Voting to Increase Direct Payments for Coronavirus Relief
December 30, 2020 |
Many constituents received my end-of-year postcard in the mail. The card featured a powerful photograph of the airport by Memphis photographer Jeffrey Jacobs but the artist was not properly credited as he is here. Thanks to Mr. Jacobs for such fine work representing our city. Dear Friend, This week, I voted to increase economic impact payments under our coronavirus relief measure passed earlier this month from $600 to $2,000 per individual ($4,000 per couple and $2,000 for each dependent). I voted to override the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides assistance to Vietnam-era victims of Agent Orange and mandates the removal of names that honor the Confederacy from military installations; offered some guidance about the new coronavirus vaccines; appeared on national television to discuss the relief bill and the horrific bombing on Second Avenue in Nashville; and announced a significant sickle cell research grant to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens. Voting to Increase Direct Payments for Coronavirus Relief Voting to Override Presidential Veto of the Defense Bill Offering Guidance about Access to Coronavirus Vaccine Addressing Relief Bill and Nashville Bombing on MSNBC Announcing a Significant Grant for Sickle Cell Research to St. Jude Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year 2021 Voting to Increase Direct Payments for Coronavirus Relief On Monday, the House convened to pass a bill increasing direct payments to individuals from $600 to $2,000 under the coronavirus relief measure that passed both Chambers last week to deal with the pandemic and its dire financial consequences. This means that those eligible will receive $2,000 for each person, including children and non-child dependents. Democrats have consistently pushed for larger relief checks, but Republicans refused to accept it before voting for the original bill. It remains unclear at the moment whether the Senate will take up this crucial bill. It would have been nice if the President had been more engaged in the negotiations in the weeks leading up to the relief bill's passage, and had let us know his position, so that this relief could have reached millions before the holidays. I think we're all looking forward to a more competent and coherent response to this crisis under President Biden. Voting to Override Presidential Veto of the Defense Bill Earlier this month, I voted for the National Defense Authorization Act, a bipartisan measure containing vital provisions for our service members, supporting Vietnam-era veterans dealing with exposure to Agent Orange, authorizing a $2 million multi-drone intelligence program that will be housed at the University of Memphis and beginning the process for removing the names of Confederate officials in the Civil War from our military installations, among its important provisions. It also includes paid parental leave for federal civilians and a 3 percent wage increase for service members. The President vetoed the measure over misguided objections to the Confederate names provision, among others, and the House overwhelmingly overrode that veto Monday night on a 322 to 87 vote. The law will pass once the Senate takes a similar override vote. Offering Guidance about Access to Coronavirus Vaccine With more than 336,000 of our fellow Americans dead from the coronavirus and cases surging, particularly in Tennessee, I urge everyone to be especially vigilant as winter weather forces us to retreat indoors. The bright spot on the horizon is the eventual availability of effective vaccines, now rolling out to health care workers, first responders, those 18+ who cannot live independently and elderly residents of long-term care facilities. Memphians who believe they qualify in the current phase should contact the Shelby County Health Department at 901-222-9000. Please consult the Tennessee Department of Health's website here for the very latest on vaccination protocols and availability and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's FAQs here if you have questions about the vaccines themselves. Though taking a vaccine is not a cure, it is one of the most important steps we can take as a community to end this devastating pandemic. Please continue to observe CDC guidelines, including wearing masks, keeping a safe social distance from others, avoiding crowds and foregoing holiday parties. We can see a better future. Let's get there together. Addressing Relief Bill and Nashville Bombing on MSNBC On Sunday morning, I went on MSNBC to talk about the prospects for passing the bill providing $2,000 coronavirus relief checks and, sadly, the Christmas Day suicide bombing that shook Nashville. See my remarks during that appearance here. Announcing a Significant Grant for Sickle Cell Research to St. Jude On Monday, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received a significant grant from the National Institutes of Health for sickle cell disease research. See that release here. Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year 2021 Many are expressing relief that this terrible year is coming to a welcome end. We have all endured unexpected disappointments large and small in 2020 but there are good reasons to be hopeful about 2021, not least the vaccine and a more thoughtful and compassionate leader in the White House. I wish everyone a delightful, safe and prosperous New Year. "Cheers for a New Year and another chance to get it right." – Oprah Winfrey . As always, I remain. Steve Cohen |
