Explaining My Reasons for Introducing Articles of Impeachment
Dear Friend,
This week, I explained the reasons my colleagues and I introduced Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump, including to a Sunday audience on MSNBC and on WREG's "Informed Sources"; penned an op-ed in USA Today laying out the case for impeachment; took note of agitated passions across the country that questions about the President's behavior have aroused; congratulated the University of Memphis Tigers football team for winning the West Division of the American Athletic Conference and for the upcoming championship game December 2; reminded constituents that the deadline for open enrollment for Healthcare.gov is fast approaching on December 15; expressed concern that the GOP tax bill would be harmful to the middle class; invited everyone to Congress on Your Corner at the Cordova Branch Library on December 1; and wished all my constituents a happy Thanksgiving. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me onTwitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Explaining My Reasons for Introducing Articles of Impeachment
Penning an Opinion-Editorial on Impeachment for USA Today"
Noting Reaction to Articles of Impeachment
Expressing Concern Over Shape of GOP Tax "Reform" Bill
Congratulating the U of M Tigers for Winning AAC West
Reminding Constituents that the Open Enrollment Deadline on Healthcare.gov is Approaching
Congress On Your Corner
2018 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Happy Thanksgiving
Explaining My Reasons for Introducing Articles of Impeachment
On Sunday, I appeared on "MSNBC Live with Alex Witt" to explain why I led the effort to introduce Articles of Impeachment against President Trump. See the interview here.
On Wednesday, I was part of a taped "Informed Sources" panel for WREG-Channel 3 that is scheduled to be broadcast on Saturday evening where the articles were a major topic.
The articles accuse the president of obstructing justice, violating the foreign and domestic emoluments clauses of the U.S. Constitution and undermining the judiciary and the freedom of the press.
The time has come to make clear to the American people, and to this President, that this is the principled response to his troubling behavior and that it must be ended through the Congressional power to impeach. I continue to believe there is evidence that the President attempted to obstruct an investigation into Russia's interference with the U.S. presidential election and links between Russia and the Trump campaign, most notably the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The President's blatant refusal to separate himself from his businesses has led to clear instances of conflict of interest that appear to violate both the domestic and foreign emoluments clauses. And his attacks on ‘so-called' judges and ‘fake news' have undermined the independence of the federal judiciary and freedom of the press. It's time for Congress to call witnesses and hold hearings to uphold the Constitution.
Penning an Opinion-Editorial on Impeachment for USA Today
Also Sunday, USA Today publishedan article I wrote with five congressional colleagues making the case for removing the president from office. See that op-edhere.
Noting Reaction to Articles of Impeachment
Not everyone agrees with me that the time has come to hold hearings on what I believe are the President's impeachable offenses, but some highly regarded news organizations endorsed the view, including the venerable The Nation, founded in 1865. See its assessment here.
Expressing Concern Over Shape of GOP Tax "Reform" Bill
I continue to express dismay over House passage of the phony GOP tax bill that promises tax cuts but would harm middle class tax payers and place in jeopardy important social programs like Medicare and Medicaid with its deficit-enlarging gift to the super rich. It would also raise taxes on the middle class while doing away with important deductions for mortgage interest, student debt, and medical expenses that make home ownership, college and health care affordable.
In the Senate version of the tax system overhaul, a provision was inserted to end the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. This is particularly disturbing since objective estimates indicate it could cost 13 million people access to affordable care in order to pay for tax cuts for the super wealthy and large corporations. I will continue to closely monitor this situation as the House and Senate prepare to hash out the differences between the versions in each chamber.
Congratulating the U of M Tigers for Winning AAC West
I want to congratulate the U of M Tigers for their crushing victory over Southern Methodist University to capture the AAC's West Division. I'm looking forward to the championship game on December 2 and to seeing a lot of school spirit at Saturday's Senior Day Game against East Carolina. Go Tigers!
Reminding Constituents that the Open Enrollment Deadline on Healthcare.govis Approaching
All week, I made sure my constituents and other residents of the Mid-South region were aware that the shortened time frame for signing up for Healthcare.gov ends December 15. The open enrollment period is six weeks shorter than last year and marketing and funds and "navigators" have been slashed. For more information, seeHealthcare.gov.
My office will host my next Congress on Your Corner at the Cordova Branch Library at 8457 Trinity Road on December 1. See additional details here.
2018 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are 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.
After you go over the river and through the woods for your annual reunion with family and friends, be careful to heed important health tips for preparing Thursday's feast, including safely thawing the main course. See tips from the Center for Disease Control and Protection here.
"We can be thankful that there is a growing sense of responsibility on the part of our citizens, and that they realize more day by day the importance of preserving their freedom through active participation in their government." – First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, "My Day" syndicated column of November 25, 1943.
Happy Thanksgiving
I want to wish all my constituents a very Happy Thanksgiving.
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress