Improving our Transportation and Infrastructure
Dear Friend,
This week, I voted for the first long-term federal highway funding bill in 10 years, voted to end the failed No Child Left Behind policy and reform our education system, renewed my call for independent prosecutors in cases where police use deadly force results in death or injury, and hosted a telephone town hall to answer questions and address the concerns of my constituents. Keep reading to learn more or follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Improving our Transportation and Infrastructure
Reforming Our Education System
Renewing My Call for Independent Prosecutors in Police Deadly Force Cases
Hosting My Telephone Town Hall
Increasing Government Transparency
Helping Memphians Get Covered
Bringing Congress to your Corner
2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
Improving our Transportation and Infrastructure
On Thursday, the House passed the bipartisan federal highway funding bill. This historic bill, signed into law by President Obama today, is the first long-term highway bill passed in 10 years. This legislation is a vital investment in our country. It funds highways and railroads that are important for Memphis’s standing as a premier distribution center. Memphis has five Class I railroads and three interstate highways that run through the city. I was particularly pleased that my amendment to provide local transit systems, such as Memphis Area Transit Authority’s MATAplus Service, increased flexibility to enhance and improve paratransit services was included in the final bill. In addition, my bill to allow passengers to transport their pets on Amtrak trains was also incorporated, as was a provision to encourage development along public transportation corridors which benefits the environment. On a local level, the bill includes increased funding for buses that will help improve MATA services in Memphis and incentives for states to collect data to combat racial profiling at traffic stops. Furthermore, it continues the highly-successful provision that ensures women and minority-owned businesses are able to fairly compete for U.S. Department of Transportation contracts and reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank which will allow America’s businesses to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Reforming Our Education System
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to move beyond the flawed No Child Left Behind legislation that has held back students and teachers for more than a decade and passed the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act. This bill will repeal the one-size-fits-all Adequate Yearly Progress accountability system, take steps to improve low-performing schools, and target funds to at-risk children and populations. It will also ensure that teachers can teach to the needs of the students rather than teach to the test. I am particularly pleased that the spirit of my amendment to the House version of this bill was included in this bipartisan legislation. At long-last, funds will be made available to states to provide professional development on restorative justice and conflict resolution. This will give teachers the tools they need to address disciplinary problems in ways other than suspensions or involving law enforcement, and give students the chance to stay in school and out of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Renewing My Call for Independent Prosecutors in Police Deadly Force Cases
On Tuesday, in the wake of the shocking video of the brutal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police, I took to the House floor to renew my call for a federal law to encourage states to use independent prosecutors in cases involving police use of deadly force results in death or injury: the Police Training and Independent Review Act (H.R. 2302). Congressman Lacy Clay and I introduced this bill earlier this year to stop local prosecutors from being tasked with investigating and prosecuting the same local police with whom they work so closely. This is an inherent conflict of interest – and what happened in Chicago is just the latest evidence that it needs to end. Law enforcement officers have a tough job. They bring cases to District Attorneys and serve as witnesses. This hand-in-glove relationship should not be upset, but it also should not upset justice. You can watch my remarks on the House floor here.
Hosting My Telephone Town Hall
On Monday evening, I hosted a telephone town hall to answer questions and discuss a variety of topics that are important to Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. During the telephone town hall meeting, I heard from my constituents and discussed a wide variety of issues including enrolling in the Healthcare Marketplace for 2016, improving our roads, bridges, and mass transit, fighting for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health to fight deadly diseases, helping reduce our rape kit backlog, and assisting with navigating federal agencies. Please stay tuned to these weekly newsletter for information on our next telephone town hall.
Increasing Government Transparency
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed my bill, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act. If enacted, this bill would increase transparency and give the public access to information about federal payments awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), which allows individuals who sue the federal government to seek attorney’s fees. Access to this information will help enable ordinary citizens such as veterans, seniors, small business owners, and advocates for clean air and clean water to fight unfair or illegal government action without fear of court costs.
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 https://bit.ly/hcSavings 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.
Bringing Congress to your Corner
On Friday, December 11 from 12pm to 2pm, my office will hold “Congress on your Corner” office hours at the Orange Mound Community Center at 2572 Park Ave. If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance. We hope you can make it.
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