Press releases
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1,197 rows where party = "Republican", state = "TN" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending
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| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=2F6524F3-0877-4182-B9E4-E404C65B4F87 | Corker Statement on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month | 2017-12-29 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump proclaimed January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. With the establishment of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery and matching $25 million contributions from the U.S. and United Kingdom, 2017 was a historic year in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking but much more work remains, said Corker. I applaud the Trump administration, especially Ivanka Trump, for a continued focus on combatting this scourge on humanity both at home and abroad, and I remain committed to working with them to make this issue a priority in 2018. Today, in 2017, an estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world. Thats more than at any time in history. More than two and a half years ago, with input from leading stakeholders and industry experts, Corker proposed a bold, bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery worldwide. Not unlike the role PEPFAR has played in fighting AIDS worldwide, the End Modern Slavery Initiative, which is now operating as the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, was designed to leverage limited foreign aid dollars and galvanize tremendous support and investment from the public sector, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to focus resources responsibly where the crime is most prevalent. In September, both the U.S. and the United Kingdom announced matching $25 million contributions to the fund. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=64439F22-ED11-46CE-8940-9A1CC8F63FE9 | Corker Statement on Passing of Fletcher Bright | 2017-12-25 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the passing of prominent Chattanoogan Fletcher Bright. Like so many he knew, Fletcher had a big impact on me as a young man, and throughout life, said Corker. A gentleman, a pilot, a musician, and a businessman, he kept a balance and a steadiness that made you feel calm in times of stress. We will all miss him and hope to carry some of him with us to share with others. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/op-ed-recipe-healthy-holidays | OP-ED: Recipe for Healthy Holidays | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | December 22, 2017 By: Mrs. Brenda Fleischmann Recipe for Healthy Holidays The holiday season is in full swing, which means parties, indulgent meals and busy schedules—not exactly the ingredients for healthy living. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and doing regular physical activity are important to your overall health and can reduce your risk of cancer. Unfortunately, these aren't always priorities, especially this time of year. Let's change that. This year, mix in new traditions focused on wellness. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your own recipe for healthy holidays. Give health and fitness gifts. You might expect a "Bah! Humbug!" from recipients of these gifts, but put thought into what each of your family members and friends would appreciate. Whether it's a new yoga mat for your best friend, a basketball for your niece or nephew, a fitness tracker for your brother or sister, or a gym membership for your partner, your gift can provide extra motivation to loved ones for a healthy start to the new year. On a budget? Give "fitness date" coupons to be shared by you and a loved one. Organize family (or workplace) outings that revolve around activities rather than food. Run or walk a 5K race, take a stroll around the neighborhood to see the festive lights or volunteer at a food bank together. If your office hosts a holiday gathering, suggest an activity, such as bowling or ice skating, rather than a party centered on food. Bring a salad or vegetable to your holiday meal. Casseroles and desserts are never in short supply at potluck dinners, so make sure plenty of vegetables and salads make it to the table too. Plan your workouts and meals ahead of time. The family calendar is hectic this time of year. Schedule your workouts in advance so they are part of your routine. Meal planning and prepping on the weekend can help you make smarter choices throughout the week. You might not be able to resist your office cookie exchange or give up the family movie marathon after dinner, but m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=520477F1-C01D-41A7-AC6B-8793F58DF789 | Alexander: Senate Confirms Four New Members of TVA Board of Directors | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | NASHVILLE, December 22,2017 United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Senate confirmed four of President Trumps nominees including Jeff Smith of Tennesseeto the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors. Im glad the Senate confirmed these nominations so the new board members can get to work at the nations largest public utility,Alexander said.Each of these nominees understands that TVA must continue to provide cheap, clean, reliable electricity for homes and businesses throughout the seven-state Tennessee Valley region. I appreciate the president selecting such well-qualified nominees, and I look forward to working with them in the coming years. One of the four nominees confirmed was Tennessean Jeff Smith.AlexanderintroducedSmith athis confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in November,saying that because of his expertise in nuclear energy,his background in management of a large facility and his understanding of large construction projects, he will make an excellent TVA board member. President TrumpannouncedSmiths nomination in September. Sen. Alexander and Sen. Corker recommended Mr. Smith, who is the Deputy Lab Director for Operations at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, because of his background in nuclear energy. Oak Ridge National Laboratory employs nearly 5,000 people and has a budget of $1.4 billion. Mr. Smith, who is a resident of East Tennessee, will bring his experience to the nations largest public utility which has an annual budget of over $10 billion and employs more than 10,000 people. Kenneth E. Allen of Kentucky, James R. Thompson III of Alabama, and A.D. Frazier of Georgia were also confirmed to serve on the TVA board. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5582A20D-E925-41FE-AA89-946835D7EECD | Alexander: Senate Confirms Four New Members of TVA Board of Directors | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | NASHVILLE, December 22,2017 United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Senate confirmed four of President Trumps nominees including Jeff Smith of Tennesseeto the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors. Im glad the Senate confirmed these nominations so the new board members can get to work at the nations largest public utility,Alexander said.Each of these nominees understands that TVA must continue to provide cheap, clean, reliable electricity for homes and businesses throughout the seven-state Tennessee Valley region. I appreciate the president selecting such well-qualified nominees, and I look forward to working with them in the coming years. One of the four nominees confirmed was Tennessean Jeff Smith.AlexanderintroducedSmith athis confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in November,saying that because of his expertise in nuclear energy,his background in management of a large facility and his understanding of large construction projects, he will make an excellent TVA board member. President TrumpannouncedSmiths nomination in September. Sen. Alexander and Sen. Corker recommended Mr. Smith, who is the Deputy Lab Director for Operations at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, because of his background in nuclear energy. Oak Ridge National Laboratory employs nearly 5,000 people and has a budget of $1.4 billion. Mr. Smith, who is a resident of East Tennessee, will bring his experience to the nations largest public utility which has an annual budget of over $10 billion and employs more than 10,000 people. Kenneth E. Allen of Kentucky, James R. Thompson III of Alabama, and A.D. Frazier of Georgia were also confirmed to serve on the TVA board. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9DAEFCD2-CBE3-41BD-A74F-2A1F8E9D7F26 | Alexander: Senate Sends to President Legislation Honoring Important Civil Rights Sites | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | NASHVILLE, December 22,2017U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the Senate has sent President Trump legislation to be signed into law thatwill recognize and connect important landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement, including two potential sites in Memphis. Alexander said the legislation will preserve history for the next generation. The African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017 will help recognize and preserve as part of our national history sites that are central to the Civil Rights Movement, such as Memphis Mason Temple, the Church of God in Christ, and the Lorraine Hotel, Alexander said. This network will ensure the Civil Rights Movement remains at the front of our history and will help our children grow up learning about this pivotal movement. I'm glad the Senate passed this legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation into law." The African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017 would create a national network facilitated by the National Park Service of existing federal, state, local and privately owned sites that have been found to be significant to the Civil Rights Movement. Two sites in Memphisthe Mason Temple, Church of God in Christ, and the Lorraine Hotelare on the tentative list of sites that could be included in the African American Civil Rights Network. The legislation would allow the National Park Service to form partnerships with existing entities included within the African American Civil Rights Network to provide technical assistance on preservation and interpretation of the Civil Rights Movement. The Senate passed the legislation last night, and Alexanderwas the lead Republican cosponsor of the Senate version of the legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislationon July 26.The legislation now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=AECD48E5-95E2-4F68-BB16-5DA1D32DC4C8 | Alexander: Senate Confirms Experienced Education and Labor Nominees Approved by Senate HELP Committee | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 22, 2017United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, released the following statements on the Senates confirmation last night of President Trumps nominees to serve in the administration: On Johnny Collettto serve as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the Education Department, Alexander said:Mr. Collett, who has served as a special education teacher and as Director of the Division of Learning Services at the Kentucky Department of Education, is uniquely qualified to serve as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and I congratulate him on being confirmed by the Senate. On Kate OScannlain to serve as Solicitor, Department of Labor, Alexander said:I look forward to working with Ms. OScannlain to ensure there is a clear understanding of what is law and what is guidance. I congratulate Ms. OScannlain on her confirmation by the Senate. On Preston Rutledge to serve asAssistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Alexander said:Mr. Rutledge will have the important job of protecting hard-working Americans who participate in employee pension and welfare benefit plans, and I look forward to working with him. The Senate also confirmedKatherine Brunett McGuire as assistant secretary of Labor for congressional and intergovernmental affairs, andDouglas Webster as the Department of Education's chief financial officer. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=1FC8B991-006E-49D1-9E4B-B937D217990F | Corker Statement on Senate Confirmation of TVA Board Nominees | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed four nominees, including Jeffrey Smith of Tennessee, to serve on the nine-member board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). With over 9 million customers, TVA is the largest public power utility in the nation, and it is critical for the Tennessee Valley that it remains a low-cost, reliable producer of electricity, not only for ratepayers but also for our states business recruitment efforts, said Corker. The diverse backgrounds of these nominees give them the necessary qualifications to support TVAs important mission, and I am pleased the Senate has acted swiftly to confirm them. Last month, Corker introduced Jeffrey Smith at a Senate Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee hearing on his nomination, saying: I am confident that Jeff understands the needs of the Tennessee Valley and believe he will bring valuable experience to the TVA board. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-fleischmann-emergency-disaster-aid-package | RELEASE: Fleischmann on the Emergency Disaster Aid Package | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement in support of H.R. 4667,the Emergency Disaster Aid Package: "Wildfires continue to burn hundreds of thousands of acres across the Californian terrain, and the results of relentless flooding from storms Harvey, Irma, and Maria reduced neighborhoods throughout Texas and the southern United States to ruins, leaving Americans with no place to call home this holiday season. This is a heartbreaking reality for thousands of families, and while emergency agencies have been working tirelessly to provide assistance since these tragedies occurred, there is still a great deal of work that remains. Today, the House passed $81 billion in FY18 emergency funding. Of the $81 billion, $27.6 billion will be used to replenish the depleted funds for FEMA operations and the Disaster Relief Fund for all areas affected by hurricanes and wildfires. An additional $27.8 billion will go towards Transportation, Housing and Urban Development restoration of public transit and FAA facilities in conjunction with community relief efforts. $12.11 billion will be designated specifically to provide the Army Corps of Engineers with the means to assist Puerto Ricans in their efforts to rebuild. As our fellow Americans continue to put pieces back together after the natural disasters of 2017, I am committed to do my part to help those in need." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/issues?ContentRecord_id=AFDE3BE4-6879-4017-BF3D-65D5187A4B00 | Letter from Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker to Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Home About Services Students Casework Flag Requests Tennessee Delegation Tennessee Resources Visiting DC Legislation Press Room Contact | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=050AF5BF-B9E3-44F2-B482-26DE927A03CD | Alexander, Corker Urge Extension of Critical Medicare Payments for Rural Hospitals in Tennessee | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 21, 2017 United States Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) requesting the committee extend Medicare payments that are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee. We are writing to request that you consider including an extension of the low-volume adjustment (LVA) for hospitals with offsets at the same rate the program was funded before its expiration on September 30, 2017, in the final health care extenders package. Medicare payments such as these are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee and it is important that Congress provide these facilities some certainty that future funding for this program will remain level,the senators wrote. Tennessee hospitals would lose over $5.4 million in reimbursements over the next five years if the Senate Finance Committees proposed changes for eligibility become law, according to the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA). The Tennessee senators said it is important that Medicare funding is included in the final health care extenders packages because these payments are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee. The full text of the letter is below, and a link is availablehere. December 21, 2017 Dear Chairman Hatch: We are writing to request that you consider including an extension of the low-volume adjustment (LVA) for hospitals with offsets at the same rate the program was funded before its expiration on September 30, 2017, in the final health care extenders package. Medicare payments such as these are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee and it is important that Congress provide these facilities some certainty that future funding for this program will remain level. The Senate Finance Committees discussion draft released in October includes a five-year extension of the LVA, but also makes changes to the eligibility threshold for the payment adjustment. According to the Tennessee Hospital Association, this proposal would … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A57CF0A5-E1C1-4FCD-A110-B4206AA29C92 | Alexander, Hatch to Introduce Songwriters Legislation Early Next Year | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 21, 2017 U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today said the Senate will introduce legislation early next year that would help songwriters receive fair market compensation for their creative works and also improve an outdated music licensing process for digital music companies. U.S. Representatives Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) introduced legislation today in the House of Representatives that takes the first step toward this goal. Songwriters are the lifeblood of Music City, and their paychecks ought to be based on the fair market value of their songs so that when they write a hit heard around the world, you can see it in their billfolds, Alexander said. We intend to introduce legislation that we have been working on for months to help songwriters receive fair market compensation early next year, and we will be including in our legislation many of the same provisions that were in the House bill introduced today. I congratulate my House colleagues on introducing legislation today to bring our music licensing system into the 21st Century, Hatch said. Our outdated rules for collecting and distributing music royalties have failed to keep pace with the digital revolution. As a result, music streaming companies face uncertain legal obligations, and many songwriters and other artists are not compensated fairly for their work. Ive been working closely with Senator Alexander on companion legislation here in the Senate to fix these problems and look forward to introducing our legislation early in the new year. We need a music licensing system that works, and our bill will help create such a system. In 2015, Alexander and Hatch introduced the Songwriter Equity Act, legislation that would have allowed songwriters to receive market-based compensation and remove government price controls in two ways: First, it would have directed the Copyright Royalty Board to set compensation according to the fair market value when songs are sold, such as through mus… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=AE51C209-723A-4915-8463-2820074A2AA6 | Corker, Alexander Urge Extension of Critical Medicare Payments for Rural Hospitals in Tennessee | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) requesting the committee extend Medicare payments that are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee. We are writing to request that you consider including an extension of the low-volume adjustment (LVA) for hospitals with offsets at the same rate the program was funded before its expiration on September 30, 2017, in the final health care extenders package. Medicare payments such as these are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee and it is important that Congress provide these facilities some certainty that future funding for this program will remain level, the senators wrote. Tennessee hospitals would lose over $5.4 million in reimbursements over the next five years if the Senate Finance Committees proposed changes for eligibility become law, according to the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA). The Tennessee senators said it is important that Medicare funding is included in the final health care extenders packages because these payments are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee. Full text of the letter is included below and available here. December 21, 2017 Dear Chairman Hatch: We are writing to request that you consider including an extension of the low-volume adjustment (LVA) for hospitals with offsets at the same rate the program was funded before its expiration on September 30, 2017, in the final health care extenders package. Medicare payments such as these are critical to small, rural hospitals in Tennessee and it is important that Congress provide these facilities some certainty that future funding for this program will remain level. The Senate Finance Committees discussion draft released in October includes a five-year extension of the LVA, but also makes changes to the eligibility threshold for the payment adjustment. According to the Tennessee Hospital Association, this proposal would result in a nearly $5.4 million… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=CAF15CA6-5CA2-4260-BEEA-DB1F2FE6B4A0 | Corker Pushes Back on False Reports About Why He Supported Tax Reform | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON In an interview with host Brian Kilmeade on Fox & Friends today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) pushed back against false reports about why he supported tax reform. Corker is not a member of the tax-writing committee and had no involvement in crafting the legislation. He requested no specific tax provisions throughout the months-long debate and had no knowledge of the pass-through provision in question. Corker said he supported the legislation because our country will be better off with it than without it. Has Senator Corker been a victim of the fake news trend just like President Trump that many people thought was just a slogan? Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the [Senate Foreign Relations Committee], and Id have to say one of the most respected on both sides of the aisle in the Senate chamber. Senator, what is the Corker kickback? asked Kilmeade. Look, this is a travesty that something like this would be put forth,said Corker.The fact is this was a provision that came from the House of Representatives. Brian, Ive had zero impact on a word of the tax policy. Ive focused on deficits. The reporter that wrote about this knew I was unaware of the provision. I sat down with [Senate] leadership on Thursday and walked through the differences between the House and Senate bill... and this was not a provision that was even brought up. The reporter calls. He knows Im unaware of [the provision] and then all of a sudden turns it around as if this had some impact on a decision that I had already made. Corker also discussed the call he had with President Trump on Tuesday and said he now understands what the president has been facing in regards to false reporting. The president called yesterday. We had a warm conversation about numbers of issues, continued Corker. I told him that I had a healthy respect for the media. I deal with them all the time and, you know, to attack the media has not been something Ive done. But I had a newfound empathy for him in watching how a totally debunked story deb… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://duncan.house.gov/media/press-releases/duncan-statement-tax-bill-passage | Duncan Statement on Tax Bill Passage | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | John Duncan | D000533 | duncan.house.gov | legacy | Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that passed today, a typical median income family of four will receive a tax cut of $2,059. The overwhelming majority of those who pay federal income taxes will get a cut under this bill. Another major goal of this bill is to try to encourage companies to stay in the U.S. or re-locate here. To accomplish this we had to lower our corporate tax rate which was one of the highest in the world. This bill was not about trying to help billionaires - they dont need any help. We have far too many college graduates who are working as waiters and waitresses or are under-employed in other ways. This will help college graduates and others have a better chance to get higher-paying jobs. I also was pleased that this bill doubled the Child Tax Credit and eliminated the Obamacare health insurance mandate in 2019. Over 80% of this mandate was placed on people making less than $50,000 a year. No other bill in the Congress will do more to help keep jobs in this Country. Not only does this bill simplify our tax code, it provides much relief to the working families in East Tennessee. While no bill is perfect, this legislation goes a long way toward leaving money in the private sector where it will continue to encourage economic growth. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=14FE9E1D-4744-46EA-9823-B1CF1886E074 | Alexander: Senate Votes to Reduce Taxes for Most Tennessee Families | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | A family of four making a little over $70,000 a year will save more than $2,000 on their taxes, and a single mother making $41,000 a year will see a $1,300, or 73 percent, reduction in her taxes WASHINGTON, December 20, 2017U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement about the tax bill passed by the Senate: This bill will reduce taxes for most Tennessee families and will grow the economy by making business taxes competitive with the rest of the world. It nearly doubles the standard deduction and doubles the child tax credit.A family of four making a little over $70,000 a year will save more than $2,000 on their taxes, and a single mother making $41,000 a year will see a $1,300, or 73 percent, reduction in her taxes. Those making $100,000 or more today pay 78 percent of federal taxes, and after this bill is signed into law, will pay slightly more. Today, the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 48 in favor ofthe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act legislation agreed to by the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate passed its tax reform bill onDecember 2.The House of Representatives passed its own version of the legislation on November 16. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=24821496-73E1-4B1F-A2EC-A4EB9461DCAB | Alexander, Collins Statement on Bills to Lower Health Insurance Premiums | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 20, 2017United States Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today jointly released the following statement: Rather than considering a broad year-end funding agreement as we expected, it has become clear that Congress will only be able to pass another short-term extension to prevent a government shutdown and to continue a few essential programs,said the Senators.For this reason, we have asked Senator McConnell not to offer this week our legislation which independent analysts Avalere and Oliver-Wyman say would reduce premiums by about 20 percent for the 9 million Americans who have no government subsidies to help them buy insurance in the individual market. Instead, we will offer it after the first of the year when the Senate will consider the omnibus spending bill, the Childrens Health Insurance Program reauthorization, funding for Community Health Centers, and other legislation that was to have been enacted this week. Also, in order to succeed, our legislation must be bipartisan, andthe Senate Democratic leader said on Tuesday that Democrats would not support it in the current environment even though as recently as October he said that all Democrats would. There is every reason to believe that these important provisions can and will be delivered as part of a bipartisan agreement.And Majority Leader McConnell has told us that he will uphold his commitment to schedule and support the legislation. Americans with no government subsidy for health insurance have seen their premiums more than double on average over the last five years, making health care unaffordable for millions of people. The Alexander-Murray legislation,which funds cost-sharing payments and gives states more authority to reduce rates,was introduced by 24 senators, half Democrats and half Republicans. The Collins-Nelson risk pool proposal was supported by almost every witness who came before the Senate's health committee during our four hearings on stabilizing the individual market. President Trump and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6D6215B2-A057-4377-8E6E-D1091C566739 | Alexander: Senate Votes to Reduce Taxes for Most Tennessee Families | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says bill will double the child tax credit and nearly double the standard deduction, make business taxes competitive A family of four making a little over $70,000 a year will save more than $2,000 on their taxes, and a single mother making $41,000 a year will see a $1,300, or 73 percent, reduction in her taxes WASHINGTON, December 20, 2017U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement about the tax bill passed by the Senate: This bill will reduce taxes for most Tennessee families and will grow the economy by making business taxes competitive with the rest of the world. It nearly doubles the standard deduction and doubles the child tax credit.A family of four making a little over $70,000 a year will save more than $2,000 on their taxes, and a single mother making $41,000 a year will see a $1,300, or 73 percent, reduction in her taxes. Those making $100,000 or more today pay 78 percent of federal taxes, and after this bill is signed into law, will pay slightly more. Today, the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 48 in favor ofthe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act legislation agreed to by the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate passed its tax reform bill onDecember 2.The House of Representatives passed its own version of the legislation on November 16. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-fleischmann-votes-final-passage-hr1-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act | RELEASE: Fleischmann Votes for Final Passage of H.R.1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C.— Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement upon the passage of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: "The last time Americans witnessed tax reform was 1986, and I am proud to have voted to change that today," said Congressman Fleischmann. "This legislation demonstrates what can happen when Members work in a bicameral fashion toward one common goal- tax relief for families, workers, and businesses. I commend the leadership of Chairman Brady and the tireless work from Members of the Conference Committee, and look forward to seeing this legislation on the President's desk." In detail, the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will: Increase the standard deduction to $12,000 for single files, $18,000 for heads of household, and $24,000 for joint filers. Simplify the Corporate Tax Rate to a single-rate, 21 percent income tax. Expand the Child Tax Credit to $2,000. Repeal Obamacare Individual Mandate Penalty. *Information courtesy of TaxFoundation.org ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-statement-house-passage-tax-reform | Rep. Kustoff on Final Passage of Tax Reform | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement after the House and Senate passed the conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). This bill will now be delivered to President Donald J. Trump's desk for his signature. "This is a historic moment for hard-working West Tennesseans as we cut taxes at every income level," said Congressman Kustoff. "Tax reform is heading to President Trump's desk for his signature, which will grow the American economy and lead to better jobs and bigger paychecks in 2018. When our bill becomes law, the average family of four making a median income will see a tax cut of at least $2,000. Finally, our tax code will benefit the American people and not Washington special interests." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398264 | Roe Votes to Cut Taxes for East Tennesseans | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House passed the conference report for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: An overhaul of our tax code hasnt occurred in 31 years. Today, the House seized a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide tax relief to every American family and business. Im very proud of the work done by the House and Senate, especially considering the tax relief the First District will see from this commonsense, pro-growth package. This bill is a win for East Tennesseans, and the proof will be in Tennesseans paychecks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers individual rates for every American. Already, 85 percent of East Tennesseans take the standard deduction, so by nearly doubling the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and to $24,000 for families, even more East Tennesseans will be able to file their taxes on a simplified form. This bill will double the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,000 to help with the cost of raising children, and provides relief from the death tax that hurts family-owned farms and businesses. In addition, Im very pleased we were successful in protecting Americans from Obamacare by repealing the individual mandate penalty tax so families can decide what health insurance works best for them. In addition to the tax relief we are providing to individuals and families, we are making our countrys business tax climate far more competitive to incentivize businesses to invest in jobs right here at home. By lowering the corporate and small business tax rates, we are helping grow our economy. These are just a few of the many provisions in this tax relief bill that will benefit all Americans. I am excited about what tax reform will do to boost the economy in the First District and around the country, and I look forward to seeing our president sign this bill into law. Note: The U.S. House of Representatives passed its tax reform legislation on November 16, and the U.S. Senate passed its tax reform bill on December 2. The … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E73BCA99-506B-4BE1-988F-E69CF7D851DB | Alexander Urges Unanimous Support For Lankford Proposal to Make the Senate Function Better | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says the Senate needs a change in behavior more than a change in rules WASHINGTON, December 19 United StatesSenator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today urged his colleagues to support a proposal by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) that would reinstate a bipartisan standing order adopted in 2013 to reduce the amount of post cloture debate on some nominations. This is what we are talking about today: Functioning as an institutionmaking the Senate work. We claim the Senate is unique but that is only true if it works.Sen.Lankfords proposal is modest because it would reinstate a bipartisan Standing Order that we adopted for two years, 2013 and 2014, Alexander said. This is an opportunity to reinstate the practice of changing the rules of the Senate according to the rules.Continuing to ignore the rules will lead to ending the filibuster on legislation and destroy the uniqueness of the Senate. Alexander spoke today at the Senate Rules Committee hearing on a proposal by Senator Lankford that would reduce the post cloture debate time on most of the presidents executive branch and judicial nominees. The proposal would not change the post cloture debate time on nominees to the Supreme Court, circuit court and the presidents cabinet. Lankfords proposal would require 60 votes to pass the U.S. Senate. Alexanders full remarks are below: After the 1980 elections, Democrat Sen. Robert C. Byrd suddenly became Minority Leader of the Senate and Republican Howard Baker became the Majority Leader. Baker said to Byrd, Bob, Ill never know the rules as well as you do. Lets make a deal. I wont surprise you if you wont surprise me. Byrd said, Let me think about it. The next day Byrd said yes and they managed the Senate for four more years. I have heard Sen. Leahy say that it was one of the best, if not the best, times the Senate functioned as an institution. That is what we are talking about today: Functioning as an institutionmaking the Senate work. We claim the Senate is unique but that is only true if it works. Sen. Lankfords p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=876CC4D8-DBFC-4334-88B6-FD59AF909154 | Chairman Hatch Says Accusations in Report on Tax Reform Conference Provision "Categorically False" | 2017-12-18 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | Below is a letter from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch in response to the letter Senator Corker sent late yesterday following false reporting over the weekend about his involvement in the tax reform legislation. The senator is not a member of the tax-writing committee and had no involvement in crafting the legislation. He requested no specific tax provisions throughout the months-long debate and had no knowledge of the pass-through provision in question. Senator Hatch notes that the two assertions contained in these reports are categorically false. He writes: It takes a great deal of imagination and likely no small amount of partisanship to argue that a provision that has been public for over a month, debated on the floor of the House of Representatives, included in a House-passed bill, and identified by JCT as an issue requiring a compromise between conferees is somehow a covert and last-minute addition to the conference report. **** December 18, 2017 The Honorable Bob Corker 425 Senate Dirksen Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Corker, Thank you for your letter dated yesterday. I am disgusted by press reports that have distorted one particular aspect of the conference agreement on H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The reports have focused on the final version of the 20 percent pass-through deduction, the proposed new Section 199A. As the author of this provision and the vice chairman of the conference committee, I can speak with authority about the process by which the conference committee reached its final position. There are two false assertions contained in these reports, and I would like to correct the record on both. First, some have asserted that a new provision was crafted for real estate developers and was air-dropped into the conference agreement. Second, reports have implied that you had some role in advocating for or negotiating the inclusion of this provision. Both assertions are categorically false. With respect to the second, I am unaw… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=6F9D4FDB-2DF1-4707-B02C-1C66271209D4 | Corker Seeks Information on Provision in Tax Reform Conference | 2017-12-17 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Following false reports over the weekend about his involvement in the tax reform legislation, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) wrote to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today seeking information about where the provision in question originated. The senator is not a member of the tax-writing committee and had no involvement in crafting the legislation. He requested no specific tax provisions throughout the monthslong debate and had no knowledge of the pass-through provision in question. Text of the letter is available below. Dear Chairman Hatch: I appreciate the fact that on Thursday, as the conferees were concluding their work and before the weekend began when Senate staffs and members were going through the tax bill in detail, that I was provided with a briefing on key provisions in the reconciled conference bill that were different than those of the Senate bill. Yesterday afternoon, I received a call from a reporter asking about what he alleged to be a new provision in the legislation. The suggestion was that it was airdropped into the conference without prior consideration by either the House or the Senate. Since this issue has never been discussed with us by committee or Senate leadership, I went back through the bill in detail today. Beginning on page 25, line 3, there is a policy related to pass-through businesses and what is known as the alternative limitation on the deduction amount. My understanding from talking to leadership staff today is that a version of this provision was always in the House billfrom the Ways & Means markup, through House floor considerationand in reconciling the divergent House and Senate approaches to pass-through businesses this House approach stayed in the final conferenced version. Because this issue has raised concerns, I would ask that that you provide an explanation of the evolution of this provision and how it made it into the final conference report. I think that because of many sensitivities, clarity on this issue is ve… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-statement-passing-bill-giannini | Rep. Kustoff Statement on the Passing of Bill Giannini | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Memphis, Tennessee - U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement on the passing of Bill Giannini, former Chairman of the Shelby County Election Commission and the Republican Party of Shelby County. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Bill Giannini," said Congressman Kustoff. "From his time as Chairman of the Republican Party of Shelby County to Deputy Commissioner for Governor Haslam, Bill was a strong voice for the Volunteer State. We will never forget his humor and unmatched positivity. Roberta and I are grateful for our memories with Bill, and we will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=23CA524B-448C-4497-9E2C-463757122918 | Alexander: NLRB Restores Path to American Dream for Americans Who Own 780,000 Franchise Locations | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | NASHVILLE, December 15 Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the decision by the National Labor Relations Board to overturn its Obama administration-era joint employer standard: The Obama NLRBs decision changing the joint employer standard was the biggest attack on the opportunity for small businessmen and women to make their way into the middle class that anyone has seen in a long timethreatening to destroy the American Dream for owners of the nations 780,000 franchise locations. Our committee worked to confirm two board members this year with the goal of restoring fairness to the board, and todays decision by the Board in the Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors case is good news for all Americans. Today, in a decision on a case involving Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors, the NLRB returned to the joint employer standard that since 1984 required that for a business to be considered a joint employer, it must hold direct control over the terms and conditions of a workers employment. A decision by the Obama Administration NLRB on a separate case in 2015 changed the standard so that it took just indirect control over the employees terms and conditions of employment, or even unexercised potential to control working conditions to be a joint employer. That 2015 standard particularly hurt franchises. Companies could find it much more practical to own all their stores and restaurants and day care centers themselves, rather than encourage more franchisee-owned small businesses. Alexander has fought the boards joint employer decision since 2015, when he introduced legislation to overrule the decision. He has held hearings on the joint employer decision, and chairs the committee that oversaw confirmation of two new Republican board members and a new Labor Secretary. Background: In August 2015, the National Labor Relations Board (Board) issued its decision in Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) adopting a new joint employer standard under the National Labor Relati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=AC0C2243-33F4-4A96-91D8-BE4EEA529982 | Alexander: NLRB Restores Path to American Dream for Americans Who Own 780,000 Franchise Locations | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | NASHVILLE, December 15 Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the decision by the National Labor Relations Board to overturn its Obama administration-era joint employer standard: The Obama NLRBs decision changing the joint employer standard was the biggest attack on the opportunity for small businessmen and women to make their way into the middle class that anyone has seen in a long timethreatening to destroy the American Dream for owners of the nations 780,000 franchise locations. Our committee worked to confirm two board members this year with the goal of restoring fairness to the board, and todays decision by the Board in the Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors case is good news for all Americans. Today, in a decision on a case involving Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors, the NLRB returned to the joint employer standard that since 1984 required that for a business to be considered a joint employer, it must hold direct control over the terms and conditions of a workers employment. A decision by the Obama Administration NLRB on a separate case in 2015 changed the standard so that it took just indirect control over the employees terms and conditions of employment, or even unexercised potential to control working conditions to be a joint employer. That 2015 standard particularly hurt franchises. Companies could find it much more practical to own all their stores and restaurants and day care centers themselves, rather than encourage more franchisee-owned small businesses. Alexander has fought the boards joint employer decision since 2015, when he introduced legislation to overrule the decision. He has held hearings on the joint employer decision, and chairs the committee that oversaw confirmation of two new Republican board members and a new Labor Secretary. Background: In August 2015, the National Labor Relations Board (Board) issued its decision in Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) adopting a new joint employer standard under the National Labor Relati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=C98936A6-2B07-48D1-9A66-20C42DFA8CE6 | Alexander: Congress, President Poised to Deliver Christmas Presents of Tax Cuts, Lower Cost Health Policies | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | BRENTWOOD, Tennessee,December 15, 2017United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), in Middle Tennessee today, said Congress and President Trump are set to deliver Christmas presents to Tennessee families next week by reducing taxes and health care premiums. This Christmas season is a good time for Congress to give Christmas presents to both taxpayers and hardworking Tennesseans who have been struggling to pay for skyrocketing insurance premiums,Alexander said. And thats exactly what Congress and President Trumpwill do when we passa legislative package that would lower premiums by 18 percent in 2019, according to Avalere,one of the leadinghealthcareconsultingfirms in the country. On top of that,according to the Congressional Budget Office, thispackagewould also mean fewer federal dollars for Obamacare subsidies, less federal debt,and no taxpayer money bailing out insurance companies. Alexander continued, The legislative package would includea bill I as chairman of the Senates health committee -- worked onwith Senator Patty Murray from Washington which was co-sponsored by 11 other Republicans and has the support of President Trump. This billfundscost-sharing reduction payments for two years, which would help low-income Tennesseans pay for co-pays and deductibles. It would also give Tennessee more flexibility in creating policies at a lower cost and allow any Tennessean to buy a catastrophic health care plan with lower premiums and high deductibles. The packagewould also include the Collins-Nelson bill written by Senator Susan Collins from Maine and Senator Bill Nelson from Florida -- which is based upon the experience of Maine and Alaska in using invisible risk pools and reinsurance funds to create a pool of money to pay for the health care needs of the very sick, thereby reducing premiums by as much as 20 percent for everybody else. Alexandertold Brentwood rotary members the storyof Marty, afarmer he met in Nashville last week whowill pay $1,300 a month next year in premiums, making it very difficul… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=5FBCEA10-ABE4-47D4-A16B-035263C985F7 | Corker Announces Support for Tax Reform Legislation | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today announced his support for the tax reform legislation developed by members of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Committee. After many conversations over the past several days with individuals from both sides of the aisle across Tennessee and around the countryincluding business owners, farmers, chambers of commerce and economic development leadersI have decided to support the tax reform package we will vote on next week. This bill is far from perfect, and left to my own accord, we would have reached bipartisan consensus on legislation that avoided any chance of adding to the deficit and far less would have been done on the individual side with items that do not generate economic growth. But after great thought and consideration, I believe that this once-in-a-generation opportunity to make U.S. businesses domestically more productive and internationally more competitive is one we should not miss. While many project that it is very possible over the next ten years we could be at least $500 billion short on a $43 trillion policy baseline, I believe this bill accompanied with the significant regulatory changes that are underway, and hopefully, future pro-growth oriented policies relative to trade and immigration, could have significant positive impact on the well-being of Americans and help drive additional foreign direct investment in Tennessee. In the end, after 11 years in the Senate, I know every bill we consider is imperfect and the question becomes is our country better off with or without this piece of legislation. I think we are better off with it. I realize this is a bet on our countrys enterprising spirit, and that is a bet I am willing to make. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=4BF28EE6-EBA6-41B1-AE62-916715E1A261 | Lamar Alexander: The Alexander-Murray bill: Lower premiums, less debt, and new permanent flexibility for states | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Congress can pass a Christmas present that would mean lower health insurance premiums for 9 million Americans who get no government subsidies. Specifically, this Christmas present would lower premiums by 18 percent in 2019, according to a new study published today by Avalere, a health consulting company. And according to the Congressional Budget Office, this present would also mean fewer federal dollars for Obamacare subsidies, less federal debt —and no taxpayer money bailing out insurance companies. It has the support of President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said every Senate Democrat would vote for it. And almost all House Republicans have already voted for its provisions earlier this year. This present is wrapped up in a pair of bipartisan bills called Alexander-Murray and Collins-Nelson. It includes: Lower premiums: Two years of temporary cost-sharing reduction payments to help low-income Americans pay for co-pays and deductibles. These cost-sharing reduction payments, when properly approved by Congress, are a short-term help not only for Americans who buy insurance on the individual insurance market — because they help prevent premiums increases of about 25 percent, according to CBO — but also for taxpayers. Less debt: CBO said last month that making the payments would reduce Obamacare subsidies and therefore reduce the federal deficit. The CBO tells us that without these payments, taxpayers will spend $194 billion more over a decade to cover the higher subsidies that come with higher premiums. That’s why these temporary payments were a part of the House of Representatives repeal-and-replace bill and would have been part of the Senate Republican bill if budget rules had permitted it. New catastrophic health plans: This Christmas package also includes a new catastrophic insurance policy with lower premiums and higher deductibles to draw young people into the insurance markets. New flexibility for states: This bill includes new waiver autho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=A561F991-CEAD-4BF7-8419-9C51ACB8EF54 | Alexander, Murray Ask Nations Governors, Insurance Commissioners How Federal Government Can Be Best Partner for States on the Front Lines of Opioid Crisis | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 14 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today sent a letter to every governor and state insurance commissioner in the nation asking for their specific recommendations on how the federal government can be the most effective partner for states in the battle against the opioid crisis. “We are writing to ask what further changes to federal law or regulations would be helpful as you work to combat the opioid crisis in your state. Prescription drug abuse and misuse, and especially opioid abuse and misuse, is a public health crisis that has increased dramatically in scope during recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since 1999, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids has nearly quadrupled, with over 183,000 deaths in the U.S. between 1999 and 2015. In 2016, an estimated 64,000 Americans died from a drug overdose, and beginning in 2013, the nation has seen a skyrocketing increase in deaths related to fentanyl and synthetic opioids with over 20,000 overdose deaths. Every day, 91 Americans die from an opioid overdose,” the senators wrote. On November 30, Alexander and Murray chaired a hearing in the Senate’s health committee—the second in a series of hearings on the opioid crisis—which focused on what is happening at the state and local levels to address the crisis. On October 5, the committee held its first hearing of the series on the federal response to the opioid crisis with witnesses from the administration. The 21st Century Cures Act, sponsored by Alexander and Murray and passed in December 2016, included provisions to advance biomedical research and speed the development of new safe and effective treatments and cures to patients, and provided $1 billion for state opioid prevention and treatment efforts. Below is the full text of the letter: December 13, 2017 Dear Governors: We are writing to ask what further changes to federal law or regulations would be helpful as you work to comb… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=C1D67D64-D2BB-4C09-88C6-1BB7603E0A4A | Alexander: Eli Richardson Will Be an Asset to the Federal Bench | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 13, 2017—United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced Nashville lawyer Eli Richardson at his confirmation hearing to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. “It is my pleasure to join Mr. Richardson and introduce him to the committee today, along with his wife, Erin, his son, Wesley, and other family and friends,” Alexander said. “I’m thankful the committee is moving this nomination along because the Middle District is a growing and busy district – so we’re eager for Mr. Richardson to be approved by the committee and confirmed by the Senate.” Alexander continued, “I strongly support Mr. Richardson’s nomination to be a district judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. Mr. Richardson’s professional experience – as a litigator, FBI special agent and federal prosecutor in the Middle District of Tennessee, where he was appointed the office’s Criminal Chief – make him uniquely qualified for this position. Eli will be an asset to the federal bench, and Tennessee is fortunate to have such a well-qualified nominee who is willing to serve. I urge the members of this committee to support his nomination so he can be promptly considered by the full Senate.” Video of Alexander’s full remarks is available here. After President Trump announced Richardson’s nomination on July 13, Alexander said he had no doubt Richardson would serve Middle Tennesseans with integrity. Senators Alexander and Corker have urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to act quickly on the nominations to the Middle District of Tennessee because there are currently only two full-time district court judges. Federal judges from across Tennessee and other states are volunteering to help with the caseload until the two district court judge vacancies can be filled. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=28A7A85C-ED4C-4095-81A1-B8A1A20418DA | Alexander: Early Intervention in Mental Health is Critical | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “Sean is one person out of nearly 10 million in the United States with a serious mental health condition. Without treatment, his story could have had a very different outcome… Over the past few years, this Committee has worked in a bipartisan way to update parts of the federal mental health system for the first time in over a decade… I look forward to hearing about the progress being made to ensure more people can receive the help they need and have positive outcomes like Sean.” WASHINGTON, December 13, 2017 — At today’s oversight hearing on the mental health provisions in 21st Century Cures, Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that early intervention for patients with mental health disorders is critical. “Sean Lester is, by all accounts, a typical, Nashville young adult with a full-time job who also attends college,” Alexander said. “However, just before his 25th birthday, he experienced his first schizophrenic experience and has spent ten weeks receiving psychiatric treatment since 2014. Sean wrote me, saying, “This may seem slightly depressing, but my story does not end there. The doctors and staff I encountered at the hospital and at the Centerstone clinic taught me to live productively again in society. I have been free of the hospital for a whole year now. During that time, I have taken medication, returned to work, and even paid off a car! I am currently enrolled at Tennessee State University as a Junior pursuing a degree in Psychology.’” Alexander continued: “Sean is one person out of nearly 10 million in the United States with a serious mental health condition. Without treatment, his story could have had a very different outcome. Over the past few years, this Committee has worked in a bipartisan way to update parts of the federal mental health system – including programs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – for the first time in over a decade.” Today’s hearing is the third oversight hearing on the 21st Century Cures Act, which inclu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=D2FA9A9D-1815-4199-AB21-B7F5B6191041 | Senate HELP Committee Approves 3 Nominees to Education Department, 4 Nominees to Labor Department | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 13, 2017 — The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today approved and sent to the Senate floor seven nominees for the Department of Education and Department of Labor. For the Education Department, Brigadier General Mitchell Zais is nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary, James Blew is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, and Johnny Collett is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. For the Labor Department, Kate O’Scannlain is nominated to serve as Solicitor, Preston Rutledge is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Scott Mugno is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and Dr. William Beach is nominated to serve as Commissioner of Labor Statistics. On General Zais, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said: “General Zais has an excellent and deep background – having been a college president and a member of South Carolina’s Commission on Higher Education – to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Education. I look forward to working with him to continue working on implementing the law to fix No Child Left Behind as it was written and working with him to reauthorize the Higher Education Act to make it simpler and easier for students to go to college.” On Mr. Blew, Alexander said: “I look forward to working with Mr. Blew in his capacity at the Department of Education, where he will be responsible for helping develop policies and manage the budget, and ensure that programs are working as intended.” On Mr. Collett, Alexander said: “Mr. Collett’s long history in special education makes him uniquely qualified for his position as the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.” On Ms. O’Scannlain, Alexander said: “At her confirmation hearing, Ms. O’Scannlain confirmed that one of her priorities would be ‘consistency in application of our laws.’ I w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=FCFB2761-95D5-46AB-A045-191C150F6A75 | Opening Statement: Alexander: Early Intervention in Mental Health is Critical | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Sean Lester is, by all accounts, a typical, busy, Nashville young adult with a full-time job who also attends college. In June 2014, two days before his 25th birthday, he experienced his first schizophrenic experience. Since then, Sean has been admitted to the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital five times, spending ten weeks receiving psychiatric treatment. Sean wrote me, saying, “This may seem slightly depressing, but my story does not end there. The doctors and staff I encountered at the hospital and at the Centerstone clinic taught me to live productively again in society. I have been free of the hospital for a whole year now. During that time, I have taken medication, returned to work, and even paid off a car! I am currently enrolled at Tennessee State University as a Junior pursuing a degree in Psychology.” Sean is one person out of nearly 10 million in the United States with a serious mental health condition. Without this treatment, his story could have had a very different outcome. In Tennessee, about one in five adults have a mental illness, according to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. That is more than a million Tennesseans, and over 230,000 of them have what is considered a serious mental illness. Over the past few years, this Committee has worked in a bipartisan way to update parts of the federal mental health system – including programs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – for the first time in over a decade. As I said at the beginning, this effort was championed by Senators Cassidy and Murphy, as well as Senator Collins and other members of this committee. The reforms were part of the Mental Health Reform Act, which passed this Committee on March 16, 2016, and were included in the 21st Century Cures Act, which Majority Leader McConnell called “the most important legislation” Congress passed last year. Today marks the third hearing on the implementation of Cures. We hope the updates in this law will help more Americans access quality… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=6A792DC9-AB7A-4430-83C9-0DE00F617F79 | Corker Introduces Eli Richardson at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today introduced Eli Jeremy Richardson at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. A transcript of the senator’s remarks follows. “Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for allowing me to be here. I want to thank the committee for the work that it does in moving so many good nominees to the floor. “It is my pleasure today to introduce Eli Jeremy Richardson, who has been nominated to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. “I’d also like to acknowledge his wife, Erin, his son, Wesley, his parents, Lincoln and Gloria, and the other family members and friends who are here to support him. I know they all, as they should be, are very proud. “Eli attended Duke University and obtained his law degree from Vanderbilt University. “After he began practicing law, Eli felt called to serve our country and pursued a career with the FBI as a special agent focused on public corruption and counterterrorism cases. “Eli next served as a federal prosecutor – first in New Jersey and then in the Middle District of Tennessee, where he eventually became the office’s criminal chief. “Next, Eli worked for the Department of Justice overseas as the resident legal advisor for the U.S. Embassy in Serbia. Quite a distinguished career. “And for the past seven years, he has been working for a law firm in Nashville handling a wide array of issues. “Without a doubt, Eli’s diverse background and knowledge in civil and criminal matters will serve the Middle District of Tennessee well. “I am confident that he understands the proper role of a judge and will faithfully uphold the law. “I wholeheartedly support Eli’s nomination and encourage my colleagues to support his confirmation. “I would also like to mention – as I’m sure my friend, Senator Alexander, did – that the Middle District has lost two active and two senior judges since November of 2016, and the two rema… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398261 | Roe, Polis introduce the bipartisan RETIRE Act to help Americans save and plan for retirement | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON: Today, Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., introduced the bipartisan Receiving Electronic Statements to Improve Retiree Earnings (RETIRE) Act to help Americans plan for retirement. The RETIRE Act would ensure employers make retirement information easily accessible online, while providing protections for employees who prefer to receive paper documents. Under current law, employers are required to waste significant money and paper mailing documents like notices, disclosures, and statements to retirees. For context, it’s estimated that the costs of sending just one four-page notice to recipients is between $36 and $60 million. “We need to make it easier for Americans to think about and plan for retirement,” Polis said. “Nowadays, most Americans prefer their inbox to their mailbox. The RETIRE Act makes planning one-click away by giving employees online access to their retirement information. Not only does it make retirement information more accessible, but it helps the environment and reduces costs by cutting back on wasted paper.” “Today, more and more Americans are choosing to manage their finances online,” said Roe. “For this reason, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the RETIRE Act which allows retirement plan sponsors to automatically enroll participants in electronic delivery for plan communications. By encouraging savers to receive their retirement plan information online, this commonsense bill will lower administrative costs, provide more timely access to plan information and allow greater interaction with and personalization of retirement savings. At the same time, this legislation provides important consumer protections, allowing participants to opt out and receive paper statements at any time with no additional cost. I am proud to partner with Reps. Polis, Kelly and Kind to introduce this important piece of legislation.” Polis has served Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District since 2009. He is currently on the Committee on Rules, the Committee on Education a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=B845B896-9407-4A2E-97A1-CE909A347D5F | Alexander: Health Committee Explores Practical Solutions to Make Biomedical Miracles More Affordable | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “The system is extremely complex and there are many factors that could have caused Joseph, who wrote the constituent letter I mentioned, to be charged $150 for his prescription – for example, what type of insurance plan did his family have? Is it a prescription drug where there is only one manufacturer? Is it a new drug with no generic substitute available?” WASHINGTON, DC, December 12, 2017 –Senate health committee chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said Congress is working to find solutions to help Tennesseans who cannot afford their prescriptions. Alexander said: “I recently received a letter from Joseph in Cordova, Tennessee. He wrote, ‘Senator Alexander, I just got back from a trip to my local pharmacy. Unfortunately, I was unable to purchase some of the medicine my family needs because one of the medications was $150...I want to know how you plan to get this problem under control.’ I know that every member of this committee has heard similar stories from their constituents.” Today’s hearing was the third in a series of bipartisan hearings on drug pricing. Today’s focus was to examine a National Academies report on the price Americans pay for their prescription drugs. “According to the National Academies report, about 10 percent of health care expenditures is on prescription drugs – 17 percent, if you include prescription drugs received in hospitals and at the doctor’s office. Like most elements in our health care system, spending on prescription drugs increases every year, sometimes by as little as 1.3 percent, as in 2016, and other years by as much as 12.4 percent, as in 2014. Big increases in spending may be driven by the introduction of a new and lifesaving drug, such as the Hepatitis C treatment introduced in 2014.” “But there can be differences between what the overall increase on spending on prescription drugs is in any given year and what a patient spends on his prescription when he goes to fill it. The system is extremely complex and there are many factors that could have caused Joseph, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=90DE45EA-4249-425F-B714-95471DD7202F | Opening Statement: Alexander: Health Committee Explores Practical Solutions to Make Biomedical Miracles More Affordable | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will please come to order. Today we are holding our third hearing on drug pricing to look at the new National Academies Report “Making Medicines Affordable: A National Imperative.” Senator Murray and I will each have an opening statement, then we will introduce the witnesses. After the witnesses' testimony, senators will each have 5 minutes of questions. I recently received a letter from Joseph in Cordova, Tennessee. He wrote, “Senator Alexander, I just got back from a trip to my local pharmacy. Unfortunately, I was unable to purchase some of the medicine my family needs because one of the medications was $150...I want to know how you plan to get this problem under control. In the meantime, I guess my family will just have to suffer since we cannot afford the medications that they need.” I know that every member of this committee has heard similar stories from their constituents. Today’s hearing is the third in a series this committee has held on the cost of prescription drugs, based on a bipartisan request led by Senators Cassidy and Franken, along with Senators Collins, Baldwin, Murkowski, Whitehouse, Capito, Sanders, Enzi, and Warren. The fourth, if you consider how many questions on drug pricing Alex Azar, the nominee for HHS Secretary, had to answer at his confirmation hearing two weeks ago. At our first two hearings, we heard from prescription drug manufacturers, pharmacists, doctors, health policy experts, and others, to try to understand what goes into the price patients pay when picking up their prescriptions. The cost Americans pay for their prescription drugs is an important topic – more than 4.4 billion prescriptions are written for drugs each year for Americans who then pick up those prescriptions at 60,000 pharmacies, or receive them from doctors or hospitals, and from online pharmacies. While we are living in a time of remarkable biomedical research that is leading to new drugs that can stop a stroke and cure Hepatitis C, it is criti… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-religious-intolerance-has-no-place-america | Rep. Kustoff: ‘Religious Intolerance Has No Place in America’ | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. â U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today delivered remarks on the House floor before final passage of his bill, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017 (H.R. 1730). This legislation is Congressman Kustoff's first to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives. The full text of Congressman Kustoff's remarks follows: I rise today in support of H.R. 1730, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017. I introduced this bipartisan bill with the support of my friend, Representative Derek Kilmer of Washington state. Our legislation is essential in safeguarding religious institutions of all kinds from atrocious threats and acts of violence. Earlier this year, we saw a disturbing rise in bomb threats at Jewish Community Centers, churches and other religious institutions across the country. Our communities were in distress as cemeteries were vandalized because of their religious affiliation. This kind of hate crime is simply unacceptable. After all, religious tolerance is the bedrock on which this great nation was founded. According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States increased dramatically by 86 percent in the first three months of 2017. We can attribute this year's increase to 155 vandalism incidents, including three cemetery desecrations and 161 hoax bomb threats against religious community centers. This is a dramatic increase of 127 percent over the same quarter in 2016. On November 13, 2017, the FBI released their 2016 Annual Hate Crime Statistics Act data documents. The study found that more than 100 hate crimes occurred at churches in the United States in 2016 alone. Unfortunately, hate crimes motivated by religious affiliation accounted for 1,538 total offenses and 1,273 incidents that were reported by law enforcement. Hate crimes do not just hurt one personâthey cause grave distress to our families, communities and society as a whole. In my home state of Tennessee, w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-kustoff-kilmer-pass-bill-protect-religious-institutions | Reps. Kustoff, Kilmer Pass Bill to Protect Religious Institutions | 2017-12-11 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives David Kustoff (R-TN) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) today applauded House passage of their bill, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017. This strong bipartisan legislation will increase the federal penalties for bomb threats and other credible threats of violence against religious institutions. Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN): "The dramatic rise in threats against religious institutions is deeply disturbing and makes it clear that existing federal laws do not suitably deter these acts of hate. We must stand united against acts of hate and protect the rights of all Americans to worship freely and without fear. I am proud that our bipartisan bill today passed in the House. I look forward to the Senate's consideration, so we can send this important legislation to President Trump's desk." Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA): "Across our country, too many people have been subjected to hate, violence and threats because of the religion they practice. People who have come to a religious community center to take a class, exercise or support their neighbors have faced bomb threats and violence. With this bill, our government is saying with one voice: ‘Enough is enough.'" Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA): "Freedom in the exercise of religion is a fundamental right that our founding fathers chose to place as the first recognized right in our Bill of Rights. It is as important to protect these rights today. Sadly, we have witnessed many threats and acts of violence against religious institutions and centers and we must ensure our laws appropriately punish those seeking to intimidate people of faith. The Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act strengthens prosecutorial tools to deter acts of hate and violence toward religious institutions so that freedom of religion continues to flourish in America. I thank Congressman Kustoff for his hard work on this bipartisan bill and applaud the House for quickly passing it." In 2017 alone, more than 16… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398281 | Roe, Norcross Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Give Retirement Options to Workers | 2017-12-09 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC January 9, 2018 U.S. Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Donald Norcross (D-NJ) hosted a bipartisan roundtable discussion at the U.S. Capitol today focused on the risks facing the multiemployer pension plan system. In response to the growing retirement uncertainty faced by millions of Americans participating in the system, Roe and Norcross unveiled the Give Retirement Options to Workers (GROW) plan, a bipartisan effort that is designed to modernize and strengthen the multiemployer pension system for the future. Roundtable participants included Michael Scott, executive director, National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP); Carol Duncan, chief executive officer, General Sheet Metal (GSM); Brent Booker, secretary-treasurer, North Americas Building Trades Unions (NABTU); and Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and strategic initiatives, Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).For decades, families have relied on multiemployer pension plans for retirement, but the multiemployer pension system as currently structured is irreparably broken, said Representative Roe. The current structure makes it more difficult for employees and employers to modernize their system to provide the retirement security necessary for hardworking Americans. Thats why Im proud to partner with Representative Norcross to propose the GROW plan. This important, bipartisan proposal is widely supported by retirement security advocates and will provide a new voluntary vehicle for retirement savings that combines the best components of defined benefit and defined contribution plans. This plan will create a best of both worlds scenario for employers and employees, and I look forward to working to ensure composite plans are a key reform adopted to ensure the multiemployer pension system is around for future retirees. Millions of workers deserve a safe, secure retirement and, at the same time, employers deserve predictability and flexibility without excess liability. By focusing on the partnership b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F6DE1528-7DE8-49F5-B5C1-3672737A70F8 | Alexander to Tennessee Farmer: Weve Got a Christmas Present for You | 2017-12-08 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2017 – Senate health committee chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) urged Congress to deliver “a very good Christmas present” by passing his bipartisan legislation to lower health insurance premiums by 18 percent -- that's according to Avalere, which is one of the leading health consulting firms in the country and made the announcement this week. The senator said that the legislation will not just reduce premiums, but will also reduce the amount of federal tax dollars that go to pay for Obamacare subsidies, according to the Congressional Budget Office, because "if the premiums are lower, the subsidies are going to be lower. And if the subsidies are lower, then the federal debt is going to be lower,” Alexander said. The legislative package would include the Alexander-Murray bill to fund cost-sharing reduction payments for two years that help low-income Americans pay for co-pays and deductibles. It would give states more flexibility in creating policies at a lower cost and allow anyone to buy a “catastrophic” healthcare plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles. The package would also include the Collins-Nelson bill, which is based upon the experience of Maine and Alaska in using invisible risk pools and reinsurance funds to create a pool of money to pay for the healthcare needs of the very sick, thereby reducing premiums by as much as 20 percent for everybody else. Alexander told the story of a Nashvillian he met who will pay $1,300 a month next year in premiums: “On Wednesday, I was in Nashville, and I went to Chick-fil-A on Charlotte at about 2 pm in the afternoon. I ordered six chicken nuggets, some mac and cheese and some waffle fries. As I was about to leave, and a lady walked up to me and said, ‘Senator, thank you for what you're doing to help me with insurance.’ “She said, ‘My name is Marty. I'm a self-employed farmer. And the year before Obamacare started, my monthly insurance premium was $300. Next year, it's $1,300, and it's very hard for me to afford.’ “I said, ‘I gue… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=58B89032-5552-4FFE-909D-471FB38CA87D | Alexander Holds Hearing to Ensure Patients Benefit from 21st Century Cures Law | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “[A] law is not worth the paper it’s printed on if it is not implemented properly. I intend to ensure Cures is… implemented properly... Today we are hearing from Dr. Collins and Dr. Gottlieb on the provisions related to biomedical research. We are fortunate to have two talented leaders who know their agencies, are widely respected in Congress, and capable of getting results.” WASHINGTON, December 7, 2017—Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander today held a hearing to ensure patients benefit from the 21st Century Cures Act – the law passed last year to boost biomedical research at a time of “limitless opportunity.” “When the Senate passed Cures one year ago today, we hoped to unleash medical innovation and give Americans more access to life-changing treatments and cures, so more Americans could experience medical miracles,” Alexander said. “It is not an overstatement to say that the 21st Century Cures Act has the potential to affect virtually every American family by taking advantage of breathtaking advances in biomedical research.” At today’s hearing, Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), testified about the implementation of 21st Century Cures and progress being made in unleashing biomedical innovation. Of the witnesses, Alexander said, “We are fortunate to have two talented leaders who know their agencies, are widely respected in Congress, and capable of getting results.” Alexander continued: “At a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in 2016, Dr. Collins offered ‘bold predictions’ for future medical advances if we continue funding NIH and ensure FDA has the tools it needs. These predications included a way to identify Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear, the development of an artificial pancreas, a vaccine for Zika virus and HIV/AIDS, and a universal flu vaccine, and new non-addictive pain medicines to help patients as we continue to battle the opioid crisis.” “Today, I want to find out … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=1B929F56-E721-4E2E-AF1D-0BF704C23E73 | Opening Statement: Alexander Holds Hearing to Ensure Patients Benefit from 21st Century Cures Law | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | In 2007, Doug Oliver, a computer programmer, began to have trouble seeing and, after a near accident, had his driver’s license taken away and was declared legally blind. The culprit was a rare form of Macular Degeneration. Doug moved to Nashville, where his doctor at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute told him that while there were no cures, Doug could search online for a clinical trial. Doug found a regenerative medicine clinical trial in Florida, where doctors took cells out of the bone marrow in his hip, spun them in a centrifuge, and then injected those into his eye. Three days later, he began to see. His eyesight eventually improved enough to get his driver’s license back—and enough that he became an effective advocate for more support for regenerative medicine, which we included in the 21st Century Cures Act. Earlier this year, Doug gave me the cane he’d used while he was blind. He said: “I don’t need it anymore.” When Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, we hoped to unleash medical innovation and give Americans more access to life-changing treatments and cures, so more Americans could experience medical miracles. It is especially appropriate to be having this hearing today because it marks the one-year anniversary of the Senate passing Cures. When it became law last December, I said that President Obama had signed a second Christmas miracle. In 2015, it was the Every Student Succeeds Act, the law fixing No Child Left Behind. Last year, it was the 21st Century Cures Act, which Majority Leader McConnell called “the most important legislation” Congress passed last year. I have often said of the Every Student Succeeds Act that a law is not worth the paper it’s printed on if it is not implemented properly. I intend to ensure Cures is also implemented properly, and this committee began our oversight hearings on Cures with a hearing in October on the Electronic Health Records provisions and, in addition to today’s hearing, we will continue our oversight with another hearing on the mental health provisions nex… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=6E525786-4A74-4358-8D87-668745C4D294 | Alexander Floor Speech on Alexander-Murray | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Mr. President, let me tell you a story. Yesterday I was in Nashville and I went to Chick-Fil-A on Charlotte Avenue at about 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon and I ordered six chicken nuggets, some mac and cheese and some waffle fries. And I was about to leave, and a lady walked up to me and said, “Senator, thank you for what you're doing to help me with insurance.” I said, “Well, what do you mean?” She said, “My name is Marty Parish. I'm a self-employed farmer. And the year before Obamacare, started, my monthly insurance premium was $300. Next year it's $1,300, and it's very hard for me to afford.” I said, “I guess you're one of those Americans who work hard and you don't get any government subsidy to help you pay for your health insurance. She said, “That's exactly right. I have to pay for the whole thing myself.” I said, “Well, Marty Parish, I’ve got a Christmas present for you.” If Congress can pass by the end of the month legislation that would lower your premiums in the year 2019 by 18 percent-- that's according to Avalere-- which is one of the leading health consulting firms in the country, which made the announcement yesterday. So if your premiums are $1,300 a month, that's a couple thousand dollars less you'll have to pay. That's still way too high. Or if the Senate and the House agree on a tax bill that removes the individual mandate and the Congressional Budget Office is right, that will put upward pressure on those same rates but only a maximum of 10 percent. So you're still going to get an 8 percent decrease in your rates in 2019, and that's about $1,000 in your pocket. Those are real dollars. Marty Parish, has seen, if she's like the average Tennesseans, her premiums rise 178 percent over the last five years and she has seen them go up an average this year of 58 percent more. So a very good Christmas present for Marty Parish, and men and women like her across this country, would be for this Congress, before the end of the month, to pass what we call the Alexander-Murray and the Collins-Nelson le… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://black.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-black-statement-house-passage-concealed-carry-reciprocity-act | Rep. Black Statement on House Passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | black.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38) by a vote of 231-198: "The Second Amendment is a fundamental right of the American people, and its protections do not end at the state line. In Tennessee alone, thousands of honest, law abiding citizens hold valid legal permits to carry a firearm and we believe in our Constitutional right to do so. Just as a driver’s license is recognized from one state to another, carry permit holders must be allowed to exercise this right safely and appropriately no matter which states they visit en route to their destination. I am proud to support this Act and will continue fighting for our rights under the Constitution." ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. A nurse for more than 40 years, she serves as Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Committee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/named-for-vanderbilt-terror-victim-taylor-force-act-restricts-us-foreign | NAMED FOR VANDERBILT TERROR VICTIM, TAYLOR FORCE ACT RESTRICTS U.S. FOREIGN AID TO STOP PALESTINIAN MARTYRDOM PAYMENTS | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | NAMED FOR VANDERBILT TERROR VICTIM, TAYLOR FORCE ACT RESTRICTS U.S. FOREIGN AID TO STOP PALESTINIAN MARTYRDOM PAYMENTS REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR BILL TO HONOR SLAIN ARMY VET, PUNISH “PAY TO SLAY” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Army veteran Taylor Force served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, before enrolling at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. In 2016, on a trip to study international business, the Texas native became the latest victim of Islamic extremism in Israel, where the Palestinian government pays terrorists to murder Americans and Israelis. “Taylor served his country, working to protect Americans and to make the world a safer place. In his memory, the House has passed severe restrictions on financial aid to the Palestinian Authority, funding terrorism, while the majority of its people subsist in poverty,” said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. “Until it ends institutional support for violence against innocent civilians, the government there will never be a legitimate partner for peace.” The Taylor Force Act, which the House of Representatives passed yesterday, would require the Palestinian Authority to renounce support for payments to terrorists and to abolish laws and funding, including for affiliate organizations. The U.S. Secretary of State must regularly certify compliance. “Sadly, Taylor is not the only American citizen to have died in the climate of hate the Authority’s radical policies create. Taxpayers here should have no part,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04). If successful, terrorists and their families receive pensions and other financial rewards from a Martyrs Fund. According to estimates, the territorial government spends approximately $300 million annually, or seven percent of its budget, on such payments. Because foreign aid to alleviate poverty and debt in the West Bank is fungible, American taxpayer dollars, averaging $335 million per year, free funds for martyrdom operations or may directly subsidize them. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/original-co-sponsor-rep-scott-desjarlais-votes-for-concealed-carry-bill | ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR CONCEALED CARRY BILL TO ENHANCE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR TENNESSEANS | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR CONCEALED CARRY BILL TO ENHANCE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR TENNESSEANS WASHINGTON, D.C. — An original co-sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted today for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill that would allow any Tennessean licensed to carry a concealed handgun in his home state, to carry it in another where concealed-carry is also legal, as long that person follows local law. “The right to self-defense is an unalienable one and the most important to protecting ourselves from harm,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), “as the Supreme Court has decided. Our Constitution guarantees that right – and also that states must respect our common laws.” “Today’s bill ensures Tennesseans who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights will face no undue burden when traveling to gun-friendly states,” he said. The Congressman is a strong Second Amendment supporter, as well as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, who after terror attacks at a recruitment center and military facility near Chattanooga in 2015, guided passage of a law allowing more service members to carry firearms on base. He has voted to allow federal law enforcement officers to carry their firearms when on furlough, in case of a government shutdown, and endorsed other pro-Second Amendment solutions to self-defense. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act prevents criminals from abusing the law. The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and National Shooting Sports Foundation endorse the legislation. The NRA awarded Rep. DesJarlais an “A” grade for his work to protect Americans’ gun rights. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=5DF73225-2A0A-4909-9AE2-1E372504DDBF | ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR CONCEALED CARRY BILL TO ENHANCE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR TENNESSEANS | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | desjarlais | https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — An original co-sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., voted today for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, a bill that would allow any Tennessean licensed to carry a concealed handgun in his home state, to carry it in another where concealed-carry is also legal, as long that person follows local law. “The right to self-defense is an unalienable one and the most important to protecting ourselves from harm,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04), “as the Supreme Court has decided. Our Constitution guarantees that right – and also that states must respect our common laws.” “Today’s bill ensures Tennesseans who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights will face no undue burden when traveling to gun-friendly states,” he said. The Congressman is a strong Second Amendment supporter, as well as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, who after terror attacks at a recruitment center and military facility near Chattanooga in 2015, guided passage of a law allowing more service members to carry firearms on base. He has voted to allow federal law enforcement officers to carry their firearms when on furlough, in case of a government shutdown, and endorsed other pro-Second Amendment solutions to self-defense. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act prevents criminals from abusing the law. The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and National Shooting Sports Foundation endorse the legislation. The NRA awarded Rep. DesJarlais an “A” grade for his work to protect Americans’ gun rights. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=A1DEB181-FC6F-4C50-8A43-0C759B819249 | NAMED FOR VANDERBILT TERROR VICTIM, TAYLOR FORCE ACT RESTRICTS U.S. FOREIGN AID TO STOP PALESTINIAN MARTYRDOM PAYMENTS | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | desjarlais | https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center | scraper | REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES FOR BILL TO HONOR SLAIN ARMY VET, PUNISH “PAY TO SLAY” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Army veteran Taylor Force served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, before enrolling at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. In 2016, on a trip to study international business, the Texas native became the latest victim of Islamic extremism in Israel, where the Palestinian government pays terrorists to murder Americans and Israelis. “Taylor served his country, working to protect Americans and to make the world a safer place. In his memory, the House has passed severe restrictions on financial aid to the Palestinian Authority, funding terrorism, while the majority of its people subsist in poverty,” said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. “Until it ends institutional support for violence against innocent civilians, the government there will never be a legitimate partner for peace.” The Taylor Force Act, which the House of Representatives passed yesterday, would require the Palestinian Authority to renounce support for payments to terrorists and to abolish laws and funding, including for affiliate organizations. The U.S. Secretary of State must regularly certify compliance. “Sadly, Taylor is not the only American citizen to have died in the climate of hate the Authority’s radical policies create. Taxpayers here should have no part,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04). If successful, terrorists and their families receive pensions and other financial rewards from a Martyrs Fund. According to estimates, the territorial government spends approximately $300 million annually, or seven percent of its budget, on such payments. Because foreign aid to alleviate poverty and debt in the West Bank is fungible, American taxpayer dollars, averaging $335 million per year, free funds for martyrdom operations or may directly subsidize them. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-fleischmann-concealed-carry-reciprocity | RELEASE: Fleischmann on Concealed Carry Reciprocity | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C.— Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement upon the passage of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act: "For far too long law-abiding gun owners have had to navigate a treacherous and ever shifting labyrinth of local and state gun laws while traveling with their concealed carry permits," Fleischmann said. "H.R. 38, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, will provide certainty to properly licensed individuals who travel with a firearm to carry in all states that already allow for concealed carry. I was proud to vote for H.R. 38 to ensure that upstanding citizens are not deprived of their Second Amendment rights or threatened with needless jail time due to crossing a state border." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-fleischmann-president-trumps-recognition-jerusalem | STATEMENT: Congressman Fleischmann on President Trump's Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement in response to President Trump's announcement to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel: "Today, President Trump made the historic announcement to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel. For years, Jerusalem has been regarded as Israel's capital city by the Knesset, the United States Congress, and the people of Israel. The President's announcement reaffirms the longstanding friendship and support between United States and Israel. I applaud President Trump for his decision, and will continue to stand with Israel as our ally in the Middle East." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-applauds-president-trump-s-decision-move-us-embassy-israel | Rep. Kustoff Applauds President Trump’s Decision to Move U.S. Embassy in Israel | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his intention to move the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the country's capital city. "I applaud President Trump for fulfilling his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the unquestionable capital of Israel," said Congressman Kustoff. "After eight years of the Obama Administration's failure to support our closest ally, this sends a powerful message to the world – the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel, our friend and the stronghold of democracy in the Middle East." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-votes-defend-second-amendment-rights | Rep. Kustoff Votes to Defend Second Amendment Rights | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement after voting for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38). "Our Constitutional rights do not end at state lines, and that includes the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," said Congressman Kustoff. "I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this commonsense legislation that will enhance public safety by allowing law-abiding Americans to exercise their fundamental rights, while keeping guns out of the hands of criminals." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398260 | Roe Statement on House Passage of Legislation to Protect Americans Second Amendment Rights | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act which also contained the text of H.R. 4477, the Fix National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Act: “I am committed to protecting law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of this critical piece of legislation that ensures citizens’ rights don’t end once they cross state lines and addresses shortcomings in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s NICS database. Just a few years ago, we saw the absurdity of Virginia threatening to crack down on Tennessee concealed carry permit holders. This would have meant that Tennesseans with a valid concealed carry permit could be committing a felony by crossing the street in places like Bristol. I am also pleased the Fix NICS Act was included in this legislation, as it will ensure existing laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals will be better enforced. As a concealed carry permit holder, you can rest assured I will continue to defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.” Roe wrote about these bills in his weekly column. Both measures are supported by the National Rifle Association. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=AD491D4D-B2C4-4236-9AE6-0109FC500D9D | Corker Statement on Jerusalem Announcement | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “Today’s announcement recognizes what has been true for almost 70 years, namely that Jerusalem is Israel’s seat of government,” said Corker. “On a bipartisan basis, Congress has repeatedly voted overwhelmingly to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and I applaud the president’s initiative in making this a reality. Maintaining a close working relationship with our regional partners and ensuring the security of our embassy personnel and facilities will be critical as the administration takes steps to operationalize this decision, and I look forward to working with them toward that end.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398541 | Update: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Marsha Blackburn | B001243 | blackburn.house.gov | legacy | U.S. CONGRESSMAN HONORED TO SERVE THE 7TH DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F05BD91F-1BF2-4D68-8108-8A849830B728 | Senate HELP Committee Considers Education, Labor Nominees Who Have Broad Support | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 5, 2017 — The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee today held a hearing for two Department of Education nominees, Ken Marcus to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and Johnny Collett to serve as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and two Department of Labor nominees, Scott Mugno to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and Dr. William Beach to serve as Commissioner of Labor Statistics. On Mr. Marcus, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said: “The Office for Civil Rights has the important responsibility of ensuring that Title IX and other civil rights laws, and the protections they provide to all students, are fully enforced. Mr. Marcus has a deep understanding of civil rights issues, having founded the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and having served as Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for four years. I have letters from 10 individuals and organizations supporting Mr. Marcus’ nomination to lead the Office for Civil Rights.” On Mr. Collett, Alexander said: “As a result of a long history in special education, Mr. Collett is widely supported by the special education community, including the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and five other organizations. He has been a high school special education teacher, served as Director of the Division of Learning Services at the Kentucky Department of Education, and is currently the Director of Special Education Outcomes at the Council of Chief State School Officers.” On Mr. Mugno, Alexander said: “My father was the safety director at a plant in Alcoa, Tennessee and later served on the first Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, so I grew up seeing my father’s pride when the plant went a long number of days without an accident, which instilled in me the importance of workplace safety. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Mugno’s experience and have received six statements… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=E0734ED1-B5F0-4120-A6B9-BF406D645796 | Opening Statement: Senate HELP Committee Considers Education, Labor Nominees Who Have Broad Support | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | In a hearing in 2014, I had this exchange with the former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, Catherine Lhamon: Alexander: Ms. Lhamon, you talk about something called guidance and I’ve got here about 66 pages of guidance under Title IX. Do you expect institutions to comply with your Title IX guidance documents? Lhamon: We do. Alexander: You do. What authority do you have to do that? Why do you not go through the same process of public comment that the [Department of Education] is going through under the Clery Act? Lhamon: Well, we would if they were regulatory changes. Alexander: Why are they not regulatory changes? You require 6,000 institutions to comply with this, correct? Lhamon: We do. The problem with that exchange is that guidance documents are not law. Laws are created by the Congress, or in some cases, the Department may issue regulations within the authority that Congress has granted, and an agency must follow proper procedures that include public comment. Public comment is especially important when issues are complex and have a great deal of difference of opinions. This certainly is true on the issue of the standard of proof colleges must use when investigating allegations of sexual misconduct. In April 2011, the Education Department had issued guidance under Title IX that told colleges for the first time the standard of proof that must be used when investigating these allegations. I was glad to see Secretary DeVos end this overreach and recognize the difference between the law and guidance, and announce that the Department will conduct the proper public rulemaking process to hear from students, college administrators, and others to help schools protect the safety and rights of all students. The Office for Civil Rights has the important responsibility of ensuring that Title IX and other civil rights laws, and the protections they provide to all students, are fully enforced. If confirmed, Mr. Marcus, I hope you will also recognize the difference between the law, which i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=5F57E9CA-020B-4551-A8BC-901A22057082 | Corker: Congress, Administration Stand United Against Rogue North Korean Regime | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today said legislation unanimously approved by the committee would support a comprehensive U.S. approach for dealing with the threat from North Korea. The committee sent amended versions of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 and the LEED (Leverage to Enhance Effective Diplomacy) Act of 2017 to the full Senate for consideration. “The committee’s action today shows that Congress and the administration stand united against the rogue North Korean regime,” said Corker. “These bills support a comprehensive U.S. approach and will help the administration address the most acute threat to global security at this time. I appreciate the work of the bill sponsors and am hopeful the full Senate will approve these measures in the near future.” Full text of the bills and amendments considered during the committee’s business meeting today are available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=D5FD19DC-597C-45F4-AB6A-731637E33E99 | Corker Statement on Committee Passage of Financial Regulatory Reform Legislation | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, today released the following statement after the committee passed legislation to improve our nation’s financial regulatory framework and promote economic growth. “Since Dodd-Frank was signed into law in 2010, community banks in Tennessee and across our country have faced an overwhelming and disproportionate regulatory burden,” said Corker. “These reforms are long overdue and not only will help our community banks better serve hardworking Americans but also will ensure small businesses have access to the credit they need. While more work remains, I believe this bill is an important step in the right direction and am pleased we are close to getting this over the finish line.” The package, authored by Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and cosponsored by Corker, is targeted toward helping community banks, credit unions, mid-sized banks, regional banks and custody banks. It includes important consumer protections, particularly for veterans, senior citizens and victims of fraud. Republican Co-Sponsors: Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bob Corker (R-Tennessee), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), David Perdue (R-Georgia), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho). Democrat Co-Sponsors: Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Angus King (I-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), Gary Peters (D-Michigan) and Michael Bennet (D-Colorado). Highlights of the legislation include: · Improves consumer access to mortgage credit; · Provides regulatory relief for small financial institutions and protects consumer access to credit; · Provides specific protections for veterans, consumers and homeowners; and · Tailors regulations for banks to better reflect their business models. For a section-by-section s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398257 | Roe Announces Federal Grants for Reconstruction from Natural Disasters | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads program will reimburse the U.S. Forest Service $335,408 and $160,000, respectively, to reconstruct federally-owned roads damaged by heavy rains in December 2015. Roe released the following statement: “The Cherokee National Forest is one of our area’s great treasures, and maintaining access to it is critically important. At a time of tight budget constraints, and with wildfires consuming an ever-increasing portion of the Forest Service’s resources, funding like this will help ensure public access to the Cherokee is maintained. Our national forest is a source of pride for East Tennessee, providing recreational opportunities and helping to drive economic growth. This funding will help ensure the Forest can be enjoyed for generations to come.” To view more information on these federal grants. Click here and here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398258 | Roe: We Are One Step Closer to Seizing a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting for the motion to go to conference to allow the House and Senate to reconcile the differences between the two tax reform bills: “Today we are one step closer to overhauling our tax code and seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to allow hardworking Americans to keep more of their pay. I am pleased the House has agreed to go to conference to reconcile the differences between the bills in both chambers. Comprehensive tax reform will give East Tennesseans a much-needed boost in their paychecks, increase job growth across the country and create a competitive tax environment for all businesses – both large and small. This pro-growth, commonsense tax reform bill is an incredible opportunity to improve the lives of all Americans, and I am optimistic Congress can get this bill to the president’s desk before Christmas.” Note: The U.S. House of Representatives passed its tax reform legislation on November 16, and the U.S. Senate passed its tax reform bill on Saturday. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=631A2FDB-5DCB-41CA-85E8-6D9EB02A6E89 | Alexander Announces Policy Directors for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee | 2017-12-04 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, December 4 — Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he has named three new majority staff policy directors. Grace Stuntz will serve as Health Policy Director, Bob Moran will serve as Education Policy Director, and Andy Banducci will serve as Labor and Pensions Policy Director. “We are fortunate this talented group of individuals is working to help tackle some of the most important issues facing Americans today: addressing the opioid abuse crisis, making it easier to go to college, and ensuring our labor policies are helping American workers find good jobs,” Alexander said. “Senator Ted Kennedy, who served for many years as the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, once said that the committee had 30 percent of the legislative jurisdiction of the Senate, and we’ve got critical work ahead of us this Congress.” GRACE STUNTZ Grace Stuntz previously served as Deputy Health Policy Director and Senior Food and Drug Administration Policy Advisor for the HELP Committee. She has worked on the committee since 2011, previously working for Ranking Member Mike Enzi, focusing on FDA policy, including the FDA Reauthorization Act, 21st Century Cures Act, and Drug Quality and Security Act. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Virginia. BOB MORAN Bob Moran previously served as Deputy Policy Director for Education for the committee, focusing on higher education policy with a specialty in financial aid policy. Prior to joining the committee, he was Director of Federal Relations and Policy Analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). He has served as a Policy Analyst for the U.S. Under Secretary of Education, and an aide to two Pennsylvania members of the House of Representatives, one of whom was a conferee to the 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. He is a father to three girls. ANDY BANDUCCI And… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=2E16E07E-C5B6-4EB5-B1D7-9F7E4BDC7E16 | Alexander: Senate Tax Bill Good for Tennesseans Family Incomes | 2017-12-02 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says doubling standard deduction and child care tax credit will help middle income families; Lower business rates will create jobs and keep companies from moving overseas WASHINGTON, December 2, 2017 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today voted for the Senate’s tax reform bill, saying it will help create more good-paying jobs for Tennessee families and keep more money in Tennesseans’ pockets. “Today, the Senate took a critical step toward reducing taxes. This is good for Tennesseans’ family incomes in two ways,” Alexander said. “First, middle-income tax cuts will leave more money in the pockets of Tennesseans — the standard deduction and child care tax credit are doubled. On average, wealthy Americans will pay a slightly higher share of federal income taxes, and middle income Americans will pay a smaller share. Second, taking the handcuffs off job creators will grow the economy. Our corporate taxes rates have been among the highest in the world, driving 4,700 American companies overseas during the past ten years to take advantage of lower tax rates. This bill lowers corporate rates from 35% to 20%-- about the worldwide average-- and allows immediate expensing of capital investment, which will create jobs and raise wages. The law will help increase the anemic annual 1.9% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that our country has been experiencing and will produce more federal revenues to reduce the national debt.” Alexander continued, “Now the Senate and House can work together on our different bills to send to the President legislation that can become law before the end of the year.” The U.S. Senate passed its tax reform bill today, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed its tax reform legislation on November 2. The House and Senate will now work together to come to an agreement on the two different versions of the bill. The House and Senate can then send a final bill to the president’s desk so it can be signed into law. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-applauds-passage-bill-protect-affordable-housing | Rep. Kustoff Applauds Passage of Bill to Protect Affordable Housing | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. â U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today delivered remarks on the House floor in support of the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017 (H.R. 1699). This bipartisan legislation, which the Congressman cosponsored, passed the House of Representatives shortly after. The full text of Congressman Kustoff's remarks follows: I rise today in support of the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017, legislation of which I was proud to be an original cosponsor. In West Tennessee and in other rural areas around the country, manufactured housing is a critical, affordable option for many families. More than 8.5 million families â that is roughly 22 million Americans â have chosen this option because of the affordability and value. In fact, one out of ten West Tennesseans has chosen manufactured housing as the best option to make their home. For this reason, our legislation is essential to protecting consumer choices and financing options for those seeking to buy a manufactured home, while also leaving in place important consumer protections. In fact, close to 60 percent of new manufactured homes sell for less than $70 thousand and are usually available at lower monthly payments than what it costs to rent. Manufactured home loans are always offered as a fixed rate, fixed term option. I am pleased to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, which will allow many Americans seeking the American dream of owning a home to continue to have access to affordable manufactured housing. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=7A33AC61-A734-4274-82CB-114BD28D2FB6 | Corker Statement on Tax Reform Legislation | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement. “My concern about the impact a rapidly growing $20 trillion national debt will have on our children and grandchildren has been a guiding principle throughout my time in public service. And during my 10 years and 11 months in the Senate, I have consistently fought for fiscal discipline in Washington. “I have authored comprehensive legislation to address America’s debt crisis, including the Commitment to American Prosperity (CAP) Act and the Fiscal Sustainability Act. I also have taken some really tough votes against very popular policies, including appropriations bills, budget resolutions, defense authorizations, disaster funding, and even a veterans’ bill. “But at the same time, I have consistently advocated for pro-growth tax reform. And in my view, these are not mutually exclusive priorities. “From the beginning of this debate, I have been a cheerleader for legislation that – while allowing for current policy assumptions and reasonable dynamic scoring – would not add to the deficit and set rates that are permanent in nature. “I worked closely with Senator Toomey to negotiate the budget agreement that paved the way for this legislation. And I have worked diligently over the past few weeks with Senate leadership and the White House to make improvements. “While I support a number of the provisions included in this legislation and continue to believe it would have been fairly easy to alter the bill in a way that would have been more fiscally sound without harming the pro-growth policies, unfortunately, it is clear that the caucus is in a different place. “This is yet another tough vote. I am disappointed. I wanted to get to yes. But at the end of the day, I am not able to cast aside my fiscal concerns and vote for legislation that I believe, based on the information I currently have, could deepen the debt burden on future generations. “I thank the administration, Senate leadership, and members of the tax-writing committe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=E6572E46-DE03-4D89-AF80-AFCF89CCD5F8 | Corker, Cardin Urge President Trump to Prioritize Elimination of Slavery in U.S. Policy Toward Libya | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Expressing deep concern over recent reports of slave auctions in Libya, U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Thursday urged President Donald J. Trump to make elimination of slavery a priority for U.S. policy toward Libya. President Trump is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj of the Government of National Accord (GNA) today, and the senators in a letter asked the president to discuss strategies for Libya to eradicate slavery during the meeting. Text of the letter is included below. A signed copy is available here. November 30, 2017 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: We are deeply concerned by reports that slave auctions are taking place in at least nine locations across Libya. If confirmed, these reports suggest that slave traders are exploiting Libya’s political instability and forcing migrants and refugees into servitude. The internationally recognized Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has acknowledged that these slave auctions are taking place. But given its limited capacity, the GNA has asked the international community for assistance in shutting down these auctions and holding slave traders accountable. We therefore urge you to discuss strategies for eliminating slavery with GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj when he visits the Oval Office this week and to make the elimination of slavery within Libya an integral part of U.S. policy towards that country. This issue will similarly be raised with the prime minister in congressional meetings with him. There are presently more than 27 million people enslaved worldwide. This scourge on humanity knows no borders or boundaries. It is imperative that the U.S. continue to lead in the fight to end modern slavery. Sincerely, __________________________ __________________________ Bob Corker … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://black.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-black-demands-full-transparency-and-accountability-congressional-hush-fund | Rep. Black Demands Full Transparency of Congressional 'Hush Fund' | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | black.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) released the following statement after signing on as a co-sponsor of the Congressional Accountability and Hush Fund Elimination Act: “Today, I joined my colleagues in a bipartisan effort to bring more transparency to claims of sexual harassment and misconduct in Congress. No public official should be able to use taxpayer dollars as hush money to cover up their sexual misconduct. This behavior has gone on too long and it needs to stop. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort and look forward to considering this legislation on the House floor.” “I also believe we need to go further. I believe that Congress and the Tennessee legislature should release all details of sexual harassment claims and settlements against legislators and staff. Victims should be released from their Non-Disclosure Agreements and Congress and the state legislature should identify perpetrators and produce redacted information that shields the identity and circumstance of the victim. Veils of secrecy only serve to protect the perpetrators. Full transparency and accountability is the only way to allow victims to heal and to bring perpetrators to justice. Those of us who are public servants should be held to a higher standard. We are not above the law. The time for action is now.” ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. A nurse for more than 40 years, she serves as Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Committee. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-scott-desjarlais-house-armed-services-committee-member-shapes-national | REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS, HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBER, SHAPES NATIONAL DEFENSE BILL, MOVING TO WHITE HOUSE FOR SIGNATURE | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION MOVES TO WHITE HOUSE, STRENGTHENS U.S. DEFENSE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE MEMBER REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS SHAPES LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2018, a bipartisan House-Senate agreement to increase troop numbers, pay, benefits, training, and national security. The legislation will travel to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature, before it becomes law. Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, responsible for drafting the annual NDAA, which sets military policy and spending levels, described today’s ceremony in the Capitol as a major step towards fulfilling his, and the Commander-in-Chief’s promise, to “Make America Strong Again.” The 2018 NDAA raises defense spending levels to restore depleted troop levels, as well as air, sea and land fleets, necessary to protect Americans at home and abroad. “Our adversaries, such as Russia, Iran and China, have responded to budget uncertainty and military cuts with technological and geographic advances in Europe and Asia,” said Rep. DesJarlais (TN-04). “Providing for the common defense is the federal government’s number-one responsibility,” he said, explaining Congress must now appropriate funding, requiring congressional Democrats to cease demands for equal increases in domestic discretionary spending. “The NDAA makes important changes to Defense Department acquisitions and auditing that would save taxpayers billions of dollars. I’d like to see the same enthusiasm for eliminating bureaucracy and waste at federal agencies without the same constitutional mandate or dangerous mission,” said the Congressman. He represents a district at the heart of the Aerospace and Defense Technology Corridor including Fort Campbell, Arnold Air Force Base, Redstone Arsenal and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where hypersonic, nuclear and u… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=251A2E88-812B-4E2F-992D-615AB0B18D99 | Alexander Introduces Amendment to End Wind Production Tax Credit At the End of This Year | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “You don’t need to be an accountant to know that our tax code is too complicated, takes too many dollars away from working Americans and makes it harder to create good-paying jobs… The wind production tax credit is a perfect example of the kind of provision Congress should kiss goodbye.” WASHINGTON, November 30, 2017 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced an amendment to the Senate tax reform bill that would end the wind production tax credit at the end of this year, instead of two years from now. “You don’t need to be an accountant to know that our tax code is too complicated, takes too many dollars away from working Americans, and makes it harder to create good-paying jobs. Congress is focused on making our backward tax code into something that encourages our nation’s instinct for creativity and innovation,” Alexander said. “As we look at all the wasteful and unnecessary tax breaks that are holding us back, the wind production tax credit is a perfect example of the kind of provision Congress should kiss goodbye.” Alexander continued, “The subsidy for Big Wind hasn’t come cheap: In just eight years — from 2008 to 2015 — the credit cost taxpayers $9.6 billion, more than a billion dollars a year. And it gets worse: The credit is expected to cost taxpayers more than $23 billion over just five years from 2016 to 2020, according to the Congressional Research Service – and the cost to taxpayers will continue until 2029 because when you extend the wind production tax credit for one year, it’s really for ten years. “It hasn’t done much for most Americans. Despite the billions that Congress has provided in subsidies, wind energy still produces only 6 percent of our country’s electricity. Wind blows about 35 percent of the time — and its schedule is not exactly pegged to our demand — so until there’s some way to efficiently store large amounts of wind power, a utility still needs to operate nuclear, gas, or coal plants when the wind doesn’t blow. “Wind turbines also destroy America’s natural beaut… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=DC574CB6-8281-4B22-BAF8-0C8701E50F41 | Alexander: Federal Government Should Be the Best Possible Partner for States on Front Lines of Opioid Crisis Ravaging Our Country | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “While the federal government remains an important partner in this fight, those in the judicial and public health sectors are on the front lines of this crisis. I want to know how these different state departments are working together to fight opioid addiction and what innovative approaches states are taking to address the distinct challenges they face.” WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2017 -- Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that “we must ensure the federal government is the best possible partner for states on the front lines of the opioid crisis ravaging our country.” Today’s hearing – the second in a series of hearings on the opioid crisis – is focused on what is happening at the state and local levels to address the crisis and follows a Senate health committee meeting last month to hear from administration witnesses on the federal response to opioid abuse. “The opioid crisis is tearing our communities apart, tearing families apart, and posing an enormous challenge to health care providers and law enforcement officials,” Alexander said. “It seems that every day, there are new studies and statistics that further describes the toll of this crisis. For example, last week the White House Office of Economic Advisers released a report that estimated the opioid crisis cost $504 billion in 2015.” Alexander continued: “While the federal government remains an important partner in this fight, those in the judicial and public health sectors are on the front lines of this crisis. I want to know how these different state departments are working together to fight opioid addiction and what innovative approaches states are taking to address the distinct challenges they face.” “Last year, Congress provided tools and resources to states through the Comprehensive Care and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act. I would like to hear whether these laws are helping states make progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, and, if not, why not.” “This past spring, the administr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=A68E15F0-714A-4214-873A-7C09EBB0C660 | Opening Statement: Alexander: Federal Government Should Be the Best Possible Partner for States on Front Lines of Opioid Crisis Ravaging Our Country | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | The toll of the opioid crisis that is ravaging our country is staggering. One of our witnesses today, Dr. Abubaker, has personally experienced the heartbreak that opioid addiction causes. His son, Adam, as a 17 year old, was prescribed 90 Vicodin pills for a minor shoulder injury. Adam developed an addiction and overdosed four years later on a mixture of drugs including heroin I am grateful Dr. Abubaker is here to tell his family’s heartbreaking story and share the work he has done to educate other doctors about prescribing opioids. As Dr. Abubaker has said, “People from all walks of life… have had problems. It has nothing to do with where you live, or where you came from. You could be the president. You could be the son of a doctor.” Last month, this committee held the first in a series of hearings this Congress on the opioid crisis – a crisis that is tearing our communities apart, tearing families apart, and posing an enormous challenge to health care providers and law enforcement officials. That hearing was focused on the federal response to the opioid crisis, and today we will hear from those on the front lines: our witnesses represent states, communities and providers and will share what they are doing and what, if any, changes are needed to federal law to fight the crisis. These witnesses come from four different states and have personal and professional perspectives on the opioid crisis from the judicial and public health sectors. We hope to hold an additional hearing early next year as we build on our work from last Congress – which included passing the 21st Century Cures Act, which appropriated $1 billion over two years for state grants, and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which created new programs to address the crisis. I mentioned some of the tragic statistics of this crisis at our last hearing, but they are worth repeating: The amount of opioids prescribed in the U.S. in 2015 was enough for every American to be medicated around the clock for three weeks, according to the Cent… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kustoff-spends-thanksgiving-troops-afghanistan | Rep. Kustoff Spends Thanksgiving with Troops in Afghanistan | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) last Thursday, November 23, spent Thanksgiving Day with American troops in Kandahar and Kabul, Afghanistan. Congressman Kustoff was one of eight members of Congress to join a week-long, bipartisan trip to Afghanistan, Poland and Qatar. High resolution photos are available here. "Last week, I had the great privilege of serving Thanksgiving lunch and dinner to our troops in Afghanistan, including soldiers from West Tennessee who are stationed overseas," said Congressman Kustoff. "It was an incredible experience, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to personally thank our brave servicemen and women for their remarkable sacrifice." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=402151BB-0D06-4464-A5D0-81F4097D002C | Alexander to Azar: Your Broad Experience is an Obvious Asset in Leading HHS | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “You will also oversee the Affordable Care Act…In Tennessee, premiums have increased 176 percent in four years, and an additional 58 percent this year. Both Congress and the Administration need to act to provide relief for these Americans. Senator Murray and I worked together on an agreement… Yesterday, President Trump said he supported the Alexander-Murray agreement becoming law by the end of the year and Senator Schumer has said all 48 Democratic senators support it.” WASHINGTON, D.C., November 29, 2017 – At a confirmation hearing today for Alex Azar, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said that Azar’s “broad experience is a principal asset to leading the Department.” “You have served in the judicial branch as a law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia and you know the executive branch, having been HHS General Counsel and Deputy Secretary,” Alexander said. “And you know the private sector. You spent a decade in a leadership position at one of the country’s major pharmaceutical companies, so you know the system of how drugs get from the manufacturer to patients.” Alexander continued: “With all of these perspectives, you are ready to take advantage of the law Leader McConnell called, the ‘most important piece of legislation,’ the 21stCentury Cures Act, which gave new, broad powers to FDA and NIH, and included the first major reorganization of mental health programs in a decade, as well as significant new funding for the opioid crisis.” “You will also oversee the Affordable Care Act. The nine million people who purchase insurance in the individual market who do not qualify for a subsidy are really getting hammered by skyrocketing prices – in Tennessee, premiums have increased 176 percent in four years, and an additional 58 percent this year. Both Congress and the Administration need to act to provide relief for these Americans.” “Senator Murray and I worked together on an agreement, co-spo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=B4835553-4AF7-46FE-A021-61995DA4EF7B | Alexander to HHS Secretary Nominee Alex Azar: As Secretary, You Can Help Lower Premiums for the 350,000 Tennesseans in the Individual Health Insurance Market | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “You will oversee the Affordable Care Act…In Tennessee, premiums have increased 176 percent in four years, and an additional 58 percent this year. Both Congress and the Administration need to act to provide relief for these Americans.” WASHINGTON, D.C., November 29, 2017 — U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today chaired a hearing for Alex Azar, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he urged Azar, if confirmed, to work to lower Tennesseans’ health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual health insurance market. “If confirmed, you will be faced with skyrocketing premiums in the individual health insurance market that are currently a nightmare for the nine million Americans — including 150,000 Tennesseans — who do not receive a government subsidy to help them pay for their health insurance,” Alexander said. “In Tennessee, premiums have increased 176 percent in four years, and an additional 58 percent this year. Both Congress and the Administration need to act to provide relief for these Americans.” Alexander continued, “I worked on an agreement with Senator Murray, which was co-sponsored by 11 other Republicans and 11 other Democrats, that would give states more flexibility to use the innovation waiver already in the law to find ways to lower premiums. It would also prevent a 25 percent price increase in premiums by 2020 by paying cost sharing subsidies, decrease the federal dollars spent on ACA premium subsides, and as a result, lower the deficit. Yesterday, President Trump said he supported the Alexander-Murray agreement becoming law by the end of the year.” Alexander concluded, “As HHS Secretary, there are other steps you can take to lower premiums and stabilize the market, such as approving states’ innovation waivers, which could increase access to lower cost plans and incentivize younger and healthier individuals to purchase insurance. If we can take these steps to stabilize the markets for the next few years, it will pro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=21208E81-0FD1-470D-9999-C369DB27996D | Opening Statement: Alexander to Azar: Your Broad Experience is an Obvious Asset in Leading HHS | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Mr. Azar, if confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, you will be running a $1.11 trillion organization, which almost equals the total of the 12 Appropriations bills that Congress passes each year to fund everything from national parks to national defense to national laboratories. You will be overseeing Medicare and Medicaid – our nation’s government-run insurance programs for the poor and elderly; Mental health and substance abuse programs – where you will have to address the opioid crisis, among many other issues; The National Institutes of Health – where, with Francis Collins’ great leadership, the United States is leading efforts develop a cure for Alzheimer’s, a new non-addictive painkiller to prevent opioid abuse, and new treatments for cancer; The Food and Drug Administration – where Scott Gottlieb has gotten off to an excellent start speeding up the approval of generic drugs and working to spur innovation and access to regenerative medicines; And you will be faced with skyrocketing premiums in the individual health insurance market that are currently a nightmare for the nine million Americans who do not receive a government subsidy to help them pay for their health insurance. You will also have an opportunity to implement what Leader McConnell called, “the most important piece of legislation” last year, the 21st Century Cures Act, which gave new, broad powers to FDA and NIH, and included the first major reorganization of mental health programs in a decade, as well as significant new funding for the opioid crisis. I believe you are an excellent nominee to do this job. You have been confirmed by the Senate twice. You have offered to meet with every member of this committee and have met or spoken with 15 committee members. You served in the judicial branch as a law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia. You know the executive branch, having been HHS General Counsel for four years and Deputy Secretary for two years. And you know the private sector. You spent a decade in a leader… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/op-ed-november-reduce-your-lung-cancer-risk | OP-ED: This November, Reduce Your Lung Cancer Risk | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | By: Mrs. Brenda Fleischmann This November, Reduce Your Lung Cancer Risk In today's society fewer Americans are smoking and lung cancer rates are declining, yet the disease remains the number one cause of cancer death. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and reminds us that we have more to do to prevent lung cancer. About 220,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. each year, and more than 155,000 men and women are expected to die of the disease. In Tennessee alone, an estimated 5,830 will be diagnosed and 4,590 will die of lung cancer this year. The biggest way to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to never smoke. Smoking is responsible for about 80 percent of lung cancer cases in the U.S. Although smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer, secondhand smoke, exposure to radon gas, or occupational exposure to certain toxic substances or radiation may also increase your risk. Lung cancer symptoms, including a persistent cough, constant chest pain, hoarseness lasting a long time or shortness of breath, don't usually occur until the disease has progressed. If you are or were a long-time smoker, talk to a health care professional about the pros and cons of low-dose spiral CT screening, which can detect lung cancer at earlier stages, when successful treatment is more likely. Quitting smoking is not easy, but a health care professional can connect you to resources to help you quit. Visit www.preventcancer.org/lungcancer to learn more. Brenda Fleischmann is the spouse of Representative Chuck Fleischmann and is a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation's Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. (Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society and FDA.) | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=15EC3D0A-DC72-432A-89CF-EBFDC707137C | Hospitals, Doctors, Patients Support HHS Secretary Nominee Alex AzarUniquely Qualified, Steady Hand, Tested Leader, Superior Credentials | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | American Hospital Association: “We welcome the nomination of Alex Azar to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. We are confident that his extensive background in business, health care and medicine distinguishes him as a uniquely qualified candidate for the vacancy. The expertise garnered from his career in the private sector and prior public service at HHS as Deputy Secretary will prove to be particularly valuable in addressing the serious challenges facing our nation's health care system today. We look forward to working side-by-side with him to achieve our mission of advancing the health of the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.” Federation of American Hospitals: “We welcome and support the nomination of Alex Azar for HHS Secretary. His years of experience in government service and the health care sector makes him uniquely qualified to confront the challenges facing patients, families, and caregivers. I have worked with Mr. Azar in the past and think he is the perfect pick for the times. His steady hand of leadership will be critically important as the deliberations over health reform and the many health care quality and cost issues proceed. We encourage the US Senate to confirm Mr. Azar quickly. We look forward to working with him constructively on the future of American health care delivery and financing.” Former Deputy HHS Secretary Doctor Roger Klein: “I applaud President Trump’s nomination of Alex Azar to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. As a former Deputy HHS Secretary and attorney with extensive private sector business experience, he brings the necessary skills and expertise to confront the disruption and dislocation the Affordable Care Act has caused. Alex Azar’s appointment will add stability to HHS, and help improve healthcare for millions of Americans.” Advanced Medical Technology Association: “The President has made a smart choice; Alex is a tested leader in the hard-fought battles to advance health care within the Department and across th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=34A1153A-9C1C-4225-A63F-716A2DB9BD6D | Alexander: Jeff Smith Will Make an Excellent TVA Board Member | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, November 28, 2017 – United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced Tennessean Jeff Smith at his confirmation hearing to serve on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, saying he will make an “excellent board member for the nation’s largest public utility.” “One reason Sen. Corker and I recommended him [Jeff Smith] is because of his background in nuclear energy. He is the Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is known around the world for its expertise in nuclear energy. TVA has been the utility that has led all other utilities in opening new nuclear reactors. TVA opened both the last nuclear power reactor in the 20th century and the first nuclear power reactor in the 21st century. Having a TVA director with a broad background in nuclear energy is especially important. “Second, he knows how to manage a large organization. Oak Ridge National Laboratory employs nearly 5,000 people and has a budget of $1.4 billion. He brings this experience to the nation’s largest public utility which has an annual budget of over $10 billion and employs more than 10,000 people. “Third, he knows how to finish a large construction project on time and on budget, which has been a problem with some government projects, but not at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Their Spallation Neutron Source was on time and on budget while he was Deputy Director. “As a resident of the Tennessee Valley and East Tennessee, Jeff is very familiar with the needs of the region’s residents and businesses. He understands that TVA must continue to provide low cost, clean, and reliable power for homes and businesses throughout the TVA region. “So for all those reasons – his expertise in nuclear energy, his background in management of a large facility and his understanding of large construction projects – he will make an excellent board member for the nation’s largest public utility.” Alexande… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4ED07E5F-B2D4-4913-AAAE-BDCCBA5F8439 | Alexander: Time to Simplify the FAFSA | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “Senator Bennet and I are now completing work on a bill that would reduce the FAFSA from 108 questions to as few as 15 and no more than 25 questions...Over and over again, across Tennessee, I have been asked, if I have already given my tax information to the federal government, why do I have to give it again for the FAFSA? My answer is that you shouldn’t have to. Once is enough.” WASHINGTON, November 28, 2017 — Senate education Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that, “after four years of discussions over how to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, it is time to come to a result to make it easier for students to apply for federal financial aid.” “Nearly 20 million students fill out the FAFSA every year and we have heard over and over that the 108-question form is difficult to complete and its complexity discourages students from applying,” Alexander said. “There is a consensus on how to make it easier for these students to apply for federal aid.” Alexander continued: “Senator Bennet and I, along with Senators Burr, Isakson, King and Booker, introduced legislation to cut the 108 questions down to two. Others have had good ideas on how to make the FAFSA less burdensome for students. For example, Senator Murray has a bill to simplify the FAFSA process for homeless students and students without parents.” “The result of all this is that Senator Bennet and I are now completing work on a bill that would reduce the FAFSA from 108 questions to as few as 15 and no more than 25 questions, depending on how you answer questions about your family. We will do this principally by taking the tax information that Americans give to the federal government and incorporating that tax information into the FAFSA.” “Over and over again, across Tennessee, I have been asked, if I have already given my tax information to the federal government, why do I have to give it again for the FA… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speechesfloorstatements?ContentRecord_id=9925CFEB-2306-4530-B932-D7158C2BAB38 | Opening Statement: Alexander: Time to Simplify the FAFSA | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Nearly four years ago, at a hearing before this committee, an unusual thing happened: four witnesses from diverse backgrounds agreed that almost all the 108 questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, are unnecessary. The FAFSA is the government form 20 million families fill out every year in order to qualify for the $140 billion in federal aid that helps nearly 20 million students attend 6,000 colleges and universities. At the end of hearing, I asked the witnesses if they could summarize their proposals to simplify the FAFSA in four separate letters to us. They said they could do it together in one letter. Senator Bennet and I then had the same reaction. If there is that much consensus on how to make it easier for nearly 20 million families to apply for federal aid, we asked, why don’t we actually do it? So, Senator Bennet and I set about to turn 108 questions into two, on a postcard that Dr. Scott-Clayton, who is also here today, recommended in her testimony four years ago. Let’s take a moment to talk about why simplifying this form is important: First, nearly 20 million students fill out this form every year. This means if you receive a federal grant or a loan as a freshman, you have to fill it out again to continue to receive aid for your sophomore year and beyond. While experienced financial aid officers tell us it does not take long to complete, we have heard over and over again from parents, students, and higher education officials how difficult it is the first time. Second, this complexity frustrates the goal of the Pell Grant, which is to help low-income students attend college, because it discourages them from applying for aid. I know in Tennessee, where two years of post-secondary education is now free, the complexity of the FAFSA is the single biggest impediment to more students taking advantage of Tennessee Promise. The former president of Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis told me he believes that he loses 1,500 students each semester bec… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=083953A7-4C3F-469C-91BE-F4469ED9CA40 | Corker Introduces Tennessee Valley Authority Board Nominee | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today introduced Jeffrey Smith at a Senate Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee hearing on his nomination to serve on the nine-member board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and called on his colleagues to swiftly confirm nominees for the four current vacancies on the board. A transcript of the senator’s remarks at the hearing follows. “I am pleased to be here with you today to introduce Jeff Smith, who has been nominated to serve on the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority. “I would like to extend a warm welcome to Jeff and his family. I also want to welcome the other three board [nominees] today – Kenny Allen, A.D. Frazier, and Skip Thompson – as well as their families. “I’d like to also thank the committee for holding this hearing. With over 9 million customers, TVA is the largest public power utility in the nation, and it is critical for the region that it remains a low-cost, reliable producer of electricity, not only for ratepayers but also for our state’s business recruitment efforts. “It is important that TVA has a full and well-qualified board, and without confirmation of these nominees, the board will lose a quorum at the end of the year. “As deputy director of operations for one of the most prestigious research labs in the country, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Jeff Smith understands the importance of continuing TVA’s mission. “In this position, he gained extensive experience working with TVA as he coordinated with the utility to construct three new substations as part of efforts to modernize the grid at Oak Ridge. “Jeff also has overseen cutting-edge research in the energy sector, and that knowledge and background will be of great value as our electrical power sector undergoes important changes to support the demands of the growing Tennessee Valley. “In addition to a distinguished career, Jeff has demonstrated a true commitment to East Tennessee through his involvement with multiple community organizations that work t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=88D045F4-12C2-4A48-B715-B3771C45F233 | Corker Working Feverishly With Colleagues, Administration to Improve Tax Reform Legislation | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – In an interview on “Fox & Friends”, U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today discussed his work to improve the Senate tax reform legislation by putting in place a “trigger” mechanism that would ensure fiscal responsibility should economic growth estimates not be realized. “I think all of us want to get across the finish line, and we are trying to make this bill one that not only serves our immediate interests as a nation but also our long-term interests,” said Corker. “Everybody is working feverishly right now to try to get to that place.” “For the last 13 days, Brian, we have been working with the finance committee and over the Thanksgiving holiday… very feverishly with the White House – both [White House National Economic Council Director] Gary Cohn, [Treasury Secretary] Steve Mnuchin, who was in my office yesterday, [White House Chief of Staff] John Kelly, and others – to try to create a backstop, or a trigger mechanism, that to the extent the growth estimates that have been laid out aren’t achieved, we don’t pass on even greater debt to our children,” added Corker. “We are working on that right now and hopefully we’re going to be successful.” “What you don’t want to do is create uncertainty as businesses are making decisions down the road,” continued Corker. “And you don’t want to do something that stifles growth. We’re working on all of those things right now, again, very constructively with each other to try to resolve it.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ContentRecord_id=A80D28C8-02D5-4959-B59B-E4DCC68711AC | Corker Votes to Advance Tax Reform Legislation | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | www.corker.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today released the following statement after voting to advance tax reform legislation to the Senate floor for consideration. “After agreeing in principle with Senate leadership, members of the finance committee, and the administration on a trigger mechanism to ensure greater fiscal responsibility should economic growth estimates not be realized, I voted today to advance this important piece of legislation,” said Corker. “While we are still working to finalize the details, I am encouraged by our discussions.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/in-the-news/oak-ridge-breaks-ground-facility-enabling-large-scale-y-12-cleanup | Oak Ridge Breaks Ground on Facility Enabling Large-Scale Y-12 Cleanup | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Chuck Fleischmann participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for Outfall 200, the new Mercury Treatment Facility, at Y-12 National Security Complex. The facility will play an important role in the remediation of mercury contamination and pave the way for further cleanup work, such as the demolition of contaminated buildings. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/in-the-news/uranium-processing-facility-project-achieves-key-milestone-completion-construction | Uranium Processing Facility project achieves key milestone with completion of Construction Support Building | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Fleischmann attended a ribbon cutting for The Uranium Processing Facility’s Construction Support Building. This facility is part of a larger Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) project that will replace an early-Cold War facility with modernized resources to efficiently and safely carry out national security operations. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=9C50DA88-6332-493C-9FDE-3F80CF3541D9 | Lamar Alexander: End the Wind Production Tax Credit | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | It’s an expensive, wasteful subsidy to an inefficient industry. Congress is focused on making our backward tax code into something that encourages our nation’s instinct for creativity and innovation. As we look at all the wasteful and unnecessary tax breaks that are holding us back, I have a nomination: At the top of the list should be ending the quarter-century-old wind production tax credit now — not two years from now. This giveaway to wind developers was meant to end in 1999 but has been extended by Congress ten different times. While the wind production tax credit is scheduled to be phased out by the end of 2019, we should do better and end it at the end of this year, and use the $4 billion in savings to lower tax rates. The subsidy of Big Wind hasn’t come cheap: In just eight years — from 2008 to 2015 — the credit cost taxpayers $9.6 billion, more than a billion dollars a year. And it gets worse: The credit is expected to cost taxpayers more than $23 billion over just five years from 2016 to 2020, according to the Congressional Research Service. It also hasn’t done much for most Americans. Despite the billions that Congress has provided in subsidies, wind energy still produces only 6 percent of our country’s electricity. Wind blows only 35 percent of the time — and its schedule is not exactly pegged to our demand — so until there’s some way to store large amounts of wind power, a utility still needs to operate nuclear, gas, or coal plants to cover when the wind doesn’t blow. Wind turbines also destroy America’s natural beauty. On average, wind turbines are taller than the Statue of Liberty — they’re over twice as tall as the skyboxes at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee. The blades on windmills can be as long as a football field, and their blinking lights can be seen for 20 miles. Congress needs to stop its habit of picking winners and losers in the marketplace. Twenty-five years of picking wind developers over more-reliable sources of electricity hasn’t paid off. Imagine what innovation we m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=8E19D8B2-3E20-43CE-9A28-77192691B2D8 | Alexander: New Mercury Treatment Facility in Oak Ridge Will Mean Safer, Cleaner Water | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | “In 2013, I made a personal commitment to address one of the biggest problems we have from the Cold War era – mercury contamination – and help fund a solution. …Today, I am proud to see that we are breaking ground on a new water treatment facility. I am grateful to all of those who have worked together over the past few years to get a result.” OAK RIDGE, November 20, 2017 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today spoke at the groundbreaking of a new water treatment facility at Y-12, “Outfall 200,” which will help reduce the amount of mercury getting into Tennessee waterways to safe levels and make it possible for cleanup work to begin at Y-12. “In May 2013, I came to Oak Ridge to announce that a new water treatment facility would be built at Y-12 at the head of the East Fork Popular Creek to prevent mercury that was once used to make nuclear weapons from getting into our waterways,” Alexander said. “That day, I made a personal commitment to address one of the biggest problems we have from the Cold War era – mercury contamination – and help fund a solution. Today, I am proud to see that we are breaking ground on the new water treatment facility.” Alexander continued, “When operational, this facility will reduce the amount of mercury getting in our waterways to safe levels and make it possible for cleanup work to begin at Y-12. There are a lot of big buildings on this site that we need to cleanup and tear down – and there is still a lot of mercury that is not accounted for. This facility will make it possible for us to do that cleanup work and not let more mercury get into the waterways.” Alexander said the new facility – which will be called “Outfall 200” -- would not have been possible without the hard work and coordination between the U.S. Department of Energy, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and the Oak Ridge community. Alexander concluded, “I am grateful to all of those who have worked together over the past few years to get a result. Today, as we are moving another … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=D7BC814E-7B3E-430D-880F-87102EF86FFF | Alexander Statement on Next Steps for Tax Reform | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | MARYVILLE, November 17, 2017 – United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement regarding tax reform, after the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved its tax reform bill: “This Senate Finance Committee bill is good for Tennesseans’ family incomes. Its middle class tax cuts will leave more money in the pockets of Tennesseans. Tax cuts for job creators will grow the economy and cause employers to raise wages in order to compete for employees.” Last night, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance approved tax reform legislation for consideration by the full Senate. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-scott-desjarlais-votes-to-empower-tennessee-families-and-small | REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES TO EMPOWER TENNESSEE FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN HOUSE TAX BILL | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES TO EMPOWER TENNESSEE FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN HOUSE TAX BILL WASHINGTON, D.C. — Middle-class tax cuts passed the House of Representatives today. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in addition to lowering Tennesseans’ tax bills, includes major business incentives that will grow jobs, workers’ income and the U.S. economy, said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., in a statement following his vote in support of the legislation: “The federal government is collecting more taxes than ever. The prior administration issued record pages of regulations, squeezing family businesses and the middle class, while Washington grew rich on government stimulus. Instead, lowering taxes will allow Tennesseans to keep more of their hard-earned money, to spend, save or invest as they like. Because of new financial incentives, more will form small businesses, our country’s economic engine, and American companies will return profits and jobs back home. The tools of success are in every person’s hands. We’re unshackling the power of American industry and ingenuity to ignite the economy, lagging for far too long." Details of the plan can be found here. The Tax Foundation estimates House Republicans’ plan would create an additional 18,255 jobs in Tennessee and add almost $2,000 to middle-income families’ yearly income. The Senate is currently considering its own version, and the two chambers will consult on a final one for the President’s approval. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=BDD92014-2C41-4B4D-95B8-DBD95260E9E2 | REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS VOTES TO EMPOWER TENNESSEE FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN HOUSE TAX BILL | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | desjarlais | https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Middle-class tax cuts passed the House of Representatives today. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in addition to lowering Tennesseans’ tax bills, includes major business incentives that will grow jobs, workers’ income and the U.S. economy, said Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D., in a statement following his vote in support of the legislation: “The federal government is collecting more taxes than ever. The prior administration issued record pages of regulations, squeezing family businesses and the middle class, while Washington grew rich on government stimulus. Instead, lowering taxes will allow Tennesseans to keep more of their hard-earned money, to spend, save or invest as they like. Because of new financial incentives, more will form small businesses, our country’s economic engine, and American companies will return profits and jobs back home. The tools of success are in every person’s hands. We’re unshackling the power of American industry and ingenuity to ignite the economy, lagging for far too long." Details of the plan can be found here. The Tax Foundation estimates House Republicans’ plan would create an additional 18,255 jobs in Tennessee and add almost $2,000 to middle-income families’ yearly income. The Senate is currently considering its own version, and the two chambers will consult on a final one for the President’s approval. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-fleischmann-votes-support-historic-tax-reform | RELEASE: Fleischmann Votes in Support of Historic Tax Reform | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, historic legislation to reform the American tax code: "Today the House of Representatives passed long overdue and sorely need tax reform legislation which will lead to families in Tennessee keeping more of their hard earned paychecks," said Fleischmann. "For example, a typical middle-income family in Tennessee will receive up to a $1,951 increase in income. Second, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act establishes a new Family Credit that includes increasing the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600. As a father of three, I know that raising a family can be expensive, and it is time we have a tax code that works with, not against, families. Tennessee is home to over 500,000 small businesses as well as international employers like Volkswagen, all of which will benefit from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Currently, our corporate tax rate is 35%, the highest in the industrialized world. The plan prosed today will reduce the corporate rate to 20% and the small business rate to 25%. The result of this business-centered tax reform will create thousands of jobs and make America more competitive on a global scale. That means more Tennesseans at work and a more prosperous Volunteer State." The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed the House with a vote of 227 to 205. *Data provided by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases/kustoff-votes-historic-tax-reform | Kustoff Votes for Historic Tax Reform | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | David Kustoff | K000392 | kustoff.house.gov | kustoff | https://kustoff.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1): "For three decades, special interests have been tailoring the tax code to their needs. Today, we fought back and passed tax reform that puts money in the pockets of West Tennesseans, not Washington bureaucrats. I will continue to work alongside President Trump to keep the promises we made to the American people." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398254 | Roe Statement on House Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the House passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “Republicans in Congress promised to work with President Trump to cut taxes for people of all income levels, and I’m proud the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will deliver on this promise. This bill will help Tennesseans keep more of their pay and relieve the stress that comes with filing taxes and navigating a bloated, complicated tax code. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a family of four making $58,367 will receive a tax cut of $1,087. The 44,584 Tennesseans in the First District who utilize the child tax credit will see that credit increase from $1,000 to $1,600 per child, and roughly 18,255 full-time equivalent jobs will be added to Tennessee’s economy. It’s estimated that nine out of ten Americans will be able to file their taxes on a form as simple as a post card under this legislation. This bill represents the kind of tax reform Tennessee families deserve, and I’m glad the bill passed the House today.” Congressman Roe wrote about the bill in his column this week. You can find that here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=13948D96-03BE-4665-A270-1CAD9322A0CA | Alexander Meets with HHS Secretary Nominee Alex Azar Senator Lamar Alexander meets with Alex Azar in his Washington, D.C., office | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, November 16 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after meeting this morning with Alex Azar—President Trump’s nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services: “I was glad to host Alex Azar in my office this morning and was impressed with his knowledge and experience. As a former Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services and private sector executive, Alex Azar has the qualifications to get results.” The Senate health committee will hold a hearing on Alex Azar’s nomination on Wednesday, November 29th. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=44901D50-F034-422F-A8E8-DC9C4C721F79 | Senate Sends to President Legislation to Provide Military More Equipment and Training, Expand Military Families Access to Health Care | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 16, 2017 – U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report: “We owe our service men and women in uniform a debt of gratitude, and the defense bill helps ensure they receive the support and resources they need,” Alexander said. “Not only is Congress authorizing pay raises for troops at Ft. Campbell and the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, the bill reforms and modernizes the military health care system to improve and expand access to care for military families. This bill also authorizes funding for advanced equipment to help ensure the men and women of the armed forces have the tools they need protect American interests at home and abroad.” Alexander continued: “Finally, this legislation strengthens our national security by supporting important programs at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge to help maintain our nuclear weapons arsenal.” Alexander also worked on legislation that accompanied the conference report that will speed safe drugs and devices for use in battlefield emergencies. “There was a problem and this legislation is going to give FDA the tools to solve that problem by getting safe and effective medicines more rapidly to warfighters on the battlefield,” he said. The defense bill authorizes $692 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, which includes the following priorities: A 2.4 percent pay increase for members of the military, including troops at Ft. Campbell and the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, and reauthorizes more than 30 bonuses and special payments for service men and women. $21 billion for Department of Energy national security programs, which support critical work in Oak Ridge. Modernizing our nation’s nuclear stockpile, including a replacement strategic missile submarine, defense-related environmental cleanup, and nuclear energy programs at the De… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6E0592D8-B84E-4090-ABD1-776C23D861B2 | Alexander Statement on FDA Regenerative Medicine Guidance | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2017 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement about new Food and Drug Administration guidance on regenerative medicine: “I am glad Commissioner Gottlieb is implementing the 21st Century Cures Act in such a way that Americans can access the near-miracles regenerative medicine can provide while ensuring bad actors don’t take advantage of the hope and promise in this field to harm or defraud patients looking for help.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9E998EBB-9136-43A3-8DD9-A3E962C05D87 | Alexander, Burr: Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation to Help FDA Better Equip Warfighters with Lifesaving Treatments | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2017 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) made the following statements after the Senate today sent to the president legislation that would speed safe drugs and devices for use in battlefield emergencies: Alexander said: “There was a problem and this legislation is going to give FDA the tools to solve that problem by getting safe and effective medicines more rapidly to warfighters on the battlefield. Chairman McCain and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb deserve great credit for their work on this important bill.” Burr said: “With final passage of today’s legislation, we can better protect our troops by improving emergency access to drugs that will help save and enhance lives of those who serve. Ultimately, this bill will encourage and expedite the development and approval of new remedies to commonly seen injuries on the battlefield, getting safe, effective and potentially lifesaving drugs and treatments to the military personnel that need them the most. I thank Senators McCain and Alexander for their work on this important legislation.” The legislation, H.R. 4374, which will accompany the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report, was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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