Welcoming the Start of the 119th Congress
Dear Friend,
This week, I returned to Washington to attend meetings of the committees and caucuses in which I serve as they reorganized for the 119th Congress. I also introduced a measure to prevent Donald Trump from violating the Constitution’s domestic emoluments clause by receiving additional government funds beyond his salary through payments to properties he owns or controls, commended President Biden and his National Security team for negotiating a successful hostage release and cease-fire in Gaza, applauded the Biden administration’s decision to lift the “state sponsor of terrorism” designation from Cuba, cheered House passage of my Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act, reintroduced my Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act, announced another $1.2 million investment in Shelby County’s HIV/AIDS programs, announced a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to the Blues City Cultural Center for a project showcasing Orange Mound, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon and a weekly health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Welcoming the Start of the 119th Congress
Introducing Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act
Applauding Biden Decision to Remove Cuba from “State Sponsor of Terrorism” List
Cheering Overwhelming House Passage of My TVA Salary Transparency Bill
Reintroducing Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act
Announcing $1.2 Million HIV/AIDS Grant to Shelby County
Announcing National Endowment for the Humanities Grant to the Blues City Cultural Center
Welcoming the Start of the 119th Congress
This week, the 119th Congress organized its committees and their rules in anticipation of a busy legislative year. I retain my post as the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. I will also stay on as a member of the T&I Highways and Transit Subcommittee and the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. On the Judiciary Committee, where I am also a senior member, I will again serve on the Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee as well as on the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security and Enforcement and the Subcommittee on Crime and Government Surveillance. These positions afford me an opportunity to serve you in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District by having a central role in formulating critical federal policies.
Introducing Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act
On Thursday, I introduced the Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act, a measure prohibiting federal spending at any properties owned, managed or controlled by Donald J. Trump. It’s clear Trump violated the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clauses in his first term and will scoff at any restrictions on his misuse of his office for private advantage unless he is stopped. It’s unfortunate this measure is necessary, but we’ve seen it is. We need to be clear: President Trump should receive his salary for his service as President, and that shouldn’t funnel federal funds to his other properties. This is the type of corruption the domestic emoluments clause prohibits. See my release here.
Commending Biden National Security Team on Successful Negotiation of a Hostage Release and Ceasefire Agreement
It appears the hostage release and cease-fire deal negotiated by President Biden and his National Security team will go into effect on Sunday. This was a major accomplishment by a gifted foreign policy team of experts, and they are to be commended. See my statement on the agreement here.
Applauding Biden Decision to Remove Cuba from “State Sponsor of Terrorism” List
On Tuesday, President Biden notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners. I applauded the decision to reverse Trump’s 2021 designation because it’s past time to allow the Cuban economy to recover and for American businesses and tourists to enjoy the restoration of better relations begun under President Obama. See my statement here.
Cheering Overwhelming House Passage of My TVA Salaries Transparency Bill
The Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act, which I reintroduced with my friend Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-2) on the first day of the new Congress, passed in a unanimous 423 to zero vote on Wednesday. Burchett and I spoke in favor of the bill during the debate on Monday night. See my release and our floor remarks here.
Reintroducing Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act
On Wednesday, I reintroduced the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act to permit financially distressed student loan borrowers to discharge their debt in bankruptcy court. See my release on the measure here.
Announcing $1.2 Million HIV/AIDS Grant to Shelby County
After announcing an $841,600 grant to Shelby County’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs on January 8, on Wednesday I announced another $1,288,750 grant to support the programs. See my release on the new grant here.
Announcing National Endowment for the Humanities Grant to the Blues City Cultural Center
On Thursday, I announced that the Blues City Cultural Center, a non-profit performing arts and visual arts organization founded in 1979, will receive a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a project exploring the history of the Orange Mound community. See my release here.
Congressman Jim Cooper and I accompanied President Obama to Memphis on May16, 2011 where he delivered the Commencement Address at Booker T. Washington High School
Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning no measles is spreading within the country and the only cases are found when someone contracts it abroad and returns home. However, as of late December, the U.S. had a total of 284 cases of the measles and at least one in Tennessee. The New York Times reported on Thursday that there are now an estimated 200,000 kindergartners without documented vaccination against measles. As a strong advocate of immunization against communicable diseases, I urge all parents and guardians to keep up with their children’s immunization schedule. See details of the measles cases from 2024 here.
“That’s why, in my farewell address tonight, I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern. And this is the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of very few ultra-wealthy people, and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked. Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.” -- President Biden’s farewell speech to the nation from the Oval Office Wednesday night.
“Look, it’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better. Look, because cutting our healthcare, taking away our freedom to control our bodies, the freedom to become a mother through IVF like I did — those things are not going to improve the health outcomes of our wives, mothers, and daughters. Shutting down the Department of Education, banning our books — none of that will prepare our kids for the future. Demonizing our children for being who they are and loving who they love — look, that doesn’t make anybody’s life better. Instead, it only makes us small. And let me tell you this: Going small is never the answer. Going small is the opposite of what we teach our kids. Going small is petty, it’s unhealthy, and quite frankly, it’s unpresidential.” -- 2024 Democratic National Convention speech by Michelle Obama, born on this day in 1964
“Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. You can’t hit what your eyes don’t see.” – Boxer and social commentator Muhammad Ali, born on this day in 1942
I wish everyone a peaceful and productive Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress