Sending Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kawanza Holiday Greetings
December 20, 2024 | |
Dear Friend, This week, I am sending holiday greetings to all my constituents, friends and neighbors. I also prepared all week to vote for a reasonable compromise to keep the federal government open beyond tonight’s midnight deadline, welcomed news that the Ethics Committee report on the alleged misconduct of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz will be publicly released, applauded Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s announcement of sweeping protections for airline passengers with disabilities, publicly announced my opposition – as a polio survivor and vaccine advocate – of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, cheered House passage of my SOAR Act, announced a $6 million grant to Literacy Mid-South Inc., announced a food waste management grant to the Memphis Zoo, named the 9th District winners of the Congressional App Challenge, and offered a health tip, a Friday Flashback, and a Bill Day cartoon. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Sending Christmas, Hanukkah and Kawanza Holiday Greetings Approaching a Likely Government Shutdown Approving of Ethics Committee Release of Report on Matt Gaetz Applauding DOT Rule on Protection for Airline Passengers with Disabilities Publicly Opposing Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Cheering Reauthorization of My SOAR Act Announcing $6 Million Grant to Literacy Mid-South Inc. Recognizing Congressional App Challenge Winners Sending Christmas, Hanukkah and Kawanza Holiday Greetings
As we approach the holiday season and prepare to welcome a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply cherishing the season’s spirit. I hope your holidays are filled with peace, warmth, and happiness and allow for the opportunity to spend time with loved ones at this special time of year. Approaching a Likely Government Shutdown
Right now, on Friday afternoon, it is unclear how or when Republicans in the House will propose a plan to keep the government funded past midnight tonight, or even if they intend to do so. I voted against their proposal, and it failed by a vote of 174 to 235 after Elon Musk blew up a compromise most Democrats would have agreed to, because it failed to extend the disproportionate share payments to hospitals treating the disadvantaged in Tennesssee, and for other reasons. That included 38 Republicans voting against their own party’s proposal, so it’s clear we are far apart. I am prepared to vote on a reasonable resolution, if one is forthcoming, and will keep you apprised of progress. As it has been throughout the 118th Congress, the Republican majority is demonstrating again that it is not fit to govern. As it stands today, Elon Musk’s opposition to disaster assistance funding in the previous Continuing Budget Resolution would cost Tennessee $1.1 billion. Welcoming Ethics Committee Release of Report on Matt Gaetz
Press accounts indicate the Ethics Committee report on former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz will be released once the final votes of this Congress are taken, perhaps as early as today. I sought the report and associated documents through privileged resolutions on the House floor earlier this month and late last month. I welcome the Committee’s apparent decision to make public its findings on serious allegations against the man Trump wanted to be Attorney General. See my release on the imminent release of the report here. Applauding DOT Rule on Protection for Airline Passengers with Disabilities
Congressman Cohen, Secretary Buttigieg, and Senator Tammy Duckworth at Tuesday's announcement I went to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s headquarters on Tuesday for Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s announcement of sweeping protections for airline passengers with disabilities, particularly those who use wheelchairs. The rule the Secretary announced incorporates many of the elements of my MOBILE Act signed into law earlier this year. See my release on the announcement here. Publicly Opposing Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I feel a duty to oppose the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services largely because of his position against life-saving vaccines. As a polio survivor, I find his obsessive opposition to vaccines disqualifying. See my statement on his nomination and my reasons for opposing it here. Cheering Reauthorization of My SOAR Act
The House reauthorized my Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act on Monday. The measure reauthorizes effective training for health professionals to recognize victims of human trafficking and to intervene in their behalf. See my floor speech and release on its passage here. Announcing $6 Million Grant to Literacy Mid-South Inc.
Also Monday, I announced that Literacy Mid-South, in partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) and the Center for Research in Education Policy at the University of Memphis, will receive a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for an ambitious tutoring program for second through fourth graders. The five-year support will improve life outcomes. See my release on the funding here. Announcing Food Waste Management Grant to the Memphis Zoo
On Thursday, I announced that the Memphis Zoo will receive a grant of $395,000 to transform food waste into sustainable fertilizer for local agriculture. See my release here. Recognizing Congressional App Challenge Winners
I am pleased to announce Kennedy Jefferson and Catheryn Jeff of HomeLife Academy and Marion Math Science Technology Magnet School are the first-place winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition for high schoolers to code and showcase original apps. The 2024 winners designed Flex Ed, which uses artificial intelligence to tutor and design lesson plans for students in math, reading, and science. I am impressed with the team’s innovation and creativity. Memphis’ future is in good hands with bright minds like theirs!
ACA Open Enrollment Now Through January 15, 2025 I want to remind everyone that open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace is open until January 15. To learn about coverage through the Marketplace or your benefits and protections, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325. All plans cover essential benefits such as primary care, prescriptions, and emergency care, and are affordable with 80 percent of enrollees eligible for plans at $10 a month or less.
Bill Clinton and I were among the guests at Harry Belafonte’s birthday party at the Bryant Park Café in New York City in 2007.
“Authoritarian Hands”
“In dictatorships, you need courage to fight evil; in the free world, you need courage to see evil." – Israeli human rights activist Natan Sharansky, born on this day in 1948 Once again, wishing all Happy Holidays! As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
