Issue Position: Relentlessly Fighting for Jobs

Issue Position

ORGANIZING 17 JOB FAIRS FOR DELAWAREANS

Senator Coons has hosted 17 filibuster-proof job fairs up and down the state since taking office, introducing tens of thousands of Delawareans to employers ready to hire. Half of the fairs have been held downstate, and six of the job fairs have been held exclusively for Delaware's veterans.

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

Small businesses create around two-thirds of all new jobs in the United States, and Senator Coons knows that the more we invest in them, the more we're investing in American jobs. His AGREE Act with Senator Rubio -- a collection of measures on which Democrats and Republicans have already shown they agree -- would offer tax and regulatory relief to small business owners and help veterans start their own businesses. A provision written by Senator Coons and signed into law by President Obama will also reduce the regulatory burden for small businesses that sell to the federal government.

For his efforts, Chris was recognized by the International Franchise Association as its 2012 legislator of the year for "a strong commitment to improving the business environment for small businesses and franchising."

CONFRONTING CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT IN URBAN AREAS

Senator Coons knows that the causes and symptoms of urban unemployment are historically and fundamentally more complex than for unemployment more broadly. Solving it just isn't as simple as attracting a big box store into a poor neighborhood, or reopening a factory in the adjacent suburbs. Crime, poverty, chemical dependency, and lack of educational opportunity all contribute to stubborn jobless numbers that have confounded elected officials and community leaders for decades.

Determined to prevent the complexity of the issue from scaring off local leaders, Senator Coons launched a series of discussions with local experts from academic, non-profit, and community investment groups to develop ideas for confronting the problem locally and legislatively.

REVIVING A FOCUS ON MANUFACTURING JOBS IN THE SENATE

With Congress bogged down in manufactured political crises, Chris worked to refocus Washington instead on manufacturing jobs. He organized and launched the Manufacturing Jobs for America campaign, recruiting 26 senators to contribute nearly 50 bills and policy ideas aimed at accelerating America's manufacturing revival. Senator Coons has also introduced bills to create a national manufacturing strategy, more closely align the curriculum of America's universities to the skills needs of manufacturers, and help manufacturers access the capital they need to grow.

HELPING INNOVATIVE YOUNG BUSINESSES GROW AND CREATE JOBS

Senator Coons is Congress' most passionate supporter of advanced research and development, introducing measures to make permanent the R&D tax credit and allow innovative startups to access it.

PREVENTING JOBSEEKERS FROM SLIPPING INTO POVERTY

Chris believes that it is incumbent on Congress to build and sustain a circle of protection around the most vulnerable in our society, including those who are still looking for work after the devastating recession. He knows that federal emergency unemployment insurance is a lifeline for jobseekers and has voted seven times to continue the vital program.

For the almost 80,000 Delawareans who are working but earning the minimum wage, Congressional action could mean the difference between a fighting chance at climbing into the middle class or slipping into poverty. Chris believes that no American should be able to work full-time and still live in poverty, so he cosponsored the Minimum Wage Fairness Act to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour over three years.

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