Seeking Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza
Dear Friend, This week, I joined several Congressional colleagues in urging President Biden to redouble his efforts to reach a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in order to release the remaining hostages and deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza. I also expressed my deep disdain for former President Trump after reading the civil fraud ruling that makes him liable for more than $354 million in fines, ridiculed the baseless Biden impeachment inquiry that continues to implode daily, encouraged worldwide support for Yulia Navalnaya, sought a Presidential Medal of Freedom for imprisoned Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, urged the expansion of Medicare coverage to include dental care for diabetics, applauded the Biden Administration’s decision to cancel additional student debt, congratulated my former D.C. staffer Michael Fulton on his selection as chairman of the MATA board, planned for a Tuesday, February 27, Federal Procurement Fair, announced a grant to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Seeking Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza Expressing Disdain for Trump after New York Civil Fraud Ruling Ridiculing Disintegration of Republicans’ Biden Impeachment Sham Urging Medicare Coverage of Dental Care for Diabetics Following Through on Support for Student Loan Borrowers Congratulating My Former D.C. Staffer Michael Fulton Holding a Procurement Fair with Federal Agencies February 27th Announcing NIH Grant to St. Jude Seeking Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza On Thursday, I joined several colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden asking him to “facilitate a mutual, temporary ceasefire agreement…that provides for, among other things, the immediate return of all of the 134 hostages, including six Americans, who have been languishing in captivity for months” as well as to enable “a massive surge in humanitarian aid” for civilians suffering in Gaza. See that letter here. I also went on “The Reid Out” on MSNBC Wednesday night and was asked by Joy Reid about efforts to address the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. See the MSNBC interview here. Expressing Disdain for Trump after New York Civil Fraud Ruling We all know that Donald Trump is a fraud and con man, but New York state Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron’s ruling in Trump’s civil fraud case last Friday laid out the details of his outrageous pattern of misconduct and corruption. A careful reading of the sometimes-colorful ruling establishes that Trump misled lenders to receive favorable loan terms and now owes the state of New York $354,868,768, plus ongoing interest on the judgment. The evidence is crystal clear and the defense, as Justice Engoron put it, was “theatrical” but unconvincing. With criminal trials in the offing, I hope this image of the former president stays with voters. Ridiculing Disintegration of Republicans’ Biden Impeachment Sham The principal witness Republicans have relied on to claim President Biden’s role in a bribery scandal has now been identified by the FBI as a liar in league with Russian intelligence operatives. The only “evidence” against President Biden has been proven nonexistent. If anything, the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have compiled nothing more than an extensive record of sworn statements from firsthand witnesses saying the president was never involved in any scandal. If they want to continue pursuing this phony impeachment narrative, Republicans will be advancing a Russian disinformation campaign to aid Donald Trump, and the American people need to know it.
Alexei Navalny’s brave widow, Yulia, is now the most prominent public face of opposition to Vladimir Putin and Russia’s corrupt oligarchs. We must do all we can to assist her in her efforts as we remember her martyred husband. The most prominent dissident incarcerated in Russia now is Vladimir Kara-Murza who, like Navalny, was shipped off to a distant prison under harsh conditions to serve a 25-year sentence. He is in danger and the United States must do all within its power to secure his release. A Washington Post columnist, his wife and children living in Virgina are American citizens. Earlier today, I wrote to President Biden seeking a Presidential Medal of Freedom for Vladimir. See my release and the letter here. Urging Medicare Coverage for Dental Care for Diabetics This week, I led a letter with Representatives Lloyd Doggett of Texas and Nanette Barragán of California urging the Medicare program administrator to include dental coverage for diabetics. See my release and the letter here. Following Through on Support for Student Loan Borrowers President Biden’s latest effort to help student loan borrowers, announced Wednesday, cancelled $1.2 billion in debt for 153,000 students through the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) program. The Biden Administration has so far forgiven $138 billion to 3.9 million students largely using existing relief programs. President Biden and his administration are making real improvements in the lives of American families. This is what fighting for hardworking people and families looks like, and there’s still time to take advantage. If you borrowed $12,000 or less for college and have been repaying for at least 10 years, your remaining student debt could be automatically cancelled under the SAVE Plan. For more information and to check your eligibility, visit studentaid.gov/SAVE. Congratulating My Former D.C. Staffer Michael Fulton The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) made an excellent decision this week in naming my former D.C. staffer Michael Fulton as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Michael is knowledgeable, professional and will work hard for Memphis. I congratulated him in a press statement on Tuesday. Holding a Procurement Fair with Federal Agencies February 27th On Tuesday, February 27th, I will hold a live Federal Procurement Fair with federal agency representatives. Become your own best advocate for government contracting by discovering resources available to help you gain an edge in this lucrative but competitive market. Small business owners in the 9th Congressional District will have the opportunity to learn about the federal government contracting process and network with agency officials. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m. at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the campus of the University of Memphis: 365 Fogelman Drive, Memphis 38125. Announcing NIH Grant to St. Jude St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has received a significant grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. See my release on the research it underwrites here. The Shelby County Health Department invites the public to attend an open house event at its Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic at 6590 Kirby Center Cove on Saturday, February 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is an opportunity for residents to view the Health Department’s plans to expand the Hickory Hill Clinic. During Saturday’s event, the Hickory Hill Clinic will be open to provide free services, including free flu and updated COVID-19 vaccinations for adults, free children’s vaccinations and shot records, free COVID-19 home test kits, and other resources. The event will also offer free food from local food trucks, music, games, incentives, and fun for the whole family. To learn more about the Shelby County Health Department and its services, please visit its website: https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/. “Either the United States will destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States.” – Civil Rights activist and academic sociologist W.E.B. DuBois, born on this day in 1868 “Look, when Navalny died last week and the world holds Putin responsible, Trump fails to even condemn him. It’s outrageous. Bottom line is Republicans have to decide: Who do they serve, Donald Trump or the American people? Because that’s where it is right now. Are they here to solve problems or just weaponize them for political attacks?” – President Biden in California on Wednesday As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |