Seeking Federal Disaster Assistance in the Wake of Powerful Storms
Dear Friend, This week, in the wake of the storms that knocked out power to tens of thousands, I sought Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to address the more than $25 million in damage already assessed. I have been on a bipartisan, bicameral fact-finding mission to the Arctic this week, where I have learned more about our defense capabilities and will be discussing human rights at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vancouver this weekend. I also welcomed Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Senior Advisor to the President for implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act Mayor Mitch Landrieu to Memphis as they tout the Biden Administration’s commitment to electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to accommodate them. I also welcomed Secretary Granholm’s announcement that the Memphis and Shelby County Schools will receive a Renewing America’s Schools Program grant. I condemned the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, joined my Helsinki Commission colleague Joe Wilson in introducing a resolution warning Russia about its deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, announced a significant grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July, and offered a health tip about animals and fireworks. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Seeking Federal Disaster Assistance in the Wake of Powerful Storms Studying Arctic Issues Involving Defense and Human Rights Applauding Shelby County Schools' Renewing America's Schools Grant Announcement Condemning U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action in College Admissions Warning Russia About Deployment of Tactical Nuclear Weapons to Belarus Announcing a $273,000 NIH Grant to St. Jude Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day Seeking Federal Disaster Assistance in the Wake of Powerful Storms On Wednesday, when it became clear that the driving winds and power outages that began on Sunday did sufficient damage to require federal disaster assistance, I wrote to Governor Bill Lee urging him to make a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). I also shared information via social media on how to handle the heat and the location of cooling stations in the community. This is likely to be a long, hot summer. The Space Force Base at Pituffik, Greenland; Congressman Cohen with Air Force Sgt. Teresa Wilson of La Vergne, Tennessee; Senators Ben Cardin and Dan Sullivan On Monday, I joined a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation on a fact-finding trip to the Arctic. We began at the Pituffik Space Base on the west coast of Greenland, above the Arctic Circle, which monitors satellites and potential circumpolar attack from foreign adversaries. We then traveled to Deadhorse, then Barrow, Alaska, to meet with representatives of the Inupiat tribe and others to discuss the impact of the Trans-Alaska pipeline on their livelihoods and local wildlife. We then traveled to the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson outside Anchorage, Alaska – the nearest U.S. base to Russia, China and Taiwan – to discuss defense issues with representatives of the 11th Air Force. I am culminating the mission this weekend with participation in the meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in which I am a voting delegate. We will be discussing the war in Ukraine and efforts to promote democracy. This has been a useful and enlightening trip. Welcoming Energy Secretary Granholm and Infrastructure Senior Advisor to the President Landrieu to Memphis On Thursday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm ended a four-day, four-state electric vehicle road trip in Memphis at a townhall meeting hosted by the National Civil Rights Museum. She was joined by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, now President Biden’s senior advisor on implementing his infrastructure agenda. Because of the Arctic mission I am involved in, I could not meet with them in person. However, my District Deputy Director Hank Henry and my Digital Communications Director Patrick Cassidy met with Secretary Granholm and Mr. Landrieu. The President’s ambitious investments in electric vehicle charging stations and other infrastructure to accommodate this transformative technology is truly inspiring. I am pleased Secretary Granholm and Mayor Landrieu took the time to see their efforts bearing fruit in Tennessee. Applauding Shelby County Schools’ Renewing America’s Schools Grant While she was in town, Secretary Granholm went to Riverview Elementary School and announced a “Renewing America’s Schools” Department of Energy program grant for Memphis-Shelby County Schools. The Memphis school is one of 24 across the country sharing $178 million for energy improvements made available through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure law I supported. See my release on it here. Condemning U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action in College Admissions On Thursday, a 6-3 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court struck down decades of precedent to end affirmative action policies in college admissions. Diversity is our nation’s strength and this ruling weakens us. Racial discrimination is still very real. See my press statement on the ruling here. Warning Russia About Deployment of Tactical Nuclear Weapons to Belarus On Tuesday, I joined my fellow Helsinki Commission member, Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, in introducing a resolution warning Russia that its recent deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus and its threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine constitute threats to global security. The resolution makes clear that any use of the weapons or damage to the power plant would draw a response from the entire NATO alliance. Announcing a $273,000 NIH Grant to St. Jude On Tuesday, I announced that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will provide a $273,000 grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for research on a rare but serious childhood blood disease. See that release here. Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day We’re going into what for many is a delightful, if hot, four-day weekend with the promise of fireworks and barbecues on the 4th of July on Tuesday. I wish all a safe and happy Independence Day. And speaking of fireworks, the Humane Society of the United States reminds us that that the flashes and booms that delight American human beings can be a terror to both pets and wild animals. The instances of lost pets and automobile accidents involving fleeing animals goes up this time of year. See its guidance to keep animals safe around fireworks here. I also want to remind everyone on Medicare that, beginning Saturday, July 1, insulin pumps or insulin covered under a Medicare Advantage Plan will be capped at $35 per month, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that I supported. Visit Medicare.gov/coverage/insulin or Medicare.gov/about-us/inflation-reduction-act to learn more. “Just think – guns have a constitutional amendment protecting them and women don’t.” – Eleanor Smeal, former president of the National Organization for Women, born on this day in 1939. Have a happy and safe 4th of July. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |