Celebrating Opening of Old Growth Forest in Overton Park
Dear Friend, This week, I spoke at the fence-cutting ceremony dedicating the new trail through 17 acres of newly opened old growth forest in Overton Park, a project for which I secured a $3 million federal grant. I also returned to Washington on Wednesday to vote against a disastrous short-term spending bill that reopened the federal government but did not address the looming spike in Affordable Care Act premiums that will leave millions uninsured. I observed Veterans Day on Tuesday and spoke with vets at Mayors Paul Young’s and Lee Harris’ Veterans Day luncheon on Thursday. I also sent letters to Secretary of State Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about humanitarian issues in the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, reminded readers that open enrollment for Medicare and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans is underway, reminded MLGW customers to sign up for the Winter Moratorium Program, offered U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 calendars, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon and two health tips. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Celebrating Opening of Old Growth Forest in Overton Park Voting Against a Disastrous Short-Term Budget Resolution Expressing Thanks for the Service and Sacrifice of Our Veterans Urging More Humanitarian Aid for Civilians in Gaza Reminding Readers that Open Enrollment for Medicare and the ACA Marketplace is Under Way Reminding MLGW Customers of the Winter Moratorium Program Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 Calendars Celebrating Opening of Old Growth Forest in Overton Park
On Thursday, I spoke at the fence-cutting ceremony that dedicated the new trail through 17 acres of old growth forest in Overton Park that had been off limits to the public for almost 40 years. I secured $3 million for the project through the federal appropriations process. Overton Park’s Old Forest State Natural Area is one of the last tracts of mature hardwood trees in West Tennessee and has been protected since 1901. The project also solves the Memphis Zoo’s parking challenges, includes a new ADA-compliant trail, and protects the Overton Park Greensward. The new trail and access to the old forest will enhance visitors’ experience of this treasured Memphis landmark. Voting Against a Disastrous Short-Term Budget Resolution
I returned to Washington on Wednesday to vote on a continuing budget resolution funding parts of the federal government through January and some departments for the entire 2026 fiscal year. The Senate compromise reached earlier in the week did not contain an agreement to extend the subsidies on Affordable Care Act premiums that Democrats had insisted upon, so I could not in good conscience vote for it. By not extending the ACA subsidies, millions of Americans will not be able to afford health coverage. I will always fight for health care. See my statement on my vote here. I will continue to work to reverse the Trump administration’s immoral efforts to reduce and slow-walk Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, hurting 42 million Americans as we approach Thanksgiving. Expressing Thanks for the Service and Sacrifice of Our Veterans
Retired Veterans Services Director Joe Kyles and members White Station High School’s JROTC program I was pleased to get back to Memphis in time for Mayor Paul Young’s and Mayor Lee Harris's Veterans Day Luncheon on Thursday. I thanked veterans for their service and their families for their sacrifices. I met with retired Director of Shelby County’s Veterans Services Joe Kyles and students from White Station High School’s JROTC program, Sgt. Major Larry McDonald and Sgt. Major Karen Bolden. I continue to work to guarantee that the benefits our nation owes to these dedicated men and women are promises kept, and that we enhance those benefits to meet their needs. See my statement for Veterans Day here. Urging More Humanitarian Aid for Civilians in Gaza I joined 125 Congressional colleagues in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure desperately needed humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza. Nearly one month into the ceasefire agreement, there are still no details from the Trump administration on what aid is allowed into Gaza and what role the United States will play in its delivery. I also joined more than 100 lawmakers in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding that he immediately halt plans to demolish the West Bank village of Umm al-Kheir. See my release and those letters here. Reminding Readers that Open Enrollment for Medicare and the ACA Marketplace is Under Way
Open enrollment for Medicare is underway and ends December 7. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, it is important to check your plan for next year even if you are satisfied with it, as some of the details may have changed. Log in to an existing account or register for one at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. See eligibility information and plan details here Enrollment for health insurance for 2026 through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace on https://www.healthcare.gov/ opens on November 1 and will run through December 15. Due largely to changes in the insurance market from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, base insurance rates will go up by an average of 24 percent in Tennessee. If tax credits are not extended, the 350,000 Tennesseans who rely on them for affordable insurance will see their out-of-pocket costs rise even more dramatically. Reminding MLGW Customers of the Winter Moratorium Program
The Memphis Light Gas and Water Division (MLGW) has resumed its Winter Moratorium program to ensure that customers receive uninterrupted service during the coldest months of the year, even if they can’t pay their full utility bills. Customers are still obligated to pay their bills on a deferred basis. The deadline to register is November 30 and the program runs from December 1 until March 1. See details and download an application here. Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 Calendars
My office currently has a limited number of 2026 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th District.
I am pictured here with Warren Zevon, Gloria Houghland, and Bell Lowe at the 2001 Country Music Awards in Nashville, where Warren was recognized for writing “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me,” a Number 1 chart topper as sung by country star Terri Clark. Warren was a good friend. I attended last Saturday’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater where Warren was inducted in the “Musical Influence” category by David Letterman. A Bill Day Cartoon -- “Yellow Streak”
November is National Caregivers Month. If you are a caregiver for a loved one, remember to also take time for yourself. With Thanksgiving approaching, many families will try frying a turkey for the first time – which is a delicious way to cook a turkey, but it can be dangerous. If you are planning to fry a turkey, please plan ahead (the turkey must be completely thawed) and refer to these helpful tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/turkey-fryer-fire-safety-infographic.pdf and https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/deep-fat-frying. “And I just wanted to stop by on the House Floor to make sure it was clear to the American people that the spirit of John Lewis lives amongst House Democrats, and we will continue to get into ‘good trouble’ to make their life better. That's our commitment to every single American all across this country, from this day and for every day moving forward. And it was John Lewis who said to us that ours is not the struggle of one day, one week or one year. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, and maybe even many lifetimes. And each one of us in every generation must do our part. Mr. Lewis, we love you, we were blessed by our opportunity to serve with you and House Democrats are here to do our part. We’re in this fight until we win this fight for the American people.” – Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries during Wednesday night’s debate over the Continuing Resolution. As always, I remain… Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
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