Saturday - September 7, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Sunday June 16, 2024 ( 29 items )  

Blackburn Leads Tennessee Delegation in Urging Swift Approval of Disaster Declaration Following Severe Weather
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) led a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to swiftly approve Governor Bill Lee's request for a major disaster declaration following the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred throughout the state from May 8-9, 2024. The severe weather caused three fatalities and damage to 459 homes in Tennessee. 137 of these homes were destroyed or suffered major damage. Re  more

Blackburn on Importance of Supporting IVF
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement supporting access to IVF: "Democrats are using fear tactics and the media to lie to the American people with a fake messaging bill before November," said Senator Blackburn. "IVF is legal and available in every state across our nation. I fully support IVF and fertility-related services. As a mother and a grandmother, I know how preciou  more

Blackburn, Britt, Senate Republicans Reaffirm Support for Continued Nationwide IVF Access
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and all Republican Senators in a joint statement supporting continued nationwide access to in vitro fertilization: "Senate Democrats have embraced a Summer of Scare Tactics--a partisan campaign of false fearmongering intended to mislead and confuse the American people. In vitro fertilization is legal and available in every state across ou  more

Blackburn, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Create National Human Trafficking Database
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the National Human Trafficking Database Act, which would establish a national human trafficking database at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and incentivize state law enforcement agencies to report data. Given the success of the state-level data collection program in Tennessee implemented by Belmont Univers  more

Blackburn, Welch Introduce Bill to Protect Rideshare Passengers' Privacy
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the Safe and Private Rides Act, which would prevent rideshare drivers from violating passengers' privacy by requiring transportation network companies (TNCs) to notify passengers when their driver has a video recording device in the car and give passengers the opportunity to opt out of riding with a driver with a dashcam  more

Chairman Green on Arrest of Alleged Inadmissible Aliens with Suspected ISIS Ties: "How Much Longer Will We Let This Madness Continue?"
WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Chairman Green on Arrest of Alleged Inadmissible Aliens with Suspected ISIS Ties: "How Much Longer Will We Let This Madness Continue?" Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released a statement following multiple reports that several individuals with connections to ISIS were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City, Los Angeles, and Phila  more

Congressman Cohen Announces National Science Foundation Grant to Rhodes College
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Rhodes College will receive a $502,946 grant from the National Science Foundation to study the impact of concentrations of carbon dioxide on dimorphic fungi. The research, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Biology Qian Shen, will also involve undergraduate students at LeMoyne-Owen College, and could lead to breakthroughs in combatting life-thre  more

Congressman Cohen Announces Neurological Research Grant to UTHSC
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a grant of $192,500 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for a project entitled "Inhibiting mPGES-1 as a countermeasure to mitigate organophosphate-induced neurotoxicity." Congressman Cohen made the following statement: "This funding from one of our Nationa  more

Congressman Cohen Applauds Unanimous Supreme Court Ruling on Mifepristone
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded the unanimous ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court that keeps access to the widely used abortion medication mifepristone legal. The court ruled that the challenging antiabortion doctors did not have standing to pursue the case. Congressman Cohen made the following statement: "While today's ruling keeps access to mifepristone intact, the damage done by the High Co  more

Congressman Cohen Chairs Helsinki Commission Hearing on Political Prisoners
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Ranking House Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today chaired a commission hearing on political prisoners. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's 56-nation Parliamentary Assembly appointed Congressman Cohen as its Special Representative on Political Prisoners in July 2022 and reappoint  more

Congressman Cohen Condemns Effort to Hold Attorney General Garland in Contempt of Congress
WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, spoke during today's debate against an effort by partisan Republicans to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, and plans to vote against the measure when it comes up for a vote this afternoon. In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part: "Comparing what Joe Biden did to what the other fella who preceded  more

Congressman Cohen Condemns Politically Motivated Indictment of Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: On the indictment of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by the Russian authorities, the Helsinki Commission Ranking Member and OSCE PA Special Representative on Political Prisoners Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) issued the following statement: "Russia's arrest, detention and now indictment of Evan on espionage charges are entirely politically motivated and an affront to justice and basic hum  more

Congressman Cohen Mourns the Passing of James Lawson
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today learned of the passing of Civil Rights visionary leader James Lawson and made the following statement: "James Lawson was a giant of the Civil Rights movement and was an integral part of Memphis Civil Rights history as one of the key figures planning the Sanitation Workers Strike 'I AM A MAN' campaign. He showed the promise of non-violent resistance to injustice to thous  more

Congressman Cohen Mourns the Passing of James Lawson
WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) went to the House floor Tuesday evening to recall the Reverend James Lawson who passed on Sunday at the age of 95. In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part: "The world has lost one of its most outstanding citizens...The Reverend James M. Lawson passed away at 95. Reverend Lawson was one of the architects of the Civil Rights movement...He was in Memphis as a minister in  more

Congressman Cohen Says Judiciary Committee Republicans are Acting as Trump's Legal Defense Team
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, condemned the rationale for a hearing on the Manhattan District Attorney's Office that successfully prosecuted Donald Trump resulting in 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a relationship with a porn star and interfere with the 2016 election. In his questions to witnesses, Congressman Cohen saidin part: "Th  more

Congressmen Cohen and Bacon Introduce Czech E-1 Visa Bill
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Don Bacon (NE-2) today introduced a measure to make nationals of the Czech Republic eligible for an E-1 visa if U.S. nationals are similarly treated by the Government of the Czech Republic. Congressman Cohen made the following statement: "Bilateral trade between the United States and the Czech Republic has increased significantly over the past two decades. To strengthen   more

Cotton: Protestors Who Deface Statues Must Face Mandatory Minimums
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Saving Treasured Artifacts Through Uniform Enforcement (STATUE) Act, legislation that would impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for defacing statues on federal land. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) is co-sponsoring the legislation. Senator Cotton introduced the legislation after protestors damaged the area surrounding the White House, i  more

Hagerty, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Subject the CFPB to Regular Congressional Appropriations Process
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Banking Committees, yesterday reintroduced the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Accountability Act. The legislation, which Hagerty first introduced in 2021, would make the agency accountable to the American people by requiring that its funding be appropriated by Congress, as is the case for other Executive Bra  more

Hagerty, Cramer, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over Biden Admin's Mass Amnesty for Illegal Aliens
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with 19 other Senate Republican colleagues, in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland questioning the Administration's dismissal of asylum cases and highlighting the erosive effect of these policies on the U.S. legal immigration system. Re  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green on Arrest of Alleged Inadmissible Aliens With Suspected ISIS Ties: 'How Much Longer Will We Let This Madness Continue?'
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release on June 12, 2024: Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released a statement following multiple reports that several individuals with connections to ISIS were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia over the course of the past week. All of these individuals r  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green on Biden Plan to Close Dilley Detention Facility: 'Just More Smoke, Mirrors From the Biden Administration'
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement on June 12, 2024: * * * Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement after reports that the Biden administration plans to close an immigration detention facility in Dilley, Texas, a center specifically designed for the detention of family units: "This is just more smoke and mirrors from the Bid  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green Opens Microsoft Hearing: The American People, Federal Agencies 'Deserve Assurances That Their Data & Operations Are Protected'
WASHINGTON, June 15 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following news release on June 13, 2024: Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) delivered the following opening statement in a hearing to examine Microsoft's security shortcomings, challenges encountered in preventing significant cyber intrusions, and its plans to strengthen security measures following the Cyber Safety Review Board's (CSRB) re  more

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Green: Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation to Ban DHS Use of Chinese-Made Batteries, Improve Intelligence Sharing, Protect Americans Privacy, Combat Cartel Smuggling, Enhance Airport Security
WASHINGTON, June 15 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement on June 13, 2024: * * * This week, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement after the Committee advanced, by bipartisan votes, thirteen pieces of legislation that are critical to our homeland security--from supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administr  more

Rep. Burchett introduces resolution condemning intelligence community for covering up Hunter Biden laptop story
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: (June 11, 2024) - Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced a resolution to condemn the fifty-one members of the intelligence community who signed onto a letter dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story ahead of the 2020 presidential election. "We rely on our intelligence community for life or death matters, and they have let us down. They allowed politics to infiltrate their operations,   more

Rep. Burchett requests investigation into Secretary Blinken and intelligence officials
WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: (June 11, 2024) - Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) wrote a letter to Rep. James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, requesting an immediate investigation into Secretary of State Antony Blinken and fifty-one intelligence officials for their role in interfering in the 2020 Presidential election. "If this isn't election interference, then I don't know what is.  more

Rep. Green's Bill Protects Colleges and Universities Against Biden Admin Overreach
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, Rep. Mark Green introduced the No Backdoors for Student Debt Cancellation Act, which prohibits the Secretary of Education from withholding Title IV funds to institutions of higher education that refuse to give diplomas to students with an open balance on their account. This bill comes after the Biden administration issued a proposed rule penalizing colleges and universities that enforce the financial   more

Rep. Green's Oscar-Worthy Amendment Passes House in FY25 NDAA
WASHINGTON, June 14 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Rep. Green's Oscar-Worthy Amendment Passes House in FY25 NDAA Today, Rep. Mark Green's amendment passed the House in Fiscal Year 2025's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This amendment prohibits the Pentagon from assisting studios that censor American films for the Chinese Communist Party. The Congressman introduced similar legislation titled the Stopping Communist Regimes from Engaging in Edits N  more

Rep. Rose Speaks in Support of FY25 NDAA Legislation
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Representative John Rose (TN-06) spoke on the House Floor Thursday ahead of a vote on the Servicemembers Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. He also laid out the benefits to service members, their families, and to national security. The full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below: Mister Speaker, I rise in support of the Servicemembers Quali  more

The American People and Federal Agencies "Deserve Assurances That Their Data and Operations Are Protected"
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Chairman Green Opens Microsoft Hearing: The American People and Federal Agencies "Deserve Assurances That Their Data and Operations Are Protected" Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) delivered the following opening statement in a hearing to examine Microsoft's security shortcomings, challenges encountered in preventing significant cyber intrusions, and its plans to   more