Dear Friend, This week, I returned from a fact-finding mission to Poland and Ukraine, where I met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as military and diplomatic officials, and later spoke from the House floor about what I learned. I offered an amendment recognizing important gun safety measures supported by major police advocacy groups, offered a Constitutional Amendment to reform the pardon power, introduced a bill to prohibit horse “soring,” cheered the success of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, and applauded the Federal Railroad Administration investment in interstate passenger rail compacts that I introduced and passed two years ago. Additionally, I announced significant grants to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Memphis, and noted the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has formally ended. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Expressing Support for Ukraine after Fact-Finding Visit Advocating Police-Supported Gun Safety Measures Introducing a Constitutional Amendment to Limit Presidential Pardon Power Introducing the PAST Act Cheering Success of Biden Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Applauding Investment in Interstate Passenger Rail Compacts Announcing Grants to St. Jude and the University of Memphis Weekly Health Tip Quote of the Week
Expressing Support for Ukraine after Fact-Finding Visit
As the Ranking Member of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I traveled to Poland and on to Ukraine last weekend, meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as military and diplomatic officials. On my return to Washington, I have been advocating for providing additional aid to Ukraine so that it can defend its skies against Russia’s air power, and I attended a briefing with retired U.S. Lieutenant General Mark Hertling who explained how he thinks the Spring military offensive will play out. It is clear to me that a Ukrainian victory is essential to the future of democracy and freedom not just in that country but in Eastern and Central Europe. See my floor speech on my fact-finding trip to Ukraine here. Advocating Police-Supported Gun Safety Measures
On Wednesday, I offered an amendment to a partisan Republican resolution that would have recognized that gun-safety measures are critical to supporting our police officers and keeping them safe. The amendment referenced policies that responsible police organizations support, such as background checks, an assault weapons ban and a prohibition on the sale of armor-piercing “cop-killer” bullets. The amendment failed on a party-line vote. At the same markup, I took the opportunity to praise the heroism of Memphis Police Officer Geoffrey Redd, killed in the line of duty in February. See my statement here. Introducing a Constitutional Amendment to Limit Presidential Pardon Power On Thursday, I introduced a Constitutional Amendment to limit a President’s pardon power. Clemency is supposed to be a safety valve against injustice, not as a way for presidents to put themselves, their families, members of their administrations and campaign staffs above the law. I first introduced a version of this amendment during the 115th Congress, and I have introduced it in every Congress since. See my release here. Introducing the PAST Act This week, I joined my colleagues Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Vern Buchanan of Florida and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Illinois in reintroducing the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to ban the harmful practice of “soring” horses. The legislation is endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund and cosponsored by 200 Members of Congress. See my release here. Cheering Success of Biden Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
In October, I held an online webinar on President Biden’s Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program with a senior official in the U.S. Department of Education. This week, we learned that at least 58,000 residents of our Congressional District have had their loans discharged after applying to the PSLF program. It is proving to be a life-changer for those relieved of this onerous debt. Those eligible are public servants who have made at least 120 qualifying monthly payments. Learn more about the program here. Applauding Investment in Interstate Passenger Rail Compacts
The Federal Railroad Administration this week invested $5.8 million in the Interstate Rail Compacts Program created by legislation I authored and saw signed into law in 2021. The program will provide technical and other assistance to states seeking to improve interstate passenger rail service, such as between Memphis and Little Rock. See my release on the development here. Announcing Grants to St. Jude and the University of Memphis On Monday, I announced a significant grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for work on genome editing and, on Wednesday, I announced a major grant to the University of Memphis for research on breast cancer. See those releases here and here. Weekly Health Tip As of today, May 12, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has expired. Although this means that many regulatory waivers that were issued during the pandemic will end, please know that COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics will continue to be available at no cost. Additionally, Medicare recipients can continue to receive telehealth services for behavioral and mental health in their home. For more information about what the end of the COVID-19 PHE means, visit Fact Sheet: End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency | HHS.gov. Quotes of the Week “The resilience and courage of each of our soldiers destroy the illusions of the world and change history to protect freedom. Everyone who ensures the success of Ukraine in battles calls on the world to be together with our strength, to be on the same side of history with Ukraine.” – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter this week. “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” – Songwriter Burt Bacharach born on this day in 1928 As always, I remain.
Most sincerely, Steve Cohen
Member of Congress | 