Voting on Final Budget Measure to Keep the Federal Government Open
Dear Friend,
This week, I closely followed negotiations leading to my vote earlier today on what I hope is the final spending bill for the current fiscal year -- a measure that includes one of my Community Projects for Shelby County. I also congratulated Kevin Ritz on his nomination by President Biden to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, met with Dean Ashish Joshi of the University of Memphis School of Public Health, urged passage of the RESTORE Act, wrote to TVA’s leaders urging them to reassess replacing one polluting power plant with another, announced funding for repairs to MLGW’s facilities damaged by winter storms in 2021, condemned the sham elections last weekend in Russia and Putin’s illegitimate presidency, announced kidney research funding for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), celebrated the Library of Congress Gershwin Award winners Elton John and Bernie Taupin, congratulated Paula Casey on her work promoting Tennessee’s historic role on votes for women, and offered a Spring Break travelers health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Voting on Final Budget Measure to Keep the Federal Government Open
Congratulating Kevin Ritz on his Nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals
Meeting with Dean Joshi of the U of M School of Public Health
Urging Passage of RESTORE Act at Policy Briefing
Seeking Review of TVA Decision on Kingston Power Plant
Announcing $3.3 Million FEMA Grant for Repair of MLGW Facilities
Condemning Results of Sham Russian Election and Putin Presidency
Announcing Kidney Research Grant to UTHSC
Celebrating Elton John-Bernie Taupin Gershwin Prize
Putting Memphis Role in Women’s Vote in Focus
Voting on Final Budget Measure to Keep the Federal Government Open
Today I voted for a spending measure that will keep the federal government operating until the end of this fiscal year on September 30. I expect it will pass the Senate and be signed into law by tonight’s midnight deadline. I’m pleased that the measure contains the last of my Community Funding Projects for the current budget year -- $637,195 for the Shelby County Health Department Emergency Operations Center and Safe Room. The budget brinksmanship season may finally be over for a while and for that we can be grateful.
Congratulating Kevin Ritz on his Nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals
The White House announced Wednesday evening that Kevin Ritz, our U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, has been nominated by President Biden for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. I congratulate Kevin for receiving this prestigious honor and commend the Biden Administration on a thoughtful nomination. I hear nothing but praise for the previous Memphis nominee for the Court of Appeals, Judge Andre Mathis, the first African American man from Tennessee appointed to the court. I expect to hear Kevin Ritz as widely commended for his qualifications and demeanor, which are perfect for a member of the Court. I look forward to his swift confirmation. See my statement on the nomination here.
Meeting with Dean Joshi of the U of M School of Public Health
On Wednesday, I was pleased to meet with Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean of the University of Memphis’s School of Public Health, and especially glad to learn that the school is preparing to be honored with the Harrison C. Spencer Award for Outstanding Service -- the highest award provided by The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health to partner organizations. It is great to see Dr. Joshi and his entire team being recognized for their grassroots approach to improving public health outcomes for young people and families in Memphis.
Urging Passage of RESTORE Act at Policy Briefing
On Wednesday afternoon, I hosted a congressional briefing with critical stakeholders and supporters of my Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials (RESTORE) Act. The measure would repeal the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ban for individuals with felony drug convictions. The bill also allows them to apply for SNAP benefits 30 days before their release dates to improve their prospects for successful re-entry to their communities. Subject matter experts on substance abuse and access to social programs provided keen insights into the need for this legislation, which I hope to have considered as part of this year’s five-year Farm Bill.
Seeking Review of TVA Decision on Kingston Power Plant
On Wednesday, I joined Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts in sending a letter to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) leaders urging them to reassess their short-sighted and unhealthy decision to replace the Kingston coal-fired power plant with a polluting gas-powered plant. See our release and the letter expressing our reservations here.
Announcing $3.3 Million FEMA Grant for Repair of MLGW Facilities
After the snow and ice storms of February 2021, I sought Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to repair the damage done to the MLGW administration building and its garage. On Wednesday, I announced a $3,355,166 grant to make those repairs with improved design standards. See my release here.
Condemning Results of Sham Russian Election and Putin Presidency
On Tuesday, as the Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I joined the Commission’s Chairman Joe Wilson of South Carolina in introducing a Congressional resolution stating that the U.S. will not recognize Vladimir Putin’s legitimacy as President beyond May 7. Chairman Wilson and I also issued a joint statement condemning last weekend’s sham elections in Russia. See our release and the resolution here.
Announcing Kidney Research Grant to UTHSC
On Thursday, I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a $611,240 grant to study kidney function in elderly populations. See that release here.
Celebrating Elton John-Bernie Taupin Gershwin Prize
On Wednesday night, I attended the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song awards event honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin for their lifetime achievements. The songwriting duo, who have worked together since 1967, was treated to a three-hour concert of their songs by the likes Joni Mitchell, Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox and Brandi Carlisle. The show will be aired on PBS stations (WKNO in Memphis) on April 8. I encourage you to see it. At one point, Elton said he had been influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis and that, when he first heard Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel,” he knew he had to become a musician. It was a great show and the Gershwin Award was richly deserved.
Putting Memphis Role in Women’s Vote in Focus
My friend Paula Casey, Chair of the National Votes for Women Trail Committee, was recently interviewed on the “Her March to Democracy” podcast. She talked about the marker on Broad that highlights State Representative Joseph Hanover’s role in passing the Constitutional Amendment that finally gave women the vote in 1920. I congratulate Paula for all the work she does promoting Tennessee’s historic role in the “march to democracy.”
It’s Spring Break time (in D.C., hundreds of thousands are here to see the cherry blossoms), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has five tips for Spring Break travelers, including staying up to date with vaccinations, registering with the State Department if you’re headed overseas, and getting travel insurance, if necessary. See all of them here.
“I’ve said for a long time, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart: If we invest in America, we can change the country’s future and lead the world again. We are leading the world again. We’re proving it’s never been a good bet — it’s never been a good bet to bet against America.” – President Biden speaking in Chandler, Arizona, on the CHIPS and Science Act, on Wednesday.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress