Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

Coons' Legislative Portfolio Hits Weekend With All Six Tracked Bills Stalled — Zero Cosponsors, Zero Hearings, Zero Markups Through End of Week One Q2

As Congress enters its weekend recess period, Sen. Coons' entire tracked legislative portfolio remains frozen across six bills: S. 4144 (ESCRA Act, Day 16), S. 4145 (Pro Codes Act, Day 16), S. 4089 (Blue Envelope Act, Day 23), S. 4011 (Tropical Forest/Coral Reef, Day 30), and S. 3891 (ICE Accountability Act, Week 8+). Not a single bill has attracted a cosponsor, received a hearing date, or advanced in committee. S. 4011 now crosses the 30-day threshold without any movement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a committee on which Coons himself serves.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz believes Delaware deserves a senator who delivers results, not press releases. As a former Delaware State Senator, Dr. Katz authored and passed multiple pieces of legislation — including the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway Act (SB 241), DHIN restructuring, lobby reform (SB 141), and term limits (SB 61) — demonstrating an ability to build coalitions and move bills through committee. Per his economy and cost of living platform, Dr. Katz supports actionable legislation that creates measurable outcomes for Delawareans, not symbolic bill introductions that die in committee.

● TALKING POINTS

Sen. Coons has introduced six bills this Congress and none have attracted a single cosponsor — that's not leadership, that's résumé padding
Dr. Katz passed real legislation in the Delaware State Senate, including lobby reform and government transparency bills, proving he can build bipartisan coalitions
After 16 years in the U.S. Senate, Coons can't get one colleague to sign onto his bills — Delaware deserves a senator who can deliver
S. 4011, Coons' tropical forest bill, sits in a committee he serves on and still hasn't moved after 30 days — if he can't move his own bills in his own committee, what is he doing?

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4011  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

DEFENSE & PENTAGON

Defense Appropriations / FY2027 Budget / DOGE

FY2027 Defense Budget Hearing Series — Weekend Pause After Third Week; Coons' Anti-DOGE Narrative Expected to Resume Next Week

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee concludes its third week of FY2027 budget hearings as Congress breaks for the weekend. As Ranking Member, Coons has consistently used these sessions to characterize DOGE-driven efficiency reviews as threats to military readiness rather than as legitimate efforts to eliminate waste. Staff should monitor whether Coons releases any weekend statements, op-eds, or social media posts previewing next week's hearing schedule or framing upcoming testimony.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong national defense AND fiscal responsibility — per his economy platform, he believes the federal government must eliminate waste and inefficiency across all agencies, including the Pentagon. Dr. Katz opposes the false choice Coons presents between military readiness and accountability for taxpayer dollars. As a physician and business owner who managed operating room budgets, Dr. Katz understands that efficiency and excellence are not mutually exclusive.

● TALKING POINTS

Supporting our military means ensuring every defense dollar goes to readiness, not bureaucratic waste — Dr. Katz supports both a strong military and fiscal accountability
Coons opposes DOGE reviews at the Pentagon because he'd rather protect the status quo than demand results for taxpayers
As a physician and business owner, Dr. Katz knows you can deliver excellent outcomes while eliminating inefficiency — Coons treats those as contradictions
Delaware's Dover AFB deserves full funding for mission-critical needs, not a bloated Pentagon budget padded with waste

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 26 of Tracking

Staff has been tracking for twenty-six 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 Saturday morning, no public position from Coons has been identified. This silence is notable given Coons' Ranking Member role on Defense Appropriations, which oversees National Guard funding, and given his vocal criticism of other border enforcement measures including his S. 3891 (ICE Accountability Act).

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports the deployment of National Guard assets to secure America's southern border — consistent with his platform calling for secure borders and strong ICE enforcement. Coons' 26-day silence on this deployment, while simultaneously pushing the ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891) to hamstring interior enforcement, reveals a senator who opposes border security when the cameras are off but won't say so publicly.

● TALKING POINTS

26 days and counting — Coons still won't say whether he supports or opposes using the National Guard to secure our border
Dr. Katz supports strong border security including National Guard deployment — it shouldn't take a senator nearly a month to decide where he stands
Coons introduced a bill to restrict ICE but won't take a position on border deployment — that tells you everything about his priorities
Delaware families dealing with fentanyl and crime deserve a senator who will stand up for border security without hesitation

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

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Weekend Status Check; No New Hearing Announcements

Dover Air Force Base, home to the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings and the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, remains a critical Delaware equities item as FY2027 defense hearings pause for the weekend. No new military construction hearing announcements specific to Dover AFB have been identified this week. Staff should monitor whether Coons' office releases any weekend constituent communications or local press regarding Dover AFB funding requests.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports full funding for Dover AFB's military construction needs, consistent with his veterans and defense platform calling for a robust military force. Dover AFB is Delaware's largest employer and critical to national airlift capacity. Dr. Katz believes this is an area where Delaware's senator must deliver concrete results — not just committee titles — and notes that per his veterans platform, he supports a new advanced VA medical facility in southern Delaware to serve the broader military community.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is Delaware's largest employer and a national security asset — it deserves a senator who fights for every dollar of military construction funding
Dr. Katz supports full funding for Dover AFB and a new advanced VA medical facility in southern Delaware
Coons holds the Ranking Member title on Defense Appropriations — Delawareans should ask what concrete results he's delivered for Dover AFB this cycle
Supporting our military community means more than committee seats — it means bringing resources home to Delaware

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

RECENT LEGISLATION

Consumer Protection / Banking

S. 4144 — ESCRA Act (Credit Repair Organizations) — Day 16 in Banking Committee, No Cosponsors

Coons' ESCRA Act, introduced March 19 to amend the Credit Repair Organizations Act, enters its sixteenth day in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action scheduled. The bill has attracted no public attention or endorsements from consumer protection groups. Staff should monitor whether the Banking Committee posts any hearing schedules for the upcoming week that might include this bill.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports consumer protection but believes Delaware's senator should focus on the economic fundamentals that actually help families — per his economy and homeownership platforms, this means reducing inflation, promoting job creation, implementing tax reforms, and making homeownership attainable through first-time buyer incentives and affordable housing supply. A bill with no cosponsors after 16 days is not serious consumer advocacy.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' credit repair bill has zero cosponsors after 16 days — that's not consumer protection, it's political theater
Dr. Katz supports tackling the real economic problems facing Delaware families: inflation, stagnant wages, and housing costs that have surged 53% since 2018
Delaware families need senators focused on economic fundamentals — jobs, wages, homeownership — not symbolic bills that go nowhere
Per his homeownership platform, Dr. Katz supports tax incentives and discounted rates for first-time homebuyers — that's real consumer action

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

S. 4145 — Pro Codes Act of 2026 (Copyright/Open Access) — Day 16 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 sixteenth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no scheduled committee action. This is a niche copyright bill that affects how privately developed standards (building codes, safety standards) can be accessed when incorporated into federal regulations.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government transparency — as demonstrated by his Delaware State Senate resolution requiring live streaming of legislative sessions (SR 14) and his open redistricting resolution (SR 9). Dr. Katz believes the public should have access to the laws that govern them, but notes that Coons' inability to attract even one cosponsor for this bill after 16 days suggests it is not a priority for either party in the Senate.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz has a proven record on government transparency — he passed live-streaming of the Delaware State Senate and pushed for open redistricting
Coons' Pro Codes Act has no cosponsors after 16 days — another bill introduced for show, not results
Transparency in government is a core Katz value — he authored lobby reform and conflict-of-interest legislation in the Delaware Senate
Delawareans deserve a senator who delivers transparency reforms, not one who introduces niche copyright bills that never move

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

Judiciary / Law Enforcement / Disability Rights

S. 4089 — Blue Envelope Act — Day 23 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 twenty-third day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The blue envelope concept — where drivers place vehicle documents in a blue envelope signaling to officers that the driver may have a communication disability — has been implemented in some localities but lacks federal support infrastructure.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports law enforcement and first responders — per his first responders platform, he believes in solving the problems faced by police including staffing, pay, equipment, and community support. As a physician trained in pediatric critical care, Dr. Katz understands the unique challenges of communicating with individuals with disabilities. He supports practical, bipartisan efforts to help law enforcement but questions whether a bill with no cosponsors after 23 days represents serious legislative effort.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports our first responders and practical tools that help officers interact safely with all community members
As a pediatric-trained physician, Dr. Katz has decades of experience communicating with patients who have complex needs — he brings real expertise to disability policy
Coons' Blue Envelope bill has zero cosponsors after 23 days — good concept, no coalition, no results
Per his first responders platform, Dr. Katz believes we must solve the real problems facing law enforcement: staffing shortages, pay, equipment, and community support

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

Environment / Foreign Aid

UPDATED

S. 4011 — Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization — Day 30, No Movement

Coons' reauthorization of the 1998 Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (S. 4011), introduced March 5, hits its thirtieth day in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. This milestone is particularly notable because Coons serves on the Foreign Relations Committee himself, yet has apparently been unable to generate any committee interest in his own bill. The bill would reauthorize a program allowing eligible developing countries to redirect debt payments toward tropical forest and coral reef conservation.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports environmental stewardship — as demonstrated by his authorship and passage of Delaware's Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway legislation (SB 241). Per his energy and environment platform, Dr. Katz advocates for science-based environmental policies that also enhance America's global competitiveness. He opposes redirecting U.S. resources to foreign conservation debt swaps when American communities — including Delaware's beaches and open spaces — need investment. A 30-day-old bill with no cosponsors on a committee where the sponsor sits is not serious legislating.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons can't move his own bill in his own committee after 30 days — that's not environmental leadership, that's ineffectiveness
Dr. Katz passed real environmental legislation in Delaware — the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway Act protects open spaces for future generations
Before sending conservation dollars overseas, we should invest in protecting Delaware's beaches, waterways, and open spaces
Dr. Katz's energy and environment platform focuses on science-based policies that benefit American communities and competitiveness

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 ninth week stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no new cosponsors or committee action. The bill would impose additional oversight requirements and operational constraints on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This bill remains the most politically significant of Coons' tracked legislation given the current national debate over immigration enforcement.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz opposes the ICE Accountability Act and supports strong ICE enforcement — consistent with his platform calling for secure borders and robust immigration enforcement. Dr. Katz believes Coons' bill would hamstring the federal agents who protect Delaware communities from criminal illegal aliens, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. The bill's inability to attract a single cosponsor in eight-plus weeks reflects how out of step Coons is with Americans who want their immigration laws enforced.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons wants to handcuff ICE agents — Dr. Katz wants to empower them to protect Delaware communities
Eight-plus weeks and zero cosponsors: even Senate Democrats won't sign onto Coons' anti-ICE bill
Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement — Coons supports tying ICE's hands while fentanyl pours across the border
Delaware families deserve a senator who stands with law enforcement, not one who introduces bills to restrict them

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — Weekend Confirmation

Staff should confirm before end of day the current status of FY2026 federal funding. Determine whether the government is operating under a continuing resolution, an enacted omnibus, or individual appropriations bills. Any government shutdown risk or CR expiration date should be flagged immediately. The funding posture affects every Delaware federal equities item, from Dover AFB operations to VA services to federal workforce positions across the state.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per his economy and fiscal responsibility platform, Dr. Katz believes chronic reliance on continuing resolutions and last-minute omnibus packages is a failure of Senate leadership. Coons has served 16 years in the Senate and the appropriations process has only become more dysfunctional. Dr. Katz supports regular order in appropriations — individual bills debated, amended, and passed on time.

● TALKING POINTS

Sixteen years of Coons in the Senate and Congress still can't pass a budget on time — that's not leadership, that's the problem
Dr. Katz supports regular order in appropriations: individual bills, open debate, on-time funding
Continuing resolutions hurt Delaware — they create uncertainty for Dover AFB, federal workers, and every agency serving our state
Fiscal responsibility starts with doing the basic job of funding the government — Coons and his colleagues have failed at this repeatedly

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee↑ 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, USDA, and various agencies. Staff should attempt to obtain Delaware-specific numbers on federal job losses, pending RIF notices, and any agency-specific impacts. These numbers are critical for both understanding Coons' messaging opportunity and for developing Katz's counter-narrative about government efficiency.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency and restructuring — per his legislative record, he introduced legislation in the Delaware State Senate to establish an independent council to evaluate state services and develop a five-year plan to restructure and reorganize state government. Dr. Katz believes federal agencies, like any large organization, must continuously improve operations and eliminate waste. He supports protecting essential services and workers while demanding accountability for taxpayer dollars.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz authored legislation to restructure Delaware state government — he understands that efficiency isn't a threat, it's a responsibility
Coons opposes every effort to streamline government because he's invested in the status quo — Dr. Katz supports modernization
Protecting essential services and eliminating waste are not contradictions — as a physician and business owner, Dr. Katz has done both throughout his career
Delaware's federal workers deserve honest leadership about government reform, not scare tactics from a senator protecting bureaucratic bloat

Sources: Coons.senate.gov↑ INDEX

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Facility Advocacy — Weekend Status

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. No new developments have been identified this week. Staff should monitor for any weekend veteran-focused constituent events by Coons in the Sussex/Kent area and whether any VA facility funding language appears in upcoming FY2027 MilCon-VA appropriations drafts.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per his veterans platform, Dr. Katz supports a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware and has made this a centerpiece of his veterans agenda. As a physician with over 40 years of healthcare experience — including pediatric critical care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital — Dr. Katz brings unique expertise to the design and advocacy of veterans' healthcare facilities. He believes Kent and Sussex County veterans urgently need accessible, advanced medical care including mental health services, traumatic brain injury treatment, and specialized rehabilitation.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz has made a southern Delaware VA advanced medical facility a centerpiece of his campaign — Coons has talked about it for years without delivering
As a physician with 40+ years in healthcare, Dr. Katz understands what veterans need from a medical facility — not just a press release, but the right services in the right location
Kent and Sussex County veterans shouldn't have to drive hours for specialized care — Dr. Katz supports building real capacity in southern Delaware
Dr. Katz's veterans platform specifically addresses mental health, TBI, and rehabilitation services — the issues Delaware veterans face daily

Sources: Coons.senate.gov  ·  VA.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 this trend or proposing federal policies to support Delaware's corporate franchise. Staff should monitor for any weekend business press coverage or Coons statements on Delaware's competitive position.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per his economy platform, Dr. Katz supports reducing the corporate tax burden, incentivizing business investment, and alleviating regulatory burdens on businesses. As a former Delaware State Senator who introduced legislation to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax (SB 100) to encourage businesses to operate in Delaware and generate jobs, Dr. Katz has a demonstrated record of fighting to protect Delaware's business climate. Coons' silence on major corporate redomiciliation trends shows he is more focused on Washington than on Delaware's economic foundation.

● TALKING POINTS

ExxonMobil chose Texas over Delaware — and after five weeks, Coons hasn't said a word about protecting Delaware's business climate
Dr. Katz introduced legislation in the Delaware Senate to repeal the corporate income tax (SB 100) to attract businesses and create jobs
Delaware's corporate franchise is the backbone of our state economy — it requires a senator who actively fights to protect it
Per his economy platform, Dr. Katz supports reducing regulatory burdens and corporate taxes to keep Delaware competitive nationally

Sources: Delaware Division of Corporations  ·  Reuters↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

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

Staff should check Saturday 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 and net domestic outmigration to lower-cost, lower-tax states. These data points are critical for framing Coons' record on cost of living, taxation, and economic competitiveness. Any new data should be flagged immediately for campaign messaging development.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per his economy and homeownership platforms, Dr. Katz believes Delaware's rising costs — including a 53% surge in median home prices from $221,100 in 2018 to $339,400 in 2023 — are driving families out of the state. Dr. Katz supports policies to make Delaware more affordable, including tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, affordable housing development, and economic growth strategies that raise real wages. Coons' 16-year Senate tenure has coincided with Delaware becoming less affordable and less competitive.

● TALKING POINTS

Delaware home prices surged 53% in five years — families are being priced out of the American Dream under Coons' watch
Dr. Katz supports tax incentives and discounted rates for first-time homebuyers to make homeownership attainable again
People are leaving Delaware for states with lower costs and better opportunities — that's a failure of leadership in Washington
Dr. Katz's homeownership platform tackles the root causes: housing supply, zoning reform, and stagnant real wages

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau  ·  IRS SOI Migration Data↑ 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 has been scheduled, and the weekend recess makes near-term action unlikely. Staff should monitor for any Coons weekend media appearances or op-eds on Iran policy, particularly if any geopolitical developments in the region create news hooks.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense and Commander-in-Chief authority — consistent with his defense platform and his belief that a robust military force is essential for preserving global peace, maintaining international stability, and protecting human rights. Dr. Katz opposes legislative efforts to tie the President's hands in responding to Iranian aggression, believing that America's adversaries are emboldened when Congress publicly signals constraints on the Commander-in-Chief's ability to act.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the Commander-in-Chief's authority to protect Americans from Iranian aggression — Coons wants to tie the President's hands
Iran doesn't wait for congressional debate before threatening American lives — our response capability can't be held hostage to political games
Dr. Katz believes a strong, credible deterrent requires adversaries to know America can and will act decisively
Coons' approach tells Iran's regime that the U.S. Senate will constrain America's own president before constraining Tehran

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

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

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

Coons has continued his vocal opposition to DOGE-driven workforce reduction plans targeting the State Department and USAID, now entering a sixth week of sustained public messaging. Coons has characterized the cuts as dismantling American diplomatic capacity and endangering national security. No new floor action, legislative vehicles, or committee hearings specifically addressing these cuts are scheduled over the weekend. Staff should monitor for weekend media appearances.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency across all federal agencies, including the State Department and USAID — consistent with his economy platform calling for fiscal responsibility and his state legislative record of authoring government restructuring legislation. Dr. Katz believes foreign aid and diplomatic spending must be subject to the same accountability standards as every other federal dollar. Coons' reflexive opposition to any efficiency review reflects a career politician's instinct to protect bureaucracy rather than demand results.

● TALKING POINTS

Every federal dollar — including foreign aid — should deliver results for American taxpayers; Dr. Katz supports accountability, Coons opposes it
Dr. Katz authored government restructuring legislation in the Delaware Senate — he understands reform requires courage, not press conferences
Coons has spent six weeks defending USAID's budget but hasn't spent six minutes explaining what results Delaware taxpayers get for their money
Fiscal responsibility doesn't stop at the water's edge — Dr. Katz believes foreign spending deserves the same scrutiny as domestic programs

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

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — Weekend Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify over the weekend whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether any bipartisan negotiations are active, and whether Coons has made any new public statements. Any geopolitical developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict should be flagged for potential Coons messaging opportunities.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports American national security interests first — per his defense platform, he believes in sustaining a robust military force for global peace and stability. While the Katz campaign should acknowledge the importance of supporting allies, the messaging should emphasize that any foreign aid package must be paired with accountability measures, must not compromise domestic military readiness, and must not come at the expense of priorities like border security and veterans' care.

● TALKING POINTS

American aid to allies must come with accountability and transparency — not blank checks
Dr. Katz believes domestic priorities — border security, veterans' care, military readiness — cannot be sacrificed for overseas spending
Coons prioritizes Ukraine funding over southern Delaware VA care and border security — that's misplaced priorities
Any aid package must demonstrate clear U.S. national security benefit and include measurable outcomes

Sources: Senate Foreign Relations Committee  ·  Congress.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 funding. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Coons is positioned to be a key voice in these debates. No new floor action is expected over the weekend, but staff should monitor for any Senate Democrat caucus strategy memos or leadership statements previewing the DHS funding fight.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports full funding for DHS and ICE enforcement operations — consistent with his platform calling for secure borders and strong ICE enforcement. Dr. Katz opposes the Senate Democrat caucus strategy of using appropriations riders to restrict immigration enforcement. Per his first responders platform, Dr. Katz believes the men and women who protect our borders and enforce immigration law deserve the resources, staffing, and support to do their jobs effectively.

● TALKING POINTS

Senate Democrats want to defund border enforcement through the backdoor of appropriations riders — Dr. Katz opposes this approach
Dr. Katz supports full funding for DHS, ICE, and TSA — our border security and homeland defense agencies shouldn't be political footballs
Coons and Senate Democrats are expected to use funding debates to restrict ICE operations — that puts politics over public safety
Per his first responders platform, Dr. Katz believes law enforcement at every level — including border agents — deserves full support and resources

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  DHS.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 statement but is expected to vote with his caucus against it. No weekend floor action is anticipated.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act — he 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, calling their resistance a choice to protect a broken system over basic election integrity. Per his government reform record — including his Delaware Senate lobby reform bill (SB 141) and transparency resolutions — Dr. Katz has consistently fought for clean, accountable government and believes verifying voter citizenship is a common-sense safeguard.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the SAVE Act — only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, period
Coons and Senate Democrats are blocking a common-sense bill that most Americans support — verifying citizenship to vote isn't suppression, it's basic integrity
Dr. Katz has a proven record fighting for government accountability — lobby reform, transparency, and now election integrity
If Coons votes to block the SAVE Act, he's choosing to protect a broken system over the fundamental principle that American elections are for American citizens

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). Weekend strategy: Use the recess period to develop local media pitches on Coons' stalled legislative record (six bills, zero cosponsors), the ExxonMobil redomiciliation silence, and the southern Delaware VA facility gap. Coons' 30-day failure to move S. 4011 in his own committee is a particularly strong effectiveness contrast.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons has served 16 years and his current legislative portfolio has zero cosponsors across six bills — Delaware can do better
Dr. Katz brings real-world experience as a physician, business owner, and former state senator — not career politician credentials
Key vulnerabilities to develop: Coons' Iran war powers position, anti-ICE bill, silence on Delaware business climate erosion, and stalled legislation
Weekend opportunity: Local media outreach on southern Delaware VA facility needs and Coons' lack of results

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

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE