Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

As the first quarter of 2026 ends, all four bills Sen. Coons introduced in March remain motionless in committee with zero cosponsors. S. 4144 (ESCRA Act, Banking Committee — Day 12), S. 4145 (Pro Codes Act, Judiciary — Day 12), S. 4089 (Blue Envelope Act, Judiciary — Day 19), and S. 4011 (Tropical Forest/Coral Reef, Foreign Relations — Day 26) have attracted no bipartisan or even same-party support. This marks a full quarter where Coons' signature legislative output has failed to gain any traction, raising questions about his legislative effectiveness in the 119th Congress.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has a proven record of authoring and passing legislation in the Delaware State Senate — including SB 241 (Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway), DHIN restructuring, and SR 14 (live-streaming of the State Senate). Coons' inability to attract even one cosponsor to any of his March 2026 bills after nearly a month underscores the difference between legislators who build coalitions and those who introduce messaging bills that go nowhere. Per Katz's platform emphasis on accountability and government reform (see Katz SB 61 on term limits, SB 141 on lobby reform), Dr. Katz believes Delawareans deserve a Senator who gets results, not press releases.

● TALKING POINTS

Sen. Coons introduced four bills in March 2026 — not one has attracted a single cosponsor from either party after up to 26 days
Q1 2026 closes with zero Coons-authored bills advancing to markup or hearing — Delawareans deserve legislative results, not messaging exercises
Dr. Katz passed real legislation in the Delaware State Senate including scenic byway protections, government transparency measures, and healthcare IT reform
A Senator in his 16th year should be able to build coalitions — zero cosponsors suggests Coons is legislating in isolation
Dr. Katz's record of bipartisan lawmaking in Dover — including lobby reform (SB 141) and term limits (SB 61) — shows he knows how to work across the aisle

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4145  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

DEFENSE & PENTAGON

Defense Appropriations / FY2027 Budget / DOGE

FY2027 Defense Budget Hearing Series — Week Three Continues; Coons' Anti-DOGE Framing Expected at Tuesday Sessions

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee continues its third week of FY2027 budget hearings Tuesday. As Ranking Member, Coons is expected to continue framing DOGE-driven efficiency reviews as threats to military readiness and defense civilian workforce stability. Staff should monitor whether Coons uses today's sessions to introduce amendments or line specific spending priorities versus continuing general anti-DOGE rhetoric without concrete legislative proposals.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility simultaneously — per his economy platform calling for restructuring government to match revenues with services (see Katz's Delaware legislation establishing an independent council to develop a five-year government reorganization plan). Dr. Katz believes efficiency reviews of defense spending are not threats to readiness but obligations to taxpayers and servicemembers who deserve every dollar spent wisely.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports strong defense funding AND fiscal accountability — these are not mutually exclusive
Coons frames any efficiency review as a threat — Dr. Katz authored legislation in Delaware to restructure government operations for better results
Taxpayers and servicemembers both benefit when defense dollars are spent wisely, not protected from scrutiny
A Ranking Member should offer concrete alternatives, not just oppose reviews — where is Coons' plan?

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  C-SPAN↑ INDEX

Defense / Border Security

[STAFF VERIFY] Coons Statements on National Guard Border Deployment — No Confirmed Public Position Through Day 22 of Tracking

Staff has been tracking for twenty-two days whether Coons has issued any formal statement, floor remarks, committee questions, or social media posts regarding the Administration's expanded National Guard deployment to the southern border. As of this morning, no confirmed public position has been identified. Coons' silence on this deployment — while actively opposing ICE enforcement via S. 3891 — creates a notable inconsistency in his border security posture that should be flagged for rapid response if he eventually comments.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement, per his core platform. Dr. Katz believes the National Guard border deployment supports American sovereignty and public safety. Coons' three-week silence on the deployment — while actively seeking to hamstring ICE with his S. 3891 — reveals a Senator who opposes enforcement tools but won't say so plainly to Delaware voters.

● TALKING POINTS

22 days and counting — Coons has said nothing about the National Guard border deployment while actively trying to weaken ICE
Dr. Katz supports both National Guard border deployment and strong ICE enforcement — border security requires all tools
Coons' silence on the border while introducing the ICE Accountability Act tells voters everything about his real priorities
Delawareans deserve a Senator who is clear and consistent on border security, not one who hides behind silence

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

RECENT LEGISLATION

Consumer Protection / Banking

S. 4144 — ESCRA Act (Credit Repair Organizations) — Day 12 in Banking Committee, No Cosponsors

Coons' ESCRA Act, introduced March 19 to amend the Credit Repair Organizations Act, enters its twelfth day in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The bill has not been scheduled for hearing or markup. Without any Banking Committee Republican support, the bill has no viable path to advancement in the current Congress.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports consumer protection through market-based solutions and regulatory simplification — per his economy platform emphasizing reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses and startups. Dr. Katz believes additional regulatory layers on credit repair organizations without addressing root causes of consumer debt (inflation, stagnant wages) treats symptoms rather than disease, consistent with his physician's approach of addressing upstream challenges.

● TALKING POINTS

Day 12, zero cosponsors — Coons' credit repair bill is going nowhere in the Banking Committee
Dr. Katz's economy platform focuses on upstream solutions: reducing inflation, growing wages, and cutting regulatory burdens
As a physician, Dr. Katz approaches policy like medicine — treat root causes, not just symptoms
More regulation without addressing why Americans need credit repair in the first place misses the point

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

S. 4145 — Pro Codes Act of 2026 (Copyright/Open Access) — Day 12 in Judiciary, No Cosponsors

Coons' Pro Codes Act (S. 4145), introduced March 19 to amend Title 17 U.S. Code regarding copyrighted works incorporated by reference into federal law, enters its twelfth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no action. The bill addresses a niche intellectual property issue around public access to privately authored codes referenced in federal regulations. Staff should note that Coons has historically been a strong advocate for copyright holder interests — this bill's framing may create tension with open-government advocates.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has a demonstrated commitment to government transparency — per his Delaware State Senate legislation including SR 14 (live-streaming of the State Senate) and SR 9 (open and transparent redistricting). Dr. Katz believes Americans should have free access to any legal standard that governs their conduct. Coons' track record of prioritizing copyright holders over public transparency deserves scrutiny.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz authored live-streaming legislation (SR 14) and open redistricting rules (SR 9) in the Delaware Senate — transparency is in his record
Coons' Pro Codes Act has zero cosponsors after 12 days — even niche legislation needs coalition partners
If a code has the force of law, citizens should be able to read it — Dr. Katz believes in full government transparency
Coons' intellectual property positions have historically favored corporate copyright holders over public access

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

Judiciary / Law Enforcement / Disability Rights

S. 4089 — Blue Envelope Act — Day 19 in Judiciary, No Action

Coons' Blue Envelope Act (S. 4089), introduced March 12 to authorize DOJ grants for programs assisting law enforcement in identifying and safely interacting with individuals with autism and other disabilities during traffic stops, enters its nineteenth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors or action. While the underlying concept has bipartisan appeal, Coons has failed to secure a single Republican cosponsor, limiting its viability.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports first responders and law enforcement — per his platform dedicated to addressing staffing, pay, equipment, mental health, and community support for first responders. As a physician who has treated patients across the spectrum of society including those with disabilities (per his background), Dr. Katz believes law enforcement-disability interaction training is valuable but questions why Coons cannot find a single cosponsor for a concept with obvious bipartisan appeal — suggesting the bill may be a messaging vehicle rather than a serious legislative effort.

● TALKING POINTS

19 days, zero cosponsors for a bill that should have bipartisan appeal — that's a failure of legislative leadership
Dr. Katz's first responder platform calls for comprehensive support including training, equipment, and community engagement
As a physician, Dr. Katz understands disability and neurodiversity — and knows good policy requires coalition-building, not press releases
Coons talks about supporting law enforcement while simultaneously trying to hamstring ICE with S. 3891 — which is it?

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

Environment / Foreign Aid

S. 4011 — Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization — Day 26, No Movement

Coons' reauthorization of the 1998 Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (S. 4011), introduced March 5, remains in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee entering its twenty-sixth day with no cosponsors or committee action. The bill would reauthorize U.S. funding for international tropical forest and coral reef conservation programs. In the current fiscal environment with mounting domestic priorities, foreign conservation spending faces significant headwinds.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports environmental stewardship grounded in science and focused on American interests — per his energy and environment platform emphasizing clean water, clean air, and leveraging private sector technology. Dr. Katz authored Delaware's National Scenic Byway legislation (SB 241), demonstrating commitment to conservation at home. Dr. Katz believes foreign conservation spending must be weighed against domestic priorities like Delaware's own beach preservation, clean water infrastructure, and energy independence.

● TALKING POINTS

26 days, zero cosponsors — even on the Foreign Relations Committee where Coons serves, he can't advance his own bill
Dr. Katz passed real conservation legislation in Delaware — the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway (SB 241)
Foreign coral reef funding competes with Delaware's own environmental needs — beaches, waterways, and clean water infrastructure
Dr. Katz's environment platform prioritizes science-based, America-first conservation with private sector innovation

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4011↑ INDEX

Immigration / Oversight

S. 3891 — ICE Accountability Act — Week 7+ Stalled in Judiciary Committee

Coons' ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891), introduced February 12, enters its eighth week stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no new cosponsors or committee action. The bill would impose additional reporting requirements and operational constraints on ICE enforcement activities. The bill remains Coons' most politically exposed legislative position, directly opposing the Administration's border enforcement priorities during a period of heightened public concern about immigration.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and secure borders — core planks of his campaign platform. Dr. Katz opposes S. 3891 as legislation designed to hamstring immigration enforcement at a time when Delawareans are dealing with the downstream effects of border insecurity. Coons' choice to author a bill constraining ICE rather than addressing root border security failures reveals misplaced priorities.

● TALKING POINTS

Eight weeks stalled, no momentum — Coons' anti-ICE bill is rejected even by his own caucus through inaction
Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement as essential to public safety and the rule of law
Coons wants to add bureaucratic constraints on ICE while staying silent on the National Guard border deployment — contradictory
Delawareans want secure borders, not Senators who make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Week Three Hearing Cycle; Tuesday Engagement Opportunity

As FY2027 defense hearings enter their third week, Dover Air Force Base remains a key Delaware equities item. Dover AFB, home to the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings and the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, is a critical node in U.S. strategic airlift and force projection. Staff should monitor today's hearings for any Coons advocacy on Dover AFB military construction projects and flag any specific line items or MILCON requests for rapid analysis.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense and Dover AFB as vital to both national security and Delaware's economy — per his veterans and defense platform. This is an area where Dr. Katz can acknowledge legitimate advocacy for Delaware military assets while pivoting to broader defense readiness and fiscal responsibility. Dover AFB investment is good for Delaware and good for America — Dr. Katz supports ensuring these investments are adequately funded and efficiently executed.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is critical to America's strategic airlift capability — Dr. Katz supports full and efficient funding
Dr. Katz can credit bipartisan work on Delaware military assets while noting Coons' record of opposing defense efficiency reviews
Strong defense means smart spending — every Dover AFB dollar should deliver maximum readiness value
Dr. Katz's veterans platform specifically calls for advanced VA medical facilities in southern Delaware, complementing Dover AFB infrastructure

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Dover AFB Official↑ INDEX

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — End-of-Quarter Check

Staff should confirm at the start of business Tuesday the current status of FY2026 federal funding — whether the government is operating under a continuing resolution, an enacted omnibus, or individual minibus appropriations bills. The end of Q1 FY2026 (calendar Q1 2026) is a natural checkpoint. Any CR-related disruptions to Delaware federal installations, grants, or programs should be flagged immediately for campaign messaging.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility and timely, transparent budgeting — per his economy platform and his Delaware legislation establishing an independent council for government restructuring. Governing by continuing resolution is a failure of leadership. Dr. Katz believes Congress should pass individual appropriations bills on time, with full debate and transparency, rather than lurching from CR to CR.

● TALKING POINTS

Government-by-CR is government-by-failure — Dr. Katz supports passing individual appropriations bills on time
After 16 years in the Senate, Coons bears responsibility for the broken appropriations process
Dr. Katz authored government restructuring legislation in Delaware — he understands budgets must match revenues to services
Delaware's federal workforce, military installations, and grant recipients all suffer from funding uncertainty

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Congress.gov↑ INDEX

DELAWARE

Business Climate / Corporate Governance / Delaware Economy

UPDATED

ExxonMobil Texas Redomiciliation — Coons Enters Week Five Without Addressing Delaware's Eroding Business Climate

ExxonMobil's board-recommended redomiciliation from New Jersey to Texas — bypassing Delaware entirely — now enters its fifth week as a data point in Delaware's eroding position as America's premier corporate domicile state. Coons has made no public statement addressing the broader trend of major corporations choosing Texas, Nevada, or other states over Delaware for incorporation. Delaware's franchise tax revenue and Court of Chancery prestige are long-term economic pillars that require active federal-level advocacy to maintain competitiveness.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports policies that make Delaware competitive for business — per his economy platform calling for reducing corporate tax burdens, incentivizing business investment, and alleviating regulatory burdens. Dr. Katz authored SB 100 in the Delaware Senate to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax to attract businesses and generate jobs. Coons' five-week silence on ExxonMobil choosing Texas over Delaware reflects a Senator disconnected from the economic forces shaping Delaware's future.

● TALKING POINTS

Five weeks — Coons has said nothing about ExxonMobil choosing Texas over Delaware for redomiciliation
Dr. Katz authored legislation (SB 100) to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax to make the state more competitive
Delaware's franchise tax revenue and Court of Chancery reputation are under threat — where is our Senator?
Dr. Katz's economy platform prioritizes business-friendly policies that keep and attract companies to Delaware
When major corporations bypass Delaware, it's a warning sign that demands leadership, not silence

Sources: Reuters  ·  Delaware Division of Revenue↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

[STAFF VERIFY] Delaware Population and Outmigration Trends — Tuesday Data Check

Staff should check Tuesday morning whether updated Census Bureau population estimates or IRS migration data for Delaware have been released. Recent trends have shown Delaware experiencing slower population growth relative to Sun Belt and Mountain West states, with net domestic outmigration in some recent years. Any new data should be immediately analyzed for campaign messaging on cost of living, housing affordability, and economic competitiveness.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's platform addresses the root causes of why families leave Delaware — high costs, stagnant wages, unaffordable housing. Per his homeownership platform, Delaware's median home price surged 53% from $221,100 in 2018 to $339,400 in 2023. Dr. Katz supports tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, increased affordable housing supply, and zoning reform to reduce construction costs. Coons' federal record has not addressed these kitchen-table concerns driving outmigration.

● TALKING POINTS

Delaware home prices up 53% in five years — families are being priced out under Coons' watch
Dr. Katz's homeownership platform calls for first-time buyer tax incentives, affordable housing supply, and zoning reform
Population trends tell the story of leadership — states with pro-growth policies are gaining, Delaware is stagnating
After 16 years, Coons owns Delaware's cost-of-living crisis at the federal level

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau  ·  IRS Statistics of Income↑ INDEX

Government Reform / Delaware Jobs

[STAFF VERIFY] DOGE-Driven Federal Workforce Cuts — Delaware-Specific Impact Numbers

Coons has been among the most vocal Senate Democrats opposing DOGE-driven reductions-in-force across federal agencies. Delaware has a significant federal workforce presence, including at Dover AFB, the VA, IRS facilities, and various agency offices. Staff should verify whether any new RIF notices, buyout offers, or agency-specific workforce reduction plans have been announced that specifically impact Delaware federal employees. This data is critical for both defending efficiency reforms and addressing constituent concerns.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency and restructuring — per his Delaware legislation establishing an independent council to develop a five-year plan to restructure and reorganize state government. Dr. Katz believes government should be right-sized to deliver essential services effectively, while ensuring affected workers receive fair transition support. Opposing all efficiency reforms categorically, as Coons does, is not a plan — it's a defense of the status quo.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz authored government restructuring legislation in Delaware — he understands reform must be responsible and planned
Coons' blanket opposition to DOGE reforms is a defense of government bloat, not a defense of workers
Dr. Katz supports efficiency reforms paired with fair transition support for affected employees
Delaware's federal workforce deserves honest leadership about modernization — not politicians exploiting their anxiety

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  OPM.gov↑ INDEX

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Facility Advocacy — Tuesday Constituent Engagement Opportunity

Coons continues to advocate for expanded VA healthcare services in southern Delaware, including support for a new outpatient specialty care facility serving veterans in Kent and Sussex counties. Tuesday presents an opportunity for constituent outreach on this shared priority. Staff should monitor for any Coons press events, VA announcements, or committee activity related to southern Delaware veterans' healthcare access.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's veterans platform explicitly calls for a VA Advanced Medical Facility in Southern Delaware, recognizing that Kent and Sussex County veterans urgently need accessible, advanced medical care for their unique health challenges. As a physician with over 40 years of healthcare experience (per his healthcare platform), Dr. Katz brings clinical expertise to veterans' healthcare advocacy that a career politician cannot match. This is a shared priority area where Katz should lead on specifics — facility design, specialty services, mental health integration — leveraging his medical background.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz's veterans platform specifically calls for a VA Advanced Medical Facility in southern Delaware
As a physician, Dr. Katz brings 40+ years of healthcare expertise to veterans' care advocacy — not just political talking points
Kent and Sussex County veterans shouldn't have to drive hours for specialty care — Dr. Katz supports local advanced medical services
Dr. Katz's healthcare platform emphasizes mental health integration — critical for veteran care delivery

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  VA.gov↑ INDEX

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

War Powers / Iran / Foreign Relations

Iran War Powers Debate — No Floor Vote Scheduled; Coons Continues Push to Constrain Commander-in-Chief Authority

Coons remains a vocal supporter of Sen. Tim Kaine's War Powers Resolution aimed at restraining the President's ability to take military action against Iran without prior congressional authorization. No floor vote is currently scheduled. Coons has framed this as a constitutional prerogatives issue, but the practical effect would be to telegraph strategic constraints to adversaries and limit the President's ability to respond rapidly to Iranian provocations, including threats to U.S. forces and allies in the region.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong Commander-in-Chief authority — a core campaign plank. Dr. Katz believes the President must retain the ability to act decisively against threats from Iran without broadcasting strategic limitations to adversaries. Constraining military options through War Powers resolutions during an active threat environment from Tehran is dangerous and projects weakness. Dr. Katz opposes Coons' approach to Iran war powers as undermining national security.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports strong Commander-in-Chief authority — the President must be able to act decisively against Iranian threats
Coons' war powers push telegraphs American strategic constraints directly to Tehran — that's dangerous
Iran doesn't wait for congressional authorization before threatening U.S. forces — our President shouldn't have to either
Dr. Katz believes in peace through strength, not strength through committee deliberation

Sources: Senate Foreign Relations Committee  ·  Congress.gov↑ INDEX

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

UPDATED

DOGE Cuts to State Department / USAID — Coons Opposition Continues Into Week Five

Coons has continued his vocal opposition to DOGE-driven workforce reduction plans targeting the State Department and USAID, now entering a fifth week of sustained public messaging. Coons has characterized these reductions as threats to American diplomacy and global influence. He has not, however, proposed specific alternative efficiency measures or identified areas of waste within these agencies that he would support trimming.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency across all agencies, including State and USAID — per his platform on fiscal responsibility and his Delaware legislation on government restructuring. Dr. Katz believes foreign aid and diplomatic spending should serve clear American strategic interests, not sustain bureaucratic empires. Coons' five weeks of opposition without offering a single alternative efficiency measure reveals a Senator committed to the status quo, not to reform.

● TALKING POINTS

Five weeks of opposition, zero alternative proposals — Coons defends the status quo without offering any reform vision
Dr. Katz supports efficient diplomacy that serves American strategic interests — not bureaucratic self-preservation
Every taxpayer dollar spent on bloated foreign affairs agencies is a dollar not spent on Delaware priorities
Dr. Katz's government restructuring record in Delaware proves reform and effective service delivery can coexist

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  Senate Foreign Relations Committee↑ INDEX

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — Tuesday Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify Tuesday whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether any Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Ukraine are scheduled this week, and whether Coons has made new public statements. Any new Ukraine funding request creates a contrast opportunity on fiscal priorities and American-first budgeting.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong defense posture that prioritizes American security interests — per his defense and economy platforms. Dr. Katz believes any foreign aid expenditure must be weighed against domestic needs including Delaware's infrastructure, veterans' care, and economic competitiveness. Coons' blank-check approach to Ukraine aid without clear metrics, accountability, or endgame strategy is inconsistent with the fiscal responsibility Delawareans expect.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports strong defense but believes foreign aid requires clear accountability, metrics, and strategy
Every billion sent abroad without oversight is a billion not available for Delaware veterans, infrastructure, and schools
Coons has not articulated a clear endgame strategy for Ukraine — open-ended commitments are not policy
Fiscal responsibility applies to foreign aid just as much as domestic spending — per Dr. Katz's economy platform

Sources: Senate Foreign Relations Committee  ·  Coons.senate.gov↑ INDEX

SENATE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS WATCH

Homeland Security / Fiscal Policy

DHS and TSA Funding — Senate Democrats Expected to Leverage Funding Debate for Anti-Enforcement Messaging

Senate Democrats are expected to use upcoming DHS and TSA funding debates to push for restrictions on interior immigration enforcement, oppose expanded ICE detention capacity, and resist increases in border security personnel and infrastructure funding. Democratic leadership has signaled they will seek to attach riders limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE. Coons, as a member of the Appropriations Committee and author of the ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891), is expected to align fully with caucus efforts to constrain enforcement operations through the funding process.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and secure borders as core campaign principles. Dr. Katz opposes any effort to use the DHS funding process to weaken interior enforcement, reduce ICE detention capacity, or restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Coons' dual-track approach — introducing S. 3891 to constrain ICE AND using appropriations to defund enforcement — reveals a systematic effort to undermine border security, not legitimate oversight.

● TALKING POINTS

Senate Democrats want to use DHS funding to handcuff ICE — Dr. Katz supports fully funding border enforcement
Coons is attacking ICE from two directions: legislation (S. 3891) AND appropriations riders
Dr. Katz supports cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities
Defunding enforcement isn't immigration reform — it's open borders by another name
Dr. Katz's first responder platform calls for supporting law enforcement, not undermining their federal partners

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

Election Integrity / Immigration

SAVE America Act — Senate Democrats Continue to Block Voter Citizenship Verification; Coons Expected to Vote With Caucus

The SAVE Act (H.R. 22), requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, remains pending in the Senate after passing the House in April 2025 (220-208, largely party-line). Senate Democrats are expected to oppose or filibuster the bill, framing it as voter suppression. No Senate Democrat has indicated support. Coons has not made a specific public statement on the SAVE Act but is expected to vote with his caucus against it. The bill remains a powerful contrast point on election integrity.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act — he believes only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, a position most Americans share regardless of party. Dr. Katz opposes Senate Democrat efforts to block or filibuster the bill, viewing their resistance as a choice to protect a broken system over basic election integrity. Per Katz's government reform record in the Delaware Senate — including SB 141 on lobby reform and SR 9 on transparent redistricting — Dr. Katz has consistently championed accountability and integrity in democratic processes.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the SAVE Act — only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, period
Senate Democrats are blocking a common-sense citizenship verification requirement that most Americans support
Coons' silence on the SAVE Act speaks volumes — he won't defend his caucus' opposition publicly because he knows it's unpopular
Dr. Katz's Delaware record includes lobby reform (SB 141) and transparent redistricting (SR 9) — election integrity is core to his vision
Opposing voter citizenship verification isn't protecting voting rights — it's protecting a broken system

Sources: Congress.gov — H.R. 22  ·  GovTrack — H.R. 22↑ INDEX

2026 RACE CONTEXT

Campaign Intelligence

Race Snapshot: Coons vs. Katz (General: Nov. 3, 2026)

Sen. Coons (D) is running for a third full term. Republican primary: Dr. Mike Katz vs. John Shulli — primary set for September 15, 2026. Delaware is historically Solid Democratic. Coons has missed 3.0% of Senate roll call votes since 2010. His legislative profile focuses on International Affairs (27%), Commerce (21%), and Labor (10%). Committees: Appropriations (Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member), Foreign Relations, Judiciary.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Strategic note for Katz: End of Q1 2026 milestone — Coons' legislative output this quarter shows zero bills advancing beyond introduction, zero cosponsors on March bills, and no hearings scheduled. Key vulnerabilities: Iran war posture, DOGE/government spending debate, ICE oversight bill (S. 3891), five-week silence on ExxonMobil/Delaware business climate, and healthcare policy (Katz's home turf as a physician with 40+ years of experience). Q2 should focus on sharpening the legislative effectiveness contrast and building name recognition on kitchen-table issues: homeownership, cost of living, veterans' care.

● TALKING POINTS

Q1 2026 closes with zero Coons bills advancing — Dr. Katz should highlight this legislative ineffectiveness entering Q2
Key contrast areas for Q2: healthcare expertise, border security, fiscal responsibility, Delaware business competitiveness
Dr. Katz's physician background is his strongest differentiator — deploy it on healthcare, veterans, and public health issues
Coons' committee portfolio (Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary) gives him power but also accountability for inaction
September 15 primary approaching — maintain sharp general election messaging while securing Republican base

Sources: GovTrack — Sen. Coons  ·  DrMikeKatz.com↑ INDEX

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE