Seeking Ethics Report on Gaetz Misconduct
Dear Friend, This week, I continued my effort to ensure the release of the Ethics Committee’s report on the alleged misconduct of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. I also presided at a Helsinki Commission hearing on Belarus’ role in Russian criminality; met with Sir William "Bill" Browder on sanctions against oligarchs; renewed my call for reform of the presidential pardon power; condemned the death sentences imposed by an Iranian court against six political dissidents; announced a substantial grant to the Tipton County Schools; welcomed two significant National Institutes of Health grants to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC); met with a member of the Ukrainian parliament to discuss the war in his country; and offered a flu season-related health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Seeking Ethics Report on Gaetz Misconduct Revealing Belarusian Complicity in Russia’s War in Ukraine Meeting with Sir William “Bill” Browder Renewing Call to Limit the Presidential Pardon Power Condemning Death Sentences for Iranian Political Prisoners Announcing USDA Grant to Tipton County Schools Welcoming $1.2 Million in Grants to UTHSC Meeting with Member of Ukrainian Parliament Seeking Ethics Report on Gaetz Misconduct
On Thursday evening, the House took up my privileged resolution seeking the release of the report and documents associated with the Ethics Committee investigation of allegations of misconduct against former Florida Congressman – and briefly, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Attorney General – Matt Gaetz. The public has a right to know that the investigation was not the “witch hunt” Gaetz has alleged. Unfortunately, Republicans used a procedural tactic to send my resolution to the Committee, effectively blocking its release unless the Committee chooses to act on it. See my release on this unfortunate development and its implications here. Revealing Belarusian Complicity in Russia’s War in Ukraine
On Thursday, as the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, I presided at a hearing I requested on “The Role of Belarus in Russia’s Crimes.” I focused my witness questions on Belarus’ taking of Ukrainian children and the fate of political prisoners held by the regime. See my release here. Meeting with Sir William “Bill” Browder
On Friday, I met with Bill Browder, the force behind the Magnitsky Acts around the world, including in the United States since 2012, that sanction corrupt oligarchs. (The laws are named for Sergei Magnitsky, Browder’s tax lawyer in Moscow killed in prison in 2009.) Browder was recently knighted in Britain during the King’s Holiday Honours, and I congratulated him. We also discussed the need to strengthen the sanctions regime and his observations of Putin’s imperial ambitions. Renewing Call to Limit the Presidential Pardon Power
After President Biden pardoned his son Hunter on Sunday, I released a statement explaining that, while I understood the power of the father-son relationship, renewed attention should be paid to a constitutional amendment that I have introduced since 2017. If ratified, the amendment would prohibit presidential pardons of family members. I was pleased to see Clinton Administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich endorse my amendment in an article this week. I have sought to limit the executive pardon power since I served as Vice President of the Tennessee Constitutional Convention in 1977. Our leaders must not place their families and cronies beyond the reach of justice, and I will continue to work to gather bipartisan support for adoption of this constitutional amendment. Condemning Death Sentences for Iranian Political Prisoners As Co-Chairmen of the Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, Congressman Tom McClintock of California and I released a joint statement Thursday condemning the recent death sentences imposed by an Iranian court against six political prisoners. See that statement here. Announcing USDA Grant to Tipton County Schools
On Wednesday, I announced a $936,722 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to the Tipton County School District for video conferencing equipment. See details in my release here. Welcoming $1.2 Million in Grants to UTHSC
On Monday, I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive two grants from the National Institutes of Health totaling $1,213,557. See details in my release here. Meeting with Member of Ukrainian Parliament
On Thursday, I met in my Washington office with Colonel Roman Kostenko, the Secretary of the Security Defense Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament, to discuss the ongoing situation in his country. Later Thursday, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America came to my office to sing – in both English and Ukrainian -- and play traditional instruments in a show of appreciation for my support of Ukraine.
This is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, an opportunity to remind everyone six months and older that there's still time to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu’s worst symptoms this season by getting the annual flu vaccine. CDC data shows that flu vaccination coverage was lower last season, especially among certain higher risk groups, including children. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick. Please consider it.
“YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan… No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech to a joint session of Congress as the United States entered the Second World War. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
