Dear Friend, This week, in the wake of the shooting of Martavious Banks, I once again called on Congress to pass the Police Training and Independent Review Act to prompt states to require the use of independent prosecutors when the police use of deadly force results in a death or injury. I also called for a delay in the Supreme Court confirmation process for Judge Brett Kavanaugh until a full investigation of recent allegations against him is conducted, wrote the Medicaid administrator objecting to proposals to exclude certain women's health care providers under TennCare, cosponsored a bill to seal the records of non-violent federal drug offenders to give them a "clean slate" upon re-entry, announced more medical research grant money for Memphis, helped introduce a resolution raising awareness of pulmonary fibrosis, planned to host military academy applicants, scheduled my next "Congress On Your Corner," and offered a health tip. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Urging Congressional Action on Police Shootings
Calling for a Delay in Kavanaugh Confirmation Proceeding
Protecting Tennessee Women's Access to Medical Care
Cosponsoring the Clean Slate Act
Announcing More Than $2 Million in Medical Research Grants
Raising Awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Hosting Military Service Academy-Senior ROTC Day
Scheduling My Next "Congress on Your Corner"
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Urging Congressional Action on Police Shootings
In the wake of the shooting of Martavious Banks, I once again urged Congress to pass the Police Training and Independent Review Act, a bill I introduced with Rep. Lacy Clay of Missouri to address the continuing problem of deadly force being used too often by police. If enacted, this bill would direct federal funding to encourage states to require diversity and sensitivity training for law enforcement officers and encourage the use of independent prosecutors when police use of deadly force results in a civilian death or injury. The bill, cosponsored by 99 of my House colleagues, has been endorsed by the NAACP and by theChicago Tribune – a major publication that serves the city where the trial of Police Officer Jason Van Duke in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald is underway. The shooting of Martavious Banks once again raises serious, longstanding questions about the fairness and transparency of our criminal justice system and it is past time for Congress to act.
Calling for a Delay in Kavanaugh Confirmation Proceedings
On Monday, I joined 113 of my House colleagues in asking the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders to postpone consideration of the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court "until a thorough investigation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's allegation has taken place." See the letter here. Dr. Ford's allegation of sexual assault is serious and the investigation deserves the time needed to collect available evidence. Kavanaugh's evasive non-responses on a number of critical matters, including his views on abortion and presidential powers, already fail to inspire confidence. The Judiciary Committee Majority's efforts to rush the process without a proper vetting of Kavanaugh's record in the George W. Bush White House are not the way to review a lifetime judicial nominee whose opinions will determine legal decisions for generations. The Senate should take its time to ensure that everything is fully reviewed.
Protecting Tennessee Women's Access to Medical Care
On Thursday, I wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma objecting to Tennessee's recent request to exclude all health care providers that offer abortion services from providing care to TennCare enrollees. Excluding needed providers and building barriers to family planning and other medical services will not improve Medicaid coverage or healthy outcomes; quite the contrary. Tennesseans do not want to see thousands deprived of the health care providers they rely on. I urged the administrator to reject a cruel policy that unfairly targets Planned Parenthood and clinics that provide these needed services.
Cosponsoring the Clean Slate Act
This week, I cosponsored the Clean Slate Act (H.R. 6669) to make re-entry more fair for individuals convicted of non-violent federal drug offenses. If enacted, it would automatically seal a person's federal record of conviction, including for misdemeanor crimes such as simple possession, and any non-violent offense involving marijuana, once the individual completes his or her sentence. It would also allow individuals to petition federal courts to seal records for non-violent drug offenses that are not automatically sealed. A criminal record of even a nonviolent crime is often an impediment to employment. We need to do all we can to remove unfair, lifelong obstacles for non-violent drug offenders by allowing them to re-enter society with a "clean slate."
Announcing More Than $2 Million in Medical Research Grants to Memphis
 
 
This week, I was pleased to announce over $2 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) bound for Memphis, specifically to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), St. Jude Children's Research Center, the Memphis Health Center, Christ Community Health Services, Inc. and to the Tri-State Community Health Center. This follows my announcement just last week of $1.9 million in HHS funding awarded to organizations in Memphis.
In this week's grants, UTHSC will receive $515,999 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) for research into the origin of phantom limb sensations. St. Jude will receive $999,999 from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) for research into how medications react differently for some patients based on their genetic differences. The Memphis Health Center and Christ Community Health Services, Inc. will receive $110,000 and $285,000 respectively, each from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for support of the Health Center Cluster project. Tri-State Community Health Center will receive $285,000 from HRSA for its Health Center Program.
These Memphis institutions are conducting research and providing care that will affect health outcomes both locally and globally, and I'm pleased they are receiving this critical federal funding and recognition for their ongoing, life-saving work.
Raising Awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis
On Thursday, I helped introduce a bipartisan resolution with Representative Erik Paulsen (R-Minnesota) to make September "Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month." I continue to support more robust and accelerated research to develop effective treatments, and ultimately cures, for this deadly disease. See my weekly health tip below for more information.
Hosting Military Service Academy-Senior ROTC Day
On Saturday, September 29, I will host the annual Military Service Academy-Senior Reserve Officer Training Day at Crosstown High School, 1365 Tower Avenue, from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments to one of the five military service academies – for the Navy, Air Force, Army, Merchant Marines or Coast Guard -- are life-changing events and lead to preparation of future military officers. Chosen students get an excellent education and a ticket to a bright future. I look forward to seeing some aspiring applicants at the Crosstown Concourse. The high school is on the fourth floor. For more information, contact Jeremy Jordan in my Memphis office at (901) 544-4131 or Jeremy.Jordan@mail.house.gov
Scheduling My Next "Congress On Your Corner"
As your representative in Congress, part of my job is making sure your concerns and issues with federal agencies and federal benefits are dealt with fairly and efficiently. My office is here to help you navigate what can be a complex and confusing process. My next "Congress On Your Corner" will be on Friday, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Cordova Branch Library, 8457 Trinity Road. My staff will be on hand to help you.
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
I enjoy meeting regularly with constituents in the district and helping get answers for them to questions about dealing with federal agencies. If you are interested in attending one of my "Congress on Your Corner" events, you can sign up here to receive notification as soon as the next event is scheduled. For those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by using this form. If you would like to receive this weekly e-Newsletter, or share it with others, you can do that with this form.
Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hope of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle. This week, after introducing the resolution calling for more awareness of and more resources for research into treatments and a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, I'm providing useful information from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute about pulmonary fibrosis, its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Quote of the Week
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." – George Orwell, preface to Animal Farm (1945) As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress |
