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Returning to Washington

September 9, 2016
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week, Congress returned to Washington after the longest recess in modern history and has yet to address many issues important to the American people, I wore a seersucker suit on the House floor after Labor Day to highlight the reality of global warming, I urged the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice to take action to restore the Voting Rights Act, attended a Labor Day picnic in Memphis to honor our workforce, announced a more than $4 million federal grant to improve Memphis bus services, received a perfect 100% score from the American Association of University Women for my commitment to equality for women, and sent a letter to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regarding my concerns about TVA’s decision to use fresh water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer to power their new gas generators. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.

Returning to Washington
Remembering 9/11
Highlighting the Reality of Global Warming
Restoring the Voting Rights Act
Honoring America’s Workforce
Improving Memphis Bus Services
Fighting for Equality for Women
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Memphis
Bringing Congress to your Corner

Returning to Washington

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This week, Congress returned to Washington after the longest recess in modern history. Congress has yet to act on a variety of issues important to the American people such as the Zika virus, the Flint water crisis, restoring the Voting Rights Act or criminal justice reform. We have concluded our first week back and we still haven’t addressed any of these issues. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to end their legislative obstruction and do their job. On Monday, I joined Ari Melber on MSNBC to discuss the fall session in Congress. You can watch my interview here.

Remembering 9/11

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Today, I attended the House of Representatives Remembrance Ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As we approach the anniversary on Sunday, we should take a moment to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day and honor the heroism of firefighters, policemen, and first responders from across the nation who risk their lives every day to save the lives of others.

Highlighting the Reality of Global Warming

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On Tuesday, I wore a seersucker suit on the House floor to highlight the reality of global warming. Traditionally seersucker suits are not worn after Labor Day, but according to NASA, this year will be the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. Because of global warming, seersucker suits might now be able to be worn until October and as early as April. Watch my speech here.

Restoring the Voting Rights Act

On Wednesday, I spoke at a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice hearing on the need for the committee to take action to restore the Voting Rights Act. As Ranking Member of the Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee, I am continuing to fight against the subcommittee’s lack of substantive action under Republican leadership. You can watch my speech here.

Honoring America’s Workforce

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Monday was Labor Day. I attended the Workers Interfaith Network’s 14th annual Faith and Labor Picnic at Trinity United Methodist Church to honor the men and women who have built, made sacrifices for and fought for an innovative, resilient, and strong workforce in our country.

Improving Memphis Bus Services

On Thursday, I announced a $4.27 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to MATA to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. You can read more about the federal grant here.

Fighting for Equality for Women

On Thursday, I received a perfect 100% rating from the American Association of University Women on their 114th Congress Legislative Scorecard for my work on behalf of equality for women and girls. Read more here.

Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in Memphis

Last week, I sent a letter to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) President Bill Johnson highlighting my concerns about TVA’s decision to use fresh water from the Memphis Sands Aquifer to power their new gas generators at the Allen Fossil Plant in Memphis instead of using recycled water known as greywater as they had previously announced. You can read my letter here.

Bringing Congress to your Corner

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If you have questions or problems with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or any other federal agencies, my staff will be on hand at the Ed Rice Community Center (2907 N. Watkins St.) on Friday, October 14th from 12pm-2pm to answer questions and provide assistance. Please visit my website at https://cohen.house.gov for more information on Congress on your Corner events.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictCivil RightsEconomy and JobsEnvironmentHealth CareHomeland SecurityJudiciaryMemphisMillingtonShelby CountyTennesseeTransportationWomen's Issues