Dr. Mike Katz for U.S. Senate

S. 4591, the NO FAKES Act of 2026, remains on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 446) as Senate leadership finalizes the July floor schedule. The bill, which Coons cosponsored, would create federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas of individuals' likenesses and voices. With the Senate in session this week, staff should monitor whether Majority Leader Thune schedules floor time for this bill, which has bipartisan interest but also faces industry pushback from tech sector stakeholders concerned about overly broad liability provisions.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports protecting Americans from AI-generated deepfakes and identity theft, consistent with his broader platform emphasis on leveraging technology responsibly. However, Dr. Katz believes any AI legislation must be carefully crafted to avoid stifling American innovation and competitiveness — a priority reflected in his platform's emphasis on incentivizing private sector investment in research and innovation (per his Economy & Cost of Living platform). Coons' approach risks prioritizing regulation over innovation.

● TALKING POINTS

Protecting Americans from AI deepfakes is important, but legislation must balance consumer protection with American technological competitiveness
Dr. Katz's platform prioritizes incentivizing private sector innovation — AI regulation should not become a tool to strangle emerging industries
Coons has positioned himself as an AI regulator-in-chief while Delaware's own tech sector needs growth, not more Washington red tape
Any AI bill should include safeguards ensuring enforcement doesn't create a litigation bonanza for trial lawyers at the expense of small businesses

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4591  ·  Congress.gov — Senate Calendar↑ INDEX

DEFENSE & PENTAGON

Defense Appropriations / FY2027 Budget / DOGE

UPDATED

FY2027 Defense Appropriations — July Markup Window Active; Coons Expected to Insert DOGE Oversight and AI Guardrail Language as Ranking Member

The Senate Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee is in its active July markup period for the FY2027 defense spending bill. As Ranking Member, Coons is expected to push amendments constraining DOGE-driven Pentagon efficiencies, imposing AI deployment oversight requirements (complementing his S. 4707), and protecting workforce levels at defense agencies. Staff should monitor this week for subcommittee markup announcements, amendment filings, and any Coons press statements framing defense spending as under threat from administration reforms.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong defense spending and opposes bureaucratic efforts to handcuff the Pentagon's ability to modernize and deploy new technologies, including AI. Per his Veterans and defense platform, Dr. Katz believes sustaining a robust military force is essential for America's ability to preserve global peace and maintain international stability. Coons' instinct to layer oversight on top of oversight slows modernization while adversaries accelerate.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports a strong, modernized military — not a Pentagon buried under congressional micromanagement from career politicians
Coons has spent 15 years in the Senate while adversaries like China have rapidly advanced military AI capabilities — his approach adds bureaucracy, not security
Responsible AI deployment matters, but so does speed — America cannot afford to be second in military technology because of Senate committee turf wars
As a physician who managed complex OR teams, Dr. Katz understands that effective oversight empowers teams rather than paralyzing them

Sources: Appropriations.senate.gov  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4707↑ INDEX

Defense / AI / Technology

S. 4707 — Responsible AI Defense Act of 2026 Remains in Armed Services Committee; Day 35

S. 4707, the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 introduced by Coons on June 8, remains in the Senate Armed Services Committee with no hearing scheduled and no reported cosponsors added since last brief. The bill would impose oversight requirements on Pentagon AI deployments, including human-in-the-loop mandates and algorithmic bias auditing. Now at Day 35 in committee, the bill has not attracted Republican cosponsors, signaling potential challenges to advancement.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports Commander-in-Chief authority and opposes legislative efforts that would slow the Pentagon's ability to deploy critical technologies on the battlefield. Per his defense platform, Dr. Katz believes America must maintain military superiority. Coons' bill risks embedding congressional second-guessing into operational military decisions at exactly the moment adversaries are accelerating their own AI weapons programs.

● TALKING POINTS

35 days in committee with no Republican cosponsors — Coons' AI defense bill is going nowhere because it prioritizes process over security
Dr. Katz supports strong Commander-in-Chief authority to deploy the tools our military needs without congressional micromanagement
China isn't waiting for a Senate committee to approve its military AI programs — America shouldn't either
Responsible AI use matters, but Coons' approach would create bureaucratic chokepoints that endanger warfighters

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4707↑ INDEX

Military Construction / Delaware

Dover AFB FY2027 Military Construction — Staff Should Monitor for Delaware-Specific Line Items in July Markups

Dover Air Force Base remains a critical Delaware equities item as FY2027 defense and military construction markups proceed through July. The base hosts the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings and the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs. Staff should monitor for any Delaware-specific military construction line items, facility upgrades, or C-5M/KC-46 sustainment funding in both the Defense and Military Construction subcommittee markups. Any Coons-secured MILCON funding should be noted — this is an area where Dr. Katz can acknowledge bipartisan support for Delaware's military while pivoting to broader defense messaging.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports robust funding for Dover AFB and Delaware's military installations — per his veterans and defense platform, sustaining military readiness is a national imperative. Dr. Katz can acknowledge bipartisan wins for Dover AFB while drawing contrast on Coons' broader pattern of seeking to constrain military operations through oversight mandates and war powers restrictions.

● TALKING POINTS

Dover AFB is critical to national security and Delaware's economy — Dr. Katz supports full funding for its mission and facilities
Supporting Dover AFB is bipartisan common sense — the contrast is on Coons' broader pattern of constraining military effectiveness
Dr. Katz's platform emphasizes sustaining a robust military force as essential for preserving global peace
Delaware's military community deserves a Senator who supports the whole mission, not just the local construction projects

Sources: Appropriations.senate.gov  ·  Dover AFB — Official Site↑ INDEX

RECENT LEGISLATION

Environment / Consumer Safety

S. 4664 — Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026 Remains in EPW Committee; Day 41

S. 4664, the Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026, introduced by Coons on June 2, remains in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works with no hearing scheduled and no new cosponsors. The bill would authorize the EPA's Safer Choice Program, which labels consumer products meeting certain safety standards. Now at Day 41 in committee with no movement, the bill appears unlikely to advance as a standalone measure.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports consumer safety but opposes expanding EPA labeling bureaucracies that add costs to consumer products without measurable health benefits. As a physician (per his healthcare platform), Dr. Katz brings science-based judgment to regulatory questions — not reflexive expansion of federal agency programs. Coons' bill would grow government while doing little to address the real cost-of-living pressures Delawareans face.

● TALKING POINTS

Another Coons bill stuck in committee — 41 days, no cosponsors, no hearing — raising questions about legislative effectiveness
Dr. Katz supports consumer safety grounded in science, not expanding EPA bureaucracy for its own sake
Delaware families are struggling with inflation and rising costs — the last thing they need is more federal labeling mandates that increase product prices
As a physician with decades of science-based decision-making, Dr. Katz would prioritize evidence over regulatory expansion

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 4664↑ INDEX

Foreign Policy / China

S.Res. 716 — China Policy Resolution Remains in Foreign Relations Committee; Day 74

S.Res. 716, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding critical elements of U.S. policy toward the People's Republic of China, was introduced April 30 and remains in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after 74 days. The resolution has seen no committee action, hearing, or additional cosponsors. As a non-binding sense-of-the-Senate resolution, its stagnation suggests limited leadership appetite to bring China policy debates to the floor through this vehicle.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports a strong, clear-eyed approach to China that prioritizes American economic competitiveness and national security. Per his Economy & Cost of Living platform, Dr. Katz advocates for policies that make America globally competitive. A non-binding resolution gathering dust for 74 days is not a serious China strategy — it's a press release with a bill number.

● TALKING POINTS

74 days in committee, no action — Coons' China resolution is symbolic posturing, not a strategy
Dr. Katz supports concrete action on China: protecting American intellectual property, securing supply chains, and maintaining military superiority
Delaware businesses need a Senator who will fight for fair trade and competitiveness, not file resolutions that go nowhere
A non-binding resolution doesn't deter Beijing — strength, clarity, and American energy independence do

Sources: Congress.gov — S.Res. 716↑ INDEX

Legislative Effectiveness / Oversight

Previously Tracked Bills — Stasis Update: S. 3891 (ICE Accountability), S. 4011 (Tropical Forest), S. 4089 (Blue Envelope), S. 4144 (ESCRA), S. 4145 (Pro Codes) — All Remain Frozen

All five previously tracked Coons bills remain stalled with no new committee action, floor movement, or additional cosponsors. S. 3891 (ICE Accountability Act) is now at approximately Week 22 in Judiciary with zero cosponsors. S. 4011 (Tropical Forest Reauthorization) is at approximately Day 130 in Foreign Relations. S. 4089 (Blue Envelope Act) is at approximately Day 123 in Judiciary. S. 4144 (ESCRA Act) is at approximately Day 116 in Banking. S. 4145 (Pro Codes Act) is at approximately Day 116 in Judiciary. None have attracted a single cosponsor. This pattern of legislative inactivity raises ongoing questions about Coons' effectiveness in advancing his own priorities.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has a track record of authoring and passing legislation as a state senator in Delaware — including the DHIN restructuring, the Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway Act (SB 241), term limits legislation (SB 61), and comprehensive lobby reform (SB 141). Coons' inability to attract even one cosponsor across five bills over months suggests a Senator who introduces legislation for press coverage rather than results.

● TALKING POINTS

Five Coons bills, zero cosponsors combined, months of stagnation — this is what 15 years in the Senate produces?
Dr. Katz passed real legislation in Dover: scenic byway protections, lobby reform, government transparency — results, not press releases
Delawareans deserve a Senator who can build coalitions and move legislation, not one whose bills die in committee
Coons' ICE Accountability Act has been in committee for 22 weeks with zero cosponsors — even his own colleagues won't sign on
Dr. Katz's Delaware Senate record (SB 61, SB 141, SB 241, SR 14) shows he knows how to get things done in a legislative body

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4089  ·  Congress.gov — S. 4144↑ INDEX

APPROPRIATIONS & DELAWARE FUNDING

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2027 Appropriations Markup Status — Confirm Senate Appropriations Timeline and Delaware Earmark Submissions

Mid-July is traditionally a peak period for Senate Appropriations subcommittee markups. Staff should verify Monday the current markup schedule for all 12 appropriations subcommittees, with particular attention to Defense, Military Construction-VA, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Transportation-HUD — the four bills most likely to contain Delaware-specific line items. Confirm whether Coons has publicly released his FY2027 earmark requests and whether any Delaware community project funding has been announced.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility and transparent budgeting. Per his Economy & Cost of Living platform, he advocates for responsible fiscal policies that secure a stable, prosperous future. Staff should track any Coons earmark requests for potential wasteful spending or items that serve political constituencies rather than genuine Delaware needs.

● TALKING POINTS

Delawareans deserve full transparency on where their federal tax dollars are going — Dr. Katz supports open and transparent government (per SR 14, live streaming legislation)
Dr. Katz's platform calls for fiscal responsibility — earmarks should serve real community needs, not political payoffs
Staff should flag any Coons earmarks that go to politically-connected organizations for potential campaign messaging
Dr. Katz's record of pushing for government transparency in Dover (SR 9, open redistricting; SR 14, live streaming) shows he'll demand the same in Washington

Sources: Appropriations.senate.gov↑ INDEX

Federal Funding / Delaware

[STAFF VERIFY] FY2026 Federal Funding Status — Confirm Current Operating Authority

Staff should confirm Monday the current status of FY2026 federal funding. Determine whether the government is operating under a continuing resolution, enacted full-year appropriations, or some combination. This affects Delaware federal installations (Dover AFB, federal agencies) and any community development or infrastructure grants pending release. If a CR is in effect, note the expiration date and any upcoming funding cliff.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz opposes governance-by-continuing-resolution, which wastes taxpayer money and prevents agencies from planning effectively. Per his Economy & Cost of Living platform and his Delaware state senate experience establishing five-year restructuring plans for state government, Dr. Katz believes the federal budget process is broken and requires fundamental reform.

● TALKING POINTS

Coons has been in the Senate for 15 years and the budget process is more broken than ever
Dr. Katz authored legislation in Dover for a five-year government restructuring plan — he understands fiscal planning
Continuing resolutions hurt military readiness at Dover AFB and waste taxpayer dollars statewide
Delaware deserves a Senator who will fight for on-time budgets, not perpetual CRs

Sources: Appropriations.senate.gov↑ INDEX

DELAWARE

Business Climate / Corporate Governance / Delaware Economy

UPDATED

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

ExxonMobil's board-recommended redomiciliation from New Jersey to Texas — bypassing Delaware entirely — now enters its twenty-first week as a data point in Delaware's eroding position as America's premier corporate domicile state. Coons has made no known public statement addressing this trend or proposing federal or state-level measures to reinforce Delaware's corporate franchise advantages. Delaware's corporate franchise tax revenue, which funds a significant share of the state budget, faces long-term structural risk if the redomiciliation-to-Texas trend accelerates among major corporations.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's Economy & Cost of Living platform emphasizes reducing corporate tax burdens and incentivizing business investment. His Delaware state senate bill to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax (SB 100) demonstrates his commitment to making Delaware competitive for business. Coons' silence on the ExxonMobil redomiciliation — now 21 weeks and counting — reveals a Senator asleep at the switch while Delaware's most important economic franchise erodes.

● TALKING POINTS

21 weeks of silence from Coons while Delaware's corporate franchise — the backbone of state revenue — is under competitive threat
Dr. Katz authored SB 100 to repeal Delaware's corporate income tax because he understands that tax competitiveness drives business decisions
Texas is actively recruiting corporations away from Delaware's orbit — where is Coons?
A physician-business owner understands competitive markets — Dr. Katz won't let Delaware's business advantages disappear without a fight
Delaware's corporate franchise tax funds schools, roads, and public safety — Coons' indifference puts all of that at risk

Sources: Delaware Division of Corporations  ·  Reuters↑ INDEX

Veterans / Delaware / Healthcare

Veterans Affairs — Southern Delaware VA Advanced Medical Facility Advocacy Status

Veterans in Kent and Sussex counties continue to lack accessible advanced medical care services. No new federal action has been announced on establishing a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware. Coons has advocated for expanded VA services in the region but no specific legislation or appropriations line item for a new southern Delaware facility has been identified in the FY2027 cycle. Staff should monitor whether Coons includes southern Delaware VA facility funding in his FY2027 appropriations requests.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz has specifically called for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware as a centerpiece of his veterans platform, citing the urgent need for accessible care addressing unique military health challenges including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and exposure-related conditions. As a physician who spent 20 years in operating rooms and trained at Harvard's Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Katz brings unmatched healthcare expertise to this fight. Coons has talked about VA expansion but has not delivered a facility for southern Delaware after 15 years in office.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz's veterans platform specifically calls for a VA advanced medical facility in southern Delaware — this is a concrete commitment
Kent and Sussex County veterans shouldn't have to drive hours for specialty care — Dr. Katz, as a physician, understands healthcare access
Coons has been in the Senate since 2010 and southern Delaware veterans still lack an advanced VA facility
Dr. Katz's medical career — including fellowship at Harvard's Boston Children's Hospital — gives him unique credibility on veterans' healthcare

Sources: Katz Veterans Platform  ·  VA.gov↑ INDEX

Delaware Economy / Quality of Life

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

Staff should check Monday whether updated Census Bureau population estimates, IRS migration data, or American Community Survey releases for Delaware have been published. Recent trends have shown Delaware experiencing slower population growth relative to Sun Belt states, with potential net domestic outmigration among working-age residents and retirees. Any new data should be flagged for campaign messaging on quality of life, housing affordability, and economic competitiveness.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz's platform addresses the drivers of outmigration directly — his Homeownership platform highlights that Delaware median home prices surged 53% from 2018 to 2023, and his Economy & Cost of Living platform calls for tax reforms, energy independence, and reducing regulatory burdens. If Delawareans are leaving, it's because career politicians like Coons have failed to address affordability and economic opportunity.

● TALKING POINTS

Delaware home prices up 53% in five years — families are being priced out under Coons' watch
Dr. Katz's homeownership platform calls for tax incentives for first-time buyers and policies to increase affordable housing supply
Outmigration is a referendum on quality of life — and Coons has been in Washington for 15 years while the problem grew
Dr. Katz's economic platform focuses on the upstream drivers: jobs, housing, energy costs, and tax burden

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

Government Reform / Delaware Jobs

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

Coons has been among the most vocal Senate Democrats opposing DOGE-driven reductions-in-force across federal agencies. Delaware has a significant federal workforce presence, including at Dover AFB, the IRS Wilmington office, VA facilities, and various agencies. Staff should verify Monday whether updated RIF numbers, buyout acceptance rates, or agency-specific workforce data for Delaware have been released. Any Delaware-specific job loss figures should be immediately flagged.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports government efficiency and fiscal responsibility while protecting essential services — consistent with his Delaware state senate legislation establishing a five-year plan to restructure and reorganize state government. Unlike Coons, who reflexively opposes all government streamlining, Dr. Katz believes government should be right-sized through careful planning, not defended in its current bloated form. However, staff should ensure messaging protects Delaware federal workers by emphasizing smart restructuring over indiscriminate cuts.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz authored legislation in Dover to restructure state government through a five-year independent review — he supports smart reform, not status quo bloat
Coons opposes all efficiency reforms — even wasteful spending — because defending big government is his default position
Delaware's federal workers deserve a Senator who fights for efficiency AND job security — not one who uses them as political props
Dr. Katz's approach: evaluate, prioritize, restructure — not blindly defend every government program regardless of performance

Sources: Katz Government Restructuring Legislation  ·  OPM.gov↑ INDEX

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

War Powers / Iran / Foreign Relations

S.J.Res. 191 — Iran War Powers Resolution Remains in Foreign Relations Committee; Day 74

S.J.Res. 191, the joint resolution directing removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran not authorized by Congress, remains stalled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after 74 days with no hearing, markup, or floor vote scheduled. Coons cosponsored this resolution, which would constrain the President's ability to take military action against Iran without prior congressional authorization. The resolution's continued stagnation suggests insufficient bipartisan support to advance, particularly given the current threat environment in the Middle East.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports strong Commander-in-Chief authority and opposes legislative efforts to tie the President's hands on Iran. Per his defense and veterans platform, Dr. Katz believes sustaining a robust military force and decisive leadership is essential for preserving global peace and maintaining international stability. Coons' Iran war powers resolution would signal weakness to Tehran at exactly the wrong moment.

● TALKING POINTS

74 days stalled — even Coons' own colleagues won't advance his effort to handcuff the Commander-in-Chief on Iran
Dr. Katz supports strong presidential authority to protect American forces and allies from Iranian aggression
Signaling to Tehran that Congress will block military action emboldens the regime and endangers American servicemembers
Delaware's military families at Dover AFB need a Senator who backs the Commander-in-Chief, not one who undermines deterrence
Dr. Katz believes in peace through strength — Coons believes in peace through committee hearings

Sources: Congress.gov — S.J.Res. 191  ·  Foreign Relations Committee↑ INDEX

Government Reform / Foreign Affairs

DOGE Cuts to State Department / USAID — Coons Opposition Continues Into Week Twenty-One

Coons has continued his opposition to DOGE-driven workforce reductions at the State Department and USAID, now approaching a twenty-first week of sustained messaging. Coons has characterized these reductions as undermining American diplomatic capacity and soft power, particularly in regions where China and Russia are expanding their influence. No new legislation or floor action has emerged on this issue since the last brief; Coons' opposition remains primarily rhetorical through press statements and social media.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility across all federal agencies, including the State Department and USAID. Per his Economy & Cost of Living platform, Dr. Katz believes in right-sizing government and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. Coons' 21-week campaign to protect every State Department and USAID position — regardless of performance or mission relevance — reflects the career politician's instinct to defend bureaucracy rather than demand results.

● TALKING POINTS

21 weeks of Coons complaining about government streamlining — but has he identified a single dollar of waste at State or USAID?
Dr. Katz supports effective diplomacy — which means a State Department focused on core missions, not bloated with redundant positions
American taxpayers fund USAID programs around the globe — they deserve accountability, not Coons' blanket defense of the status quo
Dr. Katz's government restructuring experience in Dover shows he knows how to evaluate services and prioritize taxpayer value

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

Ukraine / Foreign Aid

[STAFF VERIFY] Ukraine Supplemental Aid — July Status Check

Coons has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for continued military and economic assistance to Ukraine. Staff should verify Monday whether any new supplemental aid package language has been introduced, whether Ukraine funding has been incorporated into the FY2027 defense or State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills, or whether the administration has announced any new executive-authority drawdown packages. Track any Coons floor statements or press conferences on Ukraine this week.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports American defense strength and believes any foreign aid, including Ukraine assistance, must be tied to clear strategic objectives, accountability measures, and American national security interests. Per his fiscal responsibility platform, Dr. Katz opposes open-ended spending commitments without measurable outcomes. Coons' approach of writing blank checks to Kyiv without adequate oversight fails the accountability test Delawareans expect.

● TALKING POINTS

Every dollar sent abroad should advance a clear American strategic interest with measurable accountability
Dr. Katz supports fiscal responsibility — open-ended foreign aid without oversight is irresponsible regardless of the cause
Coons has been one of the Senate's biggest Ukraine aid advocates but has he demanded an audit of where the money went?
Delaware taxpayers want to know their money is being spent wisely — at home and abroad

Sources: Foreign Relations Committee  ·  Congress.gov↑ 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, including Coons, are expected to use FY2027 DHS and TSA funding debates to push for restrictions on interior immigration enforcement, oppose expanded ICE detention capacity, and resist increases in border enforcement personnel. As Appropriations markups intensify in July, Senate Democrat amendments are likely to target ICE operations budgets and seek to redirect enforcement funding toward processing and asylum infrastructure. Coons has cosponsored S. 3891, the ICE Accountability Act, which would impose additional oversight requirements on ICE operations. No new floor action or vote on DHS funding has occurred since the last brief.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement — a core element of his campaign platform. Coons' ICE Accountability Act (S. 3891) and the broader Senate Democrat caucus strategy of using appropriations to defund enforcement represent a fundamental disagreement with the majority of Americans who support immigration law enforcement. Dr. Katz opposes any effort to weaponize the budget process to weaken border security.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports secure borders and strong ICE enforcement — Coons cosponsored a bill to hamstring ICE with bureaucratic mandates
Senate Democrats want to use the budget to defund immigration enforcement — Dr. Katz opposes turning appropriations into an amnesty vehicle
Coons' ICE Accountability Act has zero cosponsors after 22 weeks — even Democrats won't sign onto his anti-enforcement agenda
Delaware communities deserve safe neighborhoods, which requires a Senator who backs law enforcement, not one who undermines it
Dr. Katz supports first responders (per his First Responders platform) and the law enforcement officers who protect our communities

Sources: Congress.gov — S. 3891  ·  Appropriations.senate.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 oppose or filibuster the bill, framing it as voter suppression targeting minority and low-income voters. No Senate Democrat has indicated support. Coons has not made a specific public statement on the bill but is expected to vote with his caucus against it. No new floor action has been scheduled as of this brief.

⚡ KATZ CONTRAST POINT: Dr. Katz strongly supports the SAVE Act and believes only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections — a position shared by the overwhelming majority of Americans. Dr. Katz opposes Senate Democrat efforts to block or filibuster the bill, calling their resistance a choice to protect a broken system over basic election integrity. Coons' expected opposition to simple citizenship verification for voter registration is a position that is difficult to defend to Delaware voters.

● TALKING POINTS

Dr. Katz supports the SAVE Act: only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections — this shouldn't be controversial
Coons is expected to join his caucus in blocking a commonsense bill that most Americans support
If you need an ID to board a plane or buy cold medicine, you should be able to prove citizenship to vote
Senate Democrats call voter verification 'suppression' — Dr. Katz calls it common sense
Delaware voters deserve confidence that their elections are secure — Coons' caucus is blocking that confidence

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. The primary is now 64 days away — staff should prioritize primary visibility while building general election contrast material against Coons.

⚡ 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), legislative ineffectiveness (five bills with zero cosponsors), Delaware corporate franchise erosion (21 weeks of silence on ExxonMobil), and southern Delaware VA facility (unfulfilled after 15 years). With the primary 64 days out, staff should ensure Dr. Katz's reform credentials (term limits, lobby reform, government restructuring) are central to primary messaging while banking general election contrast research.

● TALKING POINTS

64 days to primary — Dr. Katz's reform record (term limits, lobby reform, transparency) differentiates from career politicians
Coons' 15-year record offers multiple contrast opportunities: legislative stagnation, corporate franchise erosion, VA facility delays
Dr. Katz's physician background is his most powerful differentiator — healthcare credibility no career politician can match
Delaware is historically blue but voters are frustrated with inflation, housing costs, and Washington dysfunction — Dr. Katz's outsider message resonates
Staff should track Coons' July fundraising activity and any town hall appearances for rapid response opportunities

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

DR. MIKE KATZ FOR U.S. SENATE