Coons' "Correspondence from the Commute" video series, Chris responds to constituents' questions about the energy efficiency of light bulbs, the Defense of Marriage Act, the Republicans' reckless budget proposal, education reform, high-speed rail and the Blue Rocks' home opener.
Chris recorded this batch of videos last Thursday morning, aboard his Acela train from Wilmington.
“This month I heard from a lot of constituents concerned about the reckless cuts in the Republicans’ budget proposal,” Senator Coons said. “While Congress must tackle long-term deficit reduction that examines both expenditures and revenues, the House proposal would gut programs that are important to a lot of Delawareans, and they’re speaking up about it. I genuinely appreciate that feedback and hope Delawareans continue to advocate for the programs and projects that are most important to them.”
Senator Coons took to the Senate floor today in support of S. 493, legislation to reauthorize and expand the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. These programs directly help small businesses scale up and create jobs, and they have a history of job creation in Delaware.
Established in 1982, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program sets aside a small part of the research and development budget from a number of federal agencies to be used as grants for small businesses. The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, created in 1992, helps scientists and innovators at research institutions take their discoveries and commercialize them through small business start-ups. Together, both of these programs have invested over $28 billion in helping American small businesses transform into medium and big businesses through innovation and the commercialization of cutting-edge products.
Unfortunately, both SBIR and STTR have faced expiration year after year as Congress delayed a long-term reauthorization. “For too long,” Chris said in his floor speech, “the Senate has kicked the can down the road by passing temporary extensions month after month, year after year, for these two vital programs. This week, at long last, we have the chance to pass real long-term reauthorization.”
In Delaware, local companies are benefitting. Since 1983, nearly 400 Delaware businesses have received $400 million in SBIR grants. One, Elcriton in Newark, started with only two employees and is now scaling up and creating jobs. Elcriton is working on commercializing a process that uses bacteria to turn algae into butanol fuel. Butanol works with our existing petroleum infrastructure, which makes it better than ethanol for wide use in cars and trucks.
Another company Chris featured in his remarks is ANP Technologies, which is developing a lightweight biological agent detection system for troops in the field and first-responders. Compact Membrane Systems of Newport is also putting an SBIR grant to work developing a holly fiber filter that can separate hydraulic fluid from water, extending the life of wind turbines and expanding their workforce from three to twenty-four employees.
In his statement, Chris highlighted the importance of passing S. 493 and its effect on American competitiveness. He said:
“We cannot afford to let this critical job-creating program expire. According to one report, small businesses backed by SBIR grants have been responsible for almost a quarter of our nation’s most important innovations over the past decade, and they account for almost forty percent of our nation’s patents. The applications range from the military to medicine, from education to emergency services.
"Congress must have a smart approach to budget reform that balances budget cuts with strategic long-term investments that create growth and job-creation for our communities, a great example of exactly what it is that the SBIR and STTR programs do.”
Chris is continuing to fight for a budget that puts job creation first and invests in long-term growth for Delaware and for all Americans.
