Introducing Legislation to Guarantee Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations to Protect Air Travelers’ Rights
Dear Friend,
This week, I led a bicameral group of colleagues in introducing legislation to protect air travelers' rights to receive cash refunds for flights that are cancelled or severely delayed. I also announced nearly $3 million in funding to modernize the Millington-Memphis Airport, and Ig alerted residents about emissions from the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility in South Memphis that the EPA warns pose a health risk to lifelong residents in the immediate surrounding area. Also this week, I continued to advocate for a minimum standard for plane seat sizes; applauded the Biden Administration for heeding my call to sanction Putin's reputed girlfriend; and offered a weekly health tip on monkeypox. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens.
Announcing $3 Million in Funding to Modernize the Millington-Memphis Airport
Warning Residents About Emissions Near a South Memphis Plant
Advocating for a Minimum Seat Size on Planes
Applauding the Biden Administration for Sanctioning Putin's Alleged Mistress
Introducing Legislation to Guarantee Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations to Protect Air Travelers' Rights
The flying public deserves more than vouchers when airlines cancel a flight, especially after airlines received a multibillion-dollar bailout from American taxpayers. In light of the sky-high rate of flight cancellations, I led my colleagues in introducing the Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act. This bill codifies a rule requiring major airlines to offer a cash refund if the airline cancels or significantly delays a flight and provides consumers a new right to a cash refund if they cancel their ticket up until 48 hours of the flight's scheduled departure. See my release on the bill here.
Announcing $3 Million in Funding to Modernize the Millington-Memphis Airport
On Monday, I announced that the Millington-Memphis Airport will receive nearly $3 million from the Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program to renovate its 80-year-old air traffic control tower. This will go a long way towards making the airport safer and more competitive for the 21st century. The continuing benefits to Memphis and the nation of the historic infrastructure law I voted for cannot be overstated. See my statement on the grant here.
Warning Residents About Emissions Near a South Memphis Plant
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that unsafe concentrations of ethylene oxide have been detected in the air immediately surrounding the Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility in South Memphis. I am in close contact with the EPA and local officials to ensure that adequate testing and safety measures are in place and to engage the surrounding community about the increased health risks associated with long-term exposure. See my release on the announcement here.
Advocating for a Minimum Seat Size on Planes
On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened for public comments on a rule to establish a minimum standard for plane seats. Four years ago, I authored legislation to direct the FAA to establish a minimum standard for plane seats. On Wednesday, the FAA opened public comments on a rule to establish such a minimum for the safety of passengers. I urge you to let your voice be heard. For more information or to leave a comment visit here. See my interview about this issue on CBS News.
Applauding the Biden Administration for Sanctioning Putin's Alleged Mistress
On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Vladimir Putin's reputed girlfriend, Alina Maratovna Kabaeva, a former member of the State Duma who is the current head of the National Media Group, a pro-Kremlin media empire. In April I called for her to be sanctioned in a letter to President Biden. I applaud the Biden administration for taking this action and urge it to continue holding Putin and his cronies accountable for their nefarious actions and illegal war.
According to the CDC, the United States now leads the world in known monkeypox cases. On Thursday, the United States declared monkeypox a public health emergency. The action gives federal agencies access to emergency funding to contain the outbreak and fast-track the development and evaluation of therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines.
As of August 2, 2022, there were four presumptive cases of monkeypox in Shelby County and 39 cases statewide in Tennessee. My office has been in contact with the Shelby County Health Department and the Tennessee Department of Health regarding the outbreak and the availability of vaccines in our area. Due to the limited supply of vaccines, they are currently being limited to known and presumed contacts of infected individuals.
I encourage anyone who suspects they are infected with or were exposed to the virus to contact their primary care physician or health care provider. For additional information about monkeypox, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and the Tennessee Department of Health website.
"It is wrong, deadly wrong, to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of states rights or national rights, there is only the struggle for human rights." – President Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed the Voting Rights Act into law 57 years from tomorrow.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress