Defense

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the House Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, today spoke on the House floor in favor of two amendments he authored for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Amendments to the bill are being debated this week.

MEMPHIS – Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ed Case (HI-01), Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Tim Ryan (OH-13) tonight wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin seeking information about the U.S.-supplied aircraft Afghan pilots flew to Uzbekistan as the Afghan military collapsed before the Taliban takeover of their country.

The letter reads in part:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today joined his colleagues in a bipartisan vote overriding the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure contains vital provisions for our service members, addresses Vietnam-era veterans dealing with exposure to Agent Orange, and begins the process for removing the names of Confederate officials in the Civil War from our military installations, among its important provisions.

The vote, which required a two-thirds majority, was 322 to 87.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) tonight applauded the inclusion of his priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a measure providing for our national defense in the fiscal year that begins October 1. The measure, which passed the House 295 to 125 and for which Congressman Cohen voted, includes language that authorizes a $2 million multi-drone/multi-sensor intelligence program that will be housed at the University of Memphis.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, today applauded the inclusion of his bill, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Careers Act, in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This AI Careers Act aims to improve AI education and AI workforce development. The NDAA is set to come to the House Floor in the coming weeks.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

MEMPHIS -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) led a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper condemning the dismissal of Captain Crozier, commander of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt and calling for Captain Crozier's restoration of command.

The letter reads in part:

"The dismissal of Captain Crozier sends a chilling message to other commanding officers, if they take actions to protect their people. It is frightening to think that this chilling effect might unnecessarily cost the lives of servicemembers.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted to prohibit federal funds from being used for military actions in or against Iran unless Congress has declared war. Congressman Cohen also voted to repeal the outdated and unnecessary 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Under the Constitution, Congress has the sole duty to declare war and these votes reassert Congress' authority over this solemn duty.

After the vote, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for one of two comprehensive spending measures funding federal government programs through the end of fiscal year in September 2020. Both measures passed the House, averting another government shutdown. The measure the Congressman supported provides a record high level of spending on the National Institutes of Health, Child Care and Community Development Block Grants, Head Start, Title 1 Education, and Food for Peace.