Addressing the Police Practice of Using Young Confidential Drug Informants
Dear Friend,
This week, I spoke out against the police practice of coercing young Americans into becoming confidential informants, and continued to work towards passage of my bill to require states to use independent prosecutors when civilians die at the hands of law enforcement. Congress and President Obama commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, President Obama signed into law the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, and the House passed a short-term budget bill, with more work to be done next week on a long-term agreement. Read on to learn more.
Confidential Informants
Short-Term Continuing Resolution
Continuing My Call for Independent Prosecutors in Police Deadly Force Cases
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment
Every Student Succeeds Act Becomes Law
Helping Memphians Get Covered
2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars
Confidential Informants
This week, I spoke on the House floor to invite my colleagues to work with me on legislation to stop the disturbing practice of local enforcement putting young people at risk as confidential informants for minor, non-violent marijuana related offenses. This dangerous trend was recently featured on 60 Minutes. According to the report, informants are not advised of their right to counsel, are told they are not allowed to tell anyone about their work as confidential informants and in some cases end up getting killed.
Cornered, frightened and under supreme duress, these young people are told they need to wear a wire and enter dangerous situations with no training and often inadequate protection or face criminal charges which could negatively impact them for life. Two young people, Rachel Hoffman and Andrew Sadek, have been murdered in this line of coerced service.
This is wrong, it needs to end, and I am working on legislation to address this.
Short-Term Continuing Resolution
Today, the House voted to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution in order to prevent a government shutdown tonight at midnight. Passage of this short-term budget resolution gives Congress until December 16th to decide what a long-term funding bill will look like.
Although I am not pleased with short-term extensions in place of substantive budget agreements that provide certainty to American citizens and the American economy, I am hopeful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will come together next week to do the work voters expect us to do, and pass a full funding bill.
Continuing My Call for Independent Prosecutors in Police Deadly Force Cases
This week, 9 of my House colleagues signed onto the H.R. 2302, the Police Training and Independent Review Act, including House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers. Congressman Lacy Clay -- whose district includes Ferguson, Missouri – and I introduced this bill earlier this year to remove a conflict of interest that arises from police shootings when local prosecutors are asked to investigate the same police with whom they work so closely. Our bill would withhold significant portions of federal funding from state and local law enforcement unless independent prosecutors are used to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute police when their use deadly force results in death or injury. I am both honored and encouraged that 50 members of the House of Representatives have now signed onto our bill, and look forward to continuing to work for its passage.
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment
On December 6th, 1865, the United States ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, and abolished the evil of slavery in America. On Sunday, December 6th, 2015 our nation marked the 150th anniversary of that ratification, and on Wednesday, December 9th my House and Senate colleagues joined President Obama on Capitol Hill to reflect on our nation’s history, our nation’s progress, on the work that still lies ahead of us. See the President’s speech here.
President Obama stated in his address that “we condemn ourselves to shackles once more if we fail to answer those who wonder if they are truly equal in their communities, or their justice systems, or in a job interview.” He called on all Americans to rise above cynicism and fear, and to believe that change is indeed possible, no matter how slow-moving or hard-fought it may be. It is as true in 2015 as it was in 1865 that our freedom is bound up with the freedom of others, regardless of what they look like, where they come from, what their last name is or what faith they practice. We can and must do much more to make certain that all people in American can enjoy the equal rights and dignity that is every American’s birthright. It is up to us to carry forward efforts to secure equal justice for all, and to ensure that the bitter legacy of slavery – and its second act, segregation and Jim Crow – do not place barriers before the descendants of slaves and other marginalized communities from equally accessing the opportunities our nation promises to its citizens.
Every Student Succeeds Act Becomes Law
I was pleased this week that President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), allowing for American teachers and students to move beyond the flawed No Child Left Behind legislation that has hampered them for more than a decade with over-testing and a one-size-fits-all approach to education reform. This bipartisan bill takes steps to improve our education system from beginning to end – from laying the foundation to expand access to high quality pre-schools, to ensuring high school students graduate ready for college and future careers, this legislation holds everyone to high standards for teaching and learning.
I am particularly pleased that the spirit of my amendment to H.R. 5 (the House version of this education reform bill) is included in this bipartisan legislation. Funds will be made available to States to provide professional development on restorative justice and conflict resolution, giving teachers the tools they need to address disciplinary problems in ways other than suspensions or by involving law enforcement, and giving students the chance to stay in school, and out of the school-to-prison pipeline. This legislation upholds the American value that education is a civil right, and I am pleased that the House, Senate, and President Obama came together to pass the ESSA.
Helping Memphians Get Covered
The Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace has opened for 2016 plan shopping and comparisons. While the current shopping period runs until January 31, 2016, December 15, 2015 is the deadline to enroll in coverage that will take effect on January 1, 2016. You can visit this page to see if you qualify for tax credits that will be applied as discounts on your monthly insurance premium. If you already have insurance coverage through the Healthcare.gov marketplace, your plan will be automatically renewed for 2016 but you should still visit Healthcare.gov to update your information, ensure you receive the full tax credit to which you are entitled, and review new options as cheaper insurance plans that better fit your needs may now be available.
If you are on Medicare or your employer offers qualified health insurance in which you are enrolled, you're already covered and won't need to enter the Marketplace for your health coverage. If you aren't sure whether or not you should use the Marketplace to get insurance, call the Marketplace Hotline at (800) 318-2596, visit Healthcare.gov, or call the healthcare navigator Seedco at (901) 255-2955. You can also call my office at (901) 544-4131 or the Marketplace Hotline to find out if TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) is a coverage option for you.
2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
My office currently has a limited number of 2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the 9th Congressional District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress