Skip to main content

Supporting Our Veterans

June 14, 2013
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week I authored legislation -- the Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act -- to give veteran-owned businesses preference for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs projects. I also questioned FBI Director Robert Mueller about the Boston Marathon bombing at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.

The Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act
FBI Director Robert Mueller
National Defense Authorization Act
Federal Procurement Fair
Healthy Schools Campaign
Hattiloo Theatre
Congressman John Dingell

House Briefing on Surveillance Programs
Protecting Women’s Health
50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act
Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos
Affordable Care Act Highlight: Preventive Care
Grant Announcements


The Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act
Yesterday I introduced legislation -- the Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act -- to give veteran-owned businesses preference for Veterans Administration (VA) projects. The veteran-owned businesses must be headquartered within 60 miles of where the VA project is scheduled to be completed. Many veterans return home from service and open businesses that help other veterans and give back to the community. We owe so much to our veterans for the sacrifices they make. My bill would build on the current preference for veteran-owned businesses for VA contracts by giving an additional preference to businesses located within a 60-mile radius of the VA project. Giving these businesses preference would help create local jobs and would help our veterans make an easier transition to civilian life.

FBI Director Robert Mueller
Image removed.
Yesterday I participated in a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the FBI and questioned Director Robert Mueller about the Boston Marathon bombing. On my recent Congressional Delegation trip to Russia as a member of the Helsinki Commission, I met with Russian Deputy Federal Security Service (FSB) Chief Sergei Beseda -- Head of Counterintelligence. Chief Beseda and I discussed the Boston Marathon bombing and steps that the FBI and FSB could have taken together to help prevent the tragic incident from taking place in Boston. Click here to see me question Director Mueller.

National Defense Authorization Act
Today I voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014 on the House floor. Our country is spending far too much on Defense. Even Pentagon officials have said so. The NDAA that passed yesterday spends more on Defense than is allowed by the Budget Control Act. Instead of increasing funding for Defense, we should be increasing funding levels for programs like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Unfortunately, Republicans are cutting more than $1.6 billion from the NIH’s budget through sequestration. I strongly oppose these cuts because disease is the enemy and we must do everything in our power to conquer it. Everyone’s family either has been or will be touched by disease and federal scientists must have essential funding to make medical advances which will protect our citizens. Funding for the NIH should be increased -- not slashed -- because the research conducted by the NIH preserves health and saves lives. Click here to see an Op-Ed I recently wrote on the NIH.

Federal Procurement Fair
I am hosting a Federal Procurement Fair on Monday, June 24 at 9 a.m. at the FedEx Institute of Technology at The University of Memphis. Become your own best advocate for government contracting by discovering resources available to help you gain a competitive edge in this lucrative but competitive market. If you are new to the federal contracting process and want to know the basics on how to do business with the federal government, this fair will add clarity to the process. Vendors ready to apply for government contracts will be given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with procurement officials who will share specific information about their procurement needs. RSVP at cohen.procurement@mail.house.gov

Healthy Schools Campaign
Image removed.
Tavarious Cleaves and LaKeidra Greer of Craigmont High School recently won a local cooking competition sponsored by the Healthy Schools Campaign, which as a result enabled them to participate in the national Cooking up Change® contest in Washington, D.C. this week. In this national cooking contest, they competed against seven other regional finalists -- teams of high school students from across the country -- to prepare their recipes for a prestigious panel of judges. Each team created a recipe for a great-tasting school meal that meets high nutrition standards, incorporates a local food item, draws from ingredients commonly available to food service, and is easily prepared in a school kitchen.

Hattiloo Theatre
Image removed.
Last weekend I participated in the groundbreaking of the Hattiloo Theatre -- the sixth free-standing Black theater in the country -- in Overton Square. This is one of the most important venues to be created in Memphis and I encourage you to visit the theatre and watch a show. Hattiloo Theatre is a Black repertory theatre company that stages at least seven major productions and six special performances every season and the venue is doing great under the leadership of Ekundayo Bandele. The theatre’s goal is to highlight the diversity of Black artistic expression, including music, theatre, and dance. Click here to learn more.

Congressman John Dingell
Image removed.
Yesterday I attended a celebration recognizing Congressman John Dingell (MI-12) as the longest serving member in the history of the U.S. Congress in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker John Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell all spoke at the ceremony and Mary Wilson of The Supremes was on hand to perform in honor of the Michigan Congressman.

Image removed.
Congressman Dingell has served in Congress since December 13, 1955. He is a friend, a statesman and a World War II veteran. He spoke about how America is a coming together of people and how that is exactly what our country needs Congress to do – come together in a bipartisan way -- to improve the economy and help create jobs. Congressman Dingell’s father, John Dingell Sr., was also a member of Congress and is considered one of the architects of the New Deal and health care. Click here to learn more.

House Briefing on Surveillance Programs
On Tuesday I attended a Congressional briefing on the National Security Agency’s years-long collection of phone records and Internet usage. There are plans for the House Judiciary Committee -- of which I am a member -- to hold hearings on these surveillance programs in the near future. Many members of Congress feel that they were not informed of these sweeping spy programs and public hearings will shed light on the NSA programs and whether they are justified. Click here to learn more.

Protecting Women’s Health
On Wednesday I participated in a House Judiciary Committee markup of the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, legislation that would ban all abortions nationwide after 20 weeks of pregnancy. I opposed this bill because it fails to protect a woman’s Constitutional right to choose and also fails to protect a woman’s health and safety. The measure also fails to make exceptions for abortion in cases of rape and incest. At the hearing, I told my Republican colleagues that this measure has no shot of passing the Senate and that if we want to protect defenseless children we should pass the DREAM Act and pass sensible gun safety laws like banning high capacity magazines to prevent Newtown shootings from ever taking place again. Click here to learn more.

50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act
When he signed it into law, President Kennedy stated that the Equal Pay Act of 1963 would mean ‘when women enter the labor force they will find equality in their pay envelopes.’ And yet, 50 years later, women still do not have equality in their pay. In 1963, women on average made 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Today, women on average nationwide make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men – progress, but not nearly enough progress.

Equal pay is not simply a woman’s issue – it’s a family issue. Families increasingly rely on women’s wages to make ends meet. When women bring home less money each day, it means they have less for the everyday needs of their families – groceries, rent, child care, doctors’ visits. It is time for Congress to enact the Paycheck Fairness Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor. Over the past 50 years, the Equal Pay Act has never been updated. The Paycheck Fairness Act would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act. Click here to learn more.

Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos
Image removed.
Yesterday I met with Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos in my Washington, D.C. office. It was a pleasure to meet with my alma mater’s Chancellor to discuss the importance of higher education.

Affordable Care Act Highlight: Preventive Care
Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services -- which can help you avoid illness and improve your health -- at no additional cost to you. If your plan is subject to these new requirements, you may not have to pay a copayment, co-insurance, or deductible to receive recommended preventive health services, such as screenings, vaccinations, and counseling. Click here to learn more.

Grant Announcements
I regularly release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others. These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated regularly on my website.

Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,


As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,
Image removed.
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictMemphisShelby CountyTennessee