Dedicating the Memphis International Airport De-Icing Facility with Transportation Secretary Buttigiegt
December 2, 2022 |
Dear Friend, This week, I attended the dedication of the new $330 million Consolidated De-Icing Facility at Memphis International Airport with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other dignitaries. This investment in the largest cargo airport in the country will keep supply chains open and stimulate the entire U.S. economy. I also voted to avert a nationwide railroad strike; urged everyone to get flu shots and updated COVID-19 boosters; notified constituents of the extension of the pause in student loan repayments; sought a Presidential declaration of a pediatric health emergency; announced a major grant to the Shelby County Health Department; moved to a new office in the Rayburn House Office Building; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Dedicating Memphis International Airport De-Icing Facility with Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Voting to Avert a Nationwide Railroad Strike Urging Everyone to Get Flu and COVID Shots Extending the Pause on Student Loan Debt Repayment Seeking a Declaration of a Pediatric Health Emergency Announcing an $11.4 Million Grant to the Shelby County Health Department Moving to a New Office with a View Dedicating Memphis International Airport De-Icing Facility with Transportation Secretary Buttigieg On Tuesday, I spoke at the dedication of the new $330 million Consolidated De-Icing Facility and welcomed Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Memphis. The Secretary, in his remarks, noted how important the Memphis International Airport is to the national economy and how assuring that planes can be effectively and efficiently de-iced will strengthen the economy by improving the reliability of supply chains. This investment will pay dividends for decades, and I’m proud to have supported and pushed for the project Voting to Avert a Nationwide Railroad Strike On Wednesday, I voted to guarantee rail workers seven days of paid sick leave and reluctantly bypassed the standard labor ratification process to avert a nationwide rail shutdown. I stand in solidarity with the rail workers seeking paid sick leave and better working conditions, but I regret that Senate Republicans blocked our bill to increase paid sick leave for rail workers. They did join us in adopting the Tentative Agreement negotiated between railroads and railroad workers, which includes a 24 percent pay raise, $5,000 bonus, stable insurance costs, and at least some time off for routine, preventative and emergency medical care. This will prevent a catastrophic shutdown that would cripple our economy and undermine access to groceries, medications, products and essential supplies. Urging Everyone to Get Flu and COVID Shots More than 28,000 people died from the flu last year. Thousands are coming down each week with COVID-19. It is essential to get vaccinated against preventable illness, and it’s the patriotic thing to do to limit the impact of these diseases in our community. Your local pharmacy and the Shelby County Health Department sites are offering the flu shot and COVID-19 boosters. For information about how to get immunizations from the Shelby County Health Department, visit https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/305/Immunizations. Veterans can get their flu vaccine at the Memphis VA’s Drive Thru FLU Blitz this Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1030 Jefferson Avenue in the parking garage located on the west side of the campus near the Bed Tower. Veterans will be able to receive flu shots, as well as pneumococcal and COVID-19 boosters. Extending the Pause on Student Loan Debt Repayment This week, I reminded constituents that the Biden Administration has extended the pause on student loan repayment while the President’s loan forgiveness program is being challenged in court. It would be unfair to ask borrowers to pay a debt that may ultimately be erased once the plan is implemented. The pause will extend until 60 days after the Biden Administration is allowed to implement the loan forgiveness plan and the current litigation is resolved. If the issues aren’t resolved by June 30, student loan payments will resume 60 days after that. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in February in a lawsuit that was brought by Republican Attorneys General is six states. Seeking a Declaration of a Pediatric Health Emergency This week, I led a letter with ten Congressional colleagues asking President Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a Pediatric Health Emergency to address a worsening public health crisis involving children. With many of our nation’s pediatric hospitals operating at or near capacity due to a surge in the number of pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and mental health patients, we urged them to undertake a national response to assist with children’s health. See my release and the letter here. Announcing $11.4 Million Grant to the Shelby County Health Department The pandemic and the current spike in childhood respiratory illness shows how important being prepared for a public health emergency can be. That’s why I was pleased to announce that the Shelby County Health Department will receive $11,452,467 to improve critical public health infrastructure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce and Data Systems program. The funding provides flexibility so that local health departments can ensure they have the personnel, services and systems they need to protect their communities and recruit, retain and train their workforces. See my release on the funding here. Moving to a New Office with a View This week, my Washington, D.C., office relocated to the second floor of the Rayburn House Office Building, affording me and my staff a picture-perfect view of our nation’s Capitol. While we are always aware how fortunate we are to serve the 9th Congressional District, having the Capitol in view is a continuous and inspirational reminder of our call to service. I look forward to welcoming constituents to the office. Please take note that my new address is now 2268 Rayburn. The phone number (202) 225-3265 remains the same. Let me reiterate how important it is to address preventable illness by updating vaccinations against COVID-19 and flu. We’re heading into the holidays and blustery weather, so it’s especially important to practice sensible public health protocols, like masking, when indoors among those whose vaccination status is unknown to you. “Thank you very much. First of all to Congressman Cohen who, I’m sure you already know, is a relentless advocate for this region. I do mean relentless.” – Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the dedication of the Consolidated De-Icing Facility at Memphis International Airport on Tuesday. Good luck to all participating in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Saturday. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |