Demanding Ethics Committee Report on Matt Gaetz
November 22, 2024 |
Dear Friend, This week, I sought to make public the Ethics Committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who had been nominated to be the next Attorney General of the United States. I also announced more than $18 million in grants to four Shelby County airports, met with Memphis students from Central and Middle College high schools, pledged my ongoing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, reminded everyone of the open enrollment periods for Medicare and HealthCare.gov plans, released a statement on releasing the remaining records associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on today’s 61st anniversary of that traumatic event, remembered Dorothy Truitt Walk, met with the author of The Monuments Men, provided guidance for Social Security assistance for those with sickle cell disease, and offered a health tip. I also wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, Bluesky and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Demanding Ethics Committee Report on Matt Gaetz Announcing $18.7 Million in Funding for Shelby County Airports Taking Questions from Central High and Middle College High Students Pledging Continued Support for Ukraine Reminding Everyone of Medicare and HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment Seeking Remaining JFK Records on the 61st Anniversary of the Assassination Remembering Dorothy Truitt Walk Meeting with the Author of The Monuments Men Providing Guidance for Help for Those with Sickle Cell Disease Demanding Ethics Committee Report on Matt Gaetz
President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Congressman Matt Gaetz to be the next Attorney General of the United States, the nation’s top law enforcement officer. Gaetz, an exceptionally unqualified candidate for the position, abruptly withdrew from consideration on Thursday afternoon. For years, Gaetz had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for a variety of violations, including sex trafficking and misuse of his official office. The morning after his nomination, I spoke from the House floor demanding that the Ethics Committee, release its report on its investigation into Gaetz. On Wednesday, the Committee voted not to release the report, and I introduced a privileged resolution to force its release. As we enter the Thanksgiving Day holiday period, the fate of that effort is pending a ruling of the House parliamentarian. I will keep you apprised of developments. Even if Gaetz has stepped aside, the American people deserve to know the true character of the man Trump considered for the job. See an interview I had with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell on this subject here. Announcing $18.7 Million in Funding for Shelby County Airports
On Thursday, I announced that Memphis International Airport will receive $17,888,518, and the Millington-Memphis, General Dewitt Spain, and Charles W. Baker airports will each receive $282,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant Program. See details in my release here. Taking Questions from Central High and Middle College High Students
On Wednesday, 25 students from Middle College High School and Central High School, brought to Washington by the Close Up Foundation, visited my office and asked good questions. The program is designed to empower students by immersing them in experiences likely to make them more active and engaged citizens. We talked about what I do as a member of Congress, my earlier work in the state legislature passing the Tennessee Lottery and Hope Scholarships, the new bridge over the Mississippi River that legislation I voted for will make possible, Tennessee’s role in passing the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, and President-elect Trump’s dangerous agenda. It’s always inspiring to see these bright students in our nation’s capital. Pledging Continued Support for Ukraine
On Tuesday, the Helsinki Commission, on which I serve as the House Ranking Member, held a hearing on the 1,000th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The future of that conflict and continued U.S. support for Ukraine are in doubt due to the pending change in Administrations, but I pledged that I will continue to support the country and urge others to do so as well. See my release on the hearing here. Reminding Everyone of Medicare and HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment started last month. It’s your opportunity to review or change your prescription drug and health coverage for next year. Review your 2025 options to see if there is a better fit for your needs and budget. Open enrollment runs through December 7, 2024. You have two main ways to get your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (Medicare-approved plans from for-profit private companies). It’s important to understand the differences between these two options, so consider these things when choosing coverage. Start at Medicare.gov, your official source to find the type of coverage that fits you best. If you need more help comparing options:
Beginning in 2025, there will be a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs for the year thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which I voted for. If you expect to reach this limit, you might consider signing up for Medicare’s new Prescription Payment Plan, which allows you to pay for your drug plan monthly instead of paying your pharmacy when you pick up your prescriptions. Open enrollment for HealthCare.gov plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace opened on November 1 for opening, renewing or changing health plans under the Affordable Care Act, or what some refer to as Obamacare. The last day to enroll and have coverage on January 1, 2025, is December 15. Information on options and online applications can be found here. Seeking Remaining JFK Records on the 61st Anniversary of the Assassination
Congressman Cohen took this picture of JFK campaigning for president in Memphis in 1960 Today is the 61st anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, a childhood hero of mine. Congress has made clear its intent to have records associated with the killing released to the public but has been thwarted. I released a statement Thursday urging Trump to keep a campaign promise to release the documents and declaring my intention to introduce a measure in the next Congress to create a Board for the evaluation and release of the remaining records. See that statement here. Remembering Dorothy Truitt Walk Dorothy Truitt Walk staged a sit-in at the Cossitt Library in 1960 that led to the end of racially segregated libraires in Memphis. She often wrote to me with good ideas. I learned of her passing this week and placed a statement about her remarkable life of service to her community in the Congressional Record. See that statement here. Meeting with the Author of The Monuments Men
On Tuesday, I met with Robert Edsel, author of The Monuments Men, the 2009 best seller about a special team of American and British museum curators and art historians who sought out and saved the cultural heritage of Europe stolen by the Nazis. The book was turned into a 2014 film of the same name directed by George Clooney. Edsel has written a new book, Remember Us, out next year, about a Dutch community that has adopted the fallen World War II soldiers buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten. His work reminds me of the debt we owe to those who have gone to war to preserve our freedoms. Providing Guidance for Help for Those with Sickle Cell Disease If you or someone in your family is living with sickle cell disease, you may be eligible for Social Security payments to help cover medical expenses. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released new resources to assist individuals with sickle cell disease in applying for disability benefits, including detailed information on the SSA’s evaluation process for adults, children, and for healthcare providers. Feel free to share this information to help spread the word. The SSA evaluates eligibility for disability benefits based on the severity of the disease and its impact on daily activities. For many living with sickle cell disease, these benefits are a critical lifeline to cover medical costs and support their well-being. The SSA recently released new tools designed to make applying for benefits easier and ensure that individuals and families receive the assistance they need:
If you have questions or need assistance, you can:
Federal programs like Social Security provide support to thousands of people and families in Memphis and TN-9. I’ve always fought to protect and increase funding for federal disability insurance programs like these, and I always will — especially under the incoming Administration. If you need help with Social Security, Medicare, the VA, or other federal agencies, please don’t hesitate to contact my Memphis office at (901) 544-4131.
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“Today we give our thanks, most of all, for the ideals of honor and faith we inherit from our forefathers -- for the decency of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility, which they possessed and which we must seek every day to emulate. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” – President John F. Kennedy’s Proclamation 3560 for Thanksgiving Day 1963 Happy Thanksgiving. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
