Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Sunday May 21, 2023 ( 31 items )  

Blackburn, Baldwin Introduce Legislation To Expand Patient Access To Innovative Therapies
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 16, 2023: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) reintroduced the Facilitating Access to Innovative Diagnostics (FIND) Act to improve patient access to cutting-edge diagnostic technologies. "Innovative technologies like diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals are important tools in detecting and treating diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. The bipartisan FIND Act would   more

Blackburn, Cornyn, Senate GOP Colleagues Introduce Back The Blue Act
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 15, 2023: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R- Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and 37 of their Senate Republican colleagues introduced the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. "Across the Volunteer State and our nation, law enforcement officials continuously risk their lives to pr  more

Blackburn, Feinstein Introduce HITS Act To Support Independent Music Creators
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 17, 2023: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act, a bill that would allow independent music creators - including musicians, technicians, songwriters and producers - to deduct 100 percent of recording production expenses in the year they are incurred, rather than in later years. Representatives   more

Congressman Cohen Applauds Federal Emergency Assistance for Tipton County
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following statement on May 19, 2023: * * * Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), whose redrawn district now includes parts of Tipton County, today applauded President Biden's major disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee triggering the release of federal funds to help communities, including Tipton County, recover from severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that occurred March 1-3, according to the Federal Emergency Ma  more

Congressman Cohen Introduces National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following statement on May 15, 2023: * * * Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today introduced the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act, a measure that continues the exemption from the means test under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code for national guard members and reservists, continuing the parity with active duty servicemembers. * * * Congressman Cohen made the following statement: "Members of the armed services  more

Congressman Cohen Says Roe Was Overturned by the Weaponization of the Political System
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 16, 2023: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today spoke at a hearing entitled "Revisiting the Implications of the FACE Act." The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a bipartisan measure that became law in 1994, prohibits threats or violence against people seeking reproductive health care. Congressman Cohen discussed the overturning of Roe v. Wade  more

Congressman Cohen Speaks and Votes Against "Thoughts and Prayers" for National Police Week
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 18, 2023: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today went to the House floor to speak against a Republican-led resolution on National Police Week, and later voted against the measure. Last week, Congressman Cohen sought to amend the resolution in committee with gun violence prevention language supported by major police organizations, but the amendment was ruled ou  more

Former Fighter Pilot, Texas Congressman August Pfluger Joins Rep. Burchett on Latest Episode of Tennessee Talks
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: On the latest episode of Tennessee Talks, Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) joined Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) to discuss the recent TikTok hearing held by the House Energy & Commerce Committee. They discuss TikTok's censorship, the damaging effects it can have on children's mental health, and how the Chinese app poses a threat to U.S. national security. "August knows his stuff on this issue and he got to ques  more

HAGERTY STATEMENT ON BIDEN'S VISIT TO JAPAN
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on May 17, 2023: * * * United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, today released the following statement ahead of President Joe Biden's trip to Japan and the 49th G7 summit: "I congratulate Japan--America's most important ally in the Indo-Pacific--as it hosts this year's G7 summit and advances an agenda focused on promotin  more

HAGERTY, COLLEAGUES REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO END GOVERNMENT COLLUSION WITH BIG TECH TO CENSOR AMERICANS' SPEECH
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 18, 2023: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), today reintroduced the Disclose Government Censorship Act, which seeks to end government-directed speech suppression and viewpoint censorship by requiring basic transparency regarding when Americans' government is attempt  more

HAGERTY, MURPHY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO TARGET DEADLY FENTANYL BEFORE IT REACHES U.S. BORDER
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 20 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 19, 2023: United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,today introduced the Combatting Fentanyl Trafficking from China and Mexico Act, bipartisan legislation to tackle the fentanyl crisis by cutting off the fentanyl supply chain before the finished product enters the U.S., including by targeting bad actors in Mexico and  more

HAGERTY, SULLIVAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO BOLSTER LNG PROJECTS, WEAKEN PUTIN'S GRIP ON ENERGY
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 20 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 19, 2023: United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) yesterday, on the eve of the G-7 Summit in Japan, introduced the Indo-Pacific Strategic Energy Initiative Act, legislation to promote the financing and development of new energy infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region--with a focus on natural gas--in order to end U.S. allies' dependence on Russian natural  more

Homeland Security Committee Advances Five Bipartisan Bills
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: The House Committee on Homeland Security advanced five bills to address current challenges threatening our nation's cybersecurity posture, combat U.S. reliance on drones manufactured by China and other adversaries, ensure DHS has a streamlined approach to countering weapons of mass destruction, and support first responders in their unpredictable and vast miss  more

Homeland Security Republicans to Law Enforcement: 'We Have Your Back'
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: This National Police Week, the House Committee on Homeland Security recognizes our nation's law enforcement as well as the Members of the Committee who use their experience in law enforcement to help secure the homeland in the United States Congress. In 2021, more law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty than any year in the past two decades.   more

House Committee Chairmen Green, Comer, Jordan Investigate Biden Admin Handling of Suspected Terrorists Crossing U.S.-Mexico Border
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release and letter: House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas investigating how DHS is handling the elevated national security risk prese  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green Issues Commentary to Defense News: 'Combating US Cyber Adversaries Calls for Whole-of-Government Approach'
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following commentary on the Defense News, on May 17, 2023: * * * This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) penned an op-ed for Defense News detailing the current cyber threat landscape and how Congress can help combat America's cyber adversaries by refining interagency coordination as well as information sharing between the federal government  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green on CNN: Secretary Mayorkas Open Border Has Put Every American at Risk
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) joined CNN's State of the Union to discuss the end of Title 42 and House Republicans' passage of the Secure the Border Act of 2023, H.R.2. On the end of Title 42, Chairman Green said: "What Secretary [Mayorkas] failed to say is that this week has seen more crossings than any week in our   more

House Homeland Security Committee Members Pfluger, D'Esposito Deliver Opening Remarks in Law Enforcement Hearing
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) and Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technoloy Chairman Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY) delivered the following opening statements during a joint hearing examining the state of U.S. law enforcement. The full hearing is livestreamed her  more

ICYMI--HAGERTY JOINS BALANCE OF POWER ON BLOOMBERGTV TO DISCUSS DEBT CEILING, G7 SUMMIT, UPCOMING BANKING HEARING
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 18, 2023: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking, Appropriations, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, yesterday joined Balance of Power on BloombergTV to discuss the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, President Biden's attendance at the G7 summit, and his upcoming Senate Banking hearing with financial regulators. Partial Transcript   more

ICYMI--HAGERTY JOINS KUDLOW ON FOX BUSINESS TO DISCUSS HIS LEGISLATION TO RELIEVE STRESS ON THE BANKING SYSTEM
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 17, 2023: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss his legislation to address the current stress on the American banking system and restore confidence in the financial sector. Partial Transcript Hagerty on his legislation to relieve stress on the banking system: "What Kevin [O' Leary] was talking about is an e  more

ICYMI-Hagerty Joins Mornings With Maria on Fox Business to Discuss Debt Ceiling, Upcoming Banking Hearing, Border Disaster
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 16 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 15, 2023: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking and Appropriations Committees, today joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, this week's Senate Banking Committee Hearing, and the unprecedented crisis at the southern border that has become a catastrophe after the Biden Administration ended Title 42. Partial   more

Police Week Hearing Highlights Challenges Facing Law Enforcement, Communities Across Country Amid Rising Crime
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, led by Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX), and the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, led by Chairman Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY), held a joint hearing to examine the state of U.S. law enforcement and how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engag  more

Rep. Burchett Reintroduces Fentanyl Trafficker Elimination Act
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) reintroduced the Fentanyl Trafficker Elimination Act. This bill holds fentanyl smugglers accountable for their role in the United States' opioid epidemic. U.S. Representatives Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Michael Guest (MS-03) Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Josh Brecheen (OK-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Pat Fallon (TX-04), and Ral  more

Rep. Burchett Votes in Favor of Bill to Secure Southern Border
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) voted to pass legislation to secure the southern border of the United States. H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023 requires the Department of Homeland Security to resume construction of the border wall, provides grants for border security operations, and closes loopholes in the asylum system. The bill would also expand the types of crimes that may make an indi  more

REP. OGLES INTRODUCES 3 BILLS TO STOP THE HIRING OF FEDERAL BUREAUCRATS
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-05) introduced three bills to impose hiring freezes on three agencies in the federal bureaucracy. The Mandating the Abolition of a Threat to Consumer Happiness (MATCH) Act would impose a permanent hiring freeze at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and prohibit it from establishing any new positions or transferring employees to new posts. The CFPB was designed by Democ  more

REP. OGLES LEADS EFFORT TO HOLD CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU ACCOUNTABLE
WASHINGTON, May 18 -- Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release and letter: Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-05) led several House Financial Services Committee Republicans in sending a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra, expressing strong opposition to the CFPB's December 2022 proposal to establish a nonbank registry. "The CFPB shouldn't exist to begin with but at the very least it shouldn't be proposing costly rules that violate the  more

Reps. Kustoff, Sewell Introduce Legislation to Secure Access to Affordable Housing
WASHINGTON, May 17 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 16, 2023: Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) recently introduced H.R. 3327, the Manufactured Housing Affordability and Energy Efficiency Act of 2023, in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation will expand access to affordable housing and ensure American homeowners are protected from costly regulatory overreach. "Manufactured housing is a crucial   more

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Risch, Sen. Cotton, Colleagues: U.S. Should Withdraw From New Start Treaty
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), today introduced   more

Senator Blackburn, Congressman Biggs Reintroduce Bill To Grant Veterans More Health Care Options
WASHINGTON, May 19 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release on May 18, 2023: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) reintroduced the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. This legislation would allow veterans enrolled in the VA health system to immediately seek care in their local communities. Currently, veterans must meet certain eligibility criteria, and the VA must approve the provider referral to seek care in non-VA faciliti  more

Sens. Blackburn, Cruz Call For Probe Of Bud Light Potentially Marketing To Underage Individuals Through Partnership With Dylan Mulvaney
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, May 20 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release and letter: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, and Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today opened an investigation into and called on the beer industry's self-regulatory body--the Beer Institute--to investigate whether Anheuser-Busch's partnership with influencer Dylan M  more

What We've Learned From Law Enforcement This Year
WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release: As the end of National Police Week nears, the House Committee on Homeland Security gives our sincerest gratitude to the men and women of law enforcement who have generously shared their time, expertise, and firsthand experiences with the Committee Members and staff. In addition to the below activity, Homeland Security Republicans are grateful to have received  more