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Standing Up for the Sovereignty and Independence of Ukraine

March 4, 2022
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News from Congressman Steve Cohen

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March 4, 2022

Dear Friend,

This week, I joined my Congressional colleagues and people around the world in standing up for the sovereignty, security and independence of Ukraine as it faces a cruel assault by the heartless Russian dictator. I also attended President Biden's first State of the Union address and applauded his support for Ukraine and his vision for our country. I also introduced the Ukraine Defense Lend-Lease Act; voted to pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act; proposed naming the Memphis VA Medical Center for the heroic Second World War fighter pilot Luke J. Weathers Jr.; asked for our Counter-Kleptocracy Act to be considered on the House floor; presided at my Subcommittee's hearing on discrimination against Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans; introduced legislation to protect the right of people with disabilities to access long-term care in the setting of their choice; voted to provide health care to Veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals during active duty post-9/11; and offered a health tip. Keep reading follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens.

Standing Up for the Sovereignty and Independence of Ukraine

Attending the State of the Union Address

Introducing the Bipartisan Ukraine Defense Lend-Lease Act

Voting to Pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act

Proposing to Name the Memphis VA Medical Center for Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers Jr.

Asking Leadership to Bring Counter-Kleptocracy Bill to a Floor Vote

Presiding at a Hearing on Discrimination Against Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans

Introducing Legislation to Help People with Disabilities Access Long-Term Care in the Setting of Their Choice

Announcing $1.85 Million in Federal Grants

Expanding Health Care to Veterans

Weekly Health Tip

Quote of the Week


Standing Up for the Sovereignty and Independence of Ukraine

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The Hernando De Soto Bridge lit in Ukrainian yellow and blue. (Credit: Mighty Lights)

This week, the world stood aghast at the horrific and deadly assault on Ukraine by Vladimir Putin and the Russian Army. It is the largest conventional military invasion on European soil since the Second World War. It is a violation of the laws of war, a humanitarian tragedy and a violent attempt to overthrow an established democracy that must end. I voted for an overwhelmingly bipartisan resolution in support of the people of Ukraine on Wednesday, which passed the House by a vote of 426 to 3. I also spoke from the House floor on Monday about leading a fact-finding and supportive Helsinki Commission delegation to Lithuania and Vienna last week as tensions flared. See that speech here.

Attending the State of the Union Address

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On Tuesday night, I attended President Biden's first official State of the Union address and was inspired by his dedication to the defense of liberty in Ukraine, democracy at home, and a robust vision of the future. In the past year, our economy created 6.5 million new jobs – with more on the horizon, including 6,000 at Ford Motor Company's Blue Oval City in our region. I was pleased to hear the President emphasize support for police and community policing programs and the $350 billion the American Rescue Plan set aside so mayors can hire more officers and bolster police budgets. I was pleased to vote for the American Rescue Plan and for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will create thousands of good-paying jobs. I will continue working with President Biden and my colleagues in Congress to deliver on the President's agenda of supporting job growth in America, investing in clean energy, reducing prescription drug prices, and lowering the cost of energy and other essential needs.

Introducing the Bipartisan Ukraine Defense Lend-Lease Act

On Tuesday, I joined my Helsinki Commission colleague Joe Wilson and other bipartisan Members of Congress in introducing the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which will strengthen the President's ability to lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine without obligating U.S. troops. See my release here.

Voting to Pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act

On Monday, the last day of Black History Month, I voted for and the House passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which would finally make lynching a federal hate crime. Those in our region know all too well the story of young Till's 1955 murder in Money, Mississippi, and countless other lynchings. See my release here.

Proposing to Name the Memphis VA Medical Center for Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers Jr.

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Also Monday, I introduced a bill to name the Memphis VA Medical Center for the distinguished Second World War fighter pilot Lt. Col. Luke J. Weathers Jr., a true hero whose name on the building will inspire not just VA patients but all of Memphis. See my release here.

Asking Leadership to Bring Counter-Kleptocracy Bill to a Floor Vote

On Saturday, I touted a letter I led with several Congressional colleagues asking the leadership of the House to immediately bring our Counter-Kleptocracy Act to the floor for a vote. Putin's actions require a strong and swift response from Congress. This timely measure would help to identify and devalue the kinds of kleptocrats that keep Putin and other autocrats in power. See my release here.

Presiding at a Hearing on Discrimination Against Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans

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On Wednesday, as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, I presided over the first Judiciary Committee hearing on discrimination against Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans since 1986. In my opening statement, I reiterated that the rise in hate, violence, and discrimination we have seen against Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American communities is "an affront to our shared values, and [has] no place in our society." See my release, including the entirety of my opening statement, here.

Introducing Legislation to Help People with Disabilities Access Long-Term Care in the Setting of Their Choice

Despite the Supreme Court's landmark 1999 ruling in Olmstead v. L. C., that public entities must ensure individuals with disabilities have access to community-based care, people today continue to be forced into institutions, including nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals. On Monday, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and I introduced legislation to codify and strengthen the right of Americans with disabilities to access long term services and support wherever they choose, including their own homes. See our release here.

Announcing $1.85 Million in Federal Grants

This week, I announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the University of Memphis, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital would be receiving a total of $1,850,252 in federal grants. See those releases here, here, and here.

Expanding Health Care to Veterans

On Thursday, I voted for the Honoring Our PACT Act, a bill which will make good on our promise to veterans by providing Veterans Administration (VA) health care services for a wide range of diseases that were likely caused by exposure to toxic chemicals while they were serving on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Weekly Health Tip

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their mask mandates for many areas and many places are removing restrictions. The White House has some bold initiatives for testing for and treating positive Covid-19 cases on the spot in many retail pharmacies. I ask you to avail yourselves of these opportunities and to consider wearing a mask when you are in large groups, especially indoors.

Quote of the Week

"Now is the hour: our moment of responsibility, our test of resolve and conscience of history itself. It is in this moment that our character of this generation is formed, our purpose is found, our future is forged. Well, I know this nation. We'll meet the test, protect freedom and liberty, expand fairness and opportunity. And we will save democracy." – President Biden, delivering his first State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.

Memphis plays Houston Sunday in what many are calling the biggest game in years. Go Tigers!

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

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Memphis
167 North Main Street,
Suite 369
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-4131
Fax: (901) 544-4329

Washington, D.C.
2104 Rayburn
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3265
Fax: (202) 225-5663

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