Voting Once Again to Keep the Federal Government Open
Dear Friend,
This week, I voted once again to keep the federal government open and operating as the dysfunctional House Republican majority continues play Russian Roulette with the country. I also spoke on the House floor to urge passage of a measure aiding Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, that a bipartisan Senate has already ratified. On a busy Thursday, I started the day at the White House for an announcement on an expansion of rights for passengers who use wheelchairs on airplanes, expressed dismay at the Supreme Court’s foot-dragging on the Trump January 6 criminal case, urged the long-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs, and announced $7.2 million in transit funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill. While in Memphis on Tuesday, I hosted a Federal Procurement Fair and was pleased to receive the only “A” in the Tennessee House delegation on a scorecard assessing my voting record on our national park issues. I also offered some guidance on having your drinking water tested for lead contamination and offered a health tip for senior citizens. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Voting Once Again to Keep the Federal Government Open
Urging Support for Ukraine Aid Measure
Applauding Airline Wheelchair Access Rule at White House Event
Expressing Frustration at Supreme Court Decision to Help Delay Trump’s January 6 Criminal Trial
Urging Long-Term Extension of Federal Aviation Administration Authorities
Announcing $7.2 Million in Transit Funding
Receiving Tennessee’s Only “A” on National Parks Action Congressional Scorecard
Hosting a Federal Procurement Fair
Testing Lead in Drinking Water
Voting Once Again to Keep the Federal Government Open
On Thursday, I voted for yet another short-term budget resolution to keep the federal government operating past the March 1 shutdown deadline. The dysfunctional Republican majority continues to use its crisis mis-management style to govern. This is no way to fund the federal government. It is harmful to the economy and the public interest. See my release on my vote here.
Urging Support for Ukraine Aid Measure
Also Thursday, I spoke from the House floor urging my colleagues to take up the Senate-passed measure funding aid to Ukraine. See that release and my speech here.
Applauding Airline Wheelchair Access Rule at White House Event
On Thursday, I went to the White House to attend U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s announcement of a proposed rule to require that airlines meet rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities safely and with dignity. The proposed rule complements the MOBILE Act I introduced last year. See my release on the event here.
Expressing Frustration at Supreme Court Delay in Trump’s January 6 Criminal Trial
After a two-week hiatus, the U.S. Supreme Court finally decided Wednesday to review former President Trump’s thoroughly discredited claim of immunity and put off until the week of April 22 hearing arguments on the matter. This slow-walk procedure virtually guarantees Trump’s federal charges of conspiring to overthrow the 2020 election won’t be heard by a jury of his peers before the November election. Justice delayed will be justice denied, and the American people will be robbed of the truth about this dangerous con man who planned a coup d’etat to stay in power. I went on CNN with host Abby Phillip Wednesday night to share my perspective on the potential miscarriage of justice. See that here.
Urging Long-Term Extension of Federal Aviation Administration Authorities
On Thursday, I spoke from the House floor and then voted for another short-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and authorities until May 10. In my floor remarks, I said that short-term extensions are not the way to manage the complex needs of the aviation industry, its workforce, and the traveling public. See my release and the speech here.
Announcing $7.2 Million in Transit Funding
Also Thursday, I announced partial-year transit funding of $7,294,019 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that only I supported among current members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation. See my release here.
Receiving Tennessee’s Only “A” on National Parks Scorecard
On Tuesday, I received the only “A” among members of the Tennessee House delegation on the National Parks Action Fund Scorecard for my voting record in the first half of the current 118th Congress. See my release on the national recognition here.
Hosting a Federal Procurement Fair
Also Tuesday, I hosted a Federal Procurement Fair to help my entrepreneurial constituents navigate contracting with federal government agencies. The event was a big success and, I hope, will lead to more commerce generated between 9th Congressional District businesses and the federal government.
Testing Lead in Drinking Water
The Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW) is making tests for lead in drinking water available even as the utility works to replace lead pipes throughout its service area. See details about the testing program here. To contact MLGW or to order a free kit, call (901) 320-3962 or email waterlab@mlgw.org.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that adults aged 65 years and older receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.
Previous CDC recommendations ensured that people who are immunocompromised are already eligible for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.
“There is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives. Not armored-plating, or tanks, or planes, or concrete fortifications. The one radical solution is peace.” – Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in the Nobel Peace Prize lecture of December 10, 1994. Rabin was born on this day in 1922 and was assassinated in 1995.
“From the point of view of the poor, the hungry, the disenfranchised, the wretched of the Earth.., there will never be peace until their condition has been alleviated and until their humanity is in full bloom.” – Singer, actor and Civil Rights activist Harry Belafonte, born on this day in 1927.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress