Hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday at 10 AM at East High School
Dear Friend,
Tomorrow at 10 AM at East High School, I am hosting a town hall meeting to share my work in Congress and hear from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. This week, I marched with my colleagues in protest of the nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, spoke out against President Trump's travel ban on WREG's Live at 9, introduced a resolution reaffirming support for an independent judiciary, and delivered the commencement speech at the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday at 10 AM at East High School
Opposing the Nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General
Speaking Out Against President Trump's Travel Ban
Reaffirming Support for an Independent Judiciary
Delivering the Commencement Speech at the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Weekly Health Tip
Hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday at 10 AM at East High School
On Saturday at 10 AM, I am hosting a town hall meeting at East High School. I look forward to discussing my work and legislation in Congress and hearing about the issues that matter most to you. I am expecting a large crowd, so I encourage everyone to arrive early. Doors will open at 9:30 AM. Parking will be available on site and attendees are asked to enter through the front door. I hope to see you there.
Opposing the Nomination of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General
I am disappointed Jeff Sessions was confirmed by the Senate as the next Attorney General on Wednesday. It is a sad day in American jurisprudence when a man who has not sought to advance voting rights, civil rights or women's rights nor has sought to advocate for the Bill of Rights, except for the Second and Tenth Amendments, becomes Attorney General of the United States. Furthermore, his positions on criminal justice are repressive and outdated. I was proud to join my colleagues in a protest march from the House floor to the Senate floor during the debate of his nomination. To paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. You can watch a video clip of our march here.
Marching in protest of the Jeff Sessions nomination on the House side of the Capitol
Stopping at the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Capitol Rotunda
Marching in protest of the Jeff Sessions nomination on the Senate side of the Capitol
Speaking Out Against President Trump's Travel Ban
This morning, I was on WREG's Live at 9 to discuss President Trump's executive order banning travel into the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. I was pleased the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the decision by the lower court to halt the executive order, allowing for lawful entry of properly vetted immigrants. Watch my interview here.
Reaffirming Support for an Independent Judiciary
On Tuesday, I introduced a resolution with Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr.(D-MI) reaffirming our support for an independent judiciary and opposing personal attacks on judges and the judicial system. President Trump's attacks against U.S. District Court Judge James Robart for placing a temporary hold on the unconstitutional executive order banning travel from certain Muslim-majority countries was unacceptable and dangerous to our system of checks and balances. Read more here.
Delivering the Commencement Speech at the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center
Today, I delivered the commencement speech for the Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center. In my speech, I stressed the importance of participating in our government and democracy. I encouraged the students to register to vote and vote in every election. I also spoke on how the rule of law makes America different from other countries. During my travels around the world as a member of Congress, I've observed that the one common attribute most admired about the American system of government is that we are governed by the rule of law, not by the rule of an individual. I told the students what I respect most about our democracy is our independent judiciary. The court rulings over the last few weeks on President Trump's travel ban are examples of how lifetime judicial appointments can have a check on the executive branch. Congratulations to the students on their graduation.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
On Friday, February 24, from 11am to 1pm, my office will hold its regular "Congress on your Corner" office hours at the Whitehaven Branch Library at 4120 Millbranch Road. If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance. We hope you can make it.
Each week, I will be suggesting a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the Ninth Congressional District. As always, it's best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
The Centers for Disease Control has a "5 minutes or less" program on quick and easy tips for living a healthy lifestyle. Being healthy takes commitment but does not have to be time consuming. Check it out here.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress