Protecting the Affordable Care Act
Dear Friend,
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season and a very Happy New Year. This week, my colleagues and I met with President Obama on strategies for protecting the Affordable Care Act from Republican repeal, introduced a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College, spoke in opposition to two bills that threatened to undermine President Obama's legacy, and spoke in opposition to the Republican rules package for the new Congress on the House floor and on CNN. Over the holidays, I spoke on MSNBC about various foreign policy topics related to President-elect Donald Trump. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Protecting the Affordable Care Act
Abolishing the Electoral College
Preserving President Obama's Legacy
Opposing the Republican Rules Package
Protecting America's Interests Around the World
Preparing to Host My 2017 District Issues Meeting
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
Weekly Health Tip
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
Protecting the Affordable Care Act
As the new Congress convenes with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, Republican leadership has made repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) their top priority. But thanks to the ACA, 20 million Americans have gained quality, affordable healthcare insurance; insurers can no longer refuse healthcare coverage to women and Americans with pre-existing conditions; young adults can remain on their parent's healthcare plan until the age of 26; seniors have saved money on their prescription drugs; and much more. President Obama came to Capitol Hill for the final time on Wednesday to meet with House Democrats on the best strategies to protect the ACA. The President also recapped his presidency and highlighted all of the progress we've made to move our country forward, such as saving the economy from the Great Recession, taking steps to combat climate change, and fighting for equal rights for all. You can watch a piece of his speech here and here. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff also recorded a video on the importance of the ACA. You can watch his video here.
Abolishing the Electoral College
On Thursday, I introduced an amendment to the Constitution to eliminate the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President. Read more about my amendment here.
Preserving President Obama's Legacy
On Wednesday and Thursday, I spoke on the House floor against two bills that would undermine President Obama's legacy. On Wednesday, I spoke in opposition to the Midnight Rules Relief Act which would allow Congress to disapprove of, en masse, rules and regulations submitted by President Obama during the last several months of his presidency. You can watch my speech here.
On Thursday, I spoke in opposition to the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. While our new executive will certainly need scrutiny over his tax returns, business dealings, etc., this bill only increases gridlock in Congress by requiring both chambers to approve any rule an executive agency proposes. You can watch my speech here.
Opposing the Republican Rules Package
On Tuesday, I spoke in opposition to the rules package for the 115th Congress proposed by House Republicans. This proposal is a direct response to Representative John Lewis's "good trouble" on the House floor last year to demand a vote on commonsense gun control measures. Watch my remarks on the House floor here. I also spoke with CNN's Carol Costello about this topic which you can watch here.
Protecting America's Interests Around the World
Over the holidays, I was on MSNBC and spoke with Katy Tur, Chris Hayes and Richard Lui on various foreign policy topics related to President-elect Donald Trump. I spoke with Katy Tur about President-elect Trump's comments about our nuclear arsenal, which you can watch here. I spoke with Chris Hayes about President-elect Trump's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which you can watch here. Finally, I spoke with Richard Lui about President-elect Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia, which you can watch here.
Preparing to Host My 2017 District Issues Meeting
On Monday, January 9 from 9am-11am, I will be holding my annual District Issues Meeting at my Memphis Office to discuss issues affecting the Ninth District. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to my Memphis office at 901-544-4131. Ahead of the meeting, I was on WREG's Live at 9 to discuss what to expect from Congress in the year ahead. Watch my interview here.
Bringing Congress to Your Corner
On Friday, February 24, from 11am to 1pm, my staff will hold our 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.
The open enrollment period for the Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace for 2017 plan shopping and comparison is open. The last day to sign up for health insurance is January 31, 2017. Visit my website for more information.
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.
I encourage everyone to be on the lookout for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. Read more here.
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
My office currently has a limited number of 2017 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 Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress