{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://cohen.house.gov/passing-my-paratransit-amendment-highway-bill", "Passing My Paratransit Amendment to the Highway Bill", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nThis week, I renewed my call for the Department of Justice to investigate the Darrius Stewart case, the House passed my amendment to the highway bill for paratransit services, and I was named as a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee for the highway bill. Keep reading to learn more or follow me on TwitterandFacebookto see these updates as they happen.\nPassing My Paratransit Amendment to the Highway BillRenewing My Call for Federal Investigation into Darrius Stewart CaseServing on the Highway Bill Conference CommitteeHelping Memphis Get Covered Meeting with Arthur CageReceiving Champion of Healthcare Innovation AwardBringing Congress to your Corner2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available\nPassing My Paratransit Amendment to the Highway Bill\nOn Wednesday,the House of Representatives approved my amendment to the nations highway funding bill to help improve transit services for persons with disabilities. The amendment is designed to encourage local transit agencies like MATA to ensure their systems are safely and effectively supporting the mobility of people with disabilities. With an aging population and more wounded warriors coming home, Americans are becoming increasingly dependent on paratransit services. We have a responsibility to our veterans and to all those who suffer from disabilities to facilitate their mobility.\nRenewing My Call for Federal Investigation into Darrius Stewart Case\nOn Tuesday,I renewed my call for a federal investigation into the Darrius Stewart case after the Shelby County grand jury declined to indict the Memphis Police Officer involved in the case, despite Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirichs recommendation for a manslaughter charge. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, I urged the Department of Justice, as I had previously, to open a federal civil rights investigation immediately to determine if any federal civil rights laws have been violated.\nServing on the Highway Bill Conference Committee\nOn Thursday, I was named by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to the House-Senate Conference Committee for the nations highway funding bill. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am pleased to have the opportunity to sit down with Senators and Representatives from both parties to finalize a bipartisan, long-term surface transportation bill.I will continue fighting to bring needed funds and programs back to Memphis to invest in our roads, bridges, and mass transit. I will also push to keep my amendment to help improve local transit services for persons with disabilities in the final bill. After 35 short-term funding extensions, its time for Congress to invest in our nations infrastructure and put American families back to work. \nHelping Memphis Get Covered\nTheHealthCare.govinsurance marketplace has opened for 2016 plan shopping and comparisons. While the current shopping period runs until January 31, 2016, December 15, 2015 is the deadline to enroll in coverage that will take effect on January 1, 2016. You can visithttps://bit.ly/hcSavingsto see if you qualify for tax credits that will be applied as discounts on your monthly insurance premium. If you already have insurance coverage through the HealthCare.govmarketplace, your plan will be automatically renewed for 2016 but you should still visit HealthCare.govto update your information, ensure you receive the full tax credit to which you are entitled, and review new options as cheaper insurance plans that better fit your needs may now be available.\nIf you are on Medicare or your employer offers qualified health insurance in which you are enrolled, you're already covered and won't need to enter the Marketplace for your health coverage. If you aren't sure whether or not you should use the Marketplace to get insurance, call the Marketplace Hotline at (800) 318-2596, visitHealthCare.gov, or call the healthcare navigator Seedco at (901) 255-2955. You can also call my office at (901) 544-4131 or the Marketplace Hotline to find out if TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) is a coverage option for you.\nMeeting with Arthur Cage\nOn Wednesday, I met with Memphian Arthur Cage, a professional truck driver for YRC Freight. Arthur is celebrating 6 million miles in his tractor trailer accident free. Congratulations to Arthur!\nReceiving Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award\nOn Tuesday, I was recognized as a Champion of Healthcare Innovation by the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC). The award presentation took place at the Councils annual Healthcare Innovations Expo on Capitol Hill. The day-long event is dedicated to showcasing new developments in health care technologies, treatments and practices.\nBringing Congress to your Corner\n\nThis morning, staff from my Memphis office was on hand at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library for my Congress on your Corner office hours to help address Memphians problems with and questions about Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA and other federal agencies. My next Congress on Your Corner event will be Friday, November 20 from 10am-1pm at the Whitehaven Branch Library at 4120 Millbranch Rd. Stay tuned to these newsletters for more information.\n2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available\nMy office currently has a limited number of 2016 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form on my website. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessees Ninth District. Please feel free to share this email with other citizens of the Ninth District who may be interested in receiving one but who do not receive my eNewsletter.\n\nAs always, I remain.\n\tMost sincerely,\n\tSteve Cohen\n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://cohen.house.gov/passing-my-paratransit-amendment-highway-bill"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9621471874415874, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}