New TNJ edition alert: Ford incentive deal gets scant attention amid furor over COVID-19 mandates
The new print edition of The Tenenssee Journal is out. Here’s what we covered this week:
— Ford session near, but still no official call on COVID-19 mandates.
— Robinson faces Senate removal following conviction in fraud trial (with cameos from John Ford, Tommy Burnett, and Ed Gillock).
— Cue the waterworks: State releases plan for spending federal funds on water, sewer projects.
— Obituary: Jim Coley, social studies teacher who spent 14 years as lawmaker.
Also: Mick Jagger on a pedal tavern, big school districts and teachers’ union frozen out of BEP review, Randy Boyd apologizes for Mark Pody fundraiser, and Steve Cohen makes an endorsement in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
As always, access your copy of the TNJ here or subscribe here.
Tennessee congressional delegation recoils at Capitol incursion
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Nashville), who called for active duty troops to be activated to quell social unrest during last year’s campaign, is denouncing the breach of the U.S. Capitol by demonstrators supporting President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his electoral loss.
“What is happening at the U.S. Capitol right now is not peaceful, this is violence,” Hagerty said in a tweet. “I condemn it in the strongest terms. We are a nation of laws and this must stop.”
Fellow Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Brentwood) soon followed suit:
Other members of the Tennessee delegation have also been tweeting about the events:
Tennessee delegation comments on Trump acquittal
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Brentwood) speaks at a Tennessee Titans event in Nashville on Dec. 13, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Here’s what members of the Tennessee congressional delegation had to say about the Senate’s acquittal of President Donald Trump following his impeachment trial:
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Brentwood):
The impeachment of President Donald J. Trump was not a matter of procedure—it was an attempted coup, brought forth at the expense of the safety and prosperity of the American people. Every member of Congress must now reflect, remember, and take to heart the real legacy of this dark moment in history, when ruthless partisanship undermined due process, trampled the rule of law, and very nearly erased from precedent those rules that underpin our democratic republic.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Maryville):
The question then is not whether the president did it, but whether the United States Senate or the American people should decide what to do about what he did. I believe that the Constitution clearly provides that the people should make that decision in the presidential election that began on Monday in Iowa.
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis)
I voted for the articles of impeachment in the Judiciary Committee and on the House floor and believe the House managers proved their case in the Senate beyond a reasonable doubt. Because the Senate required a two-thirds vote to remove the President from office, he will remain. But his ignominious impeachment will always be the legacy of his reckless and lawless presidency. A bipartisan majority of Congress has voted to impeach or convict him, and that’s a blemish on his record that the American public should consider in evaluating his remaining time in office.
U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Cookeville):
Just as we knew from the beginning, House Democrats’ impeachment process was purely partisan and an embarrassment to our country. More importantly, their focus on this process served as a distraction from the work the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to accomplish.
U.S. Rep. David Kustoff (R-Memphis):
I commend the Senate for acquitting the President today and putting an end to this partisan endeavor. The fact is, President Trump did nothing wrong, and today’s acquittal proves just that. Now that this impeachment is behind us, I look forward to working closely with President Trump to pass real legislation that would improve our infrastructure, secure our border, and continue to boost our already thriving economy.
Strong to mount challenge to U.S. Rep. Cohen
Corey Strong, who presided over strong gains as chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party last year, is mounting a challenge to U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.
Strong told The Daily Memphian he wants to be a “true ambassador for what Memphis is.”
Cohen, who is white, has represented the majority black district since 2006. He has announced plans to run again in 2020 and 2022.
Strong, who is African American, said he wants to focus on issues affecting Shelby County rather than national political issues.
“I certainly will not besmirch his record and votes for the most part. And I think he’s been good on constituent services and he’s gotten a lot of money and been to a lot of different events and done a lot right by citizens,” he said of Cohen. “But ultimately I think our congressman can do a lot more to re-envision our economy and be a true ambassador for what Memphis is.”
Judge rules Cohen opponent can run in Democratic primary, contrary to state party action
Shelby County Chancellor Walter Evans has ruled that M. LaTroy Alexandria-Williams can run as a Democrat against U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen in the August primary, reports the Commercial Appeal.
Kustoff invited to White House Hanukkah Party; Cohen (and other Jewish Democrats) snubbed
President Donald Trump invited the two Republicans members of Congress who are Jewish – Tennessee’s Rep. David Kustoff and New York Rep. Lee Zeldin – to the White House Hanukkah Party but excluded Jewish Democrats including Tennessee’s Rep. Steve Cohen, reports the New York Times. That was break with tradition, which under past presidents has made the gathering non-partisan.
Cohen gets support from five fellow Democrats for Trump impeachment effort
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) says that five other Democrats have signed on to his resolution to introduce five articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, reports Politico.
The Democrats charge that Trump obstructed justice when he fired FBI Director James Comey; that he has violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause by continuing to frequent and profit from his businesses; and that he has undermined the federal judiciary and freedom of the press.
“We’re calling upon the House to begin impeachment hearings,” Cohen said. “It’s not a call for a vote. It’s a call for hearings.”
Cohen proposes impeachment of Trump over Charlottesville comments
News release from Rep. Steve Cohen
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today announced that he will be introducing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump following the President’s comments on the horrific events in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Cohen wins battle in crusade against shrinking airplane seat space
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen failed last year in an attempt to pass legislation blocking airlines from shrinking the seating space on commercial flights, but this week won approval from a House committee of the proposal as an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, reports the Memphis Business Journal.
“Oftentimes in Congress, like in life, things don’t always happen the first time,” Congressman Cohen said.
Cohen’s press release on the committee vote is HERE
Cohen, Cooper sign onto lawsuit attacking Trump’s foreign business dealings
Tennessee’s two Democratic congressmen, Reps. Steve Cohen of Memphis and Jim Cooper of Nashville, are among about 200 members of Congress signing on as plaintiffs in a federal court lawsuit that contends President Donald Trump’s foreign business dealings may violate a provision of the Constitution.
Quote from a Cooper press release:
“The Constitution says our president should be free from all foreign influence,” Rep. Cooper said. “Since President Trump shows no sign of changing, Congress must ask the courts to enforce the Constitution he has sworn to uphold.”
Quote from a Cohen press release:
“The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause is a vital protection against foreign governments’ corrupting influence.” said Congressman Cohen. “The American people should have total confidence that the President is serving their interest, not his own financial enrichment. President Trump’s refusal to disclose information to Congress or seek Congress’s authorization for accepting profits from foreign governments stemming from his sprawling foreign financial interests is a brazen violation of the Constitution and a danger to our democracy.”
The full Cohen press release is HERE; the full Cooper press release HERE.
