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Dear Friend,
This week, I welcomed the firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after weeks of calling for her impeachment. She was fired a day after I challenged her at a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing about her false claim to be deporting “the worst of the worst.” I also voted to restrain the president’s misuse of war powers granted solely to Congress as he pursues unauthorized hostilities in Iran, explained why some cities decline to cooperate with an “out of control” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, was recognized for my animal protection work in Congress, met with LeMoyne-Owen College President Dr. Christopher Davis, heard from students concerned that children are being held in ICE detention centers, solicited high school artists’ work for the Congressional Art Competition and announced an April 2 public exhibition of their submissions, recognized a Memphis Black History website, discussed financial literacy with credit union leaders, congratulated a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital biologist on a prestigious grant award and commended St. Jude CEO Dr. James R. Downing as he transitions to a new role, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon, and a weekly health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Welcoming DHS Secretary Noem’s Firing after Challenging her False Claim to be Deporting the “Worst of the Worst”
Voting to Restrain Impetuous Use of the War Power in Iran
Defending Autonomy of Local Law Enforcement Amid Federal Immigration Crackdown
Speaking at Memphis-Shelby County Schools Press Event
Being Recognized for Demonstrating Leadership on Animal Protection Legislation
Meeting with LeMoyne-Owen College President Dr. Christopher Davis
Vowing to Prevent Children from Detention
Welcoming Congressional Art Submissions and Their Public Exhibition in Memphis
Recognizing Black Memphis History Website
Discussing Financial Literacy Efforts and the Role of Credit Unions
Announcing “Outstanding Investigator” Award to St. Jude Scientist
Commending St. Jude CEO Dr. James R. Downing
The Friday Flashback
A Bill Day Cartoon
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Welcoming DHS Secretary Noem’s Firing after Challenging her False Claim to be Deporting the “Worst of the Worst”
Trump fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, a day after she testified before the House Judiciary Committee, and I challenged her false claim that she has been deporting “the worst of the worst.” Even Donald Trump saw the need to end this 14-month horror show. After killing Americans and destroying the lives of millions of immigrants and their families, Noem’s removal could not come soon enough. ICE is out of control and reports that her department obstructed its own Trump-appointed inspector general’s efforts to root out wrongdoing underscored Secretary Noem’s lawlessness, cruelty and corruption. She may leave office, but she will not be able to escape the accountability from Congress and the American people. Noem’s successor, Senator Markwayne Mullin, should absorb the many lessons to be learned from her failed tenure. I will continue to hold him and ICE accountable. See my statement on Noem’s firing here.
Voting to Restrain Impetuous Use of the War Power in Iran
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, but President Trump has not sought Congressional authority for his war in Iran. On Thursday, I voted, pursuant to the 1973 War Powers Resolution, to direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is clear Republicans are uncomfortable supporting this unpopular war that Trump is spending billions we could be using for hospitals, health care, and the social safety net, but they refuse to show the necessary backbone. This president always has money for weapons, but somehow never enough to support our communities in need. See my release explaining my vote here.
Defending Autonomy of Local Law Enforcement Amid Federal Immigration Crackdown
On Thursday, hours before Noem was fired, I explained why some cities decline to cooperate with ICE operations, saying the paramilitary agency is “out of control” at a markup of legislation aimed at forcing local police to enforce the federal immigration laws before the Judiciary Committee. This lawless agency doesn’t operate like a normal law enforcement organization, and Secretary Noem was to blame for its undisciplined behavior. I said she should be impeached; instead, she has been fired. See my release on the markup here.
Speaking at Memphis-Shelby County Schools Press Event
This morning, I spoke at a Memphis-Shelby County Schools press conference called to discussed the proposed local alternative to a state takeover of the system. I am encouraged that this kind of local intervention will lead to improvements and I commend all those involved.
Being Recognized for Demonstrating Leadership on Animal Protection Legislation
Humane World Action Fund President Sara Amundson, Congressman Cohen and Kitty Block, CEO of Humane World for Animals
On Wednesday, I was recognized for my leadership on animal protection measures at an event in the U.S. Capitol by the Humane World of Animals, which gave me its 100 percent recognition last month on its legislative scorecard. See that release here.
Meeting with LeMoyne-Owen College President Dr. Christopher Davis
On Wednesday, I met in my Washington office with Dr. Christopher Davis, president of LeMoyne-Owen College, the nation’s fifth oldest historically black college, created in 1862. We discussed the many challenges facing HBCUs in the current national zeitgeist and what the federal government can do to sustain enrollment levels on an affordable basis. It was a productive meeting.
Vowing to Prevent Children from Detention
A Memphis-Shelby County School’s sixth grade teacher sent me paper dolls fashioned by her students representing children being detained at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. “Normally, children should not worry about whether their parents will pick them up from school, if they will see them at the dinner table, or if the next time they see their parents, they will have chains hanging from their wrists and ankles,” the teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, wrote. “Each child affected by these enforcement actions chose to write a brief message and/or create at least one paper doll to express their hopes and concerns. They are asking to be seen. To be protected. To be heard. They are exhausted from the lip service and are anxiously waiting for concrete policies that will protect them and their families.” I placed the paper dolls outside my Washington office door to help send that message.
Welcoming Congressional Art Submissions and Their Public Exhibition in Memphis
This year I am inviting talented high school artists in the 9th Congressional District to submit a work to the annual Congressional Art Competition with the winning submission displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. This year, all submissions will be on public display at the Collage Dance Collective headquarters at 505 Tillman Street (38112) on April 2. The submission deadline is Friday, March 27. Apply at cohenartcompetition@mail.house.gov. If you have questions, contact my District Office at (901) 544-4131
Recognizing Black Memphis History Website
My friend and constituent Anthony “Amp” Elmore, a leading advocate of improving relations between the United States and Africa, has a new website celebrating Black Memphis History. See it here. In December, I submitted a Congressional Record statement highlighting Amp’s work and dedication to his Orange Mound neighborhood. See that here.
Discussing Financial Literacy Efforts and the Role of Credit Unions
On Wednesday, I met with credit union representatives to discuss financial literacy in our community and the role credit unions play in that effort. I thanked them for the update.
Announcing “Outstanding Investigator” Award to St. Jude Scientist
On Tuesday, I commended Dr. Richard W. Kriwacki, a member of the St. Jude Department of Structural Biology, for receiving a $573,500 “Outstanding Investigator” award. See my release congratulating St. Jude and Dr. Kriwacki here.
Commending St. Jude CEO Dr. James R. Downing
On Tuesday, I placed a statement in the Congressional Record recognizing Dr. James R. Downing, the CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, who is stepping down from that post after 12 years to return to the lab. See the Congressional Record statement here.
The Friday Flashback
This is me with my parents as I was sworn in to the state Senate, January 1983.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “War”
Weekly Health Tip
On Tuesday, March 10, we’ll observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I am a cosponsor of a resolution that recommits the House of Representatives to bipartisan efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and globally, calls for a greater focus on the HIV-related vulnerabilities of women and girls, and supports strong, sustained investment in prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs, including efforts to reduce disparities and improve access to life-saving medications, for women and girls affected by HIV in the United States and globally. Learn more about National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, risk factors for HIV, and issues that can affect HIV treatment in women at https://womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.
Quote of the Week
“It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.” – 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, born on this day in 1927
*** Remember that Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday. Set your clocks ahead an hour – “Spring Forward” – before you go to bed Saturday night. ***
As always, I remain…
Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
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