Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Sunday November 03, 2019 ( 42 items )  

Alexander, Udall Resolution Honors Nation's Nuclear Weapons Workers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) said the Senate unanimously passed a resolution yesterday that designated October 30, 2019, as National Day of Remembrance for workers who helped develop and support the nation's nuclear weapons program. "Tennesseans played a major role in winning the Cold War, working countless hours with hazardous materials to build our nation's nuclear d  more

Alexander: Senate Approves Funding to Combat Opioid Crisis, Fund National Parks
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said the spending package passed by the Senate today is a step in the right direction toward funding important priorities for Tennessee. "The spending bill passed today includes important priorities for Tennesseans, such as supporting Tennessee farmers, providing funding to help our state tackle the opioid crisis and reducing the maintenance backlog in o  more

Alexander: Senate Health Committee Approves Eight Bipartisan Public Health Bills
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: The Senate health committee today voted on eight bipartisan public health bills, which Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said will "bring new over-the-counter drugs to patients more quickly, ensure we have the nurses we need, and help Americans lead healthier lives." "I often suggest Tennesseans look at Washington D.C. like a split screen television. On one side, you have the controversies of the day   more

Blackburn Joins Thune on Bipartisan Bill to Increase Internet Platform Transparency, Provide Consumers With Greater Control Over Digital Content
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the internet and consumer protection, and Mark Warner (D-Va.) today to introduce the Filter Bubble Transparency Act. The bill would require large-scale internet platforms that  more

Blackburn Joins Tillis, Grassley to Stop Sanctuary Cities
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to introduce the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, legislation that will help stop sanctuary cities. The legislation would clarify the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) detainer authority, clearly establish the authority of states and localities to maintain custody in cases in which a de  more

GAO Issues Report on DOE Payments in Lieu of Taxes
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Department of Energy's payments in lieu of taxes. The report (GAO-20-122) is titled "Payments in Lieu of Taxes: Revisions to DOE Order Could Provide Better Assurance That Payments Meet Goals". The report was sent to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohi  more

Rep. Burchett Introduces Bill to Modernize Small Business Administration Application Process
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) today introduced the Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 2019. This legislation would address Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) application delays happening at the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Investment and Innovation. Currently, the SBIC application process lacks statutory timelines, which has created uncertainty to those applying f  more

Rep. Burchett, 20 Lawmakers, Propose Rule Change Improving House Transparency
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Timothy Burchett, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * - Lack of access to impeachment hearing documents raises serious concerns about impeachment inquiry's legitimacy * * * Today, Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced a resolution to give all Members of the House of Representatives better access to Congressional hearing documents. The Let Everyone Access a Copy of the Transcripts Resolution, which is cosponsored by 20 lawmakers, would amend  more

Rep. Cohen Demands Accountability From Boeing CEO
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * - Hearing on 737 MAX aircraft crashes yields few answers * * * Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, questioned Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and the company's Vice President and Chief Engineer John Hamilton today about efforts to minimize pilots' familiarity with a safety system aboard the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Many relatives o  more

Rep. Cohen Issues Statement on Death of Ex-Rep. Conyers
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding the death of ex-Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Michigan: "John Conyers was a steadfast and principled leader, working 15 years to get the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday passed into law, and was instrumental in passing my Congressional Apology for Slavery. "Mr. Conyers, the longest-serving African American in Congress, was a respected   more

Rep. Cohen Seeks Representative Demographics for Aircraft Evacuation Testing
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal Aviation Administration to evaluate commercial aircraft safety * * * Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation, today wrote the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Stephen Dickson and Deputy Administrator Daniel K. Elwell, requesting information regarding the FAA's decision against u  more

Rep. Cohen Votes to Establish Rules for Ongoing Impeachment Inquiry
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * - Process assures transparency, thoroughness and due process * * * Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberates, today joined his colleagues to establish rules and procedures for the next phase in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump's misconduct. These new procedures  more

Rep. Cooper Issues Statement on Impeachment Inquiry Resolution Vote
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tennessee, issued the following statement regarding House passage of a resolution by a 232-196 vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Trump's conduct in office: "We have entered a new phase of the impeachment inquiry process. "Evidence has been collected, witnesses have been deposed, and now there will be public hearings and procedures for the President and his counsel to respond to evidence. "As a member of one of the investigatin  more

Rep. Fleischmann Issues Statement on Impeachment Resolution Vote
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after voting against the impeachment resolution (H.Res. 660): "Today's vote reaffirms what House Republicans have known since November 9, 2016, Democrats will go to any length to attempt to take down President Trump. From the moment Speaker Pelosi unilaterally began this closed door impeachment process, Democrats have broken House rules including House Rule XI, Clause 2(e)(2)(A) which would have afforded   more

Rep. Green Issues Statement on Resolution to Formalize Impeachment Inquiry Against President Trump
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement on resolution to formalize impeachment inquiry against President Trump: "The vote is rigged. The deck is stacked. That's why I will be voting NO on today's resolution to formalize the impeachment inquiry against President Trump." "This resolution is supposed to ensure fairness and transparency. It does no such thing, because Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Adam Schiff have tucked in provisions allowing them t  more

Rep. Green: Tennessee Receives Grants to Protect Threatened Battlefields
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: The National Park Service recently announced $2.4 million in grants from the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) to protect three significant battlefields in Tennessee threatened with damage or destruction from suburban development. Grants have been awarded to the Shiloh Battlefield in Tennessee's 7th District, as well as to the Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro and the Jackson Battlefield i  more

Rep. Kustoff Co-Sponsored Bill to Support Law Enforcement Passes U.S. House
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08), announced the passage of the National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act. This bill directs the U.S. Treasury to mint a coin in 2021 in commemoration of the opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington. Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative coin will go towards supporting the activities of the new museum. "The National Law Enforce  more

Rep. Kustoff Issues Statement on Raid Taking Out ISIS Leader al-Baghdadi
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement of the raid taking out ISIS leader Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi: "Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi's defeat is a major victory for the United States and reinforces the commitment President Trump has to defeating ISIS and all terrorist operations. "Thank you to our military's special operations force, intelligence officers, and everyone that was part of the mission that took out Baghdad  more

Rep. Kustoff Issues Statement on Speaker Pelosi's Impeachment Resolution
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement regarding his vote against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's resolution to try and legitimize the impeachment proceedings: "Since day one, this impeachment inquiry has been a closed-door, one-sided process. "Speaker Pelosi's resolution changes nothing. It still fails to give the President the right to due process, and it continues to deny equal participation of Republicans in this broken and flawed process. "It   more

Rep. Roe Issues Statement on Death of ISIS Leader Al-Baghdadi
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Oct. 27 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after a U.S. raid into northwestern Syria resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: "Last night one of the worst of the worst, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed during a successful mission by U.S. Special Operations in Syria. "Thankfully none of our brave troops were killed or injured during this raid. "President Trump, our allies in the region and our troops deserve a 'j  more

Rep. Roe Issues Statement on Impeachment Inquiry Vote
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after voting against a resolution (H.Res. 660) formalizing a Soviet-style impeachment inquiry: "One month ago, Speaker Pelosi announced her intention to impeach the president and then began a closed-door investigation to find facts that support her decision. "For over one month, the people I represent have been denied the right to see why House Democrats are moving to reverse the 2016 election results. A fair pro  more

Rep. Roe to Meet Meharry Medical College Residents at Mountain Home VA
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) announced he will be meeting the newly enrolled Meharry Medical College residents at Mountain Home VA Medical Center tomorrow. Congressman Roe; James E.K. Hildreth Sr. Ph.D., M.D., President and CEO of Meharry Medical College; and Dr. Martin Eason, Physician Liaison for Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations, released following statements: "Since entering medical  more

Rep. Roe: Republicans - 'Despite the Chairman's Behavior, We Remain Committed to Putting America's Veterans and Their Families First'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, ranking Republican member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Republican Members of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs who attended the markup, released the following statement after Chairman Takano once again refused to allow debate on Republican amendments to improve care, benefits, and services for millions of veterans and their families: "Less than a year into Chairman Takano's tenure what ha  more

Rep. Rose Fights for Fairness in Speaker Pelosi's Impeachment Process
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Rep. John Rose, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-6) filed legislation combating the unfair, sham impeachment process proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Speaker Pelosi has yet again betrayed the American people by championing policy that would move away from historic precedent and enact unique constraints on Members in the minority during an impeachment inquiry," Rep. Rose stated. "In the Clinton impeachment inquiry resolu  more

Reps. Kustoff, Roe Introduce Rural Health Agenda to Bring Care to Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: * * * - Kustoff's bill, the Rural Health Innovation Act, included in agenda * * * Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) and Congressman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01), introduced a Rural Health Agenda aimed at addressing health care delivery challenges in rural America and maintaining quality care close to home. The Rural Health Agenda includes three bills: the Rural Health Innovation Act, the Rural America  more

Reps. Roe, Kustoff Introduce Rural Health Agenda
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Reps. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) introduced a Rural Health Agenda that consists of three bills: the Rural America Health Corps Act, cosponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.); the Telehealth Across State Lines Act; and the Rural Health Innovation Act cosponsored by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-N.H). Reps. Roe and Kustoff released the following statements: "Tennessee has been hit particularly ha  more

Sen. Alexander Issues Floor Statement on ENROLL Act
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Oct. 30, on the Expand Navigators' Resources for Outreach, Learning and Longevity Act (S. 1905): In reserving the right to object, in 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that navigators were not cost-effective in enrolling people in health insurance. During the 2017 open enrollment period, navigators received over $62.5 million  more

Sen. Alexander Issues Floor Statement on Health Insurance Rates
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Oct. 30, on health insurance rates: At 12:15 p.m., the Senate will vote on a Democratic proposal to overturn a Trump administration guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services that would lower insurance rates all across America. Seems like a strange thing to do, but to justify that, the Democrats have come up with a scary fairytale that   more

Sen. Alexander Issues Floor Statement on No Junk Plans Act
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Oct. 30, on the No Junk Plans Act (S. 1556): In reserving the right to object, the Senator from Wisconsin is exactly correct. Every Senate Democrat has voted to take away a low-cost insurance option from what the Urban Institute says is 1.7 million Americans. These people can't afford other kinds of insurance. That is what they want to take away, and  more

Sen. Alexander Issues Statement on Impeachment Process
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 25 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after co-sponsoring a resolution to make sure an impeachment process is fair: "I have co-sponsored the Graham resolution because in an impeachment process the American people above all expect it to be fair. "House Democrats might want to stop and take a look at how the House Democratic majority bent over backwards to include Republicans and the President's representatives in the 1974 Nixon impeac  more

Sen. Alexander Issues Statement on Selection of Hahn to Lead FDA
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the selection of Stephen Hahn to lead the Food and Drug Administration: "Having the right person lead the FDA is critical to virtually every American. "The FDA is responsible for ensuring drugs and medical devices that patients rely on are safe and effective, protecting the nation's food supply, regulating tobacco products  more

Sen. Alexander Issues Statement on Senate Democrats Blocking Four Funding Bills
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked the passage of four funding bills: "Make no mistake, the Democrats for their own political reasons are blocking funding for the largest pay increase for our military in 10 years, record funding for our 17 national laboratories and the fifth consecutive year of increased funding for the National Institutes of Health research to develop lifesaving treatments. "Democrats are al  more

Sen. Alexander: Cliff Corker Will Be an Asset to the Federal Bench
GREENEVILLE, Tennessee, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), speaking today at the investiture of Cliff Corker as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, said Corker will serve Tennessee "with distinction." "Cliff Corker previously served as a United States Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He was selected to serve as a magistrate judge   more

Sen. Alexander: Senate Health Committee Approves Eight Bipartisan Public Health Bills
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release: The Senate health committee today voted on eight bipartisan public health bills, which Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said will "bring new over-the-counter drugs to patients more quickly, ensure we have the nurses we need, and help Americans lead healthier lives." "I often suggest Tennesseans look at Washington D.C. like a spli  more

Sen. Alexander: To Celebrate Halloween, Senate Democrats Have Come Up With a Scary Fairytale Without an Ounce of Truth
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Says Democrats are trying to trick Americans into thinking that giving states additional flexibility to lower premiums could undermine protections for pre-existing conditions, something federal law does not permit * * * Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said "to celebrate Halloween, Senate D  more

Sen. Alexander: To Celebrate Halloween, Senate Democrats Have Come Up With Scary Fairytale Without Ounce of Truth
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said "to celebrate Halloween, Senate Democrats have come up with a scary fairytale without an ounce of truth." Alexander made his remarks today on the Senate floor before Democrats tried unsuccessfully to block the Trump Administration from giving states more flexibility to offer affordable health insurance--known as a Section 1332 waiver  more

Sen. Blackburn Introduces Across-The-Board 1%, 2%, 5% Spending Cuts
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced across-the-board spending cuts as amendments to S. Amdt. 948 to H.R. 3055, the CJS-AG-INT-THUD minibus appropriations package yesterday. The amendments seek to cut 1%, 2% or 5% of all spending accounts under the bill, including the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. "The government ne  more

Sen. Blackburn Issues Floor Statement on Boeing 737 MAX
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Oct. 30, on the Boeing 737 MAX: We just heard Senators Romney and Manchin talking about our Nation's economic woes and legislation they are handling on a bipartisan basis. I think it is always a good and positive thing when we can approach our work in a bipartisan way. It is what the American people are expecting us to do. Yesterday, in our Commerce  more

Sen. Blackburn on Impeachment: House Dems Only Taking Vote After Catching Flak for Denying President Due Process
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Last night, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Fox News @ Night with Shannon Bream to discuss the latest in the House Democrats' impeachment inquiry. On the Democrats' Handing of Impeachment Inquiry "They're just trying to take this vote because they've caught so much flak for doing this kangaroo court in Adam Schiff's basement and people not being able to have some visibility into who they're  more

Sen. Blackburn's Coin Bill Honoring 100 Years of Women's Right to Vote Passes Congress
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senator Marsha Blackburn's (R-Tenn.) bipartisan legislation honoring the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote with a commemorative coin has passed Congress and is on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, cosponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), will create a silver $1 coin minted by the U.S. Treasury. Re  more

Sen. Blackburn, Colleagues Work to Defend Freedom of Expression in Hong Kong
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today led the introduction of new, bipartisan legislation that would ban the U.S. export of crowd control equipment to the Hong Kong Police Force. The legislation follows documented reports by human rights groups that U.S.-made police equipment has been used by Hong Kong police to violate th  more

Van Hollen, Alexander Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize ARPA-E, Increase Funding for Advanced Energy Research and Development
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) have announced the introduction of their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize funding for the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). ARPA-E works to advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies in the early stages of development. The bill would increase funding levels from $428 million in   more