Voting to Keep the Federal Government Operating
Dear Friend, This week, I voted on a stopgap measure to keep the federal government open so a major spending bill can be finalized. I also introduced a Congressional resolution seeking to remove Russia from the United Nations Security Council; attended the investiture ceremony for Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Andre Mathis; spoke out against the rise in antisemitism; received a highway safety award; attended the dedication of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room; congratulated my staff assistant Kyler Gilkey on his election as Secretary of Congressional Black Associates; announced Head Start funding grants for the Shelby County Board of Education; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens. Voting to Keep the Federal Government Operating Introducing a Resolution to Remove Russia from the United Nations Security Council Attending Investiture Ceremony for Judge Andre B. Mathis Speaking Out Against Antisemitism Attending the Dedication of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room Receiving IIJA Safety Hero Award Congratulating Staff Assistant Kyler Gilkey on Congressional Black Associates Victory Announcing $13.3 Million Head Start Funding for Shelby County Board of Education Voting to Keep the Federal Government Operating Next week, I hope to vote on a major spending bill, but first I needed to vote on Wednesday for a short-term bill to keep the federal government operating until the long-term package reaches the House floor. Introducing a Resolution to Remove Russia from the United Nations Security Council As Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to have Congress find the presence of Russia on the United Nations Security Council a violation of the principles of the U.N. Charter, and calling for the President, Secretary of State and other officials to take the steps necessary to remove Russia. See the resolution I introduced with Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Joe Wilson of South Carolina here and a good explanation of its implications in Foreign Policyhere. Attending Investiture Ceremony for Judge Andre B. Mathis On Thursday, I attended the Memphis City Hall investiture ceremony for Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Andre B. Mathis, a son of Memphis from elementary school through the University of Memphis law school. I was proud to recommend his nomination to President Biden and was pleased to see him confirmed in the Senate. He will make a fine judge. Asking Governor Lee to Resolve Contract Dispute that could Disrupt Health Care to Children on TennCare Earlier today, I wrote to Governor Bill Lee seeking his assistance in resolving a dispute between BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare which, starting in January, could disrupt care to TennCare recipients, including children with special needs, if the parties do not reach a prompt agreement. See my release on the issue, and the letter, here. Speaking Out Against Antisemitism The Helsinki Commission held a hearing on the alarming rise of antisemitism and its impact on democratic societies both here and abroad on Wednesday. See my line of questioning with our expert witnesses here. Attending the Dedication of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room On Wednesday evening, I attended the dedication of the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room in the Cannon House Office Building. My first vote in Congress, in 2007, was to name her Speaker of the House. As President Obama said at the unveiling of her official portrait Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi has been one of the most accomplished legislators in American history, and I am proud to call her my friend. Receiving IIJA Safety Hero Award Congressman Cohen and Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (and Stevie) On Tuesday, representatives of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety came to my office in Washington to present me with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Safety Hero Award. Congratulating Staff Assistant Kyler Gilkey on Congressional Black Associates Victory Earlier this week, my staff assistant Kyler Gilkey was elected Secretary of the Congressional Black Associates (CBA), a House-recognized congressional staff organization. In his new duties, Mr. Gilkey will keep the minutes of meetings and maintain the associates’ documents and calendar of events. After his victory, Mr. Gilkey said: “Thank you to the members of The Congressional Black Associates for supporting and trusting me to be your Secretary on the 2023 Executive Board. I am excited to continue my work in CBA and be a resource to you all.” Congratulations, Kyler! Announcing $13.3 Million Head Start Funding for Shelby County Board of Education On Monday, I announced a $13.3 million grant to the Shelby County Board of Education to operate its Head Start programs. See my release here. Announcing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Grants to the University of Memphis and LeBonheur Community Heath Last Friday, December 9, I announced that the University of Memphis and LeBonheur Community Health and Well-Being will receive grants for their mental health and substance abuse programs. See that release here. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee is experiencing an increase in hepatitis A infections, which can cause serious liver disease. An effective vaccine exists to prevent infection, so please vaccinate yourself and contact your health provider or the Shelby County Health Department if you believe you have been exposed to someone with hepatitis A. “She would always say: ‘If the gate is closed, we’ll push it open. If the gate is locked, we’ll pole vault over it. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in.’ Just about the only thing she wasn’t willing to do was give up. And like always, she got it done.” -- Former President Barack Obama, speaking of passage of the Affordable Care Act at the unveiling of Speaker Pelosi’s official portrait Wednesday. .As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |