Dear Friend, This week, I voted to protect access to a free and open internet, helped to found the Black Maternal Health Caucus, urged the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to consider my bipartisan highway safety legislation, participated in a hearing in the Judiciary Committee on the rise of white nationalism and hate speech, opposed the nomination of David Bernhardt for Secretary of Interior, received an award from the Humane Society for my work on animal welfare, and offered a weekly health tip. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagramto see more updates as they happen.
Voting to Protect Net Neutrality
Helping to Found the Black Maternal Health Caucus
Urging Transportation Committee to Consider Highway Safety Legislation
Participating in a Hearing on the Rise of White Nationalism
Announcing an Affordable Housing Grant
Opposing the Nomination of David Bernhardt
Receiving the Humane Society's Humane Champion Award
Signing Up for "Congress on Your Corner" and this e-Newsletter
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Voting to Protect Net Neutrality
Net neutrality has been one of the most important consumer protections of our time. On Wednesday, I voted for and the House passed a bill I cosponsored, the Save the Internet Act (H.R. 1644), which would restore popular, bipartisan net neutrality protections to prevent internet service providers from slowing or blocking content, or charging businesses higher fees for speedier lanes to reach consumers. The Trump Administration ended these vital protections last year. See my release here.
Helping to Found the Black Maternal Health Caucus
On Wednesday, I joined the Black Maternal Health Caucus as a founding member. Black women are four times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy related complications than white women and are two times more likely to lose an infant to a premature death. This is unacceptable. The Black Maternal Health Caucus aims to raise awareness within Congress to establish Black maternal health as a national priority, and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally-competent policies and best practices for health outcomes for Black mothers. See my release here.
Urging the Transportation Committee to Consider Highway Safety Legislation
On Tuesday, as part of a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hearing on highway safety, I urged my colleagues to support four bipartisan highway safety bills I introduced. They include the DUI Reporting Act, the School Bus Safety Act, the Stop Underrides Act, and the Horse Transportation Safety Act. I believe these are common-sense, bipartisan steps that Congress can take to improve highway safety. See my release here.
Participating in a Hearing on the Rise of White Nationalism
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the rise of white nationalism and hate speech. Communities of color and religious minorities have long been subject to discrimination and have been targeted by groups who affiliate with ideologies of hate. Social media platforms have served as world-wide conduits to spread vitriolic hate messages. This hearing examined the dangerous impact white nationalist groups have had, and helped to foster ideas about what social media companies can do to address hate speech and white nationalism online. I entered into the hearing record a letter I recently wrote to Attorney General Barr, requesting that the DOJ investigate the presence of a notoriously racist symbol that was found at the site of a fire at Tennessee's historic Highlander Education and Research Center. Read my letter here. I also discussed my letter to AG Barr on the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer this week while talking about the DOJ's misplaced priorities. Watch the full interview here.
Announcing an Affordable Housing Grant
Today, I announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development had awarded $6,796,656 to Memphis and Shelby County public housing agencies. This new federal funding will help modernize housing and improve the quality of life for many residents. See my release here.
Opposing the Nomination of David Bernhardt
On Wednesday, I signed onto a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer opposing the nomination of David Bernhardt as Secretary of Interior. The Department of the Interior is charged with the protection and management of our natural resources, wildlife, and waterways. As a lobbyist, Bernhardt pressured Congress to allow dangerous oil and gas development, expand off-shore drilling, and eliminate crucial environmental protections. Read the full text of our letter here.
Receiving the Humane Society's Humane Champion Award
On Wednesday I received the Humane Champion Award from the Human Society of the U.S. in recognition of my work to combat cruelty to animals. I have received a 100% rating from the Human Society every year that I have been in Congress, and I will continue advocating for animal welfare. 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. My next "Congress on Your Corner" is Friday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Millington Public Library, 4858 Navy Road in Millington.
For those who haven't participated in a telephone town hall, it's easy to sign up for them by using this form.
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Weekly Health Tip
As a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I think it's important to offer resources and information on the often undermentioned side effects of pregnancy that can afflict new and expecting mothers. Depression and anxiety can affect women throughout their pregnancy and after birth. These are treatable with a variety of strategies. Learn more about these conditions and how to treat them here.
Quote of the Week
"We have to ensure free and open exchange of information. That starts with an open internet. I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality. Because once providers start to privilege some applications or websites over others then the smaller voices get squeezed out and we all lose. The internet is perhaps the most open network in history, and we have to keep it that way." – President Barack Obama
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
 Steve Cohen
Member of Congress |
