Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

On April 29, Sen. Coons introduced S.Res. 702, a resolution commending the American Chemical Society on its 150th anniversary and recognizing its service to the United States. The resolution was submitted, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent on the same day. This is the first piece of Coons-associated legislation to actually pass the Senate in the 119th Congress — but it is a non-binding, ceremonial resolution with no policy impact, no controversy, and no recorded vote.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: While Coons' only legislative success of 2026 is a congratulatory resolution, Dr. Katz believes Delawareans need a Senator focused on substantive legislation addressing healthcare costs, energy independence, and economic competitiveness — per Dr. Katz's economy and healthcare platform planks. Staff should note the contrast between a ceremonial resolution and the zero-cosponsor, zero-movement pattern on Coons' substantive bills (S. 4392, S. 4362, S. 4144, S. 4145, S. 4089, S. 3891).

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' only legislative 'win' of 2026 so far is a ceremonial resolution — zero of his substantive bills have attracted a single cosponsor or received committee action
Delawareans dealing with inflation, healthcare costs, and housing affordability deserve a Senator delivering results, not ribbon-cutting resolutions
Dr. Katz's platform focuses on reducing corporate tax burdens (per his Delaware SB 100), investing in workforce development, and achieving energy independence — substantive policy, not symbolism
After 16 years in the Senate, Coons should be able to build coalitions — zero cosponsors across seven tracked bills suggests he cannot

Sources: Congress.gov — S.Res. 702  ·  Congress.gov — Coons Legislation↑ INDEX

DEFENSE & PENTAGON

Defense Appropriations / FY2027 Budget / DOGE

FY2027 Defense Budget Hearing Series — Week Seven Closes; Coons' Anti-DOGE Narrative Expected to Continue as April Ends

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee closes April with its seventh week of FY2027 budget hearings. As Ranking Member, Coons has consistently used these sessions to frame DOGE-driven efficiency proposals as threats to military readiness and to question Administration defense spending priorities. Staff should verify whether any hearings were held this week or are scheduled for the first week of May, and whether Coons made any new statements or filed any amendments.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong national defense and fiscal responsibility simultaneously — per his platform's emphasis on both defense investment and eliminating government waste. As a former Delaware State Senator who authored legislation to restructure and reorganize state government (Katz's Five Year Plan legislation), Dr. Katz believes efficiency and military strength are complementary, not competing goals. Coons' framing of any efficiency review as a 'threat' reveals a preference for protecting bureaucracy over taxpayers.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports strong defense funding AND fiscal discipline — they are not mutually exclusive
Coons opposes every DOGE efficiency proposal while offering no alternative plan to reduce waste in a $800B+ defense budget
Dr. Katz authored Delaware legislation to restructure state government for efficiency — he brings that same reform mindset to federal spending
Protecting every line item in the federal budget isn't 'supporting the troops' — it's protecting bureaucracy

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  C-SPAN — Senate Hearings↑ INDEX

Defense / Border Security

[STAFF VERIFY] Coons Statements on National Guard Border Deployment — No Confirmed Public Position Through Day 52 of Tracking

Staff has been tracking for fifty-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 Ranking Member on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Coons has direct oversight of Guard funding and readiness. His continued silence on this major deployment is notable and should be verified again today.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports the use of National Guard forces to secure the border — consistent with his platform's emphasis on secure borders and strong ICE enforcement. The Ranking Member on Defense Appropriations refusing to take a public position on a major military deployment for 52 days is a dereliction of oversight responsibility. Dr. Katz believes Delawareans deserve a Senator who takes clear positions on border security rather than hiding behind silence.

● TALKING POINTS

52 days and counting — Coons still refuses to say whether he supports or opposes National Guard border deployment
As Ranking Member on Defense Appropriations, Coons has direct oversight responsibility for Guard readiness and funding
Dr. Katz supports using every lawful tool — including the National Guard — to secure America's borders
Silence isn't leadership — Delawareans deserve a Senator who takes clear stands on national security

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

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Thursday Status; No New Developments

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 appropriations hearings continue. No new military construction requests, hearing announcements, or funding developments specific to Dover AFB have been publicly reported this week. Staff should verify whether any MilCon requests for Dover AFB appear in the Administration's FY2027 budget submission.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports robust investment in Dover AFB as essential to both Delaware's economy and national airlift capability — per his veterans and defense platform. Dr. Katz believes Dover AFB advocacy is an area where bipartisan cooperation is appropriate, but notes that Coons' effectiveness should be measured by actual funded projects, not press releases.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is Delaware's most important federal installation — its mission and infrastructure require consistent advocacy
Dr. Katz supports strong investment in Dover AFB for both national security and Delaware's economy
Effectiveness is measured in funded projects and completed construction, not press conferences
Dr. Katz's commitment to veterans and military families extends to ensuring world-class facilities at Dover

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

RECENT LEGISLATION

Science / Ceremonial

NEW

S.Res. 702 — American Chemical Society 150th Anniversary Resolution — Passed Senate April 29 by Unanimous Consent

Coons introduced S.Res. 702 on April 29, a resolution commending the American Chemical Society on its 150th anniversary. It was agreed to by Unanimous Consent on the same day. This is a non-binding, ceremonial resolution — the only piece of Coons-associated legislation to clear the Senate floor in 2026. No recorded vote; no policy implications.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports recognizing American scientific institutions, but notes that a non-binding resolution passing by unanimous consent is not a substitute for substantive legislative achievement. Per Dr. Katz's platform, Delaware needs a Senator delivering results on healthcare costs, energy policy, and economic competitiveness — areas where Coons has produced zero successful legislation in 2026.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' sole legislative 'success' of 2026: a congratulatory resolution passed without a vote
No objection to honoring the American Chemical Society — but where are results on healthcare, energy, and the economy?
Dr. Katz's legislative record in the Delaware State Senate included substantive reforms: term limits, lobby reform, corporate tax repeal, government transparency
After 16 years in Washington, Delawareans should expect more than ceremonial resolutions

Sources: Congress.gov — S.Res. 702↑ INDEX

Energy / National Security / Minerals

UPDATED

S. 4392 — Allied Energy and Mineral Security Act — Day 3 in Foreign Relations Committee; No Cosponsors

Introduced April 27 by Coons, S. 4392 promotes 'United States and allied energy and mineral security.' Now in its third day in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Bill text has not yet been published on Congress.gov. No cosponsors have been added. The referral to Foreign Relations rather than Energy and Natural Resources suggests the bill's primary framework is international cooperation rather than domestic energy production.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports American energy independence as a core platform plank, emphasizing domestic production, nuclear energy development (per his support for the ADVANCE Act), and reducing reliance on adversarial nations for critical minerals. Coons' bill routing through Foreign Relations rather than Energy suggests a focus on multinational frameworks over American energy dominance. Dr. Katz believes energy security starts at home, not in international agreements.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports American energy independence — produce more here, depend less on adversaries
Coons' energy bill went to Foreign Relations, not Energy — signaling international diplomacy over domestic production
Dr. Katz is an advocate for nuclear energy and supports the ADVANCE Act for efficient permitting and advanced nuclear technology
Zero cosponsors after three days — even Democrats aren't rallying behind Coons' approach
Energy security is national security — Dr. Katz believes America should lead, not negotiate from weakness

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4392  ·  Senate Foreign Relations Committee↑ INDEX

Labor / Retirement Benefits

UPDATED

S. 4362 — Railroad Retirement Fairness Act — Day 9 in HELP Committee; No Cosponsors

Introduced April 21 by Coons, S. 4362 would amend the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to eliminate certain deductions for annuities. Now in its ninth day in the Senate HELP Committee. No cosponsors have been added. No committee hearing or markup has been scheduled. This is a narrow labor bill affecting railroad retirees' annuity calculations.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports protecting retirement benefits for workers, consistent with his platform's emphasis on economic security for working families. However, Coons' inability to attract a single cosponsor for even a targeted, worker-friendly bill raises serious questions about his effectiveness after 16 years in the Senate. Per Dr. Katz's economy platform, retirement security requires a strong economy, not just isolated legislative gestures.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons can't find a single cosponsor for a bill protecting railroad retirees — a natural bipartisan issue
Dr. Katz supports retirement security for all workers as part of building a strong, resilient economy
Legislative effectiveness means building coalitions — not introducing bills that go nowhere
Nine days, zero cosponsors, no hearing scheduled — this is a pattern, not an exception

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4362↑ INDEX

Consumer Protection / Banking

S. 4144 — ESCRA Act — Day 42 in Banking Committee; No Cosponsors, No Movement

Coons' ESCRA Act, introduced March 19 to amend the Credit Repair Organizations Act, enters its forty-second day in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action of any kind. No hearing or markup has been scheduled.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's economy platform, consumer protection should be paired with reducing regulatory burdens that drive up costs for businesses and consumers alike. Coons' inability to advance this bill past the introduction stage — 42 days without a single cosponsor — demonstrates a pattern of legislative ineffectiveness.

● TALKING POINTS

42 days, zero cosponsors, zero hearings — Coons' consumer protection bill is dead on arrival
Dr. Katz supports smart consumer protections that don't add regulatory burdens crushing small businesses
Effective legislation requires coalition-building — something Coons consistently fails to demonstrate
Introducing bills that go nowhere is not the same as delivering results for Delaware

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

S. 4145 — Pro Codes Act — Day 42 in Judiciary; No Cosponsors, No Movement

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 forty-second day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no action. No hearing or markup has been scheduled.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has a demonstrated record on government transparency — he authored Delaware SR 14 to require live streaming of the Delaware State Senate and SR 9 for open redistricting. Coons' bill on public access to law sits untouched with no support. Dr. Katz believes transparency is achieved through action, not dormant legislation.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz passed live-streaming legislation for the Delaware State Senate — he delivered transparency results
Coons' transparency bill has sat for 42 days with zero cosponsors — no action, no hearing
Talk about open government is empty without the ability to build support and pass legislation
Dr. Katz's track record: SR 14 (live streaming), SR 9 (open redistricting) — transparency in action, not just rhetoric

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

Judiciary / Law Enforcement / Disability Rights

S. 4089 — Blue Envelope Act — Day 49 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, enters its forty-ninth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. This bill should have natural bipartisan appeal.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports first responders and law enforcement — per his first responders platform plank — and believes programs improving police interactions with individuals with disabilities are common-sense policy. As a physician who trained at a pediatric hospital (Nemours/AI duPont), Dr. Katz has direct experience with special needs populations. The question for Coons: why can't he build support for a bill that should be universally popular?

● TALKING POINTS

49 days, zero cosponsors for a bill helping police interact safely with people with autism — how?
Dr. Katz supports first responders and has dedicated his career to treating children, including those with special needs
This bill should be bipartisan — Coons' failure to attract a single cosponsor is a leadership failure
Dr. Katz's first responders platform: we 'unequivocally got their back' — including giving them the training and resources they need

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

Immigration / Oversight

S. 3891 — ICE Accountability Act — Week 11+ Stalled in Judiciary Committee

Coons' ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891), introduced February 12, enters its twelfth week stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no new cosponsors or committee action. The bill would impose additional reporting requirements and restrictions on ICE operations, reflecting the Senate Democrat caucus' broader effort to constrain immigration enforcement.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and secure borders — core planks of his platform. He opposes efforts to hamstring immigration enforcement through burdensome reporting mandates designed to slow operations. Coons' ICE Accountability Act represents the wrong priorities: constraining the agents protecting Americans rather than the illegal activity threatening communities.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons wants to add red tape to ICE — Dr. Katz wants to empower ICE to enforce the law
12 weeks stalled, zero cosponsors — even Democrats aren't lining up behind Coons' anti-enforcement bill
Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement — full stop
Accountability should apply to those breaking immigration law, not the agents enforcing it
Coons' priority: constrain law enforcement. Dr. Katz's priority: protect American communities

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

Legislative Effectiveness / Oversight

UPDATED

Coons' Complete Legislative Portfolio — Zero-Cosponsor Pattern Persists; Only Ceremonial Resolution Advances

As of April 30, Sen. Coons has eight tracked items in the 119th Congress: S.Res. 702 (passed UC, ceremonial), S. 4392 (Day 3), S. 4362 (Day 9), S. 4144 (Day 42), S. 4145 (Day 42), S. 4089 (Day 49), S. 4011 (Day 56+), and S. 3891 (Week 12). Not a single substantive bill has attracted a cosponsor. The only item to advance is a non-binding anniversary resolution. This pattern of legislative isolation is now the defining feature of Coons' 119th Congress record.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's record in the Delaware State Senate demonstrates an ability to author and pass substantive legislation — including DHIN restructuring, the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway (SB 241), lobby reform (SB 141), and term limits (SB 61) — often in a chamber controlled by the opposite party. Coons' zero-cosponsor pattern across seven substantive bills after 16 years in Washington suggests he has lost the ability — or the interest — to build coalitions that deliver for Delaware.

● TALKING POINTS

Seven substantive bills, zero cosponsors, zero hearings, zero markups — Coons' 2026 legislative record
His only 'win': a congratulatory resolution passed without a vote
Dr. Katz passed real legislation in the Delaware Senate as a Republican in a Democrat-controlled chamber
16 years in Washington should produce results, not an empty legislative portfolio
Delaware deserves a Senator who can build coalitions — not one who introduces bills that die in committee

Sources: Congress.gov — Coons Sponsored Legislation↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — Thursday Confirmation

Staff should confirm Thursday morning the current status of FY2026 federal funding. Determine whether the government is operating under a continuing resolution, an enacted omnibus, or individual appropriations bills. Identify any CR expiration dates and the impact on Delaware federal operations including Dover AFB, federal employee payroll, and grant disbursements.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's fiscal responsibility platform, the federal government's chronic inability to pass appropriations on time is a symptom of dysfunction in both parties. Dr. Katz supports a return to regular order in the appropriations process and has called for comprehensive government restructuring — as reflected in his Delaware legislation establishing an independent council for government reorganization.

● TALKING POINTS

Continuing resolutions are a bipartisan failure — Dr. Katz supports returning to regular appropriations order
Delaware's federal workforce and military installations suffer under CR-driven uncertainty
Dr. Katz authored legislation in Delaware to restructure government for efficiency — he brings that reform approach to federal spending
After 16 years on Appropriations, Coons owns part of this dysfunction

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Congress.gov — Appropriations↑ 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 other agencies. Staff should verify whether any new RIF announcements, Delaware-specific layoff numbers, or agency closure plans have been released this week.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency and reducing wasteful spending — per his fiscal responsibility platform and his Delaware legislation to restructure state government. He believes efficiency reforms should protect essential services and frontline workers while eliminating bureaucratic redundancy. Coons' blanket opposition to all DOGE proposals — without offering alternatives — is a defense of the status quo, not a defense of Delaware workers.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports smart government reform that protects essential services and frontline federal workers
Coons opposes every efficiency proposal with no alternative — that's defending bureaucracy, not workers
Dr. Katz authored legislation to restructure Delaware's state government — he knows how to reform without destroying
Delaware's federal workers deserve better than a Senator who uses them as political props against any reform

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

DELAWARE

Business Climate / Corporate Governance / Delaware Economy

UPDATED

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

ExxonMobil's board-recommended redomiciliation from New Jersey to Texas — bypassing Delaware entirely — now enters its tenth 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 measures to strengthen Delaware's competitiveness for corporate registrations. Delaware's franchise tax revenue, a critical component of the state budget, depends on maintaining this competitive advantage.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz authored Delaware SB 100 to repeal the state corporate income tax specifically to make Delaware more competitive for business formation and job creation. The ExxonMobil redomiciliation to Texas is exactly the kind of competitive loss Dr. Katz's pro-business platform is designed to prevent. Coons' ten weeks of silence on Delaware's eroding corporate franchise position is a failure to defend one of the state's most critical economic assets.

● TALKING POINTS

ExxonMobil chose Texas over Delaware — and Coons has said nothing for ten weeks
Delaware's franchise tax revenue depends on remaining the nation's corporate domicile of choice
Dr. Katz authored SB 100 to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax — he understands pro-business policy
When major corporations are choosing other states, Delaware's Senator should be fighting to compete — not silent
Dr. Katz's platform: reduce regulatory burdens, incentivize business investment, create lasting economic growth

Sources: Coons.senate.gov — Press Releases  ·  Delaware Division of Corporations↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

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

Staff should check Thursday 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 potential net outmigration of higher-income households to states with lower tax burdens. These trends directly impact Delaware's tax base, housing market, and economic vitality.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Per Dr. Katz's economy and homeownership platform planks, Delaware's affordability crisis — median home prices surging 53% from 2018 to 2023 — combined with stagnant real wages and a rising cost of living, is driving residents to more affordable states. Dr. Katz supports tax incentives for first-time homebuyers and policies to increase affordable housing supply. Coons' failure to address these kitchen-table issues while focused on international diplomacy reflects misplaced priorities.

● TALKING POINTS

Delaware's median home price surged 53% in five years — young families are being priced out
Dr. Katz supports tax incentives for first-time homebuyers and increasing affordable housing supply
Outmigration of working families and higher-income households erodes Delaware's tax base
Coons focuses on foreign policy — Dr. Katz focuses on affordability and quality of life in Delaware

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

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Facility Advocacy — Thursday 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, funding announcements, or construction timelines have been publicly reported this week. Staff should verify whether any VA FY2027 budget documents reference southern Delaware facility plans.

⚡ 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 need accessible, advanced medical care for their unique health challenges. As a physician with decades of healthcare system management experience — including his development of Delaware's Health Information Network (DHIN) — Dr. Katz brings operational healthcare expertise to this issue that Coons cannot match.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz's platform specifically calls for an advanced VA medical facility in southern Delaware
Kent and Sussex County veterans shouldn't have to drive hours for specialized care
As a physician, Dr. Katz understands healthcare facility planning, operations, and integration — not just advocacy
Dr. Katz built Delaware's Health Information Network from a business plan — he knows how to deliver healthcare infrastructure

Sources: Coons.senate.gov — Veterans  ·  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs↑ INDEX

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Energy / Foreign Relations / Critical Minerals

UPDATED

S. 4392 — Allied Energy and Mineral Security — Foreign Relations Committee Referral Signals Continued International Focus

Coons' newest bill, S. 4392, was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee rather than the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, indicating the bill's primary frame is international cooperation and allied coordination on energy and mineral supply chains. Bill text remains unpublished. No cosponsors have been added. Coons serves on the Foreign Relations Committee, which may facilitate eventual hearing consideration, but his zero-cosponsor pattern suggests limited coalition support even within his own party.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports American energy independence as a foundational plank of his platform — including nuclear energy, domestic mineral production, and reducing dependence on adversarial supply chains. Dr. Katz believes energy policy should start with American production and innovation, not international frameworks that may subordinate U.S. interests to allied consensus.

● TALKING POINTS

Energy independence starts at home — Dr. Katz prioritizes American production over international agreements
Coons' bill went to Foreign Relations, not Energy — he's focused on diplomacy, not drilling
Dr. Katz supports nuclear energy and the ADVANCE Act for efficient permitting and technology development
Critical minerals policy should reduce dependence on China — through domestic production, not just allied cooperation

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4392  ·  Senate Foreign Relations Committee↑ INDEX

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. Coons has framed the issue as restoring congressional authority, but the practical effect would be to require advance notice and congressional approval before responding to Iranian provocations — potentially limiting the President's ability to respond rapidly to threats.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports Commander-in-Chief authority as a core platform position, believing the President must retain the ability to respond rapidly to threats without being hamstrung by slow congressional processes. Dr. Katz opposes efforts to constrain military flexibility in the face of Iranian aggression, which threatens American forces, allies, and global energy infrastructure.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief to respond to threats in real time
Requiring congressional pre-approval for military action against Iran would telegraph our intentions to adversaries
Coons' approach would leave American forces and allies vulnerable while Congress debates
Strength deters conflict — weakness invites it. Dr. Katz supports strength
Iran respects force, not congressional resolutions

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

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

UPDATED

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

Coons has continued his vocal opposition to DOGE-driven workforce reduction plans targeting the State Department and USAID, now entering an eleventh week of sustained public messaging. Coons has characterized the reductions as 'hollowing out' American diplomacy and has used his positions on Foreign Relations and Appropriations to amplify this critique. Staff should verify whether any new RIF numbers or USAID program closures were announced this week.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility across all federal agencies, including the State Department and USAID — per his economy and government reform platform. He believes foreign aid should be strategically aligned with American interests, not maintained as a jobs program. Dr. Katz's Delaware legislation to restructure state government demonstrates his approach: evaluate services, eliminate redundancy, protect essential functions.

● TALKING POINTS

Foreign aid should serve American interests — not exist as a permanent bureaucracy immune from review
Dr. Katz supports smart diplomacy with right-sized staffing, not blanket opposition to all reform
Coons has spent eleven weeks defending every State Department and USAID position — without identifying a single dollar of waste
Dr. Katz's approach: evaluate, restructure, and focus resources on essential missions — as he did in Delaware

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

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — Thursday Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify Thursday whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether any floor debate or amendment votes are expected, and whether Coons has made new public statements this week.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense and believes foreign aid must be accountable and aligned with American strategic interests. Any Ukraine aid package should include robust oversight, measurable objectives, and a clear strategy for how assistance advances U.S. national security — per Dr. Katz's defense and fiscal responsibility platform planks.

● TALKING POINTS

Any aid to Ukraine must include strict oversight and measurable benchmarks — taxpayer dollars demand accountability
Dr. Katz supports strong defense but opposes blank-check foreign spending without strategy
Coons' approach: more money, less oversight. Dr. Katz's approach: strategic investment with accountability
American taxpayers deserve to know exactly how their money is being used and what it's achieving

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

SENATE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS WATCH

Homeland Security / Fiscal Policy

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

Senate Democrats are expected to continue using 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 staffing. The caucus position is to condition DHS funding on limitations that would reduce the Administration's ability to enforce immigration law. Coons, as a loyal caucus member and Appropriations Committee member, is aligned with this strategy even absent specific public statements.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement as core platform positions. He opposes any effort to use the DHS funding process to weaken immigration enforcement. Dr. Katz believes DHS funding should fully resource ICE, Border Patrol, and detention capacity — not be used as leverage to protect illegal immigrants from lawful removal.

● TALKING POINTS

Senate Democrats want to defund enforcement by another name — using DHS appropriations to restrict ICE
Dr. Katz supports fully funding ICE, Border Patrol, and detention capacity to enforce the law
Coons sits on Appropriations — he has the power to fund border security and chooses not to
DHS funding should protect Americans, not shield illegal immigrants from removal
Dr. Katz opposes any funding rider that handcuffs immigration enforcement

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 statement but is expected to vote with his caucus against the bill. The Democrat caucus position effectively protects a system where citizenship verification at voter registration is not required.

⚡ 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. 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 Dr. Katz's commitment to government transparency — as demonstrated by his Delaware legislation on live-streaming (SR 14) and open redistricting (SR 9) — he believes election processes should be transparent and secure.

● TALKING POINTS

Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections — Dr. Katz supports the SAVE Act to make that happen
Senate Democrats are blocking a common-sense citizenship verification requirement — ask Coons why
Dr. Katz has a record of championing government transparency: live-streaming, open redistricting, lobby reform
Election integrity is not voter suppression — it's the foundation of democratic legitimacy
Coons won't even take a public position — Delawareans deserve a Senator willing to stand for election integrity

Sources: Congress.gov — H.R. 22 (SAVE Act)  ·  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. Of note this week: Coons' only legislative success in 2026 is a ceremonial resolution (S.Res. 702), while his seven substantive bills remain at zero cosponsors — a significant effectiveness vulnerability heading into the cycle.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Strategic note for Katz: Coons is well-funded and active on national security. Key vulnerabilities: (1) legislative ineffectiveness — zero cosponsors, zero markups, only a ceremonial resolution passing in 2026; (2) Iran war posture — constraining Commander-in-Chief authority; (3) DOGE/government spending debate — blanket opposition to reform; (4) ICE oversight bill — anti-enforcement positioning; (5) healthcare policy — Katz's home turf as a physician; (6) Delaware business climate — ten weeks of silence on ExxonMobil redomiciliation. The zero-cosponsor narrative is now the campaign's strongest effectiveness argument.

● TALKING POINTS

After 16 years in Washington, Coons' 2026 legislative record: one congratulatory resolution
Seven substantive bills, zero cosponsors — Coons can't build coalitions even in his own party
Dr. Katz passed real reforms in Delaware: term limits, lobby reform, transparency, business competitiveness
Delaware needs a Senator who delivers results, not a Senator who delivers press releases

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

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE