Mr. President, I wonder if you have heard the story of Jason Rezaian. Jason was a Washington Post reporter--an Iranian American--who was stationed in Tehran and reporting for the Washington Post on the goings-on of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2014, he was arrested by the secret police and disappeared. Months later, it was revealed that he was a political prisoner being held at a notorious prison inside Iran.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+16$2.6M raised
Christopher Coons
Senator · Delaware · Democrat
Christopher Coons
Senate Floor
Recent comments in the Senate
Mr. President, we are about to go back to our States, to recess sometime tonight or tomorrow, and then to proceed to the general election. And there is an issue that hangs over the American people that concerns me, and I am sure concerns all of my colleagues, but on which we likely won't act before we adjourn. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and I are the cosponsors of the AI Whistleblower Protection Act, and it is one of a dozen urgently needed and important bills that would inject some guardrails, protections, and accountability into the rapidly advancing technology of AI.
Mr. President, thank you to my dear friend the Senator from Alaska, Senator Murkowski, and to all the ALS advocates out there who have reached out to both of us--to us, to our families, to our staff, to our friends. ALS is the cruelest disease I know. It slowly and steadily and relentlessly robs someone of their ability to control their muscles, to be themselves, to live their lives, to engage with their families, to carry out their careers, and to share their blessings with others around them.
Biography
Christopher Coons began his career as a legal counsel for a nonprofit, focusing on humanitarian issues before entering public service. Elected to the U.S. Senate for Delaware in 2010, he prioritizes bipartisan cooperation on judicial nominations, strengthening American manufacturing, and combating climate change. Coons has played a central role on the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees and co-authored legislation supporting domestic semiconductor production. He is known for building consensus across party lines to deliver practical results for Delawareans.
Education
- M.A.R., Yale University, New Haven, CT1992
- J.D., Yale University1992
- B.A., Amherst College, Amherst, MA1985
Professional History
U.S. Senator
2010–PresentSenator from Delaware. 3 terms.
County Executive, New Castle County
2005–10Associate (legal Counsel), W.l. Gore & Associates
1996–2004President, New Castle County Council
2000–04
Policy Focus
International Affairs12%
Commerce8%
Labor and Employment4%
Energy3%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Christopher Coons's record in Congress.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Helped negotiate and pass the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, securing major investments in roads, bridges, and broadband.
Global Vaccine Access
Led efforts to secure billions in U.S. funding for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution through the COVAX initiative.
Manufacturing USA Program
Championed legislation to expand federal support for advanced manufacturing innovation hubs across the United States.
STEM Education Funding
Secured increased federal funding for STEM education and workforce development programs, benefiting Delaware schools and students.
Committee Assignments
View details →- Senate Select Committee on EthicsVice Chairman
- Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary
- Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Senate Committee on Appropriations
Sen. Christopher Coons FAQ
Reach Delaware Lawmakers
Senator Coons focuses on International Affairs, Commerce and Labor and Employment. Deliver personalized constituent letters to Delaware's federal, state, and local officials — live in under five minutes.
Grassroots advocacy & legislator intelligence. Used by nonprofits, associations, and GR firms nationwide.
Start a Campaign