Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

Q1 2026 Closes With Coons' Entire March Legislative Portfolio Dead on Arrival — Zero Cosponsors, Zero Committee Movement Across All Four Bills on Day 13+

As the second quarter of 2026 begins, all four bills Sen. Coons introduced in March remain completely stalled in committee with zero cosponsors and zero scheduled hearings. S. 4144 (ESCRA Act, Banking Committee — Day 13), S. 4145 (Pro Codes Act, Judiciary — Day 13), S. 4089 (Blue Envelope Act, Judiciary — Day 20), and S. 4011 (Tropical Forest/Coral Reef Conservation, Foreign Relations — Day 27) have attracted no bipartisan or even intra-party support. This marks the end of a full quarter in which Coons, now in his sixteenth year in the Senate, failed to advance any March-introduced legislation past the referral stage — raising serious questions about legislative effectiveness for a senator who sits on three major committees.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has a proven record of getting legislation across the finish line — including Delaware's National Scenic Byway legislation (Katz SB 241), DHIN restructuring, and lobby reform (Katz SB 141) during his time in the Delaware State Senate. Dr. Katz believes Delawareans deserve a senator who builds coalitions to pass bills, not one who introduces legislation that dies quietly in committee after sixteen years in Washington. Per Dr. Katz's platform emphasis on fiscal responsibility and government reform, symbolic bill introductions without follow-through represent exactly the kind of dysfunction he opposes.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons introduced four bills in March 2026 — all four have zero cosponsors and zero committee action as Q1 closes
After sixteen years in the Senate and seats on three major committees, Coons still can't get a single colleague to cosponsor his March bills
Dr. Katz passed multiple pieces of legislation in the Delaware State Senate including scenic byway preservation, lobby reform, and health information network restructuring — results, not press releases
Delawareans need a senator who builds coalitions, not one who introduces bills as political props that never see a hearing

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 Expected to Push Anti-DOGE Narrative at Wednesday Sessions

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee continues its third week of FY2027 budget hearings Wednesday. As Ranking Member, Coons has consistently used these sessions to characterize DOGE-driven efficiency reviews as threats to military readiness and defense procurement rather than engaging substantively with potential cost savings. Staff should monitor whether Wednesday testimony includes any service branch comptrollers or acquisition officials whose testimony Coons may use to frame efficiency reforms as destabilizing.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense spending AND fiscal accountability — per his platform's emphasis on fiscal responsibility and a strong military. Dr. Katz believes taxpayers deserve both a fully funded military and a Pentagon that eliminates waste. Coons' reflexive opposition to efficiency reviews suggests he prioritizes bureaucratic inertia over responsible stewardship of defense dollars.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports a strong, fully funded military — but also believes the Pentagon must be accountable to taxpayers
Coons uses his Ranking Member position to oppose efficiency reviews rather than root out waste in defense procurement
Supporting our troops and demanding fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive — Dr. Katz believes we must do both
After years of GAO reports documenting billions in Pentagon waste, opposing any reform effort is defending the status quo

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 23 of Tracking

Staff has been tracking for twenty-three 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. No confirmed public position has been identified. Coons' silence on this topic — despite his role on Defense Appropriations — is notable as the deployment involves significant defense budget equities and readiness considerations that fall squarely within his committee jurisdiction.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement, as stated in his platform. Dr. Katz believes the National Guard border deployment is an appropriate use of military assets to protect American sovereignty. Coons' three-week silence suggests he is unwilling to either support border security or publicly oppose it and face voter backlash — the hallmark of a career politician avoiding accountability.

● TALKING POINTS

Twenty-three days and counting: Coons has said nothing about the National Guard border deployment despite sitting on Defense Appropriations
Dr. Katz supports using every lawful tool — including the National Guard — to secure America's borders
A senator who oversees the defense budget but won't take a public position on a major military deployment is not doing his job
Delawareans deserve to know where their senator stands on border security — not dodge the question for three weeks

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  Senate Appropriations Committee↑ INDEX

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Week Three Hearing Cycle; Wednesday Engagement Tracking

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 central to strategic airlift and dignified transfer missions. Staff should monitor Wednesday hearing testimony for any references to Dover AFB military construction projects, C-5M Super Galaxy sustainment funding, or base infrastructure modernization in the Air Force's FY2027 justification documents.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports robust funding for Dover AFB and recognizes its strategic importance to both national defense and the Delaware economy, consistent with his platform's emphasis on strong defense and support for military communities. Dr. Katz has called for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware (per his veterans platform) and believes Dover-area military families deserve both strong base funding and expanded veterans' healthcare access.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is critical to America's strategic airlift capability and Delaware's economy — Dr. Katz supports full funding for its modernization
Military families at Dover deserve both a fully resourced base and accessible veterans' healthcare nearby
Dr. Katz's advocacy for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware directly serves the Dover military community
Bipartisan support for Dover AFB is essential — but so is holding the Pentagon accountable for delivering construction projects on time and on budget

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Dover Air Force Base (official)↑ INDEX

RECENT LEGISLATION

Consumer Protection / Banking

S. 4144 — ESCRA Act (Credit Repair Organizations) — Day 13 in Banking Committee, No Cosponsors

Coons' ESCRA Act, introduced March 19 to amend the Credit Repair Organizations Act, enters its thirteenth day in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The bill has not attracted support from either Republican or Democratic Banking Committee members. No hearing has been scheduled. Staff should verify whether any consumer protection groups or industry stakeholders have issued statements of support or opposition.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports consumer protection but believes effective legislation requires coalition-building, not solo bill drops that languish in committee. Per Dr. Katz's platform on economy and cost of living, he favors policies that actually reduce costs and empower consumers rather than symbolic gestures that never advance.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' credit repair bill has zero cosponsors after nearly two weeks — not a single colleague in either party has signed on
Dr. Katz supports protecting consumers from predatory practices but believes legislation must be designed to actually pass, not just generate press releases
Effective consumer protection requires building bipartisan coalitions — something Dr. Katz demonstrated in the Delaware State Senate
After sixteen years, Coons should know how to rally support for a bill before introducing it

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

S. 4145 — Pro Codes Act of 2026 (Copyright/Open Access) — Day 13 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 thirteenth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The bill addresses the niche issue of public access to privately authored codes and standards that are incorporated into binding federal regulations. No Judiciary Committee hearing has been scheduled.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government transparency — as demonstrated by his Delaware State Senate legislation requiring live streaming of Senate proceedings (Katz SR 14) and open redistricting (Katz SR 9). Dr. Katz believes transparency should be a priority, not an afterthought tucked into copyright law amendments that attract no support from colleagues.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' copyright bill has sat in Judiciary for nearly two weeks with zero cosponsors — even on his own committee
Dr. Katz has a real transparency record: he authored legislation to livestream the Delaware State Senate and open the redistricting process to public participation
Government transparency shouldn't be a niche copyright issue — it should be a core governing principle
Dr. Katz delivered transparency reforms that were enacted; Coons introduces bills that go nowhere

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

Judiciary / Law Enforcement / Disability Rights

S. 4089 — Blue Envelope Act — Day 20 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 twentieth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The bill addresses a legitimate public safety concern but has failed to attract bipartisan support despite the issue's broadly sympathetic appeal.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports first responders and law enforcement, as outlined in his first responders platform, and believes programs that help officers safely interact with individuals with disabilities are common-sense public safety measures. As a physician who has cared for patients across the spectrum of disability, Dr. Katz understands this issue from a clinical perspective. The question is why Coons — after sixteen years in the Senate — cannot get even one colleague to cosponsor a broadly sympathetic bill like this.

● TALKING POINTS

The Blue Envelope concept has broad support — so why can't Coons get a single cosponsor after twenty days?
Dr. Katz supports first responders and believes equipping law enforcement with tools to safely interact with disabled individuals is common sense
As a physician who has cared for patients with disabilities throughout his career, Dr. Katz understands these challenges clinically, not just politically
Coons introduces sympathetic bills but fails to do the work of building coalitions to move them forward

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

Environment / Foreign Aid

S. 4011 — Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization — Day 27, 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-seventh day with no cosponsors and no committee action. The bill would reauthorize a debt-for-nature swap program that directs U.S. foreign aid dollars toward conservation projects in developing countries. As the bill approaches its one-month anniversary without attracting a single cosponsor, its legislative viability appears negligible.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports environmental stewardship — as demonstrated by his authorship of Delaware's National Scenic Byway legislation (Katz SB 241) — but believes conservation dollars should prioritize American communities and natural resources, including Delaware's beaches and open spaces, per his energy and environment platform. Dr. Katz opposes sending taxpayer dollars overseas for debt-for-nature swaps when American environmental infrastructure needs remain unmet.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' tropical forest bill has sat in committee for nearly a month with zero cosponsors — even his Foreign Relations colleagues won't sign on
Dr. Katz authored and passed Delaware's National Scenic Byway legislation — real conservation results for Delawareans
Dr. Katz believes conservation funding should prioritize American communities, not debt-for-nature swaps in foreign countries
Coons continues to prioritize international spending over Delaware's own environmental needs

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4011↑ INDEX

Immigration / Oversight

S. 3891 — ICE Accountability Act — Week 8 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, effectively creating bureaucratic barriers to interior immigration enforcement. The bill's prolonged stagnation reflects its lack of viability in a Senate where border security and enforcement remain voter priorities.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and secure borders, as stated throughout his platform. Dr. Katz opposes legislation that would hamstring ICE officers with additional bureaucratic burdens at a time when border security demands maximum operational flexibility. Coons' ICE Accountability Act reveals his true priority: constraining enforcement rather than securing the border.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' ICE Accountability Act would add red tape to hamstring immigration enforcement — and even his own party won't cosponsor it
Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and opposes any legislation designed to weaken border security operations
Eight weeks stalled with no support: this bill was never meant to pass — it was meant to signal to the anti-enforcement left
Delawareans want secure borders and enforced immigration laws, not more bureaucratic obstacles for the agents protecting them

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891 (staff verify URL)  ·  Coons.senate.gov↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — Q2 Opens; Confirm CR or Enacted Status

Staff should confirm at the start of business Wednesday — the first day of Q2 FY2026 — the current status of FY2026 federal funding. Determine whether the government is operating under a continuing resolution, an enacted omnibus, or individual appropriations bills. The funding status directly impacts Delaware federal installations including Dover AFB, federal agency offices, and grant-dependent programs across the state. Any CR extension or shutdown threat should be flagged immediately.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's platform on fiscal responsibility, he believes Congress must pass timely appropriations rather than relying on continuing resolutions that freeze spending at prior-year levels and prevent needed reforms. Dr. Katz supports a return to regular order in the appropriations process — a process Coons has failed to deliver despite sitting on the Appropriations Committee for years.

● TALKING POINTS

If we're still on a continuing resolution in April, that's a failure of the appropriations process — and Coons sits on the committee responsible
Dr. Katz supports timely, transparent appropriations — not last-minute CRs that keep government on autopilot
Delaware's military bases, federal employees, and grant-funded programs suffer when Congress can't do its basic job of funding the government
Fiscal responsibility starts with passing a budget on time — something Coons has failed to deliver

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

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Facility Advocacy — Wednesday 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. Wednesday presents an opportunity for Dr. Katz to engage with veteran constituents on this issue, particularly given his platform's specific call for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware. Staff should monitor whether Coons issues any new statements or press on VA southern Delaware facility funding in connection with FY2027 budget hearings.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's veterans platform specifically calls for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware — this is an issue where Dr. Katz can credibly claim ownership. As a physician with over forty years of healthcare experience, Dr. Katz brings clinical expertise to VA healthcare advocacy that career politicians like Coons simply cannot match. Dr. Katz believes Kent and Sussex County veterans should not have to travel to Wilmington or Philadelphia for specialty care.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz has specifically called for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware — this is on his platform, not just a talking point
As a physician and former pediatric critical care anesthesiologist, Dr. Katz understands healthcare delivery in a way career politicians never will
Kent and Sussex County veterans deserve advanced specialty care close to home — not a two-hour drive to Wilmington or Philadelphia
Coons has advocated for expanded VA services but after sixteen years, southern Delaware veterans are still waiting

Sources: Dr. Mike Katz — Veterans Platform  ·  Coons.senate.gov↑ INDEX

DELAWARE

Business Climate / Corporate Governance / Delaware Economy

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 what this trend means for Delaware's franchise tax revenue, Court of Chancery prestige, or overall business climate. The silence is particularly notable given that corporate franchise taxes represent a significant portion of Delaware's state revenue and that other major companies have similarly bypassed or departed Delaware incorporation in recent years.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's economy and cost of living platform, he supports reducing corporate tax burdens and incentivizing business investment to keep Delaware competitive. Dr. Katz authored legislation to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax (Katz SB 100) precisely to maintain Delaware's business-friendly reputation. Coons' silence on Delaware's eroding corporate franchise position reflects a career politician who takes Delaware's economic advantages for granted while they slip away.

● TALKING POINTS

ExxonMobil chose Texas over Delaware — and Coons has said nothing for five weeks about what this means for our state's business climate
Dr. Katz authored legislation to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax (SB 100) to keep businesses in Delaware — he understands competitiveness
Delaware's franchise tax revenue and Court of Chancery prestige are economic assets that require active defense — Coons is asleep at the wheel
When major corporations bypass Delaware, it's a warning sign that our business climate is deteriorating under complacent leadership

Sources: Dr. Mike Katz — Economy Platform  ·  Delaware Division of Revenue (staff verify)↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

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

Staff should check Wednesday 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 Southern states, with net domestic outmigration particularly among working-age residents. Any new data should be flagged for campaign messaging about quality of life, cost of living, and economic competitiveness under Coons' tenure.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's platform on economy and homeownership, he has highlighted that Delaware's median home prices surged 53% from $221,100 in 2018 to $339,400 in 2023. Dr. Katz believes outmigration trends reflect the failure of career politicians like Coons to address affordability, economic opportunity, and quality of life for working families in Delaware.

● TALKING POINTS

If Delaware is losing working-age residents to other states, that's a referendum on our economic competitiveness and cost of living
Delaware home prices surged 53% from 2018 to 2023 — pricing out the working families Coons claims to champion
Dr. Katz supports tax reform, affordable housing policies, and economic incentives to keep families in Delaware
Sixteen years of Coons in the Senate — and Delawareans are voting with their feet

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau  ·  Dr. Mike Katz — Homeownership Platform↑ 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 IRS Wilmington office, VA medical facilities, and various agency regional offices. Staff should verify whether any Delaware-specific RIF numbers, furlough notices, or agency closure announcements have been released this week. The campaign needs precise data to navigate this issue — blanket opposition to efficiency reforms is Coons' position, but Delaware job losses require a nuanced Katz response.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency and fiscal responsibility, per his platform, but also recognizes that Delaware federal employees are real people with families. Per Dr. Katz's Delaware State Senate legislation establishing an independent council to restructure and reorganize state government (five-year plan), he believes government reform should be methodical, transparent, and focused on improving services — not reflexively opposed like Coons, and not reckless. This is a nuanced issue where Dr. Katz can occupy the responsible center.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports smart government reform — he authored legislation for a five-year plan to restructure Delaware state government with independent oversight
Coons' blanket opposition to any government efficiency effort is not a plan — it's a defense of the status quo
Delaware's federal employees deserve a senator who fights for responsible reform, not one who uses them as political props against efficiency efforts
The answer to government bloat isn't 'change nothing' — it's methodical, transparent reform that Dr. Katz has championed

Sources: Dr. Mike Katz — Government Restructuring Legislation  ·  Coons.senate.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 separation-of-powers issue, but the practical effect would be to telegraph strategic constraints to adversaries and limit the Commander-in-Chief's ability to respond swiftly to Iranian provocations, including threats to American forces in the region and Iran's advancing nuclear program.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense and Commander-in-Chief authority, per his platform. Dr. Katz believes constraining the President's ability to respond to Iranian threats — including an advancing nuclear weapons program — endangers American troops and allies in the region. Telegraphing military constraints to adversaries is strategically reckless, and Dr. Katz opposes efforts to tie the Commander-in-Chief's hands in the face of serious threats.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the Commander-in-Chief's constitutional authority to protect American forces and interests against Iranian threats
Coons wants to telegraph to Iran exactly what the U.S. won't do — that's not a policy, it's an invitation for provocation
Iran's nuclear program continues to advance — this is not the time to limit America's strategic flexibility
Constitutional war powers debates are legitimate, but Coons' approach would dangerously constrain our ability to respond to evolving threats

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

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

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 the reductions as undermining American diplomatic capacity and development influence abroad. However, he has not proposed specific alternative reforms to address well-documented inefficiencies in foreign aid delivery or State Department bureaucracy. Staff should monitor for any new Coons statements or floor speeches on this topic Wednesday.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility across all federal agencies, including the State Department and USAID, per his platform. Dr. Katz believes American foreign aid should be effective and accountable, not a jobs program for bureaucrats. While Dr. Katz opposes reckless cuts that genuinely undermine national security, he also opposes Coons' reflexive defense of every dollar in the foreign affairs budget without proposing a single reform.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons has spent five weeks opposing USAID reforms without proposing a single alternative to make foreign aid more effective
Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility in every agency — including those that spend taxpayer dollars abroad
American foreign aid should deliver results for U.S. strategic interests, not serve as an employment guarantee
Defending the status quo at State and USAID isn't diplomacy — it's bureaucratic protectionism

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

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — Wednesday Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify Wednesday whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether Ukraine-related amendments are being prepared for any defense or appropriations vehicles, and whether Coons has made new floor or media statements on Ukraine assistance this week. Track any dollar figures and compare to domestic needs in Delaware.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz believes American national security interests must guide foreign aid decisions, and any assistance to Ukraine must include robust accountability measures and a clear strategic objective — per his platform's emphasis on fiscal responsibility. Dr. Katz opposes open-ended commitments of taxpayer dollars abroad while Delaware communities face unmet needs in healthcare, infrastructure, and veterans' services.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports accountability and strategic clarity in any foreign aid — including Ukraine assistance
Coons champions billions for Ukraine without demanding the same urgency for a VA medical facility in southern Delaware
Every dollar sent overseas should be justified by a clear American strategic interest, not just rhetorical support for democracy
Delawareans deserve to know their senator fights as hard for their needs as he does for foreign aid packages

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 Patrol funding. The caucus strategy appears focused on attaching policy riders that would constrain enforcement operations while framing spending increases as wasteful. Coons, as a loyal caucus member, is expected to align with this approach even though he has not issued specific recent statements on DHS funding levels. No floor vote is currently scheduled, but appropriations subcommittee markups could begin in the coming weeks.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement, secure borders, and full funding for DHS and Border Patrol operations, per his platform. Dr. Katz opposes any effort by Senate Democrats to use the funding process to handcuff immigration enforcement or restrict ICE detention capacity. Delawareans expect their senator to support the men and women who protect our homeland — not use budget riders to undermine their mission.

● TALKING POINTS

Senate Democrats plan to use DHS funding debates to restrict ICE enforcement — Coons will be expected to go along
Dr. Katz supports full funding for DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol — no policy riders designed to weaken enforcement
Using the appropriations process to handcuff border agents is Washington gamesmanship that puts politics over public safety
Dr. Katz supports first responders and law enforcement at every level — from local police to federal border agents
Coons' caucus is more interested in constraining ICE than securing the border

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Congress.gov↑ 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. No Senate floor vote is currently scheduled, but Republican leadership has indicated intent to bring the bill forward.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act and believes only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections — a position shared by the overwhelming majority of Americans. 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. Coons' expected alignment with his caucus against citizenship verification puts him at odds with common-sense election security.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act — only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, full stop
Coons hasn't said a word about the SAVE Act but is expected to vote with Democrats to block it
Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is not voter suppression — it's basic election integrity
The vast majority of Americans support citizenship verification for voter registration — Senate Democrats are on the wrong side of this issue
Coons' silence on the SAVE Act tells you everything: he'll follow his caucus leadership rather than stand with Delaware voters on election security

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: Coons is well-funded and active on national security. Key vulnerabilities: Iran war posture, DOGE/government spending debate, ICE oversight bill, healthcare policy (Katz's home turf as a physician). Q1 2026 legislative ineffectiveness — zero bills advanced, zero cosponsors on March portfolio — is an emerging narrative to build through Q2. The ExxonMobil/Delaware business climate story is now in week five with no Coons response, opening a sustained economic competitiveness attack line.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons has been in the Senate for sixteen years — what has he delivered for Delaware that another senator couldn't?
Dr. Katz brings real-world experience as a physician and business owner — not a career spent in Washington
Key 2026 contrast: legislative results vs. legislative press releases; coalition-building vs. solo bill drops that go nowhere
Delaware deserves a senator who fights for the state's economic competitiveness, not one who takes it for granted

Sources: GovTrack — Sen. Coons Profile  ·  Dr. Mike Katz Campaign↑ INDEX

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE