WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) will serve on the Senate committees on the Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Budget, and Energy during the 112th Congress, it was announced Thursday.

“I am genuinely excited by the breadth and diversity of these committee assignments, as well the opportunities it affords me to work hard for Delaware’s interests in the Senate,” Senator Coons said. “I came to Washington to focus on job creation, economic growth, innovation and new opportunities for American manufacturing.  Each of these committees can play a part in helping create a better climate for Delawareans and all Americans.”

After being sworn-in on November 15, 2010, Senator Coons was asked to fill the seats held by Senator Ted Kaufman on the committees on the Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Homeland Security and Government Oversight, and Armed Services for the balance of the lame duck session. It was announced Monday that Senator Coons will continue to service on the committees on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations – both of them “A” committees – in the 112th Congress.

“It is important that as we work to maintain the balance between liberty and justice here in the U.S., we remain mindful of the role our nation plays in promoting those democratic ideals around the world,” Senator Coons said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees to ensure that the precious freedoms Americans hold dear are protected and promoted throughout the world.”

On the Committee on Energy, Senator Coons will play an important role in shaping our nation’s energy future – shedding our dependence on foreign oil and exploring innovative alternative energy solutions.

“The energy policies of the last century have created a precarious and unsustainable addiction to foreign oil, putting at risk not only our nation’s economy but its security,” Senator Coons said. “Now is the time to explore new forms of renewable energy and invest in new technologies for harnessing them. The Committee on Energy will allow me to focus on identifying and promoting innovative and efficient solutions for America’s energy needs.”

By serving on the Senate Budget committee, Senator Coons will help shape and provide oversight on the budget of the United States government.

“I look forward to putting my experience managing the budget of New Castle County to work on the Senate Budget Committee,” Senator Coons said. “There has never been a more important time to carefully scrutinize how the government spends the taxpayers’ money.”