Dear Friend, This week, I cautioned the Republican leaders of the Tennessee General Assembly not to overreact to a breach of decorum by expelling members from the state legislature. Unfortunately, the House moved forward with this provocative action, expelling two of the three, which has brought our state into disrepute around the country. I also commemorated the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis. After devastating storms hit parts of Tipton County and other parts of our state, I have been working with local, state and federal agencies to provide disaster assistance to those in need. I also joined the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation in asking President Biden to grant swift approval to the State’s request for a Disaster Declaration that will unlock resources. We learned this week that the State failed to get recertified for Title X federal family planning, and I condemned those responsible for shortchanging Tennessee taxpayers and those in need of the covered services. I also announced a substantial investment in two Memphis-based community health centers. I also extended my best wishes for those celebrating Passover and Easter. And I offered a health tip about responsible drinking. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Expressing Disappointment at the Expulsion of State Representatives Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Seeking Disaster Assistance for Tipton County and Other Affected Areas after Tornado Damage Condemning Tennessee’s Loss of Family Planning Funding Announcing $6.7 Million in Community Health Center Grants Wishing All a Good Passover and a Happy Easter Weekly Health Tip Quote of the Week
Expressing Disappointment at the Expulsion of State Representatives
All day Thursday, the Tennessee General Assembly debated resolutions to expel state Representatives Justin Pearson of Memphis, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville and Justin Jones of Nashville after they breached decorum last week in demanding Tennessee address gun violence just days after the Covenant School shooting. Justin Pearson, who was once my Congressional intern, and Justin Jones were expelled. Gloria Johnson was not. The entire exercise has brought embarrassment and discredit to a state legislature in which I proudly served for 24 years. Before Thursday’s votes, I released a statement recognizing the need for compliance with rules in a legislative body but suggested that expulsion, given the passion that motivated the breach of decorum, should mitigate any discipline. See that statement here and a letter I wrote with a similar message to Speaker Cameron Sexton here. Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination On Tuesday, Memphis and the nation remembered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was supporting striking Memphis sanitation workers when he was struck down by an assassin 55 years ago. Each year, we think of what might have been and pledge to live up to the high ideals he advanced. Seeking Disaster Assistance for Tipton County and Other Affected Areas after Tornado Damage
Parts of Tipton County are now part of the 9th Congressional District and were badly damaged by recent storms and a suspected tornado. I have been working with local, state and federal disaster assistance agencies and on Thursday joined the entire Tennessee Congressional Delegation in asking President Biden to grant swift approval the State’s Disaster Declaration that will lead to the release of needed federal assistance. If you suffered damage, consider contacting: - Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Office has a list of resources available here.
- Tennessee Small Business Administration for home and personal property loans for disaster victims: 901-494-6906
- Tipton County Emergency Management: 901-840-3000
- Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (STEMC), to report a power outage, check out the outage map, and for updates on services, visit: com/outage-center
Condemning Tennessee’s Loss of Family Planning Funding
We learned this week that Tennessee failed to be recertified for the Title X federal funding that supports family planning services for low-income and uninsured residents. This comes weeks after Governor Lee decided to reject federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for HIV and AIDS testing. These bad decisions based on his narrow views of these needed programs are shortchanging Tennesseans and will result in unfortunate outcomes. Please see my release on the Title X funding here. Announcing $6.7 Million in Community Health Center Grants On Tuesday, I announced that Tri-State Community Health Center will receive $1,416,200 and Memphis Health Center will receive $5,370,495 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This substantial funding for health services for our most vulnerable residents is both timely and welcome. These community health programs meet a critical need. It’s worth noting that Tennessee’s expansion of its Medicaid program, TennCare, would serve many of those who rely on community health centers. Wishing All a Good Passover and a Happy Easter I wish all my Jewish friends, neighbors and constituents a good Passover and all my Christian friends, neighbors and constituents a happy Easter. Spring is a joyful time of year, and I hope we can all enjoy it. Weekly Health Tip Last July, I received the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) Leadership Award after my Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act became law as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Representatives of Responsibility.org dropped by my Washington office on Thursday to call attention to April being Alcohol Responsibility Month. I urge everyone to drink responsibly this month and all months of the year. Quote of the Week
“Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., April 3, 1968, remarks at the Mason Temple in Memphis. As always, I remain.
Most sincerely, Steve Cohen
Member of Congress | 