Dear Friend, This week, I continued to speak out in an attempt to slow or stop the dismantling of the federal government and decimation of the federal workforce by this thoughtless and cruel Musk-Trump Administration. I also condemned a House Budget Committee plan to slash spending on Medicaid and SNAP, spoke out against the Trump plan to reduce federal funding for biomedical research including the work being done at St. Jude and UTHSC in Memphis, examined the wreckage of the DCA aircraft disaster at an airport hangar and discussed preliminary findings with investigators, sought an explanation for recent immigration raids, expressed disappointment at the Senate confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., questioned the premise of a Republican-led Judiciary Committee hearing on censorship, advocated measures to improve roadway safety, introduced two bills advancing criminal justice reform, and offered a Bill Day cartoon, a Presidents Day-themed “Friday Flashback,” and an employment-related health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) to see what I am doing as it happens. Assessing the Damage from Trump Assault on the Federal Government Condemning Plans for Massive Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Noting Trump Cuts are Aimed at Minorities and the Disabled Condemning Proposed Cuts in Federal Support for Biomedical Research Reviewing Wreckage from the DCA Crash Urging Reinstatement of Fired Inspectors General Seeking an Explanation for Immigration Raids Expressing Disappointment at Senate Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Questioning Republican Efforts to Suppress Free Speech Advocating Roadway Safety Introducing CAMERA and Police Deadly Force Bills Bill Day Cartoon The Friday Flashback Weekly Health Tip Quotes of the Week
Assessing the Damage from Trump Assault on the Federal Government 
The Trump Administration wrecking ball is attempting to demolish large parts of the federal government and our social safety net with help from a compliant and complicit Republican-led Congress. I am standing up for federal employees who are being forced into unwanted leave time or outright firing by co-President Musk and his young DOGE proteges. They have gained access to several federal agencies’ most sensitive databases, dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development and have plans to close down the Department of Education, all while decimating the federal workforce with dubious buyouts. Their assault on Social Security and Medicare is a transparent prelude to the trillions in tax cuts they plan for millionaires and billionaires. Condemning Plans for Massive Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
The Republican-led House Budget Committee passed a budget resolution Thursday night that will slash spending on Medicaid (TennCare in Tennessee) that covers half of all children our state, and SNAP (“food stamps”) that helps an estimated 750,000 Tennesseans, 35 percent of whom are elderly or disabled. These moves are terribly unpopular and only a huge public backlash can stop them. Noting Trump Cuts are Aimed at Minorities and the Disabled It won’t escape your notice that many of the attacks on federal government programs are focused on those disproportionately benefiting African Americans, low-income individuals, the working class and senior citizens – people without a voice. I am your voice. Condemning Proposed Cuts in Federal Support for Biomedical Research
The Trump administration also announced plans to cut funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to institutions conducting biomedical research, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and the University of Memphis in my Congressional District, and at Vanderbilt in Nashville. This shortsighted and careless decision will harm our place in the world as the foremost innovator of life-saving medicines and therapies, including St. Jude’s pioneering work on childhood cancer. Again, it’s unpopular but can be stopped by those willing to raise their voices in protest. See my statement on the misguided policy here. I also signed on to a letter to the Acting NIH Director expressing alarm over the decision and requesting information about any consequences NIH considered prior to its announcement. Reviewing Wreckage of the DCA Crash
On Tuesday, I went to the Ronald Reagan National Airport to review the wreckage of American Eagle Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700 model, that crashed January 29 when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. As the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I and its other members are receiving updates on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation in anticipation of its recommendations for preventing future mishaps of this kind. It was very emotional to see in the hangar the bits and pieces of the aircraft, wet clothes recovered from the Potomac and, especially moving, an abandoned backpack with a teddy bear and an electronic notebook displaying a sticker that read “The Lord is Good.” The NTSB investigator who briefed us showed where the helicopter’s rotor struck the plane and suggested the jet was banking left as the helicopter went under it and its rotor blade hit the plane’s left wing. I will continue to follow this investigation closely. I also wrote to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urging him to implement the 2024 FAA Reauthorization law. Urging Reinstatement of Fired Inspectors General
Earlier today, Fast Company published my op-ed urging the swift reinstatement of the inspectors general fired by the Trump-Musk administration. Co-written with Michael Shank, an adjunct professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs and George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, it makes the case that these in-house auditors are essential for actually detecting the waste, fraud and abuse in their respective departments and agencies. See the article here. Seeking an Explanation for Immigration Raids
On Friday, I wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seeking an explanation for the detention of migrants and their forced exile to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Since the number of apprehensions remains unknown and no details have been provided on whether those detained had convictions for violent offenses, I requested that information. I support deporting violent criminals and Trump has said his primary focus would be on “the worst of the worst.” That is not what appears to be happening. See my release and the letter here. Expressing Disappointment at Senate Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
As a polio survivor and a strong advocate for vaccine immunization, I have been a vocal opponent of the nomination of vaccine denier Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. I was disappointed at the Senate vote confirming him on Thursday, with fellow polio survivor Mitch McConnell the only Republican to vote against him. Trump said afterward that he doubted McConnell really had polio. I know McConnell had polio and I know Trump didn’t have bone spurs. Questioning Republican Efforts to Suppress Free Speech
The Judiciary Committee on which I serve held a hearing Wednesday on what its Republican leadership calls “the Censorship-Industrial Complex,” a misnomer for the accurate fact-checking of false, right-wing social media. (Vice President Vance is in Europe criticizing efforts to muzzle hate speech but says nothing about Russia or fake elections.) I took the opportunity to express my concern that Elon Musk’s X platform (formerly Twitter) has become a mouthpiece for the extreme right, antisemitism, and Musk’s own lies. See my release on the hearing here. Advocating Roadway Safety
The Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on roadway safety Wednesday. I noted that I have long sponsored legislation to address several safety issues, including Memphis’ serious problem with pedestrian fatalities. See my release on the hearing here. Introducing CAMERA and Police Deadly Force Bills On Tuesday and Wednesday, I introduced criminal justice reform legislation to provide funding for police body cameras and to ensure the accurate reporting of incidents of police use of deadly force. These measures are essential for fostering accountability, protecting civil rights, and strengthening public confidence in our justice system. Bill Day Cartoon – “Authoritarian Fishbowl”
The Friday Flashback
In recognition of Monday’s Presidents Day federal holiday, here’s a picture of me with a future President Barack Obama. Weekly Health Tip
A lot of federal employees and people who work as private contractors with federal agencies are understandably stressed out as the assault on (and insult of) the federal workforce continues. Although it may not be free to make such recommendations in the future, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has in the past offered guidance in managing stress. See that guidance here. I also want to remind you that this is a good time to get a flu shot and to make sure your children’s vaccine immunizations – particularly against measles – are up to date. Quotes of the Week
“I make no pretension to patriotism. So long as my voice can be heard on this or the other side of the Atlantic, I will hold up America to the lightning scorn of moral indignation. In doing this, I shall feel myself discharging the duty of a true patriot; for he is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins. It is righteousness that exalteth a nation while sin is a reproach to any people.” -- From an 1847 speech by abolitionist and lecturer Frederick Douglass, born on this day in 1817 “This is not a minor issue: an authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized. The true common good is promoted when society and government, with creativity and strict respect for the rights of all — as I have affirmed on numerous occasions — welcomes, protects, promotes and integrates the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable.” -- Pope Francis on Tuesday in a letter critical of Trump Administration immigration policy As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress | 
