September 27, 2024

Dear Friend,

This week, I voted to end Republican gamesmanship over funding the federal government by voting to extend spending for necessary programs and services through December 20. I also remembered my friend Bill Lucy, the inspiring labor and civil rights leader; celebrated the impact of entertainer Johnny Cash,  emphasizing the start of his musical career in Memphis; urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to exercise vigilance in the agency’s oversight of the troubled Boeing Company; announced $2.9 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) firefighter grants to Memphis; commended Le Bonheur Community Health and Well-Being for its commitment to maternal health; welcomed a National Park Service grant to the historic Gooch Park in North Memphis; spoke out in support of the use of offensive weapons by Ukraine; and offered a health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.

Voting to Prevent Another Federal Government Shutdown

Remembering Labor and Civil Rights Leader Bill Lucy

Celebrating the Impact of Johnny Cash at the U.S. Capitol

Urging FAA to be Vigilant in Oversight of Boeing

Announcing $2.9 Million in Grants to Memphis Fire Department

Commending Le Bonheur Community Health for its Dedication to Maternal Health

Welcoming National Park Service’s $3.3 Million Investment in Gooch Park

Supporting Ukraine’s Request to Use Offensive Weapons Inside Russia

Weekly Health Tip

Quote of the Week

Voting to Prevent Another Federal Government Shutdown

On Wednesday, the dysfunctional Republican majority finally introduced a reasonable measure to fund the federal government beyond the September 30 fiscal year deadline and through December 20. I joined all of my Democratic colleagues in passing the bill -- on a 341 to 82 vote -- an outcome that would not have been possible without our support.  I look forward to a more thoughtful and disciplined appropriations process after the November elections. See my statement after the vote here.

Remembering Labor and Civil Rights Leader Bill Lucy

Bill Lucy came to Memphis in 1968 representing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to help striking sanitation workers. He is credited with coming up with the iconic placard message “I AM A MAN,” and for encouraging Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to support the cause. He later went on to serve as AFSCME’s Secretary-Treasurer for 38 years. Mr. Lucy passed on Tuesday at 90. I valued his friendship and sage counsel throughout my service in public life. The nation has lost a great leader. See my statement in tribute to him here.

Celebrating the Impact of Johnny Cash at the U.S. Capitol

Roseanne Cash (in white jacket) at the unveiling of the statue of her father

On Tuesday, I attended the unveiling of a statue of Johnny Cash in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, which was commissioned by the State of Arkansas. In a House floor speech after the ceremony, I remembered that Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Studio in Memphis and was part of the “Million-Dollar Quartet” of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins captured on tape by Sam Phillips. See my floor speech marking the occasion here.

Urging FAA to be Vigilant in Oversight of Boeing

Also Tuesday, as the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I questioned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker at a hearing on Boeing’s Comprehensive Action Plan. Addressing Boeing’s recent history of accidents and crashes, I urged Whitaker and the FAA to be vigilant in their oversight of the aircraft manufacturer, adding: “For America’s interests, Boeing needs to get its act together.” See my release on the hearing here.

Announcing $2.9 Million in Grants to Memphis Fire Department

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Program announced Tuesday that the City of Memphis will receive two grants totaling $2,945,907. See my release on the announcement here.

Commending Le Bonheur Community Health for its Dedication to Maternal Health

Also Tuesday, I announced Le Bonheur Community Health and Well-Being’s Delta Region Maternal Care Coordination Program will receive a $450,000 grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Our region has a high rate of maternal and prenatal mortality cases, so this welcome support is sure to save lives. See that release here.

Welcoming National Park Service’s $3.3 Million Investment in Gooch Park

On Thursday, I announced that Gooch Park in North Memphis will receive a National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy grant of $3,339,000 to make major improvements. The 10.2-acre park, one of the first in Memphis designated for African Americans, was dedicated in 1957. See my release here.

Supporting Ukraine’s Request to Use Offensive Weapons Inside Russia

As the House Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, I attended a hearing on “Russia’s Shadow War on NATO” and called for allowing NATO-supplied weapons to be used by Ukraine within Russia. See my release and my remarks making that case here.

Weekly Health Tip

Free Covid tests are now available. Please see details at CovidTests.gov

Quote of the Week

President Volodymyr Zelensky inscribing artillery shells in Pennsylvania this week

“Let Mr. Vance read up on the history of the Second World War, when a country was forced to give part of its territory to one particular person. What did that man do? Was he appeased or did he deal a devastating blow to the continent of Europe?” – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview published in The New Yorker on Sunday

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress