Mourning the In-Custody Death of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny
Dear Friend, This week, I was deeply saddened to learn of the in-custody death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in whom so many had placed their hopes, and I laid the blame squarely at the feet of Vladimir Putin. I also expressed my offense at the sentiments expressed by former President Trump encouraging Russia to attack our NATO allies and expressed concern for the fate of Europe should he ever be re-elected. I also voted against the sham impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, met with Shelby County elected officials about their federal policy priorities, including Regional One; voted to condemn sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas; met with community health center advocates; met with the Cuban ambassador to the United States; congratulated Tom Suozzi on his victory in the special election to replace disgraced Republican Congressman George Santos; attended a classified briefing on an intelligence surveillance program; planned to host a Procurement Fair for potential federal government contractors; and offered a health tip about gambling addiction. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Mourning the In-Custody Death of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Condemning Trump Plan to Abandon NATO Allies and Help Russia Voting Again Against Impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Meeting with Shelby County Officials on Regional One, Other Issues Voting to Condemn Hamas Use of Sexual Violence Meeting with Tennessee Primary Care Association about Community Health Center Funding Meeting with Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera Congratulating Tom Suozzi on Winning Santos’ Congressional Seat Announcing a Procurement Fair for Potential Federal Government Contractors Mourning the In-Custody Death of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny We woke this morning to news that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in custody in Siberia. Navalny led a principled and shrewd opposition to the corrupt Putin regime which is clearly responsible for his death. He will be missed and mourned by millions. As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, I had followed his case closely. See my statement on his passing here. Condemning Trump Plan to Abandon NATO Allies and Help Russia Donald Trump struck a new low pandering to Russia and carelessly threatening the stability of the NATO alliance when he recently said he would “encourage” Russia to attack our allies if they failed to maintain their own domestic military-spending goals. President Biden called the comments “dumb,” “dangerous,” and “un-American.” I agree but would add that Trump clearly has Russia’s interests in mind, and I fear for the future of Ukraine and all of Eastern Europe should he reach the White House again. I joined my colleagues Thursday afternoon on the Capitol steps to call attention to the upcoming two-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war after signing on to a Congressional resolution “recognizing the terrible cost of Russia’s war of aggression and the heroic sacrifices of the Ukrainian people.” Voting Again Against Impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Speaker Johnson didn’t have the votes last week but managed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday night. Even supporters of the articles of impeachment could not point to legitimate grounds for the partisan spectacle that tars a learned and dedicated public servant doing an extremely difficult job, which House Republicans are making more difficult. See my release on the disappointing outcome here. Meeting with Shelby County Officials on Regional One, Other Issues Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, county commissioners, and others met in my Washington office this week to discuss plans to essentially rebuild Regional One, formerly The Med, the public hospital I cast the deciding vote for as a Shelby County Commissioner. We also discussed a range of the county’s federal priorities, including crime fighting and transportation safety. Voting to Condemn Hamas Use of Sexual Violence On Wednesday night, I voted to support a Congressional resolution condemning the use of sexual violence by Hamas on and since its brutal and inhumane October 7 attack on Israel. The measure passed 418 to 0 with one member voting present. See the text of the resolution here. Meeting with Tennessee Primary Care Association about Community Health Center Funding Also Wednesday, I met with representatives of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, including my old friend Lois Stockton of the Memphis Health Center, and assured them of my ongoing and enthusiastic support for community health centers, especially those doing such critical and life-saving work in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. Meeting with Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera On Thursday, I met in my Washington office with Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera, the first woman to hold the important, high-profile diplomatic post. We talked about improving U.S. ties with Cuba and President Trump’s ham-handed effort to disrupt relations when he was in office. On January 11, I . Ambassador Torres and I also talked about memorable trips I have taken to Cuba, including one with President Obama in 2016, where the goodwill of the Cuban people was on display everywhere. I pledged to do all I can to continue to improve relations between our two countries. Congratulating Tom Suozzi on Winning Santos’ Congressional Seat Democrat Tom Suozzi won the special election to replace disgraced and expelled New York Republican Congressman George Santos Tuesday night, narrowing the GOP control in the House. I congratulate Suozzi, with whom I served when he represented New York’s 3rd District from 2017 to 2023. Attending Classified Briefing on Reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act On Wednesday, I attended a classified briefing on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The 702 program allows for warrantless electronic surveillance of non-Americans abroad. It has proven useful to our national security but also raises significant privacy concerns. The House is currently considering two different bills that would reauthorize the program as a deadline looms. Announcing a Procurement Fair for Potential Federal Government Contractors On Tuesday, February 27, I will host a Federal Procurement Fair to help constituents discover the resources available to help them become federal government contractors. Representatives of a variety of state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be on hand. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, write to Cohen.Procurement@mail.house.gov The big game is over but other opportunities abound. If you or someone you care about has a gambling problem, consider calling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-(800) 662-HELP (4357). Read more about it here. “No other president in our history has ever bowed down to a Russian dictator. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I never will. For God’s sake, it’s dumb, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American. When America gives its word, it means something. When we make a commitment, we keep it. And NATO is a sacred commitment.” – President Biden on Tuesday, referring to Trump’s NATO statement. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |