Voting to Direct the President to Terminate Use of Force Against Iran
Dear Friend, Voting to Direct the President to Terminate the Use of Armed Forces in or against Iran
On Thursday, I voted for a resolution directing the President to terminate the use of our armed services in or against Iran without expressed Congressional authorization. Under the Constitution, Congress has the authority to declare war. The Founders entrusted the people's representatives with this responsibility to ensure broad support for such significant military action by the United States. See my release, including my remarks during the debate on the House floor, here. Reviewing the Trump Administration's Weak Justification for Killing Qassim Suleimani On Wednesday, I attended a classified briefing on the killing of Iranian General Qassim Suleimani presented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper; General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; CIA Director Gina Haspel and Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. Like Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), I was very disappointed at the presentation because it simply did not provide the justification for why the killing was undertaken at this time and under what authority. Later, I went to the Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility, known as a SCIF, in the U.S. Capitol to review classified documents on the Suleimani strike. These classified documents also did not provide enough information to establish the General was preparing an imminent attack, as claimed. Holding My District Issues Meeting on Friday On Friday, January 17, I will hold my District Issues Meeting with constituents in my office in the Clifford Davis-Odell Horton Federal building downtown from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. There, I will discuss legislative priorities for 2020 and listen to your concerns and your issues. If you plan to attend, please let my district office staff know by calling (901) 544-4131. Supporting Speaker Pelosi's Handling of the Articles of Impeachment Last month, I voted for, and the House passed, two articles of impeachment against President Trump. Speaker Pelosi has not yet forwarded them to the Senate for trial as she awaits details about how that trial will be organized. I have been asked by the press whether I support her approach and have been unequivocal: I do. Congratulating White Station High School Math Teacher Nathan Kirsch
On Wednesday, Whitehaven High School math teacher Nathan Kirsch was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award, what some call "the Oscar for teaching." This award is only given to 40 early- and mid-career teachers across the country, often jump-starting careers while inspiring educators and their communities. Mr. Kirsch is an inspiration and a credit to the Whitehaven community. I congratulate him. See my remarks on his achievement in a speech on the House floor here and in The Congressional Record here. Voting to Require the EPA to Regulate PFAS Chemical Contamination
On Friday, I voted for, and the House passed, a bill requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate PFAS, an emerging family of chemicals contaminating municipal and private water supplies. The bill would require the EPA to set limits for the chemicals in drinking water. Announcing Grant to Mid-South Minority Business Center This week, I announced that the Mid-South Minority Council TADP will be receiving a significant grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to spur job creation and retention. See my release here. Sign Up for "Congress on Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
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"We have no illusions about Iran, no illusions about Suleimani, who was a terrible person. But it's not about how bad they are, it's about how good we are, protecting the people in a way that prevents war and will not have us producing, again and again, generations of veterans who are suffering." – Speaker Nancy Pelosi at her Thursday, January 9, press conference. As always, I remain
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