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Congressman Cohen Votes for Coronavirus Response Bill

March 27, 2020

Votes to pass an historic $2 trillion bill to respond to coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) flew into Washington from Memphis this morning to cast a decisive, once-in-a-generation vote on a critical Coronavirus Response bill. The measure passed this afternoon and is expected to be swiftly signed into law.

Before the vote, Congressman Cohen spoke from the House floor. Quoting from a speech by Daniel Webster inscribed on the wall of the House Chamber, he said, "β€˜in our day and generation, may we not perform something worthy to be remembered.' Today, we have something worthy before us, and something to be remembered." See those remarks here.

After the vote, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"While many Members prudently decided they could not be on the House floor today, I felt I needed to be here in person to vote for a bill that will address the pandemic affecting Memphis on the day after the United States announced it had the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. The CARES Act will help the thousands of Memphians who have lost their jobs and encourage employers to maintain their payrolls. It will strengthen our front-line medical facilities and their dedicated and self-sacrificing staffs. I was disappointed the bill didn't explicitly prohibit politicians from profiting by the vast sums that we have appropriated, but I am hopeful an attentive public and press will assure this huge public expenditure in the nation's future and well-being will be handled transparently. I am grateful for the bravery and perseverance of all front-line and essential workers and my thoughts are with those who are ill and have already lost loved ones. Although many will be lost in the weeks ahead, this bill will save lives."

Congressman Cohen took the 6 a.m. flight from Memphis to Washington this morning and expects to return to his district late this afternoon.

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