Talking with Constituents at a Telephone Town Hall
February 28, 2025 |
Dear Friend, This week, I held a telephone town hall with more than 7,800 constituents to discuss the first weeks of the Trump assault on the federal government and what I am doing to prevent or reverse its worst impacts. I also spoke and voted against a cruel and dangerous Republican budget blueprint, met with University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave, received a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters, announced some welcome grants to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, reintroduced the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act and questioned witnesses at a hearing on sex trafficking, sought the reinstatement of inspectors general looking into the activities of Elon Musk, testified at a hearing on restoring Iranian democracy, spoke at a press conference on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and offered a health tip, a Friday Flashback about the late Gene Hackman and a Bill Day cartoon. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X). Talking with Constituents at a Telephone Town Hall Speaking and Voting Against Devastating Republican Budget Blueprint Meeting with University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave Receiving 100 Percent Score from the League of Conservation Voters Announcing National Institutes of Health Grants to St. Jude Reintroducing the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act and Discussing Human Trafficking Seeking Reinstatement of Federal Agencies’ Inspectors General Promoting Democracy for Iran Defending Ukraine on the Third Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion Weekly Health Tip Friday Flashback Bill Day Cartoon Quotes of the Week Talking with Constituents at a Telephone Town Hall
On Monday evening, I held a telephone town hall from my office in Washington with more than 7,800 constituents calling in to air their concerns about the Trump-caused mayhem roiling our country. I heard from an employee at the Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center worried about Elon Musk’s chaotic firing of federal employees, a homeless grandmother, and others worried about the Trump-Musk wrecking crew and the future of Medicaid and Social Security. Despite difficult circumstances, I told them all that I will work to reestablish order and defend the rule of law. I can assure you that I will never give up. You can sign up now to participate in my next town hall meeting — click here. Speaking and Voting Against Devastating Republican Budget Blueprint
On Tuesday, I spoke from the House floor against the $4.5 trillion tax cut for millionaires and billionaires that will most likely be paid for by huge reductions in the budgets of social safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP (food stamps). I later voted against the disastrous measure which sadly passed with just a one-vote margin. Regrettably, House Republicans are more interested in padding the pockets of billionaires and big corporations than helping everyday Americans. This budget is an outright betrayal. See my floor speech and release on the vote here. Meeting with University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave
On Wednesday, University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave visited me in my Washington office to discuss the university’s goals and its federal priorities for this year and Fiscal Year 2026. Of course, we also discussed the Tigers’ basketball season so far. It was a productive meeting. Receiving 100 Percent Score from the League of Conservation Voters
On Wednesday, I again received a perfect 100 percent score from the League of Conservation Voters (LVC) for my work protecting the environment, promoting animal welfare and addressing climate change. None of the other House members from Tennessee, all Republicans, got higher than 6 percent, and several got zeroes. See my release here. Announcing National Institutes of Health Grants to St. Jude
Before announcing them, I asked my staff to verify that two National Institutes of Health grants to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would actually be delivered following the announced Trump plan to drastically reduce medical research funding. They will. See details about the grants, totaling $1,172,235, here. Reintroducing the SOAR to Health and Wellness Act and Discussing Human Trafficking
On Thursday, I reintroduced the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act to reauthorize a training program for health professionals in recognizing victims of sex trafficking. It’s an idea that came to me after hosting a forum on the subject at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in 2016. At a hearing on human trafficking at the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, also Thursday, I urged support for the measure but also talked about the apparent pressure campaign by the Trump administration that resulted in the release of alleged sex traffickers Andrew and Tristan Tate in Romania. See a release on the hearing here. Seeking Reinstatement of Federal Agencies’ Inspectors General After writing an op-ed article for Fast Company on February 14 condemning the firing of the inspectors general of several federal agencies, on Thursday I signed on to a letter to President Trump suggesting that those firings, and others, appear to target the leadership of agencies investigating or prosecuting companies belonging to Elon Musk. Efforts to remove the cop on the beat and permit lawlessness must be exposed and prohibited. Promoting Democracy for Iran
On Wednesday, I testified at an Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus hearing on “The Future of Iran” and later spoke with the Persian language press. In my remarks, I said that Iran is increasingly weak and isolated on the world stage and is ripe for democracy. Defending Ukraine on the Third Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion
On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I participated in a press conference Monday with other Ukraine supporters. Ukraine’s fate is in peril with Trump appearing to side with Russia. The Trump decision to vote against a United Nations resolution condemning the invasion on Monday’s anniversary was particularly offensive, and I joined many at the press conference in denouncing it. I said we must stand up to Putin and his aspirations in Ukraine and beyond. Weekly Health Tip Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors National Nutrition Monthto help people make informed food choices and develop positive eating habits. Join the conversation by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate resources, or U.S Food & Drug Administration’s nutrition education materials. You may also review the Dietary Guidelines toolkit for professionals in both English and Spanish. Finally, share the consumer-friendly MyHealthfinder nutrition resources and Move Your Way healthy eating stories with your community. Fast Fact: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at Wednesday’s first meeting of the Trump cabinet that an outbreak of measles is “not unusual.” That’s wrong. The outbreak in Texas, and now spreading elsewhere, is quite unusual, as is the measles-caused death of a child. The last time that happened was 2015. Friday Flashback
Gene Hackman has died. In late 1992, he came to Memphis to play a law partner in “The Firm,” and I got to be an extra. That’s me in the middle of this picture. Hackman was approachable and friendly and you could feel his warmth as a human being. Rest in peace, Gene Hackman. Bill Day Cartoon – “The Chainsaw on Jobs”
Quotes of the Week
“We stand with the American people until victory is won. The reckless Republican budget will hurt everyday Americans who rely on Medicaid, rely on nutritional assistance and rely on veterans benefits. This is not a reality show. This is not a joke. This is not politics as usual. It's a matter of life and death. And so, we will stand with the American people. Stand with them today, stand with them tomorrow, stand with them next week, stand with them next month, stand with them this year, stand with them next year, stand with the American people until victory is won, this budget is defeated and America is restored.” -- Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries at press event to push back against the reckless Republican budget As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
