Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

Coons' Legislative Portfolio Enters Day 26 of Complete Stasis — All Six Tracked Bills Show Zero Movement, Zero Cosponsors as Senate Returns for Week Three of Q2

As the Senate reconvenes Tuesday for the third week of Q2 2026, Sen. Coons' entire tracked legislative portfolio remains frozen. All six monitored bills — S. 4144 (ESCRA Act, Day 26), S. 4145 (Pro Codes Act, Day 26), S. 4089 (Blue Envelope Act, Day 33), S. 4011 (Tropical Forest/Coral Reef, Day 40), S. 3891 (ICE Accountability Act, Week 10), and any additional cosponsored legislation — have attracted zero cosponsors, zero committee hearings, zero markups, and zero floor action. This extended period of legislative inactivity raises serious questions about Coons' effectiveness as a senior senator entering his sixteenth year in office. Not a single colleague in either party has signed on to cosponsor any of the bills Coons has introduced this session.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz believes Delawareans deserve a senator who can build coalitions and deliver results, not file press-release legislation that attracts zero cosponsors. Drawing from his record in the Delaware State Senate — where he authored and passed the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway legislation (Katz SB 241) and restructured the DHIN into a self-sufficient public-private partnership — Dr. Katz has demonstrated the ability to move legislation from introduction to enactment.

● TALKING POINTS

Sen. Coons has introduced six bills this session — not one has attracted a single cosponsor from either party
After 16 years in the Senate, Coons cannot get a single colleague to sign onto his legislative priorities
Dr. Katz's Delaware State Senate record shows actual legislative results: the Scenic Byway bill (SB 241), DHIN restructuring, lobby reform (SB 141), and government transparency measures all moved through the process
Delawareans need a senator who builds coalitions, not one who files legislation and walks away
Zero cosponsors across six bills is not bipartisanship — it's irrelevance

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

DEFENSE & PENTAGON

Defense Appropriations / FY2027 Budget / DOGE

UPDATED

FY2027 Defense Budget Hearing Series — Week Five Opens Tuesday; Joint Chiefs or Combatant Command Testimony Expected

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee enters its fifth week of FY2027 budget hearings with Tuesday sessions expected to feature senior military leadership testimony from either the Joint Chiefs or regional combatant commands. As Ranking Member, Coons has consistently used these hearings to frame DOGE-driven efficiency proposals as threats to military readiness rather than engaging with the substance of identifying waste and duplication. Staff should monitor Tuesday's hearing schedule for Coons' specific questions and any Delaware-relevant testimony regarding Dover AFB operations or C-5M/C-17 sustainment funding.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense spending and Commander-in-Chief authority (per his defense/veterans platform), but also believes fiscal responsibility requires examining every federal dollar for waste — including at the Pentagon. As a physician and business owner who managed surgical facility operations, Dr. Katz understands that operational efficiency and mission excellence are complementary, not contradictory.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons opposes virtually every effort to find waste in defense spending — that's not oversight, it's rubber-stamping
Dr. Katz supports strong defense AND fiscal accountability — the two are not mutually exclusive
As a business owner and surgical facility manager, Dr. Katz knows efficiency strengthens an organization's core mission
Dover AFB is critical to Delaware's economy and national security — it deserves a senator who fights for its funding AND ensures taxpayer dollars are well spent
Coons uses defense hearings for partisan messaging against DOGE rather than constructive oversight

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 36 of Tracking

Staff has been tracking for thirty-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 Tuesday morning, no confirmed public position from Coons has been identified. His silence on this issue — while vocal on virtually every other defense and homeland security topic — is increasingly conspicuous and suggests a deliberate strategy to avoid alienating either his progressive base or moderate Delaware voters who support border security.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement (per his platform). While Coons refuses to take a position on National Guard border deployment after 36 days of silence, Dr. Katz has been clear: the federal government's first obligation is to protect American citizens, and using National Guard resources to secure the border is an appropriate exercise of executive authority.

● TALKING POINTS

36 days and counting — Sen. Coons still won't say whether he supports or opposes National Guard border deployment
Delawareans deserve a senator with the courage to take clear positions on national security
Dr. Katz supports strong border security and ICE enforcement — no ambiguity, no poll-testing
Coons' silence on the border is a political calculation, not leadership
A senator who won't take a position is a senator who can't be held accountable

Sources: Coons Senate website  ·  C-SPAN↑ INDEX

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Week Five Hearing Cycle; Staff Should Monitor for Delaware-Specific Testimony

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 enter their fifth week. No new MILCON project announcements or testimony specific to Dover AFB have been confirmed. Staff should monitor Tuesday's hearing schedule and any Coons office press releases for Dover-related advocacy. This is an area where Coons' Ranking Member position on Defense Appropriations gives him genuine leverage, and any wins should be acknowledged while pivoting to broader contrast.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports robust funding for Dover AFB (per his veterans and defense platform) and believes Delaware's military installations deserve a senator who fights for them year-round, not just during campaign season. Per his platform, Dr. Katz has called for a new advanced VA medical facility in southern Delaware to serve Kent and Sussex County veterans — a concrete proposal Coons has discussed but not delivered after 16 years.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is the backbone of Delaware's military economy — it needs consistent, year-round advocacy
Dr. Katz supports full funding for Dover AFB military construction and modernization
Coons has had 16 years to deliver a southern Delaware VA advanced medical facility — veterans are still waiting
Dr. Katz's specific proposal for a Kent/Sussex VA facility shows the difference between talking and planning

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

RECENT LEGISLATION

Consumer Protection / Banking

S. 4144 — ESCRA Act (Credit Repair Organizations) — Day 26 in Banking Committee, No Cosponsors

Coons' ESCRA Act, introduced March 19 to amend the Credit Repair Organizations Act, enters its twenty-sixth day in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee with no cosponsors and no committee activity. The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing or markup. Without bipartisan cosponsors or Banking Committee support, this bill has virtually no path to advancement in the current Congress.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports consumer protection but believes the focus should be on economic policies that prevent financial distress in the first place — including reducing inflation, promoting job creation, and making homeownership attainable (per his economy and homeownership platforms). Legislation without a single cosponsor after nearly a month is not consumer protection — it's posturing.

● TALKING POINTS

Day 26, zero cosponsors — Coons' credit repair bill is going nowhere
Dr. Katz believes the best consumer protection is a strong economy with low inflation and real wage growth
Per his homeownership platform, Dr. Katz supports tax incentives and discounted rates for first-time homebuyers — tangible help, not dead-letter legislation
Coons files bills but can't build the coalitions needed to move them

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

S. 4145 — Pro Codes Act of 2026 (Copyright/Open Access) — Day 26 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 twenty-sixth day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee activity. The bill addresses a narrow but legitimate issue regarding public access to regulatory standards. However, without any cosponsor support after nearly four weeks, it appears destined for the same legislative graveyard as Coons' other recent introductions.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government transparency — he authored Delaware's live-streaming resolution for the State Senate (Katz SR 14) and championed open redistricting (Katz SR 9) during his time in the Delaware General Assembly. Real transparency requires action, not legislation that can't attract a single cosponsor.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz has a proven transparency record: live-streaming the Delaware State Senate (SR 14) and open redistricting (SR 9)
Coons' transparency bill has zero cosponsors after 26 days — that's not leadership on open government
Actions speak louder than bill introductions — Dr. Katz delivered transparency reforms, Coons files them and moves on
Government transparency requires coalition-building, not solo press releases

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4145↑ INDEX

Judiciary / Law Enforcement / Disability Rights

S. 4089 — Blue Envelope Act — Day 33 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 thirty-third day in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. The concept — providing visual identifiers (blue envelopes) for vehicle registrations to alert officers — has bipartisan appeal at the state level but has gained no Senate traction under Coons' sponsorship.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports first responders and law enforcement (per his first responders platform) and, as a physician who has cared for patients across the entire spectrum of society, understands the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. The Blue Envelope concept has merit, but a bill with zero cosponsors after 33 days reflects Coons' inability to build the bipartisan coalitions that move good ideas into law.

● TALKING POINTS

The Blue Envelope concept is good — but Coons can't get a single colleague to cosponsor it after 33 days
Dr. Katz supports first responders and believes in equipping law enforcement with tools to serve all communities safely
As a pediatric-trained physician, Dr. Katz has direct experience caring for individuals with disabilities and their families
Good policy requires coalition-building — Coons consistently fails at this basic Senate function

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4089↑ INDEX

Environment / Foreign Aid

S. 4011 — Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization — Day 40, No Movement

Coons' reauthorization of the 1998 Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (S. 4011), introduced March 5, passes its fortieth day in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with no cosponsors and no committee action. This foreign aid conservation bill faces an uphill climb in a Congress focused on domestic priorities and fiscal restraint. The bill has now been stalled longer than any other Coons introduction this session.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports environmental stewardship and has a proven record — he authored Delaware's National Scenic Byway legislation (Katz SB 241) to preserve open spaces and natural landscapes. However, Dr. Katz believes environmental spending should prioritize American communities first, including protecting Delaware's beaches and waterways, before sending conservation dollars overseas during a period of fiscal crisis.

● TALKING POINTS

40 days, zero cosponsors — Coons' foreign conservation bill is dead on arrival
Dr. Katz authored Delaware's Scenic Byway legislation (SB 241) — real environmental action, not symbolic foreign aid bills
Protecting Delaware's own beaches and open spaces should come before sending conservation dollars overseas
Fiscal responsibility means prioritizing American environmental needs during a period of rising debt

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4011↑ INDEX

Immigration / Oversight

UPDATED

S. 3891 — ICE Accountability Act — Week 10 Stalled in Judiciary Committee

Coons' ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891), introduced February 12, enters its tenth 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 Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a time when the Administration is expanding interior enforcement operations. This remains Coons' most politically significant introduction of the session due to immigration's salience as a 2026 issue.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz opposes the ICE Accountability Act and supports strong ICE enforcement (per his platform on secure borders). While Coons seeks to hamstring ICE with additional bureaucratic constraints, Dr. Katz believes ICE agents should be empowered — not encumbered — to enforce immigration law and protect American communities. This bill perfectly encapsulates the choice Delaware voters face in 2026.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons' ICE bill would tie the hands of immigration enforcement agents — Dr. Katz opposes it completely
Dr. Katz supports strong borders and strong ICE enforcement — Coons wants to add bureaucratic obstacles
Even Coons' own Democratic colleagues won't cosponsor his ICE restriction bill after 10 weeks
Delaware families deserve a senator who supports law enforcement, not one who seeks to constrain it
The ICE Accountability Act is the clearest contrast in this race: enforcement vs. obstruction

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — Tuesday Confirmation Needed

Staff should confirm Tuesday 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. Any lapse or shutdown threat directly impacts Delaware's federal workforce at Dover AFB, federal courts in Wilmington, and numerous agency offices. Coons' position as Defense Appropriations Ranking Member makes his role in any funding negotiations a relevant tracking item.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility and believes Congress' inability to pass timely appropriations bills reflects systemic dysfunction (per his platform on government restructuring, modeled on his Delaware SB establishing an independent council to evaluate and restructure state government). Coons has been in the Senate for 16 years and has presided over repeated continuing resolutions and shutdown threats.

● TALKING POINTS

After 16 years, Coons has never solved the annual appropriations crisis — it's the same dysfunction every year
Dr. Katz's experience restructuring Delaware state government (independent evaluation council legislation) shows he understands how to reform broken systems
Delaware's federal workers deserve funding certainty, not last-minute political brinksmanship
Fiscal responsibility starts with passing a budget on time — Coons has failed at this basic function for over a decade

Sources: Senate Appropriations Committee  ·  Congress.gov↑ 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 Wilmington VA Medical Center, federal courts, and multiple agency regional offices. Staff should verify whether updated RIF numbers or specific Delaware agency impact data have been released. Coons' opposition messaging frames all efficiency measures as attacks on public servants, but he has not offered alternative proposals for reducing federal waste.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility and government efficiency (per his platform on restructuring government and his Delaware legislation establishing an independent council for state government reorganization). He believes federal workforce reforms should protect essential services — especially at installations like Dover AFB — while eliminating genuine waste and duplication. Coons' blanket opposition to all efficiency measures is not a serious governing position.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports smart government reform — protect essential services, eliminate waste and duplication
Coons' position: oppose every efficiency measure, protect every bureaucratic layer — that's not leadership
Dr. Katz authored legislation creating an independent council to restructure Delaware state government — he knows how to reform without destroying
Dover AFB and Delaware VA services must be protected — but that doesn't mean every federal office is untouchable
Delawareans pay taxes too — they deserve a senator who takes waste seriously

Sources: Coons Senate website  ·  Senate Appropriations Committee↑ INDEX

DELAWARE

Business Climate / Corporate Governance / Delaware Economy

UPDATED

ExxonMobil Texas Redomiciliation — Coons Enters Week Seven Without Addressing Delaware's Eroding Corporate Franchise Position

ExxonMobil's board-recommended redomiciliation from New Jersey to Texas — bypassing Delaware entirely — now enters its seventh week as a data point in Delaware's eroding position as America's premier corporate domicile. Coons has made no public statement addressing the competitive implications for Delaware's corporate franchise tax revenue, which represents a significant portion of the state's general fund. Texas' aggressive courtship of major corporations represents a direct threat to a revenue stream Delaware has long taken for granted. Coons' silence is increasingly notable as other Delaware stakeholders, including the Delaware State Bar Association, monitor the trend with concern.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports pro-business tax policy and reducing corporate tax burdens (per his economy platform, including his Delaware legislation to repeal the state corporate income tax — Katz SB 100). Delaware's corporate franchise is under threat from states like Texas that are actively competing for business. After 16 years, Coons has done nothing to address this erosion — Dr. Katz believes protecting Delaware's competitive business advantage requires proactive federal and state policy coordination.

● TALKING POINTS

ExxonMobil chose Texas over Delaware — and Coons has said nothing for seven weeks
Delaware's corporate franchise tax revenue is under threat from aggressive state competition
Dr. Katz authored legislation to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax (SB 100) to make the state more competitive
A senator who won't defend Delaware's signature economic advantage isn't doing the job
Dr. Katz understands that business-friendly policy starts with reducing regulatory and tax burdens — per his economy platform

Sources: Coons Senate website  ·  Delaware Division of Revenue↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

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

Staff should check Tuesday morning whether updated Census Bureau population estimates or IRS migration data for Delaware have been released. Recent trends have shown Delaware experiencing slower population growth and net outmigration of higher-income residents to states with lower tax burdens and lower cost of living. This trend directly impacts state revenues, housing demand, and workforce availability. Any updated data should be flagged immediately for contrast messaging.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz believes Delaware's outmigration trend reflects a failure of both state and federal leadership to maintain a competitive economic environment (per his economy and homeownership platforms). When the median home price in Delaware surged 53% from 2018 to 2023 — a statistic Dr. Katz highlights on his homeownership platform — working families are priced out and forced to look elsewhere.

● TALKING POINTS

Delaware is losing residents to states with lower taxes and better economic opportunity
Dr. Katz highlights the 53% surge in Delaware median home prices (2018-2023) as evidence of affordability crisis
Outmigration erodes Delaware's tax base and workforce — Coons has offered no plan to reverse the trend
Dr. Katz supports tax incentives for first-time homebuyers and policies to increase affordable housing supply

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau  ·  Dr. Katz Homeownership Platform↑ INDEX

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Facility Advocacy — Tuesday 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 reported as of Tuesday morning. This remains a bipartisan priority where both Coons and Katz share common ground, though Katz's specificity — as a physician with direct healthcare system management experience — provides a natural contrast in credibility and detail.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has called for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware (per his veterans platform) and brings over forty years of healthcare experience to this issue, including managing surgical facilities and advising health systems on operational efficiencies (per his healthcare platform). Unlike Coons, who discusses VA expansion in general terms, Dr. Katz's medical background allows him to specify the types of specialty services Kent and Sussex County veterans need most.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz's VA facility proposal for southern Delaware is grounded in 40+ years of healthcare operations experience
Coons has talked about VA expansion in Kent/Sussex for years — Dr. Katz has the medical expertise to make it happen
As a physician who managed surgical facilities, Dr. Katz understands healthcare system design at a level no career politician can match
Veterans in southern Delaware shouldn't have to drive hours for specialty care — Dr. Katz has a specific plan to fix this

Sources: Dr. Katz Veterans Platform  ·  Coons Senate website↑ 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, but the resolution continues to generate debate within the Foreign Relations Committee. Coons' position frames executive military authority as a threat requiring legislative constraint, aligning with the progressive wing of the Democratic caucus on war powers rather than the more hawkish posture he sometimes adopted during the Biden administration.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports Commander-in-Chief authority and strong defense (per his defense platform). He believes that constraining the President's ability to respond to Iranian aggression through preemptive legislative restrictions emboldens adversaries and undermines American deterrence. Coons' War Powers posture has conveniently shifted depending on which party holds the White House.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief to defend America against threats like Iran
Coons' War Powers position has shifted based on which party controls the White House — that's politics, not principle
Preemptive legislative restrictions on military authority embolden adversaries like Iran
National security decisions should be driven by the threat environment, not partisan calculations
America's allies and enemies are watching — Coons' approach signals weakness

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

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

UPDATED

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

Coons has continued his vocal opposition to DOGE-driven workforce reduction plans targeting the State Department and USAID, now entering a ninth week of sustained public messaging. Coons has characterized these reductions as dismantling American diplomatic capacity and endangering national security. He has not, however, offered specific alternative proposals for reducing waste or inefficiency within the State Department or USAID, nor has he identified specific programs that could be cut or consolidated.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility across all federal agencies, including the State Department and USAID (per his economy platform emphasis on fiscal discipline). He believes reforms should be targeted and preserve core diplomatic capabilities, but that blanket opposition to all efficiency measures — without offering alternatives — is not a serious governing approach. Coons' nine weeks of opposition without a single constructive counterproposal is telling.

● TALKING POINTS

Nine weeks of opposition, zero constructive alternatives — that's Coons' approach to government reform
Dr. Katz supports targeted reform that preserves core diplomatic capabilities while eliminating waste
Every federal agency — including State and USAID — should be able to justify how it spends taxpayer dollars
Opposition without alternatives is obstruction, not oversight
Dr. Katz's experience restructuring Delaware state agencies proves reform and effectiveness can coexist

Sources: Coons Senate website  ·  Senate Foreign Relations Committee↑ INDEX

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — Tuesday Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify Tuesday whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether the Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled relevant hearings, and whether Coons has made any new public statements on Ukraine aid this week. This remains an issue where Coons has significant institutional investment through his Foreign Relations Committee seat.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong national defense posture (per his defense platform) and believes any foreign aid must be weighed against America's own fiscal challenges and domestic needs. While supporting allies is important, Dr. Katz believes Congress has an obligation to provide rigorous oversight of aid packages and ensure American taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and with full accountability.

● TALKING POINTS

Every dollar of foreign aid must be justified to American taxpayers — Dr. Katz supports rigorous oversight
Coons has been a blank-check advocate for Ukraine aid without demanding sufficient accountability
Dr. Katz believes strong alliances require burden-sharing, not one-sided American generosity
America's domestic needs — infrastructure, veterans, border security — must factor into foreign aid decisions

Sources: Senate Foreign Relations Committee  ·  Coons Senate website↑ INDEX

SENATE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS WATCH

Homeland Security / Fiscal Policy

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

Senate Democrats are expected to use upcoming DHS and TSA funding debates to push for restrictions on interior immigration enforcement, oppose expanded ICE detention capacity, and resist increases in border security personnel funding. The caucus strategy, led by Appropriations Committee Democrats, frames enforcement spending as wasteful while characterizing regulatory and social service spending as essential. Coons, as a senior Appropriations member, is aligned with this caucus positioning. No new floor action or markup has been scheduled as of Tuesday.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong ICE enforcement and secure borders (per his platform). He opposes Democratic caucus efforts to use DHS funding debates to restrict interior enforcement or limit ICE detention capacity. Homeland security funding should prioritize protecting American communities, not constraining the agencies charged with enforcing immigration law.

● TALKING POINTS

Senate Democrats want to defund enforcement while funding bureaucracy — Dr. Katz opposes this approach
Dr. Katz supports full funding for ICE and border security operations
Coons is aligned with the Democratic caucus strategy to use DHS funding as leverage against immigration enforcement
DHS funding should protect Americans, not handcuff the agents who keep us safe
Every dollar cut from enforcement is a dollar that makes communities less safe

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 Against

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 filibuster or otherwise block the bill, framing citizenship verification requirements as voter suppression. No Senate Democrat has publicly indicated support for the bill. Coons has not made a specific public statement on the SAVE Act but is expected to vote with his caucus against it. No new floor action has been scheduled as of Tuesday.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act and believes only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections — a position supported by overwhelming majorities of Americans across party lines. 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 is a clear contrast point.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act — only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections
Overwhelming majorities of Americans support voter citizenship verification — Senate Democrats are out of step
Coons won't even say publicly where he stands on the SAVE Act — his caucus loyalty speaks for him
Calling citizenship verification 'voter suppression' insults every legal voter in Delaware
Election integrity is not partisan — it's foundational to democracy

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). The accumulating data on legislative ineffectiveness — zero cosponsors across six bills now tracked for weeks — provides a potent narrative about a senator who has lost the ability to build coalitions after 16 years in office. Staff should develop a 'Zero Cosponsors' messaging framework for deployment after the primary.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons has been in the Senate for 16 years — his legislative effectiveness is declining, not growing
Zero cosponsors across six bills tells the story of a senator who can't build coalitions
Dr. Katz brings real-world experience: medicine, business, Delaware state legislation — not just Washington tenure
Delaware deserves fresh leadership with proven results, not a career politician on autopilot
The 2026 race is a choice between a doctor who solves problems and a politician who files paperwork

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

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE