Voting Against Devastating Cuts to SNAP Program
Dear Friend,
This week, I voted against a bill that would make harmful cuts to the food stamp and other Farm Bill programs important to Memphis. I also expressed concern at the 40-day pre-trial incarceration of a 16-year-old Memphis girl in an adult prison for failing to make bail, urged the Judiciary Committee to examine the growing evidence of Russian interference in our elections, visited with Memphis-area school groups, talked with medical professionals and the Memphis VA director, appeared on C-Span's "Washington Journal," spoke at the University of Memphis law school graduation, recalled Justice Thurgood Marshall on the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, and offered a late Spring health tip. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.
Voting Against Devastating Cuts to SNAP Program
Expressing Dismay at the Incarceration in Adult Prison of a Pre-Trial Juvenile
Urging the Judiciary Committee Do its Job on Russia Probe
Welcoming Students from Grahamwood Elementary and New Hope Christian Academy to Washington
Working to Improve Healthcare in America
Appearing on C-Span's Washington Journal
Speaking at the University of Memphis Humphreys Law School Graduation
Recalling former Justice Thurgood Marshall on the Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Signing Up for "Congress On Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Voting Against Devastating Cuts to SNAP Program
This morning, I voted against a massive Farm Bill that contains harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and conservation programs critical to preserving the environment. The bill would establish work requirements for some SNAP recipients that are nothing more than onerous punishment for desperate people in need of food. If it were to become law, 400,000 SNAP households would lose benefits and 265,000 children would lose free school meals. I was pleased the bill didn't pass this morning but it's likely to be reconsidered.
Expressing Concern at the Incarceration in Adult Prison of a Pre-Trial Juvenile
I learned this week that a Memphis 16-year-old had been held for 40 days at the West Tennessee Penitentiary at Henning, 50 miles and two counties away from her home and family. See my remarks encouraging Governor Bill Haslam to sign a change into Tennessee's law on juvenile detention from the House floor this afternoon here. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, a national human rights organization, paid the $60,000 bond to secure her release, but the case is a particularly egregious example of an inadequate juvenile justice infrastructure and the injustice of the cash bail system. Situations like this are why I have cosponsored the No Cash Bail Act, which would help end the use of cash bail. The practice of conditioning pretrial release on the payment of often unreasonably high cash bail is abhorrent. I hope Congress will quickly resolve this injustice which has become a national disgrace.
Urging the Judiciary Committee Do its Job on Russia Probe
On Thursday I made the case that the Judiciary Committee should take up the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections after the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday confirmed there are good grounds for a review. That's especially necessary in light of the fact the hyper-partisan House Intelligence Committee has thrown up its hands and quit its probe. Instead, this week being "Police Week" in Washington, the GOP-led Judiciary Committee took up an unnecessary bill to make it easier for off-duty police to carry guns when they visit certain federal buildings on personal errands.
Welcoming Students from Grahamwood Elementary and New Hope Christian Academy to Washington
Left: Grahamwood Elementary School; Right: New Hope Christian Academy
This week, I had the opportunity to welcome groups of students from Grahamwood Elementary and New Hope Christian Academy to our nation's capital as they travelled to Washington with their classmates. It was my pleasure to speak with the students and to answer their questions on the steps inside the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.
Working to Improve Healthcare in America
Left: Dr. Steven Boggs, Dr. Christopher Sharp, Dr. Jim West, Dr. Jonathan Weaver, Dr. Camila Walters; Right: Congressman Cohen speaks with Director Dunning
On Wednesday, it was my pleasure to meet with medical professionals from Memphis, including Dr. Jim West (Methodist University Hospital), Dr. Steven Boggs (Chair of Anesthesiology, University of Tennessee Health and Science Center) and Dr. Christopher Sharp (Baptist Memorial Hospital). Together we discussed the opioid epidemic and chronic pain.
Also on Wednesday, I spoke by phone with David Dunning, Director of the Memphis VA Medical Center. A Memphis native and two-time combat veteran in the United States Army, Dunning was tapped to lead the Memphis VA in 2017. The Memphis VA serves hundreds of thousands of veterans each year, and I was pleased to hear from Director Dunning on a commitment to Memphis and the efforts being made to improve wait times, patient safety, and the general experience for veterans who visit the Memphis VA hospital.
Appearing on C-Span's Washington Journal
Also this morning, I appeared on C-Span's "Washington Journal," speaking with host Greta Brawner and call-in guests from around the country. One caller was a Memphis U.S. Army veteran named Gary who said some nice things about my efforts to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 elections and also about my vote Wednesday against the VA MISSION Act, a plan which I fear would begin the process of privatizing the VA and would close some facilities. See the lengthy interview here.
Speaking at the University of Memphis Humphreys Law School Graduation
Last Saturday, I was honored to be the commencement speaker at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, my alma mater. I told the graduates to use their law degrees to advance good causes and to help every client get justice. I also provided them with what has proved to be valuable advice from my legal mentor, the esteemed Lucius Burch, who summarized what he called "a good life" with the acronym SARNE – security, affection, recognition and new experience.
Recalling former Justice Thurgood Marshall on the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a watershed ruling and ended the inherently unconstitutional system of racially segregated public schools 64 years ago this week. Future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall led the NAACP legal defense team that developed the strategy in the case and remains a stellar model for all current and future jurists.
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.
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Weekly Health Tip
Each week, I share a health tip in the hope of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9thCongressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
Ticks can be a nuisance the year round but are particularly active in the warmer months we're entering into now. The diseases they carry can be painful and long-lasting. Here is some useful information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how to avoid exposure and how to attend to tick bites.
Quote of the Week
"Our next FBI Director has given nearly all his career to public service, going back to his days in the Marine Corps. He served with distinction and was decorated during the Vietnam War. As a lawyer, prosecutor and government official, he has shown high ideals, a clear sense of purpose and a tested devotion to his country." – President George W. Bush, nominating Robert S. Mueller for FBI Director, July 5, 2001.
As always, I remain,
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress