Commemorating Dr. King in Memphis with Congressional Colleagues
Dear Friend,
This week, I commemorated the life of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. on the 50th anniversary of the Memphis Sanitations Workers Strike at historic sites in Memphis with a large number of my congressional colleagues from around the country. I also saw my SOAR Act designed to help identify victims of human trafficking pass the House; urged federal aviation safety officials to take action on airplane evacuation safety as called for in my SEAT Act; talked with Aaron Gilchrist of MSNBC, Wolf Blitzer of CNN and Larry King about the President and gun violence; received 100 percent scores from environmental, social justice and animal rights groups; and offered a health tip on antibiotic resistance. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Commemorating Dr. King in Memphis with Congressional Colleagues
Passing the SOAR Act to Identify Victims of Human Trafficking
Urging Action on Airplane Evacuation Safety with Federal Aviation Officials
Talking with MSNBC's Aaron Gilchrist on Gun Violence
Discussing Jared Kushner's Business Conflicts with CNN's Wolf Blitzer
Kibitzing with Larry King about Trump's Gun Positions
Receiving 100 percent scores on Environment, Social Justice and Animal Welfare
Writing to Warn Governor Haslam about H.B. 2251
Inviting Constituents to Sign Up for Telephone Town Halls and Attend "Congress on Your Corner"
2018 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Still Available
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Commemorating Dr. King in Memphis with Congressional Colleagues
Top: Congressman Cohen stands in silence with Sen. Lamar Alexander, Rep. John Lewis and Fr. Nicholas Vieron; Bottom: Congressman Cohen at press availability with House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer, Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. John Lewis
Earlier today, I joined many of my Congressional colleagues from around the country in solemn observances of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. here 50 years ago. We visited the Mason Temple, where Dr. King made his final speech, and the Lorraine Motel, where he was assassinated. I'm encouraged to see the genuine interest shown in the world-renown historical events that occurred in our streets and the tribute my colleagues are eager to pay to Dr. King. I commended my friend Senator Lamar Alexander, who introduced the Senate version of my Resolution Commemorating the Sanitation Workers and helped it pass the Senate earlier this week. Both Senator Alexander and I spoke at the Mason Temple and Lorraine events. I was pleased to welcome the Civil Rights hero Congressman John Lewis to the Bluff City once again. As the nation and the world turns its eyes to Memphis now and in the weeks ahead, I want to thank my constituents for the opportunity to help our city showcase our historic role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Passing the SOAR Act to Identify Victims of Human Trafficking
On Monday, the House passed the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act (H.R. 767), a bill I introduced to set up $4 million a year in grants to health care professionals to identify victims of human trafficking. In a floor speech, I noted that many trafficking victims have occasional access to health facilities in the course of their captivity but few health facilities are trained to recognize the tell-tale signs that might lead to their freedom. I want to thank my bipartisan co-sponsors, Reps. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., and Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. The bill passed the House on a voice vote.
Urging Action on Airplane Evacuation Safety with Federal Aviation Officials
On Tuesday, I questioned top safety officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) about the growing safety hazards posed by increasingly smaller seats on airlines, noting the recent accident involving a cabin fire on American Airlines flight 383 in Chicago. On flight 383, the emergency evacuation took over 50 seconds longer than the 90-second federal standard. The NTSB issued recommendations to examine the issue of emergency evacuations further after string of nearly fatal accidents and, subsequently, a Federal Appellate court ordered the FAA to examine the safety of emergency evacuations in light of shrinking seat sizes. Ali Bahrami, the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety of the FAA, assured me that a study of airplane evacuations is under way. As the author of the SEAT Act (Seat Egress in Air Travel), which would require the FAA to establish a minimum seat size and minimum distances between rows of seats (approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and awaiting a vote by the full House as part of a broader FAA Reauthorization package), I don't think those assurances go far enough and I hope to see my legislation to protect the safety of the flying public become law in coming weeks.
Talking with MSNBC's Aaron Gilchrist on Gun Violence
On Sunday, I appeared on MSNBC to talk about the possibility that Congress and the President would address gun violence in the wake of the horrible shooting deaths at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. I told him I expected Republicans to permit modest reforms but mostly just lip service to more substantive proposals because so many members are beholden to the National Rifle Association. I also said that the dishonesty of the President on a host of issues, including his positions on guns, is becoming more of a problem, adding that half the time he's lying and the other half to the time he's simply wrong. See the interview here. On Saturday just after noon, I am scheduled to be on MSNBC again, this time with host Alex Witt.
Discussing Jared Kushner's Business Conflicts with CNN's Wolf Blitzer
On Thursday, I was interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer about the President's changing and inconsistent views on a variety of gun violence measures, including his astonishing support for seizing the guns of the suspected mentally ill before seeking due process in court. I was also asked about Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner's obvious deal-making and conflicts of interest as a presidential aide. See the interview here.
Kibitzing with Larry King about Trump's Gun Positions
On Monday evening, I talked with my friend Larry King from Statuary Hall in the Capitol about the positions taken by the NRA in response to the Florida school shooting and the President's parroting of those talking points. I told him raising the age for buying high-capacity assault rifles to 21 would be a tiny move and would do nothing to address shooters such as the 64-year-old who killed 58 people in Las Vegas in October or the Sutherland Springs, Texas, church shooter in November, who was 26. We have a problem with mass shootings. See the interview here (interview begins at 9:00 minute mark).
Receiving 100 percent scores on Environment, Social Justice and Animal Welfare
This week, the Humane Society, the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and the League of Conservation Voters all gave me 100 percent scores for positions I took in the first session of the 115th Congress. Actually, the Humane Society gave me "100 Percent Plus" for my sponsorship of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 1847) and the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 909). I appreciate the recognition and pledge to continue working hard in these important policy areas.
Writing to Caution Governor Haslam about H.B. 2251
On Thursday, I wrote to Governor Bill Haslam with deep concern about a Tennessee state legislative bill, H.B. 2251, that would direct the Commissioner of Finance and Administration to amend the existing TennCare waiver to exclude providers who offer advice about or perform privately funded abortions. The Medicaid program has been set up to ensure that Medicaid recipients have the freedom to choose which medical professionals they see. If H.B. 2251 passed, it would lead to a reduction in the number of health care professionals offering a wide range of preventive services to women, including access to birth control, cancer screenings, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment. It would make needed health care inaccessible to many low-income women. I urged the Governor to oppose the legislation and to veto it if it reaches his desk.
Inviting Constituents to Sign Up for Telephone Town Halls and Attend "Congress on Your Corner"
I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my "Congress on Your Corner" events, you can sign up here to receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled.
To talk to constituents while I'm in Washington, I like holding Telephone Town Halls. For those who haven't participated in a Telephone Town Hall, it's easy to sign up for future events by using this form. If you would like to receive this weekly eNewsletter, you can do that with this form.
2018 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Still Available
My office currently has a limited number of 2018 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee's 9th District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the 9th District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
As March begins, we can hope to see flu season tapering off but it's always a good idea to pay close attention to the proper use of antibiotics and to be aware of antimicrobial resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some useful information about protecting yourself and your family here.
Quote of the Week
"I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., April 3, 1968, Mason Temple, Memphis
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress