State of Delaware Archives: on Homeland Security
Chris Coons:
Rejected debate hosted by "9-12 Patriots" issue groud
Chris Coons says he's not ducking anything, and he's ready for the tough the questions. "I'm looking forward to any debate that allows Christine O'Donnell and me to have Delaware's voters get a better understanding of our ideas."
Coons has agreed to eight debates before November 2nd. He says he rejected a debate hosted by the 9-12 Patriots for one reason only. "The 9-12 Patriots Group has endorsed her and is an issue group.
We're looking for and have accepted opportunities for debates at independent venues like the University of Delaware, the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters."
And when it comes to
Christine O'Donnell's decision to black out national media, Coons says she can do whatever she wants. "That's her choice. If my opponent decides to stop answering questions from the national media, I hope Delawareans will take that into account."
Source: WDEL 1150AM coverage of 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Sep 22, 2010
Chris Coons:
Reduce spending on C-17, F-35, & eliminate other platforms
I would support reductions in defense acquisition that the Pentagon itself has already said they no longer need. The C-17 program for example, or the 2nd engine for the F-35. There's a variety of platforms & programs that I think we can simply do away
with, as we invest in making our defense and our military more modern, more flexible, more responsive to the real threats we face in the modern world. And we can continue to achieve some savings through the BRAC program [base closings].
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Chris Coons:
Swiftly repeal discriminatory "don't ask, don't tell"
Q: What are you planning on the issue of "don't ask, don't tell" and its possible repeal?COONS: I would move swiftly as a senator to repeal don't ask, don't tell. I think it is discrimination, plain and simple. I've met with and spoken to veterans
here in Delaware who've served our nation honorably for decades, several with top-secret clearances, but who could do so only at the expense of denying who they were and the relationships that they wanted to have. In my view, we should be making progress
in this country towards recognizing the full range of human experience, and repealing don't ask, don't tell to me is an important next step in the civil rights movement.
O'DONNELL: The military already regulates personal behavior because it
feels that it is in the best interests of our military readiness. I don't think that Congress should be forcing a social agenda onto our military. I think we should leave that to the military to decide.
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Christine O`Donnell:
Let military decide "don't ask, don't tell" on its own
Q: What are you planning on the issue of "don't ask, don't tell" and its possible repeal?COONS: I would move swiftly as a senator to repeal don't ask, don't tell. I think it is discrimination, plain and simple. In my view, we should be making progress
in this country towards recognizing the full range of human experience, and repealing don't ask, don't tell to me is an important next step in the civil rights movement.
O'DONNELL: The military already regulates personal behavior in that it does not
allow affairs to go on within your chain of command. It doesn't allow, if you're married, to have an adulterous affair within the military. So the military already regulates personal behavior because it feels that it is in the best interests of our
military readiness. I don't think that Congress should be forcing a social agenda onto our military. I think we should leave that to the military to decide.
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Christine O`Donnell:
Don't give terrorists Miranda-ized rights
Q: What opinions of late that have come from our high court do you most object to?O'DONNELL: Oh, gosh. Give me a specific one, I'm sorry.
Q: Actually, I can't, because I need you to tell me which ones you object to.
O'DONNELL: I'm very sorry.
Right off the top of my head, I know that there are a lot, but I'll put it up on my Web site, I promise you.
Q: Well, we know you disagree with Roe versus Wade.
O'DONNELL: Yes, but [the question was] a recent one.
Q: Well, that's relatively recent.
But since then?
O'DONNELL: Oh, there are several, when it comes to pornography, and court decisions to give terrorists Miranda-ized rights. This California decision to overturn "Don't Ask/Don't Tell," I believe that there are a lot of federal judges wh
are legislating from the bench.
Q: That wasn't the Supreme Court, it's a lower court.
O'DONNELL: That was a federal judge.
COONS: I think the Citizens United case takes a sort of logical extension in the law, but takes it to a ridiculous extreme.
Source: CNN's Wolf Blitzer moderating 2010 Delaware Senate debate
Oct 13, 2010
Chuck Boyce:
Fire unfit VA workers, but protect whisteblowers
Boyce supports S. 1094,the VA Accountability and Whistleblowers Protection Act, allowing VA administrators who are underperforming their duty to be held liable. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be given authority to assess all
VA employees. "This bill is a piece of bipartisan legislation that will ensure unfit employees at the VA are terminated in addition to due process protections for whistleblowers," Boyce said.
Source: Authority Presswire on 2018 Delaware Senate race
May 17, 2017
Gene Truono:
Put country first: support strong national defense
Gene is committed to protecting our country.
He will put the interests of United States of America and its people first by supporting a strong national defense.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteTruono.com
Apr 4, 2018
Gene Truono:
Honor the military by taking care of them
Gene is committed to honoring and supporting all of our military personnel and their families.
No one makes a greater sacrifice or provides a better service to our country than our veterans, and in return we must always take care of them.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteTruono.com
Apr 4, 2018
James DeMartino:
Maintain the strongest, best equipped and trained military
The federal government exists to protect our rights as American citizens. This begins with the Constitutional obligation of the federal government to provide for the "common defense" of the United States. We must continually maintain the strongest,
best equipped and trained military in the world. We must care for veterans who provided us the strongest military, sacrificed the most for national security and protected our way of life.
Source: 2020 Delaware Senate campaign website VoteDeMartino.com
Aug 20, 2020
Kevin Wade:
Welcome home America's veterans and serve them
AMERICA'S VETERANS... A WELCOME HOME WITH AMERICA'S RESPECT AND OUR OWN NATIONAL OBLIGATION TO NOW SERVE THEMOur freedoms are assured by the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. These heroes stand watch protecting our families from
those who intend to bring harm to our nation. On their return to civilian life, their example of duty and service transforms to a national obligation and duty to serve them as veterans.
Veteran's Programs will address the issues of transition to
civilian life and your life journey after service to the nation. Programs of urgent importance include the following:- Disability and Health/Illness Issues
- Family Issues
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Substance Abuse (Alcohol or
Other Drugs)
- Homelessness/Housing Concerns
- Unemployment/Under employment
- Poverty
As your U.S. Senator in Washington know that Kevin Wade is your friend, voice, and advocate. Kevin Wade will stand watch for you now. WELCOME HOME!
Source: 2014 Delaware Senate campaign website, WadeForUSSenate.com
Jul 27, 2014
Lauren Witzke:
America's military should be strong for our defense
Lauren will put America First. Our military will be strengthened but used strictly for the defense of our nation at home. She will not support meddling in the affairs of foreign nations, and rejects regime change abroad.
Foreign aid will be ended except in the events of natural disasters, and funds will be re-diverted towards Family Restoration efforts and American infrastructure.
Source: 2020 Delaware Senate campaign website LaurenWitzke.com
Oct 10, 2020
Lauren Witzke:
Bring our troops home; limit defense spending
Q: Do you support increasing defense spending?
A: No. I believe in bringing our troops home, and only fighting wars if they are authorized by Congress, unlike the 20-year war in the Middle East.
Source: 2020 Delaware Senate PVS Political Courage Test
Oct 10, 2020
Rob Arlett:
Keep Homeland Security and Defense Depts. properly funded
Rob will work tirelessly to ensure both the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security are adequately funded. Both departments are vital to maintaining our national defense and keeping our homeland secure. Delaware is home to several military
installations including Dover Air Force Base and several Air and Army National Guard bases, all of which have been used for national and international security missions. Maintaining these installations are vital not only to Delaware, but to our nation.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate Campaign website RobArlett.com
Sep 1, 2018
Rob Arlett:
Strong military lineage; will fight to have their needs met
As a former U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence Specialist, as well as a father, son, uncle, and brother to veterans, Rob will serve our many veterans, allowing a smooth transition back to civilian life and providing them and their families access to
mental, physical and economic security. As a veteran small business owner, Rob is best equipped to be a Senator in Washington to push for veterans' issues ranging from health care to career placement.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate Campaign website RobArlett.com
Sep 1, 2018
John Carney:
Deployed National Guard at home for disabled during COVID
Carney issued an executive order asking members of the Delaware National Guard who are healthcare workers to staff the Stockley Center. The center, which houses the disabled, is facing staff shortages due to a recent increase in COVID-19 community
levels. "The Delaware National Guard has stepped up time and time again to help our community," Carney said. "COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our state. This facility cares for some of our most vulnerable Delawareans."
Source: Town Square Live on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race
May 23, 2022
Lisa Blunt Rochester:
No greater responsibility than ensuring national security
Rep. Blunt Rochester voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. "As Members of Congress, we have no greater responsibility than to ensure the security of our nation--and that starts with supporting our men and women in uniform," she said.
"With this year's defense funding bill, I was proud to secure crucial benefits and protections for our servicemembers that will make our nation safer and stronger, while making strong investments in our national defense and in our security interests."
Source: House press release "NDA" on 2022 Delaware Senate race
Dec 8, 2022
Matt Meyer:
Eliminate property tax for 100% disabled veterans
New Castle County fully disabled veterans no longer have to pay county property taxes. With Meyer's signing of ordinance 22-043, veterans who live in the county and qualify for 100% disability through the US Veterans Administration will have their
property taxes for the county relieved. It also reduces sewer and dwelling fees for those same veterans by 50%. "It's really important that those who served our country and sacrificed for our country know that we have their backs."
Source: WDEL 1150 AM on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race
May 12, 2022
Mike Katz:
Support active military; veterans a national imperative
Recognizing and honoring the service and sacrifices of our active military and veterans is not only a moral obligation but a national imperative. This entails an unwavering commitment to safeguarding their health, ensuring their safety,
and promoting their overall well-being. Gratitude must be extended for the freedoms and safety they have selflessly secured for our nation.
Source: 2024 Delaware Senate campaign website DrMikeKatz.com
Feb 8, 2024
Mike Ramone:
Eliminate the state income tax on veterans benefits
For more than a decade, Mike has served on the Delaware House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee. Mike will work with legislators to join 39 other states and eliminate the state income tax on veterans benefits.
He will expand access to critical mental health resources so the transition back into civilian life is as seamless as possible. And Mike will ensure that Delaware's veteran community is no longer forgotten by those they fought to defend.
Source: 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial campaign website MikeRamone.com
Jun 9, 2024
Bethany Hall-Long:
Cabinet-level position for veterans and servicemembers
Hall-Long said that while she does intend to differ in her approach as governor, she would also be "continuing the expansion of what's really been successful."This will include continuing investments in job creation and support of small businesses,
achieving universal childcare and creating a cabinet-level position that will further address the needs of both veterans and active members of the military.
"That's what good government is--about passing the strong baton on what works...and expand on
new opportunity," Hall-Long said. Throughout the course of her career, Hall-Long said her years in public health, education and within the walls of the state General Assembly have prepared her to face any challenge that may come her way.
From leading the COVID-19 pandemic resurgence to creating the state's first Behavioral Health Consortium, Hall-Long has contested that while the fight has not always been glamorous, in the end, it was worth it if it meant change.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race
Sep 1, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026