Thursday - May 2, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Sunday February 11, 2024 ( 41 items )  

Amid Tennessee NIL Fight, Blackburn & Booker Introduce Bill To Increase Accountability For NCAA Investigations
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) re-introduced the NCAA Accountability Act to establish due process protections for student-athletes, coaches, and universities that are under investigation by the NCAA for rule violations. This comes as the states of Tennessee and Virginia have filed an antitrust case against the NCAA pertaining to name, image, likeness (NIL) after the or  more

Bipartisan Committee Leaders Urge the FAA to Modernize Protocols and Address Stigma Around Mental Health in Aviation
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA) led a bipartisan group of House Members in sending a letter to Michael Whitaker, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), encouraging the FAA to modernize its mental health protocols to ensure aviation professionals can obtain mental health care in a timely and efficient manner.  Transportation and   more

Blackburn Speaks Outside Supreme Court to Fight Back Against Trump Witch Hunt
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn went to the Supreme Court this morning to advocate for President Trump's right to remain on the ballot and fight back against the Left's nearly decade-long witch hunt to take him down. *** Original text here: https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/2/blackburn-speaks-outside-supreme-court-to-fight-back-against-trump-witch-hunt  more

Blackburn Statement In Opposition To Senate Border Deal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: NASHVILLE, TENN. - U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement in opposition to the Senate border deal: "It is against the law for an individual to illegally cross into our country -- it's incredible that still needs to be said. We are a nation of law and order, yet the Biden administration has allowed over 8.8 million illegal immigrants to flood our border. Meanwhile, at l  more

Blackburn, Peters Seek Feedback On Reports Of SafeSport Not Fully Meeting Mission To Protect Athletes From Abuse
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today sent letters to over 50 National Governing Bodies (NGB) under the purview of the U.S. Center for SafeSport ("SafeSport") regarding the reports that SafeSport is not fully realizing its mission to address and prevent abuse and misconduct in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. In response to the Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics  more

Chairman Green on Senate Border Deal: I Will Vehemently Oppose Any Agreement That Legitimizes, Normalizes Any Level of Illegal Immigration
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on Feb. 5, 2024: * * * Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) issued the following statement after text of a long-reported border deal negotiated in the Senate was released. "While my staff and I are reviewing this legislation, I join Speaker Johnson in opposing any new agreement that fails to eliminate the perverse incentives Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alej  more

Chairman Green Urges House to Impeach Secretary Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following floor statement on Feb. 6, 2024: * * * Today, Chairman Mark Green delivered remarks on the House floor urging the passage of two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. For nearly a year, the House Committee on Homeland Security has conducted a methodical, comprehensive investigation into the causes, costs, and consequences of the border crisis, producing seven separat  more

Congressman Burchett Introduces Resolution to Investigate United Nations & Hamas Use of Cryptocurrencies
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced a concurrent resolution supporting federal investigation of the use of cryptocurrencies by Hamas. The concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the Departments of State and Treasury should investigate the use of cryptocurrencies by the terror group Hamas. It also expresses the sense these departments should investigate whether any crypto  more

Congressman Cohen Addresses Poverty and Inequality
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), whose district includes Memphis with a child poverty rate of 32.7 percent, went to the House floor Tuesday evening to discuss income inequality and poverty and Tennessee's failure to address it. In his remarks, he said in part: "My district is in Memphis and Shelby County and Tipton County, just north of Memphis. Because of that, I'm no stranger to high levels of poverty and  more

Congressman Cohen Questions FAA Administrator Whitaker
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, today expressed a need for additional oversight and accountability over Boeing and pushed for the passage of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill at a hearing on "The State of American Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration" with FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker. In his questions   more

Congressman Cohen Re-Introduces Bill to Combat Human Trafficking: The SOAR to Health and Wellness Act
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today introduced a bill that would reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act. This vital legislation aims to renew and continue essential training for healthcare professionals in identifying and responding to victims of human trafficking. The bill was originally introduced by Congressman Cohen in 2016 and signed into law in 2019. Today's   more

Congressman Cohen Votes Against Impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today voted against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The resolution to impeach the Secretary failed on a vote of 216 to 214. Congressman Cohen made the following statement: "I voted against this sham impeachment because it is an unconstitutional power grab and a baseless attack on a public servant with whom some Republicans simply disagree. T  more

Congressman Cohen Votes Against the Israel-Only Supplemental
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, today voted against the Republican's Israel-only supplemental providing funding for Israel. While Congressman Cohen strongly supports Israel and wants to send it what it needs to defend itself and defeat Hamas, this bill is a Republican partisan ploy. The House should instead consider a comprehensive resp  more

Congressman Kustoff Votes to Provide Critical Tax Relief to Families and Businesses
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement: * * * Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This tax package overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 357 to 70. "Tonight, the House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act," said Congressman Kustoff. "This bill restores three key tax pro  more

Congressmen Cohen, Nadler and Huffman Call for Ending the Use of Body-Gripping Animal Traps
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), Jerry Nadler (NY-12) and Jared Huffman (CA-2) were joined by eleven other Members of Congress on a letter they sent today to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland requesting that the Department of the Interior (DOI) prohibit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service's Wildlife Services Program from using body-gripping traps on all DOI lands. The   more

DESJARLAIS SENDS LETTER TO MAYORKAS QUESTIONING DHS RELEASE OF 573 MIGRANTS TO TENNESEE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tennessee, issued the following news: Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) authored a letter to Department of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressing concern after a recent letter to the City of Franklin from his department surfaced notifying the municipality that 573 migrants had declared their intent to relocate to Middle Tennessee. DesJarlais questioned Mayorkas on why DHS would release migrants who have been processed for expedited   more

Fleischmann-Backed VA Bill Has Provided 50,000 Veterans With Free Suicide Prevention Care in First Year of New Program
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on Feb. 5, 2024: * * * U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), released the following statement emphasizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recent announcement that nearly 50,000 veterans utilized free emergency suicide prevention care since the implementation of the bipartisan Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act, supported by Congressman Fleischma  more

Hagerty Grills Treasury Secretary Yellen for Targeting Trump Supporters, Bible Owners
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Treasury Department reportedly directed banks to surveil Americans' transactions for "extremist indicators" including "Trump," "MAGA," and Bible purchases WASHINGTON--United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today in a hearing grilled Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the Biden Administration's targeting of Republicans that they label as "extremists." Accordi  more

Hagerty Leads Colleagues in Criticizing Racially Discriminatory Programs at FHFA, Federal Home Loan Banks
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Discriminatory programs exclude homebuyers from receiving financial assistance on the basis of their race WASHINGTON--United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, yesterday led his colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson criticizing discriminatory pilot programs that disregard the statutory mandates of the FHFA  more

Hagerty, Blackburn Demand Answers From Biden DHS on Reports of Hundreds of Illegal Immigrants Resettling in Middle TN
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: NASHVILLE, TN--United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding information on the recent reports that nearly 600 "noncitizens"--from Guatemala, Venezuela, Honduras, and Mexico--intend to travel to the Nashville area. "We write today to express deep concern about recent reports indicati  more

Hagerty, Cruz Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans' Affordable Access to Investing
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: The Protecting Innovation in Investment Act will block the SEC from pursuing its war on technology WASHINGTON--United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today introduced the Protecting Innovation in Investment Act, legislation to protect Americans' affordable access to financial markets. In July 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissi  more

Hagerty, Hirono Lead Colleagues in Requesting Speaker Johnson Invite Japanese Prime Minister to Give Joint Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan will be on Official Visit to the U.S. in April WASHINGTON--United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) today led 27 of their Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) encouraging hi  more

Hagerty, Rubio, Colleagues Call for Biden to Strengthen Enforcement of Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), along with 16 other Senate colleagues, in sending a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to enforce current law and act against Iran's illicit oil trade through sanctions. The Senators also encouraged support for proposed legislation pending in the U.S. Senate. Since the  more

Hagerty, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Boost American Energy Independence
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON--United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), along with 15 other Senate Republican colleagues, in introducing the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act, legislation to depoliticize the export of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) by eliminating the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize   more

Hawley Files RECA Amendment to Senate Supplemental, Joins Advocates on Capitol Hill in Renewed Push to Compensate Radiation Victims
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) filed an amendment to reauthorize and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to the foreign aid package currently being debated in the Senate. Senator Hawley's amendment--which passed the Senate last year with overwhelming bipartisan support--has been updated to include compensation for communities devastated by decades-old nuclear waste in Alaska, Tenness  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green Applauds Signing of Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act Into Law
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement on Feb. 8, 2024: * * * House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement on the final passage of S. 3427, the Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2023, which was signed into law this week. In September 2023, Chairman Green led the introduction of the bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 5675, alongsi  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green Urges Passage of Articles of Impeachment Against Secretary Mayorkas on House Floor
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 6, 2024: Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD delivered remarks on the House floor urging passage of two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. For nearly a year, the Committee conducted a methodical, comprehensive investigation into the causes, costs, and conseque  more

House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity Subcommittee Chairman Garbarino Delivers Issues Opening Statement in Hearing on Operational Technology Security
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, issued the following news release: Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) delivered the following opening statement in a hearing to address threats to operational technology (OT) across sectors, including the water sector, and to discuss the Cybersecurity and I  more

ICYMI--Hagerty Joins Squawk Box on CNBC to Discuss SEC AI Proposal, Senate Border Bill
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Squawk Box on CNBC to discuss his opposition to both the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) predictive data analytics proposal to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Senate border bill. Partial Transcript Hagerty on his opposition to the SEC's proposal to regulate predictive data analytics a  more

Patrick Wilson, President of MKAA Joins Rep. Burchett on Tennessee Talks
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: On the latest episode of Tennessee Talks, Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority joins Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) to discuss the recent winter storms that hit East Tennessee, new developments at McGhee Tyson Airport, and passport processing times returning to pre-COVID levels. "I'm always thankful when I fly in or out of McGhee Tyson," said Rep. Burchett. "They've got   more

Record-Breaking Border Encounters Underscore Secretary Mayorkas Refusal to Comply With the Law, Breach of Public Trust
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following fact sheet on Feb. 8, 2024: Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security released the December "Startling Stats" factsheet, outlining the catastrophic U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for December 2023. In December, our nation's borders saw record-breaking encounters sparked by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' willful and   more

Rep. Burchett Votes in Favor of The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on Feb. 7, 2024: Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) released a statement after voting in favor of The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. "It's a clean bill that would've provided one of our most important allies with what they need to finish the fight that Hamas started," said Rep. Burchett. "I can't hold up aid to Israel in good conscience." The Israel Security Supplemental Approp  more

Rep. Burchett Votes to Impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on Feb. 7, 2024: * * * Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) released a statement after voting in favor of the impeachment articles filed against Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. "I wish we had gotten this done, and the reality is it should've been done a long time ago," said Rep. Burchett. "Secretary Mayorkas shouldn't have a job. For over three years he has purposefu  more

REP. OGLES LEADS REPUBLICANS TO DEFEND GUN RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (TNScapv) -- Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-05) and Congressman Thomas Massie (KY-14) are leading a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson requesting that he opposes any permanent reauthorization or expansion of the Undetectable Firearms Act (UFA). Not only is the UFA deviously unconstitutional by restricting the rights of Americans to build lifesaving weapons, but it intentionally bans numerous polymer firearm parts that a  more

Rep. Rose Speaks in Support of Bill Banning Use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QUALYs)
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act, which would ban federal health programs from using discriminatory measures known as Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) expressed support for the bill immediately following its passage.  The full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: Madam Speaker, I ris  more

Rep. Rose Urges Colleagues to Reject Senate Immigration Proposal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) spoke on the House Floor Wednesday in opposition to a recently-released immigration and foreign aid proposal, backed by a group of U.S. Senators.  The full remarks, as prepared for delivery, is below: Madam Speaker, let me be clear: the President has the existing authority to close the southern border today! No act of Congress is necessary. No new law is needed. Sectio  more

Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee Issues Testimony From Recording Artist DeFord
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee issued the following testimony by recording artist and philanthropist Jason 'Jelly Roll' DeFord involving a hybrid hearing on Jan. 11, 2024, entitled "Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl: Public Awareness and Legislative Solutions": * * * Chairman Brown, Ranking Member Scott, and esteemed Committee members, my name is Jason DeFord, but I am known to most as Jelly Roll. I am a recording artist and musical performer from Ant  more

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Issues Testimony From First Step Act Beneficiary Charles
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law issued the following testimony by Matthew Charles, a First Step Act beneficiary from Nashville, Tennessee, involving a hearing on Jan. 17, 2024, entitled "Five Years of the First Step Act: Reimagining Rehabilitation and Protecting Public Safety": * * * Chairman Durbin, Ranking member Graham, and members of the committee, good morning. My name is Matthew Charles. Since I was released under the First Ste  more

U.S. Rep. John Rose Introduces the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. John Rose (TN-06) introduced the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), which would expand on his work to ban trigger leads except in limited circumstances. When a consumer applies for a mortgage, credit bureaus are notified that the consumer is interested in financing, which is referred to as a trigger lead. That information is then sold by the credit bureaus to data   more

U.S. Rep. Rose Releases Statement on Israel Supplemental
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, after U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) voted 'Yes' on H.R. 7217, the "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act," he released the following statement:  "As a strong supporter of Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, I remain committed to equipping and providing them with the much-needed military assistance to destroy Hamas," said Rep. Rose. "As Speaker Johnson said previously, 'It i  more

U.S. Rep. Rose Votes to Impeach DHS Secretary Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) voted 'Yes' on H. Res. 863, Impeaching Secretary Mayorkas, which failed 214-216.  Rep. Rose delivered the following remarks in a speech on the House Floor: "Madam Speaker, Secretary Mayorkas swore an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Unfortunately, it seems as though he hasn't defended it from a single one. Since President Bide  more