Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Dear Friend,
I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season. This week, I commended the President for issuing a record number of commutations and pardons in one day but encouraged him to do more when it comes to marijuana-related convictions, and I announced I would be reintroducing a bipartisan bill to establish a minimum seat size on airplanes for the safety and health of passengers. I will also be appearing on MSNBC Friday morning to discuss Russia’s influence in our elections and President-elect Donald Trump’s transition. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see these updates as they happen.
Preparing to Host My 2017 District Issues Meeting
Commending Presidential Commutations for Non-Violent Drug Offenders
Fighting for the Safety of Airline Passengers
Appearing on MSNBC on Friday
Highlights from 2016
Helping Memphians Get Covered
Weekly Health Tip
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
Preparing to Host My 2017 District Issues Meeting
On Monday, January 9 from 9am-11am, I will be holding my annual District Issues Meeting at my Memphis Office to discuss issues affecting the Ninth District. Earlier this month, I sent out a survey asking you to tell me what issues you thought were most important for Congress to be working on next year. You provided me with very useful feedback to take back to Washington, highlighting the need for Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security, address gun violence, create good-paying jobs, expand access to affordable healthcare, ensure equal rights for all and much more. If you have not yet filled out the survey, you can do so below: Click to open in a separate window
Commending Presidential Commutations for Non-Violent Drug Offenders
On Monday, I commended President Obama for granting a record number of commutations and pardons in one day for those serving unjustly long sentences for largely non-violent drug convictions. However the President should continue working at Mach speed to issue as many appropriate commutations and pardons as possible before leaving office, especially for those in jail for non-violent marijuana convictions and for crack-cocaine disparity injustices. Read more here.
Fighting for the Safety of Airline Passengers
On Monday, I announced that Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and I would be reintroducing the bipartisan SEAT Act early next year to establish a minimum seat size on commercial airlines as well as a minimum distance between rows of seats to protect the safety and health of airline passengers. Read more here.
On Friday morning, I will be on MSNBC at approximately 9am CT to discuss Russia’s influence in the 2016 Presidential election and President-elect Donald Trump’s transition. Tune in!
Below are a few highlights from a very productive year as your Congressman. I look forward to continuing to represent the Ninth District in 2017.
Congressman Cohen spoke on the House floor in support of the 21st Century Cures Act in November. Congressman Cohen’s EUREKA Act for Alzheimer’s research was included in the final bill that President Obama signed into law last week. He was quoted twice in the New York Times for his remarks. You can read those articles here and here.
Political Cartoon that appeared in the Commercial Appeal on December 11, 2016. Congressman Cohen introduced a Constitutional amendment in December to abolish the electoral college and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President.
Congressman Cohen attended the Big River Crossing opening ceremony in October. Congressman Cohen helped secure a $15 million federal TIGER Grant as part of the public-private partnership to fund the project.
Congressman Cohen and Former Israeli President Shimon Peres in 2007. Congressman Cohen was invited by President Obama to help represent the United States in Israel for the funeral of Shimon Peres in September.
Congressman Cohen questioned Attorney General Loretta Lynch in July about the need for additional police sensitivity trainings and the need for independent prosecutors to investigate instances of police use of deadly force. Congressman Cohen’s Police Training and Independent Review Act currently has 100 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and the support of the NAACP.
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Congressman Cohen hosted constituents, local gun violence prevention groups and city leaders in his District Office in June for a discussion on gun violence prevention after he was one of the original 15 members to take to the House floor with civil rights icon Representative John Lewis (D-GA) to demand Speaker Paul Ryan hold a vote on legislation to expand background checks and legislation to prevent gun sales to suspected terrorists.
In March, Congressman Cohen was part of the Congressional delegation that accompanied President Obama on his historic trip to Cuba. Congressman Cohen attended the Cuban National Team v. Tampa Bay Rays exhibition game in Cuba sporting his autographed hat from his childhood hero Minnie Minoso.
Congressman Cohen spoke out against continued efforts by House Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and defund Planned Parenthood in January. Congressman Cohen has been one of the staunchest supporters of the ACA and Planned Parenthood throughout his time in Congress.
The open enrollment period for the Healthcare.gov insurance marketplace for 2017 plan shopping and comparison is open. The last day to sign up for health insurance is January 31, 2017. Visit my website for more information on getting covered for 2017.
Each week, I will be suggesting a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the 9th Congressional District. As always, it’s best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a list of 12 ways to have a safe and healthy holiday season with your friends and family, including washing your hands to prevent the spread of illness, practicing fire safety around your space heaters and fireplaces, and more. Read the full list here.
2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available
My office currently has a limited number of 2017 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other residents of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.
As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress