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Dear Friend,
This week, I celebrated 20 years in Congress at a reception in my honor surrounded by friends, supporters, current and former staffers, and dozens of elected officials. I also voted to advance efforts to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for high crimes and misdemeanors, received an award from the League of American Bicyclists, voted to correct an injustice affecting veterans, and offered a health tip, a Friday Flashback, and two Bill Day cartoons. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Celebrating My Retirement at a Legacy Reception
Voting to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Receiving League of American Bicyclists Award
Advancing the Major Richard Star Act on Veterans Day
Weekly Health Tip
The Friday Flashback
Two Bill Day Cartoons
Quotes of the Week
Celebrating My Retirement at a Legacy Reception
 
On Monday evening, I celebrated 48 years in elected office, including 20 in the House of Representatives, at a reception organized by my former and current chiefs of staff. The event, held in the Judiciary Committee hearing room, attracted friends, supporters, and advocates of civil rights, animal rights, and disability rights, Safe Streets and U.S.-Turkiye relations, at least 47 current or former staff members, at least 19 current or former interns, Senators Peter Welch and Roger Wicker and Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, Jamie Raskin, Joe Courtney, John Larson, Rick Larsen, Sam Graves, Maxine Waters, Tim Burchett, Joe Wilson, Rosa DeLauro, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jerry Nadler, Frank Pallone, Don Beyer, Sean Casten, Mark DeSaulnier, Jahana Hayes, Greg Landsman, and former Members Harold Ford Sr., Bart Gordon and Ed Perlmutter. Several of my Congressional colleagues spoke with sincere affection about my impact in Congress and my work on issues that matter. In my remarks, I said I’ve loved serving in Congress and recalled the route to my victory in 2006 after falling short in a race against Harold Ford Jr. in 1996. I said the old 9th District was the perfect example of what the Voting Rights Act was all about – a district where people could elect the candidate of their choice -- and they elected me ten times. It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of Memphis.
Voting to Impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
On Tuesday, I voted against a Republican effort to shelve eight articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the most unqualified and divisive person ever to hold the office. Unfortunately, the procedural maneuver was successful, meaning we will possibly have to wait until January, and a Democratic House majority, to get the job done. Hegseth should absolutely be removed for conducting wars without congressional authorization, using lethal force on boats in the Caribbean with no proof strike victims were smuggling drugs, and for retaliating against Senator Mark Kelly for advising service members not to follow illegal orders. See the resolution here.
Receiving League of American Bicyclists Award
Executive Director Bill Nesper and Deputy Executive Director Caron Whitaker presented the award
On Thursday, members of the League of American Bicyclists came to my Washington office to present me with their Legislator of the Year Award for my work on Safe Streets and Complete Streets legislation. As a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus, I have long advocated projects that make streets safter for bicycling and for pedestrians. I got involved with the safe streets movement through the advocacy work of the late city planner Tommy Pacello. Biking promotes good health and is good for the environment. I told the League representatives that Trump’s antipathy to bike lanes will remain a problem for the next two years. I appreciate the recognition by the League which is now in its 145th year as an organization.
Advancing the Major Richard Star Act on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day on Wednesday, I voted to advance the Major Richad Star Act to a floor vote on Thursday. The measure would fix an injustice in the law that currently diminishes earned retirement benefits for veteran retirees who also collect service-connected disability benefits. I also wrote to veteran constituents this week thanking them for their service and dedication to our country.
Weekly Health Tip
The United States is now facing the worst measles outbreak in 35 years with 5,182 confirmed cases as of early November. The U.S. is on the brink of losing its status as a country that has eliminated the threat, a status it has held since 2000. Please have your children immunized to prevent unnecessary illness, hospitalizations, and deaths and discuss any concerns you have about vaccines with your health care provider. The Trump administration continues its irresponsible efforts to sow doubt about immunizations, contributing to this crisis.
The Friday Flashback
This is me with Jackson Browne and John David Souther who held a fundraising concert for me in Memphis in 2006 as I successfully campaigned for a seat in Congress.
Two Bill Day Cartoons – “Grim Reaper” and "The Blue Wave"
Quotes of the Week
“All I did was have the courage to imagine a night like this. I had the courage to believe in Mississippi. I had the courage to understand that we can show the country that Mississippi matters.” -- Scott Colom, Mississippi Senator-Elect
“Crime is contagious...If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for the law.” -- Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis (1856 – 1941), born on this day
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” -- Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
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