Stating the Obvious: A $400 Million Plane Gift is not a Gesture, it's Corruption
Dear Friend,
On Monday, I spoke at the ribbon cutting for Edgeview at Legends Park, a senior citizens’ apartment complex being developed in partnership with the Memphis Housing Authority. In Washington, I noted the corruption involved in accepting a $400 million plane gift from Qatar, questioned experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about their slow implementation of last year’s FAA Reauthorization Act, celebrated the First Place award won by the Memphis Central High School’s Jazz Band at the “Essentially Ellington” competition in New York City, criticized the GOP tax scam, recognized police officers who defended members of Congress on January 6, announced a research grant for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, pointed out some good press coverage I received, and offered a health tip and a Bill Day cartoon. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Stating the Obvious: A $400 Million Plane Gift from Qatar is not a Gesture, it’s Corruption
Assessing Implementation of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Law
Congratulating the Central High School Jazz Band
Criticizing GOP Tax and Budget Measure as Unfair and Cruel
Recognizing Police Officers Who Responded on January 6
Applauding Development of Edgeview at Legends Park Senior Housing Project
Announcing Aging Research Grant to St. Jude
Stating the Obvious: A $400 Million Plane Gift from Qatar is not a Gesture, it’s Corruption
On Tuesday night, I went to the House floor and delivered brief remarks on Trump’s willingness to accept a $400 million Boeing 747 as a gift from the Royal Family of Qatar. Trump called the gift a friendly “gesture.” I called it what it is: graft and corruption in plain sight. See my speech here. I also cosponsored a resolution calling on Trump to abide by the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which clearly forbids such gift-taking without Congressional approval.
Assessing Implementation of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Law
On Thursday during a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, I questioned experts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the first anniversary of last year’s FAA Reauthorization Act. The law contains several provisions I authored, including the Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin (EVAC) Act, which requires the agency to study whether a representative sample of passengers can escape an airplane in the federally mandated 90 seconds. I expressed disappointment that the FAA bill is not being implemented as Congress intended and confirmed that the evacuation testing won’t be completed by today’s legislative deadline. See my release on the hearing here.
Congratulating the Central High School Jazz Band
The Central High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Ollie Liddell, won First Place honors at the 30th annual “Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival” at Lincoln Center in New York City on Sunday. These talented musicians beat out bands from across the country and around the world. Several soloists from Central were also individually honored. I placed a statement in the Congressional Record to mark this achievement. See it here. Congratulations to Director Liddell and all the Warrior band members. Read The New York Times story about them and listen to some nice jazz here.
Criticizing GOP Tax and Budget Measure as Unfair and Cruel
All week, key House committees have been marking up budget legislation and gutting critical agencies and their programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, to satisfy GOP hopes for trillions in tax cuts for the very wealthy. They claim they’re right-sizing the programs and doing away with waste, but axing 8 million people currently covered by Medicaid isn’t thoughtful budgeting; it’s cruelty. I will continue to oppose these drastic measures and keep you apprised as the process continues next week.
Recognizing Police Officers Who Responded on January 6
This week is what we call “Police Week” in Washington, when law enforcement officers come to lobby legislators, and lawmakers recognize their service. I joined my colleague Congressman Eric Swalwell of California and others in recognizing the sacrifices made by police officers who responded to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Several of the officers assaulted that day by the Trump-inspired hooligans spoke of facing down the lawless mob. Some MAGA types are trying to erase the memory of this shameful episode, and some, like Trump, have exonerated the thugs. I was in the Capitol that day, and I choose to remember. We have called upon House Republicans to display a plaque in honor of the brave men and women who defended members of Congress that day, but they have so far refused. The plaque reads in part: “Their heroism will never be forgotten.”
Applauding Development of Edgeview at Legends Park Senior Housing Project
On Monday, I spoke at the ribbon cutting for Edgeview at Legends Park, a 99-unit affordable housing project for senior citizens being developed in partnership with the Memphis Housing Authority. I was pleased to see that many of the units have been designed for aging in place, some with amenities for residents with mobility issues. It’s also designed with green spaces, recreation areas, and a fitness room all on the site of the former Dixie Homes public housing project.
Announcing Aging Research Grant to St. Jude
On Monday, I announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive a $913,225 grant from the National Institute on Aging to study neurodegeneration. See my release on the grant here.
I agree with Health and Human Services Secretary and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that people should not take medical advice from him. But seriously, we recognize National Nurses Appreciation Day in May, and it would be nice if you could thank nurses you know for the hard work they do every day. This week is National Women’s Health Week. In Congress, I continue to support policies to expand and protect access for women’s health care. Visit https://womenshealth.gov/nwhw for highlights on menopause, mental health, cancer, and other information.
“Rep. Steve Cohen says ‘Big Bird is not a communist conspiracy’ in defense of public broadcasting” – The Washington Examiner. See the story here.
Also, see a story about the Memphis Hooks brothers' photographs being preserved by The Brooks Museum and The National Civil Rights Museum here.
A Bill Day Cartoon -- "No Trickle Down"
“Democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires active participation and engagement from all citizens.” – Congressman John Conyers of Michigan (1929 – 2019), born on this day
“After 26 hours, Republicans failed to justify their draconian Medicaid cuts. The truth is Republicans want to rush this legislation through because they know the American people will be outraged by what’s in the bill... Democrats will continue to fight to defeat this GOP tax scam that takes health care away from millions of Americans in order to give tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations. We’ve beat Republican health care repeal attempts before and we can do it again.” -- Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr.
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
|
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress