Standing with Israel
November 17, 2023 |
Dear Friend, This week, hundreds of thousands came to Washington for a March for Israel, including 181 who flew in from Shelby County who I addressed in the Capitol after the rally. Last Friday, I resumed my annual Veterans Day Legislative Luncheon, the first since the pandemic forced a hiatus, and discussed veterans affairs and my legislative initiatives on their behalf. I also voted this week to avert a federal government shutdown, congratulated Keith Cole on his retirement from the Wolf River Conservancy, and offered a health tip involving federal spending on public health. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Celebrating with Veterans over Barbecue Voting to Avert a Federal Government Shutdown Congratulating Keith Cole of the Wolf River Conservancy On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in watching a 47-minute film produced by the Israel Defense Forces on the Hamas surprise attack of October 7 and then spoke from the floor of the House about the need to support Israel and condemn the atrocities committed by the terrorists. That afternoon, I attended the March for Israel on the National Mall with tens of thousands and heard speeches by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, among others. Later, I received a classified briefing on the ongoing war and spoke to 181 marchers – in T-shirts reading “Memphis Stands with Israel” -- who flew in for the event. Celebrating with Veterans over Barbecue Congressman Cohen addresses his Veterans Day luncheon with U.S. Navy Captain Janette B. Jose and Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center Director Joseph P. Vaughn I was pleased to celebrate with my veteran constituents the return of my annual Veterans Day Legislative Barbecue Luncheon last Friday at Bridges downtown. This was the first I’ve hosted since the pandemic put these events on hold, and I was able to communicate what important legislative initiatives I’ve undertaken on behalf of those who served in uniform and remind them of the services to which they are entitled. My guest Joseph Vaughn, the director of the Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center addressed the crowd and gave out his personal email address for them to communicate with him. U.S. Navy Captain Janette B. Jose of the Navy Recruiting Command also spoke. It’s my honor to thank these veterans for their service and I always learn from these interactions to serve them better. Voting to Avert a Federal Government Shutdown Cooler heads prevailed and, with Democratic members’ support, the House voted Tuesday to pass a continuing budget resolution to avert a federal government shutdown – and economic disaster -- until early in 2024. The majority of the votes to keep the government running came from Democrats. The chaos that has characterized the Republican House majority gave way to produce a measure I could support. Congratulating Keith Cole of the Wolf River Conservancy This week, after learning that Keith Cole would be retiring from the Wolf River Conservancy following 12 years as executive director, I placed a statement in the Congressional Record congratulating him and the Conservancy for protecting a precious natural resource and our drinking water supply. See that statement here. Republicans attempted this week to pass a spending bill funding the Department of Health and Human Services that would be hazardous to your health. Thankfully, nineteen Republicans voted with all Democrats against the bill which would:
For your health and the health of your loved ones, I had to vote against it and will continue to support federal investments in public health. “In the last few days, Trump has said if he returns to office, he’s going to go after all those who oppose him and wipe out what he called the ‘vermin’ — quote, the ‘vermin’ in America. A specific phrase with a specific meaning. It echoes language you heard in Nazi Germany in the ’30s. And it isn’t even the first time.” – President Biden at an event in San Francisco Wednesday. I’ll be at the FedEx Forum Friday night to watch the Tiger basketball team play Alabama State. On Saturday, I’ll be at the Liberty Bowl to watch Tiger football. And on Sunday, I’ll be back at the FedEx Forum to see the Grizzlies take on the Celtics. Happy Thanksgiving to all. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |