Reliving the January 6 Attack on the Capitol
Dear Friend, This week I attended the first of an expected six hearings of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and re-lived the terror I experienced when Donald Trump's MAGA mob sought to bring down our democracy. I also voted on a package of gun safety measures that would save lives and, the next day, voted to pass a national red flag law to keep guns out of the hands of those who might do harm to themselves or others. I also voted for a water resources development bill that will bring attractive improvements to downtown Memphis; welcomed a Commerce Department investment in a Mississippi River riverfront trail; received the Humane Society of the United States' "Humane Horseman of the Year" award; noted that price inflation is a worldwide phenomenon for which President Biden is being falsely blamed; cosponsored the Social Security Expansion Act; announced National Institutes of Health grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC); congratulated the University of Memphis on a prestigious National Science Foundation cybersecurity research grant; addressed Europe's dependence on Russian energy at a Helsinki Commission hearing; and offered a brain-related health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens Reliving the January 6 Attack on the Capitol Voting for the Protecting Our Kids Act Voting for a National Red Flag Law Applauding House Passage of Water Resources Bill Containing Memphis Projects Welcoming an Additional $3.7 Million for the Memphis Waterfront Receiving the Humane Society's "Humane Horseman of the Year" Award Noting that Price Inflation is a Worldwide Problem Cosponsoring Social Security Expansion Act Announcing NIH Grants to St. Jude and UTHSC Congratulating University of Memphis for National Science Foundation Grant Addressing European Dependence on Russian Energy Reliving the January 6 Attack on the Capitol
Congressman Cohen speaks with 1/6 Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson at Thursday night's hearing On Thursday night, I joined my fellow Americans in watching the first public hearing of the Committee investigating the attack on our Capitol on January 6, 2021, the worst attack on our democracy in its history. I heard the riveting testimony in person, and commend Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and the other members of the Committee and their staffs for exceptional work. I recalled being in the House Gallery as the mob pounded on the doors trying to get into the chamber, and fleeing, fearing for my life, to my empty office. I armed myself with a baseball bat in case the marauders tried to get in. It was clear that day and every day since that Donald Trump was responsible for the incitement to sedition and that he is a traitor to our country. The persuasive and detailed evidence the Committee revealed only makes that more obvious. Voting for the Protecting Our Kids Act On Wednesday evening, I voted for the Protecting Our Kids Act, which contains commonsense and popular gun safety measures, such as limits on the capacity of ammunition magazines, raising the age for purchasing assault rifles to 21, prohibiting straw gun sales, banning untraceable "ghost" guns, requiring the safe storage of firearms, and closing the bump stock loophole. See my release, including my floor speech during debate on the measure, here. Voting for a National Red Flag Law
On Thursday, I spoke in favor of and voted for the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which creates a national red flag law to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. See that speech and my release here. Applauding House Passage of Water Resources Bill Containing Memphis Projects On Wednesday night, the House passed this year's Water Resources Development Act with two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provisions for downtown Memphis -- deauthorizing the Wolf River to create a lake adjacent to the historic downtown Snuff District and accommodating a floating entertainment dock at Cobblestone Landing. See that release here. Welcoming an Additional $3.7 Million for the Memphis Waterfront The Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration announced this week that it is investing $3.7 million in the Riverfront Development Corporation for construction of the Tailout Trail along the riverfront. This is in addition to the $3 million I secured for Tom Lee Park in the appropriations process this year. See my release here. Receiving the Humane Society's "Humane Horseman of the Year" Award
Congressman Cohen with the Humane Society's Mimi Brody and Keith Dane As a longtime member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I have tried to end the practice of soring – harming with chemicals or painful devices – the legs of Tennessee Walking Horses to make them take the high-stepping gait known as "the Big Lick." In recent years, I have also sought the humane management of the population of wild horses in the 10 Western states. For my efforts, this year I received the Humane Horseman of the Year Award from the Humane Society of the United States. I was presented with the handsome bronze horse statue in my Washington office this week. Noting that Price Inflation is a Worldwide Problem
The incessant Republican talking point that President Biden's "failed policies" are responsible for high price inflation is dishonest, and it is important to articulate why it is not true. That is why, to make this point, I went to the House floor Tuesday to identify the coronavirus pandemic's supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine as the true causes of global price increases. On a recent Congressional delegation trip to the Transatlantic Dialogue, I asked other lawmakers about inflation in their countries, where it's at 8, or 9 or 10 percent. Gas prices are up around the world. Blaming President Biden or Democrats is deliberate deception. Cosponsoring Social Security Expansion Act
On Thursday, I joined Congressman Peter DeFazio of Oregon and several of my colleagues in introducing the Social Security Expansion Act. The measure extends Social Security through 2096, increases benefits and will not increase taxes on 93 percent of Americans. See my release on the measure here. Announcing NIH Grants to St. Jude and UTHSC
This week, I announced two National Institutes of Health grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for research on a blood disorder and to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) for brain research. See those releases here and here. Congratulating University of Memphis for National Science Foundation Grant
I also announced a National Science Foundation grant to the University of Memphis for computer science cybersecurity research. See that release here. Addressing European Dependence on Russian Energy The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, held a hearing on Europe's energy security and how best to decrease dependence on Russian oil and the need for the continent to transition to alternative energy sources. As Co-Chairman of the Commission, I asked the expert witnesses about Ukraine's energy situation, among other issues. See a release with my opening statement and questions to witnesses here. Are you having problems misplacing things or losing your ability to retrace your steps? June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and those are some signs that you might need to inquire about your mental health. Also, as I have been saying for months, please be aware that the coronavirus pandemic is still with us and it makes sense to observe good public health protocols, including wearing masks indoors among those whose immunization status you do not know.
"In our country, we don't swear an oath to an individual, or a political party. We take our oath to defend the United States Constitution. And that oath must mean something. Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible – there will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain." – Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming in her opening statement at the first hearing of the January 6 Committee Thursday night. As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
