Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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903 rows where state = "TN" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://web.archive.org/web/20140307001348/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0e414404-d5e2-4216-bfdc-138a468e167b | Alexander: Unhappy New Year for Tens of Thousands of Tennesseans Whose Health Insurance on the Job Will Change Because of Obamacare | 2013-12-31 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | December 31 2013 - Says enforcement of mandate requiring employers to provide insurance will lead to more canceled plans, higher costs *** “The president’s broken promise that ‘If you like your health insurance, you can keep it’ was an unwelcome Christmas present for 82,000 Tennesseans buying insurance on their own. Now, since nearly 13 times as many Tennesseans receive health insurance on the job, Obamacare threatens to bring an Unhappy New Year for tens of thousands more Tennesseans.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Dec. 31 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that since nearly 13 times as many Tennesseans receive health insurance through their employers as purchase their own individual plans, new Obamacare mandates on businesses mean that now Tennesseans receiving health insurance through employers will have to worry about Obamacare cancellations bringing an “Unhappy New Year.” “During 2014, many of the burdensome Obamacare mandates on businesses that the Obama administration delayed will be in full force,” Alexander said. “We’ve already seen how the president’s broken promise that ‘If you like your health insurance, you can keep it’ was an unwelcome Christmas present for 82,000 Tennesseans buying insurance on their own. Now, since nearly 13 times as many Tennesseans receive health insurance on the job, Obamacare threatens to bring an Unhappy New Year for tens of thousands more Tennesseans." According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, there are more than 246,000 Tennesseans on the individual insurance market, and Alexander said at least 82,000 Tennesseans are scheduled to begin losing their current insurance because their plans were “outlawed” under Obamacare. About 3,175,000 Tennesseans get their insurance through their employers, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or nearly 13 times as many as in the individual insurance market. Alexander said the “burdensome mandates on employers” could mean “tens of thousands more” Tennesseans will lose their current plans or see their cost… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-announces-more-13-million-help-prepare-shelby-county-children-school | Cohen Announces More Than $13 Million to Help Prepare Shelby County Children for School | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Shelby County has been awarded a $13,161,380 grant from the Department of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) to support Head Start projects that help promote school readiness of children from birth until the age of 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. “Today’s funding is an investment in our children, an investment in our families, and an investment in our future,” said Congressman Cohen. “Because of this important funding, children from low-income families throughout Shelby County’s will be healthier and better prepared to learn when they enter school. We will see countless benefits down the line as today’s children grow into tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, doctors, scientists, and productive members of our society. This is an important program that I am proud to support.” Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social services and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services. Shelby County Head Start provides these services to over 3,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County. Today’s funding will complete the funding needed for the school year that ends in May 2014. An announcement about who will administer the Head Start grant for the 2014-1015 school year is expected within the next few months, along with additional funding for this vital program. The Head Start program was founded as part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty in 1965 as an eight-week demonstration project. Since its founding, Head Start has served over 30 million children and their families in urban and rural areas in every corner of the nation and has grown to include full day as well as year services and numerous program options. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221084855/http://black.house.gov/press-release/case-you-missed-it-hiding-hacking-healthcaregov | In Case You Missed It: Hiding the Hacking at Healthcare.gov | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | In Case You Missed It: Hiding the Hacking at Healthcare.gov by John Fund Christmas shoppers were stunned to learn last Thursday that computer hackers had made off with the names and other personal info of some 40 million Target customers. Some of the pilfered information is reportedly being sold on the black market, prompting JP Morgan Chase to limit purchases and cash withdrawals on debit cards owned by recent Target shoppers. But at least Target informed its customers of the security breach, as it is required by federal law to do. HealthCare.gov faces no such requirement; it need never notify customers that their personal information has been hacked or possibly compromised. The Department of Health and Human Services was specifically asked to include a notification requirement in the rules it designed for the health-care exchanges, but HHS declined. The Federal Register tells the tale about what happened on March 27, 2012, at a meeting on the issue. At that meeting, two commenters asked HHS to ensure the exchanges would promptly notify affected enrollees in the event of a data breach or unauthorized access to the exchange’s databases. One commenter suggested that a full investigation be launched each time such a breach occurred, with the goal of holding hackers legally and financially accountable for breaking into the website. According to a report by the group Watchdog.org, HHS responded: “We do not plan to include the specific notification procedures in the final rule. Consistent with this approach, we do not include specific policies for investigation of data breaches in this final rule.” In other words, the government doesn’t have to tell you about a security breach unless it decides it wants to — despite the fact that private companies are required to publicly disclose any incidents. State laws also require many of the 14 state-run insurance exchanges to disclose such information, but no such law exists for the federally run exchange, which 36 states rely upon. The Watchdog report notes that it’s throug… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140307024611/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=098b4bab-73df-4565-aed7-1897194cb8ee | Alexander: Obamacare “Delivering an Unwelcome Christmas Present to Tennesseans” | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | December 23 2013 - Says 82,000 Tennesseans are on track to lose individual insurance because “plans have been outlawed,” many others to see increasing costs under Obamacare *** “Between putting many health insurance plans on the naughty list, and increasing health insurance costs for many families, Obamacare’s mandates are delivering an unwelcome Christmas present to Tennesseans.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Dec. 24 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the senior Republican on the Senate health committee, today said that at least 82,000 Tennesseans are on track to lose their individual health insurance Jan. 1, one of the many ways that the “historic mistake” of Obamacare is reducing choices and driving up insurance costs over the holiday season. “At least 82,000 Tennesseans will begin to lose their individual health insurance policies starting Jan. 1 because their plans have been outlawed under Obamacare,” Alexander said. “Between putting many health insurance plans on the naughty list, and increasing health insurance costs for many families, Obamacare’s mandates are delivering an unwelcome Christmas present to Tennesseans.” Alexander outlined several ways that Obamacare has led to fewer choices and higher costs for Tennesseans. The Obama administration recently acknowledged this by announcing that it would allow Americans unable to replace their canceled health care plans to instead purchase “catastrophic” coverage. Alexander said of that Dec. 19 announcement, “Republicans have suggested that to provide health coverage for more Americans, everyone should have the opportunity to buy affordable catastrophic insurance as part of a private-sector plan to create more competition, offer more choices, and lower costs. This is a completely different approach and would have been a better path than Obamacare. It was suggested by Republicans – and ridiculed by the president – at the 2010 White House health care summit.” The 82,000 Tennesseans who will begin to lose their individual health insurance plans starting … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20150110100102/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a555444c-c926-42a6-9f6b-e9116daa3b88 | Alexander Cosponsors Bill to Protect U.S. Interests, Keep Pressure on Iran Over Nuclear Weapons | 2013-12-22 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | Says “best solution is a diplomatic solution,” but U.S. should remain skeptical of “untrustworthy regime” *** “This legislation allows Congress to take an active role in making sure the Obama administration holds Iran accountable, and provides a safeguard if a final deal with the Iranians falls apart.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Dec. 22 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced that he would cosponsor legislation proposing sanctions that the United States would enact if the Iranian government violates the terms of its interim deal to slow its nuclear program, or does not complete a final agreement with the Obama administration. “Sanctions are what brought Iran to the negotiating table in the first place, and we should remain skeptical of this untrustworthy regime until we permanently halt its progress towards a nuclear weapon,” Alexander said. “The best solution is a diplomatic solution, but we need to keep the pressure on Iran. This legislation allows Congress to take an active role in making sure the Obama administration holds Iran accountable, and provides a safeguard if a final deal with the Iranians falls apart.” The legislation was introduced by Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 27 senators, including Alexander and Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). The legislation lays out prospective sanctions to be enacted if the Iranian government violates the terms of its interim nuclear agreement with the Obama administration, or if a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program is not completed. The prospective sanctions include limitations on Iran’s petroleum sector and new sanctions on its engineering, mining, and construction sectors. In November, the Obama administration announced a six-month deal to relieve some sanctions in return for the Iranians slowing their nuclear program. Alexander said of the Obama administration’s interim deal, “I am skeptical of any agreement that does not require Iran to permanently halt … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-putin-made-right-decision-free-imprisoned-musicians-and-other-political | Cohen: Putin Made Right Decision To Free Imprisoned Musicians and Other Political Prisoners | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today reiterated that the imprisoned members of Russian punk music group “Pussy Riot” should never have been incarcerated for an artistic performance and expressed approval of news that Russian President Vladimir Putin would—at long last—grant them their freedom. Congressman Cohen had written to President Vladimir Putin multiple times since the sentencing of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina last year urging a pardon for their so-called crimes of “hooliganism.” “Ms. Tolokonnikova and Ms. Alyokhina are not criminals, but artists who received neither fair trials nor humane sentences,” said Congressman Cohen. “Two years in prison for a performance that—at worst—would be described as ‘disorderly conduct’ here in America is outrageous and inappropriate. And while they are among the best known political prisoners in Russia, there are thousands more incarcerated for things such as political speech, ‘hooliganism,’ and other so-called ‘crimes.’ In granting amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, Russia and President Putin made the right decision. It is an important step towards correcting these injustices and furthering the cause of human rights—but it must not be the last. I sincerely hope these actions are not simply window-dressing in advance of the 2014 Olympics, but reflect a shift in Russian policy regarding free expression. I look forward to seeing Ms. Tolokonnikova and Ms. Alyokhina perform with their band soon in the United States.” President Putin yesterday announced that he would pardon both Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, several environmental activists, and Mikhail Khodorovsky—who many feel was imprisoned because of political opposition to Putin—as part of a mass amnesty that could affect more than 20,000 prisoners in Russia. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-send-guest-book-memphis-nelson-mandela-memorial-late-south-african-presidents | Cohen to Send Guest Book From Memphis Nelson Mandela Memorial to the Late South African President's Family | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [MEMPHIS, TN] – After attending last weekend’s memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela at R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that he will send the service’s guest book to the late President’s family in South Africa. A photo of the guest book from the R.S. Lewis Funeral Home, the same funeral home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s body was taken for public viewing in April of 1968, is available here. “At the memorial service over the weekend, I reflected on the late Nelson Mandela’s enduring spirit and his many honorable accomplishments,” said Congressman Cohen. “I will make sure that his family in South Africa receives this guest book from the same funeral home where Dr. King was taken for public viewing, the R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002724/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=db91654e-b2ad-40d2-9d43-67b4c155444a | Corker: Advocating for U.S. Disability Rights Abroad Should Not Come at the Expense of the Constitution | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today announced he cannot support Senate approval of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), citing concerns that U.S. ratification could undermine the constitutional balance between the state and federal governments and the legitimacy of our democratic processes. In doing so, Corker urged the U.S. to pursue different means of advocating for the rights of the disabled throughout the world. Corker also commended the efforts of the Obama Administration to work with him to address a range of legal concerns raised by the CRPD, but noted that he was unable to resolve his concerns through clarifying language – known as reservations, understandings, and declarations (RUDs) – that would be adopted in a resolution of ratification. “I’m very proud the United States passed the ADA in 1990, and I’m glad to have supported efforts to further strengthen it in 2008. I’ve been deeply inspired by the people I’ve met who have helped lead these efforts. Going forward, I hope our country will look for every appropriate opportunity to be a leader in pushing for the rights of persons with disabilities internationally. “I also greatly appreciate the efforts of the administration and Senator Menendez in working with us for several weeks. However, through the process of attempting to resolve concerns about the treaty being used inappropriately to expand federal power beyond constitutional limits, I remain uncertain that even the strongest RUDs would stand the test of time, and I believe any uncertainty on this issue is not acceptable. Ultimately, I’m unable to vote for a treaty that could undermine our Constitution and the legitimacy of our democratic process as the appropriate means for making decisions about the treatment of our citizens,” said Corker. “I’m disappointed I can’t support the treaty, but I stand ready to look at other ways to enhance ongoing U.S. efforts to improve circumstances for the di… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221004234/http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364950 | Blackburn Statement on the Latest Obamacare Delay | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Marsha Blackburn | B001243 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s latest decision to offer hardship exemptions to those individuals whose health care plans were cancelled due to the broken promises of Obamacare (PolitiFact 2013 Lie of the Year).“We asked Secretary Sebelius point blank what would be the next holiday surprise, and she was silent. Yet, here we are with another major policy shift. The sad reality is that when the law takes effect come January 1, more Americans will be without coverage under Obamacare than one year ago. What's worse, the administration knew millions of plans would be cancelled, but the president kept repeating his solemn promises knowing they would not be kept. Less than two weeks from going live, the White House seems to be in full panic mode. No bandaid can heal the hemorrhaging this law has and will continue to cause. Rather than more White House delays, waivers, and exemptions, the administration should provide all Americans relief from its failed law.” VIDEO: BLACKBURN GRILLS SEBELIUS ABOUT OBAMACARE DELAYS | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221084938/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-statement-new-healthcaregov-security-concerns | Black Statement on New Healthcare.gov Security Concerns | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) issued the following statement following reports of high security risks found after the HealthCare.gov launch: “It is deeply concerning that, almost three months after healthcare.gov was launched, we are still learning of new and serious security risks with the Obamacare website,” said Congressman Black. “The fact is, this program was never ready to be launched, and it is reprehensible that this Administration would proceed with implementation when the security of millions of Americans’ personal information is at risk from cyber threats and identity theft. Obamacare should be stopped in its entirety, but in the meantime, the very least this Administration can do is properly notify someone if the personal information they have entered into the website is under threat – something that the federal government is currently under no obligation to do. This is why I have introduced the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013 -- legislation that would require the federal government to notify those whose personal information has been compromised on the federal Obamacare exchange. Until Obamacare can be fully repealed, we must do what we can to protect Americans from this disastrous and dangerous law.” Additional Resources: 12/16/13: Black Introduces the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013 Washington Free Beacon: Congresswoman: Require Feds to Disclose Security Breaches on Healthcare.gov ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140307001356/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=22029e4a-b585-4de4-8b1b-93c095bc73dd | Alexander, Barrasso Comment on White House Announcement that Americans Unable to Replace Canceled Health Plans May Purchase Catastrophic Coverage | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | December 20 2013 - Senators point out that Obama rejected the Republican idea of catastrophic coverage at the 2010 White House health care summit WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 – The senior Republican on the Senate health committee and the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee released the following statements in response to the Obama administration’s announcement that it would allow Americans unable to replace their canceled health care plans to instead purchase “catastrophic” coverage: U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), said: “Republicans have suggested that to provide health coverage for more Americans, everyone should have the opportunity to buy affordable catastrophic insurance as part of a private-sector plan to create more competition, offer more choices, and lower costs. This is a completely different approach and would have been a better path than Obamacare. It was suggested by Republicans – and ridiculed by the president – at the 2010 White House health-care summit.” U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, said: “It is time to eliminate the individual mandate for all Americans. We have clear proof now that the President’s health care law is hurting more people than it is helping. We know that more fake ‘fixes’ won’t solve the problem – they just continue to add to Americans’ confusion, anxiety and anger about this law. And after blatantly deriding the value of catastrophic plans in 2010, it’s ironic that the President is now embracing them. The White House’s latest backtrack is more proof that President Obama ignored good Republican ideas and pushed through a law full of bad ideas that would never work. President Obama has changed his health care law so many times that it is now completely unrecognizable – and fatally flawed.” Alexander and Barrasso, along with Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), on Wednesday introduced legislation that would reverse the Obama adminis… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-president-obama-right-track-can-and-should-do-more-bring-fairness-our-justice | Cohen: President Obama on the Right Track, But Can and Should Do More to Bring Fairness to Our Justice System | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [MEMPHIS, TN] – After President Obama commuted the sentences of 8 Americans serving unfair crack cocaine sentences and pardoned 13 others, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) positively acknowledged the use of executive clemency but noted that thousands more like these Americans remain incarcerated, serving sentences that would not be ordered today and that have been repudiated by Congress and by the United States. For years, the Congressman has repeatedly called on the President to make broader use of his pardon and commutation powers to address these injustices, including repeatedly urging Attorney General Holder to address the issue, in a letter sent to the President in June, in an August speech on Capitol Hill and in a column that appeared in The Nation. “President Obama took a step in the right direction with the commutation of a small number of Americans that he acknowledged were ‘sentenced under an unfair system,’” said Congressman Cohen. “But he also acknowledged that there are ‘thousands’ more still serving unfair sentences, and that this ‘must not be the last’ step towards restoring justice and fairness in our judicial system—I could not agree more. President Obama can and should use his Constitutional power to help bring all of these inmates the justice they deserve, not just 8 of them.” The Fair Sentencing Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2010, marked a turning point in our nation’s approach to drug policy and took a critical step towards eliminating the dramatic and unfair disparity between crack and cocaine mandatory minimum sentences. But, as the President mentioned today, it “came too late” for thousands of people who were sentenced before the law was passed are still serving sentences that have been repudiated by Congress and the President. Now that the United States government has declared these sentences to be void against public policy, the President can and should use his commutation power to remedy this injustice for all of those still incarcerated under … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/remember-get-covered-december-23rd | Remember to Get Covered by December 23rd | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, I’m glad to be home in Memphis for the holidays after a long and frustrating year in Congress. I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season. Keep reading to learn what else happened this week. Honoring the Late Nelson Mandela Helping Memphians Get Covered by December 23rd Extending Coverage to Those Most in Need Opposing Telephone Calls on Airplanes Senator Elizabeth Warren Joins My Effort to Ensure All Job Seekers Are Treated Fairly Reining In the FISA Court and NSA Surveillance 2014 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available White House Internships Grant Announcements Honoring the Late Nelson Mandela In the last week, I attended a memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela at the R.S. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home—the same funeral home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s body was taken for public viewing in April of 1968. At the memorial service this week, I signed the guest book and reflected on his great spirit and accomplishments. I will make sure that the guest book gets to the Mandela family in South Africa. Helping Memphians Get Covered by December 23rd All Memphians should have quality health coverage and the President’s landmark Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare—is making affordable, higher-quality coverage available to people who have not had access to it in the past. Luckily, many who have been unable to afford quality coverage in the past are now eligible to enroll in Tennessee’s Health Insurance Marketplace, though the deadline to enroll for coverage that starts on January 1st is just 4 days away. If you do not have health insurance coverage, you may also be eligible to save money on your health care premiums in the Marketplace. If you are on Medicare or your employer is going to offer qualified health insurance next year that you will enroll in, you’re already covered and won’t need to enter the Marketplace for your health coverage. If you aren’t sure whether or not you will need to use the Marketplace to get insurance, call the Mark… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-desjarlais-introduces-the-restoring-our-commitment-to-our-nations | Rep. DesJarlais Introduces the Restoring Our Commitment to Our Nation's Veterans Act | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | Representative Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04), today introduced the “Restoring our Commitment to our Nation’s Veterans Act.” This legislation would replace the cost of living adjustment (COLA) cuts for military retirees that were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 with reductions to the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. After introducing this legislation, Representative DesJarlais released the following the statement: “Imposing these cuts on our military retirees breaks our commitment to those who bravely risked their lives in defense of this nation. It was one of the key reasons I voted against the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal. I am calling on all my colleagues, both those who voted in favor of these cuts and those who did not, to support this legislation immediately restoring these benefits we owe to our veterans. We have an opportunity to do the right thing by eliminating a slush fund being used as a taxpayer funded lobbying effort for ObamaCare.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=60DCC95B-3BA9-4BB3-BD4C-0110DCF1376A | Rep. DesJarlais Introduces the Restoring Our Commitment to Our Nation's Veterans Act | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | desjarlais | https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center | scraper | Representative Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04), today introduced the “Restoring our Commitment to our Nation’s Veterans Act.” This legislation would replace the cost of living adjustment (COLA) cuts for military retirees that were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 with reductions to the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. After introducing this legislation, Representative DesJarlais released the following the statement: “Imposing these cuts on our military retirees breaks our commitment to those who bravely risked their lives in defense of this nation. It was one of the key reasons I voted against the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal. I am calling on all my colleagues, both those who voted in favor of these cuts and those who did not, to support this legislation immediately restoring these benefits we owe to our veterans. We have an opportunity to do the right thing by eliminating a slush fund being used as a taxpayer funded lobbying effort for ObamaCare.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140109220955/http://black.house.gov:80/press-release/black-neal-introduce-comprehensive-care-payment-innovation-act | Black, Neal Introduce Comprehensive Care Payment Innovation Act | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Diane Black (R-TN-06) and Richard E. Neal (D – MA-01) introduced the Comprehensive Care Payment Innovation Act – legislation that would allow Medicare’s fee-for-service program to prioritize patient outcomes and quality through a more cost-effective delivery system. “As a nurse for more than 40 years, I take great joy in knowing that Americans are healthier and living longer than they were 20 years ago,” said Congressman Black. “While there is no doubt this is in part due to the men and women who provide exceptional medicine, with 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, Congress must take action to ensure that we have a health care infrastructure in place that can provide quality, affordable care for seniors. That is why I have introduced the Comprehensive Care Payment Innovation Act–a commonsense measure that would allow Medicare providers to bundle certain services in a manner that focuses on improving patient outcomes while lowering costs for taxpayers.” “Hospitals in Massachusetts and across the country are used to pushing the envelope on innovative advances in patient care and this legislation will advance the effort to help hospitals and other providers to better focus on overall patient care, increasing value rather than volume of care. This should be a ‘win win’ for hospitals, healthcare costs, but most importantly for patients,” said Congressman Neal. The Comprehensive Care Payment Innovation Act would create a voluntary bundle payment program for Medicare that allows health care providers to treat a beneficiary for an episode of care, such as a hip or knee replacement, for the entire continuum of care. The provider would receive one lump sum payment that would cover the cost of the patient for the hospitalization and conclude 90 days afterward. All services would be covered in the bundle, which means the provider would take greater responsibility for patient outcomes. A bundle payment allows providers to develop greater efficiencies in health care delivery and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002738/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=57bcec1b-9463-414a-a774-cedad20b75e9 | Corker Opposes Excess Spending in Defense Bill | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, today announced his opposition to the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act because it authorizes spending above limits set by the Budget Control Act of 2011, as well as the recent budget agreement. He voted against ending debate on NDAA since only two amendments were allowed to be considered, and he will vote “no” on final passage of the bill tonight. “Washington’s refusal to appropriately deal with our fiscal issues flies in the face of the courage and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. Our country’s deficits weaken the nation they fight to protect, so I don’t think contributing to the spend-now-pay-later mentality of Congress is an appropriate way to honor their service,” said Corker. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=421c44b2-0c71-477e-baa0-7514f9d97d4b | Alexander: Defense Bill Key to Military Readiness, Tennessee Installations | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says he’ll vote yes on legislation supporting troop pay, Second Amendment rights against UN Arms Trade Treaty *** “I am voting for this legislation because it ensures that the men and women wearing the uniform of our Armed Services are paid, and gives them the support they need to fight for our freedoms and keep us safe.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced that he would vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes funding for military pay, construction projects impacting Tennessee and a range of weapons programs. “The National Defense Authorization Act is the most important legislation affecting the military that Congress considers,” Alexander said. “I am voting for this legislation because it ensures that the men and women wearing the uniform of our Armed Services are paid, and gives them the support they need to fight for our freedoms and keep us safe.” The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes funding for the Department of Defense on a range of fronts. It includes military pay – which would expire for combat troops without passage of this legislation – and construction projects impacting members of the military and their families. It also provides funding for weapons programs, in addition to addressing a range of policies, including the proposed United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. Specifically, the legislation: Provides military pay, including a 1 percent across-the-board pay raise for military personnel. Pay for combat personnel would have expired at the end of 2013. Provides funding for military construction projects in Tennessee, including: $137 million at Fort Campbell, $18 million at McGree Tyson Air National Guard Base near Knoxville, $4.3 million for the Navy in Memphis and $2.2 million at Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma. Prohibits funding from being used to implement any part of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty without advice and consent of the U.S. Senate, of which Alexander said… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=cd36ef9b-c511-49a6-b5cf-71ac292d09dd | Alexander: Obamacare Delivers Unwelcome Christmas Present, Unhappy New Year for Many Tennesseans | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says Obamacare is increasing costs and reducing health care choices for Tennesseans, businesses and school districts *** “Unfortunately, at least 82,000 Tennesseans are losing their health policies this year, and that’s an unwelcome Christmas present. Even more unfortunately, an Unhappy New Year is coming in which hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans could lose the employer-sponsored policies they have and like when Obamacare’s burdensome mandates on employers kick in.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 – In a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) highlighted the ways Obamacare has increased costs and reduced choices for Tennesseans in 2013, and warned of more widespread consequences in the New Year. “The fact t least 82,000 Tennesseans will begin to lose their individual health insurance policies starting Jan. 1 is an unwelcome Christmas present,” Alexander said. “And it’ll be an unhappy New Year for many more Tennesseans who get their insurance on the job when Obamacare’s burdensome mandates on employers kick in.” The senator discussed how Obamacare’s mandates have outlawed many insurance plans – despite the president’s promise that “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it” – will increase costs for individuals and businesses and is even burdening school districts. Alexander’s remarks as prepared are below: For the last couple months, we’ve heard countless stories from constituents who are losing the health plans they purchased on the individual market. According to America’s Health Insurance Plans, there are 19 million Americans in the individual market. The Obama administration knew in 2010 that the rules it wrote for health plans would mean at least 47 percent to 60 percent of those policies could not be legally offered under Obamacare by 2014. Yet the President still said to people: “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it.” By now we all know what the president said wasn’t true. According to news reports collected by m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/gaining-momentum-cohen-bill-prevent-employers-using-credit-checks-hiring-process | Gaining Momentum, Cohen Bill to Prevent Employers from Using Credit Checks in Hiring Process Introduced in the Senate | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Greater Memphis residents have among the lowest average credit ratings in America [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today commended U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) on introducing his legislation, the Equal Employment for All Act, in the United States Senate. The legislation, which is cosponsored by 6 other Senators and 31 U.S. Representatives in the House, would help protect job applicants from unfair discrimination from employers based on less-than-stellar or inaccurate credit ratings. “Using a job applicant’s credit history to deny employment is not fair because personal credit history is not an accurate predictor of job performance,” said Congressman Cohen. “We should be doing everything in our power to help people find jobs during these tough economic times – not hinder them. Having Senator Warren and other consumer champions on our side is great news and I look forward to working with her to pass our Equal Employment for All Act.” Congressman Cohen originally introduced the Equal Employment for All Act in 2009 to prohibit employers from using credit checks and bankruptcy filings in the hiring process unless the position sought involves national security, FDIC clearance or tremendous financial responsibility. “A bad credit rating is far more often the result of unexpected medical costs, unemployment, economic downturns, or other bad breaks than it is a reflection on an individual's character or abilities,” Senator Warren said. “Families have not fully recovered from the 2008 financial crisis, and too many Americans are still searching for jobs. This is about basic fairness -- let people compete on the merits, not on whether they already have enough money to pay all their bills.” According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the number of U.S. employers conducting pre-employment credit checks is on the rise, up from 36 percent to 43 percent. It was previously thought that credit history may provide insight into an individual's character, but research has shown that an individua… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://fleischmann.house.gov/press-release/media-advisory-chuck-fleischmann-make-important-announcement-etec | Media Advisory: Chuck Fleischmann To Make Important Announcement At ETEC | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | Oak Ridge − Congressman Chuck Fleischmann will be addressing the East Tennessee Economic Council on Thursday, December 19th. During his speech the Congressman will give an update on the pending budget situation and make an important economic announcement for East Tennessee. Press is welcome at the event. Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Media Availability: Immediately following Location: ETEC Meeting Room 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, TN 37830 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/media-advisory-chuck-fleischmann-make-important-announcement-etec | Media Advisory: Chuck Fleischmann To Make Important Announcement At ETEC | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Oak Ridge − Congressman Chuck Fleischmann will be addressing the East Tennessee Economic Council on Thursday, December 19th. During his speech the Congressman will give an update on the pending budget situation and make an important economic announcement for East Tennessee. Press is welcome at the event. Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Media Availability: Immediately following Location: ETEC Meeting Room 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, TN 37830 | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140307024759/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a25351c9-de18-4129-b09a-41356392e440 | Alexander, Barrasso, Enzi Introduce Bill to Reverse Administration’s “Politically Motivated” Decision to Delay Next Year’s Obamacare Insurance Enrollment Until After 2014 Election | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | December 18 2013 - Legislation would require Obama administration to open enrollment prior to election as originally planned, disclose premium increase and cost-sharing information to American families beforehand WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 – Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) today introduced legislation that would reverse the Obama administration’s recent decision to delay next year’s Obamacare insurance enrollment deadline until after the 2014 election. “The Premium Disclosure Act” would also require the administration to provide premium increase and cost-sharing information to Americans prior to open enrollment so they have time to make decisions about their health care. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that enrollment in the Obamacare exchanges for 2015 would begin Oct. 15 of next year. But after two months of negative public reaction to the exchange’s high premiums, deductibles and co-insurance, agency officials delayed enrollment and disclosure of next year’s insurance cost increases until after the 2014 elections. This legislation will also make it easier for families to plan for expenses in 2015 by requiring HHS to disclose health insurance plan and cost information 30 days in advance of open enrollment. For the current open enrollment season, agency officials were not required to disclose any information and did not do so until the exchanges opened on Oct. 1. Alexander, the senior Republican on the Senate health committee, said: “The only Americans the Obama administration’s delay will help is Democratic politicians who voted for Obamacare, because it delays disclosure of some of the law’s most insidious effects for 2015 until after the election. This legislation would stop the administration from playing politics with Americans’ health care, and ensure that families will know what the costs will be well before the exchanges open.” Barrasso said: “The decision to delay the enrollment season by a mere month adds to the Ad… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Multimedia&ContentRecord_id=4db17122-de72-4ae0-aa28-a5f736bc216f | Alexander: Obamacare Brings Unwelcome Christmas Present, Unhappy New Year for Many Tennesseans | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the senior Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today on the Senate floor highlighted how Obamacare has increased costs and reduced health care choices for Tennesseans, and warned of more widespread consequences in the New Year.On the floor, Alexander said: "The fact that at least 82,000 Tennesseans will begin to lose their individual health insurance policies starting Jan. 1 is an unwelcome Christmas present. And it'll be an unhappy New Year for many more Tennesseans who get their insurance on the job when Obamacare's burdensome mandates on employers kick in." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Multimedia&ContentRecord_id=ceb8d02b-f240-42db-8329-7d54c892612f | Alexander, Barrasso, Enzi Bill Would Reverse Administration’s “Politically Motivated” Obamacare Insurance Enrollment Delay | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) today introduced legislation that would reverse the Obama administration’s recent decision to delay next year’s Obamacare insurance enrollment deadline until after the 2014 election. “The Premium Disclosure Act” would also require the administration to provide premium increase and cost-sharing information to Americans prior to open enrollment so they have time to make decisions about their health care. Alexander, the senior Republican on the Senate health committee, said: “The only Americans the Obama administration’s delay will help is Democratic politicians who voted for Obamacare, because it delays disclosure of some of the law’s most insidious effects for 2015 until after the election. This legislation would stop the administration from playing politics with Americans’ health care, and ensure that families will know what the costs will be well before the exchanges open.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=e3617c65-6af7-48d3-91b5-e4c23c416782 | Alexander Votes Against Budget Agreement | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on his vote against the Ryan-Murray budget agreement: “I voted against the budget agreement because it avoids the federal government’s most urgent need: reducing the growth of runaway entitlement spending. Instead, it spends savings that should be used to strengthen Medicare, pensions, and the air transportation system. It is particularly troubling that the budget agreement takes money from pensions in a way that treats military retirees worse than the civilian federal employees. “It would have been better to pay for this agreement with a small part of the $1 trillion in entitlement savings that Sen. Corker and I have identified in our ‘Fiscal Sustainability Act,’ or with entitlement savings suggested in the president’s budget. “Although I can’t support it, I appreciate the efforts of Rep. Ryan and Sen. Murray to bring certainty to the budget process, which is why I voted Tuesday to allow a Senate vote on their agreement, which had passed the House with two-to-one Republican support.” In addition to its failure to address growth of mandatory entitlement spending – such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security – Alexander cited four major objections to the budget agreement. Alexander objected to the agreement because it: Cuts $22 billion in 2022 and 2023 in Medicare reimbursements to doctors and other health care providers, for savings that may never materialize. Increases pension premiums paid by employers to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. by $7.9 billion, to pay for unrelated spending. Cuts the annual cost-of-living benefits for military retirees under the age of 62 by 1 percent, to pay for unrelated spending. This would impact current retirees, as opposed to new hires as in the case of changes to civilian federal employee pensions. Increases by $12.6 billion airport security fees – which generally get passed on to airline passengers – to pay for unrelated spending. Such fees should be used to i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=SpeechesFloorStatements&ContentRecord_id=90881e7a-cb4d-4c88-b081-c898cb6b3f85 | Floor Speech: Obamacare Delivers Unwelcome Christmas Present | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | I congratulate the Senator from Missouri for his comments. Sometimes I think Republican Senators especially should begin and end every speech with an answer to the question, “What would the Senator do if he were in charge?” And the Senator from Missouri has said that very eloquently. It is not the first time what Republicans would do has been said on this floor. He mentioned that the law was passed 3 1/2 years ago. We counted it one time. We mentioned 173 times on this floor the Republican step-by-step proposal for a different approach to health care in this country. We said, “Don't expect Senator McConnell or any other Republican to come in with a 3,000-page Republican bill in a wheelbarrow.” We don't believe in that. We believe in a different direction, a different approach. We don't believe we are wise enough in Washington to write 3,000 pages of rules to govern every aspect of our health care system in America that takes 18 or 19 percent of the economy. We live in the iPhone age, where we want to increase the personal freedom of Americans to live longer, better, safer, and healthier. We want people to be able to do these things for themselves. We want to increase choice, competition, and in that way lower costs. If we lower costs, then more people will be able to afford to buy health insurance. That is the real way to expand health insurance in America -- make it more affordable; make it so people can afford it. So I am beginning these short remarks with a salute to the Senator from Missouri for talking about what we would do if we were in charge, and I am going to end in that way as well. For the last couple of months, we have heard countless stories from constituents who are losing the health plans they purchased on the individual market. According to America's Health Insurance Plans, there are 19 million Americans in the individual market. The Obama administration knew in 2010 that the rules it wrote for health plans would mean that 4… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-leads-bipartisan-congressional-letter-urging-faa-not-allow-cell-phone-calls | Cohen Leads Bipartisan Congressional Letter Urging FAA to Not Allow Cell Phone Calls In Flight | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the door to a proposal that would allow for voice calls from cell phones during domestic air travel, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) sent a bipartisan Congressional letter to Michael Huerta, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly urging him to maintain the ban on cell phone calls in flight. The letter, which is cosigned by 14 Members of Congress and available here, also expresses concerns about disruptions to passengers’ flight experience as well as for consumer safety. “We share the concerns of the flying public and the many professionals in the aviation industry that such a change to the current rules disallowing the use of cell phone voice networks could result in not only a markedly less pleasant flying experience, but a less safe one as well,” wrote the Representatives. “Allowing passengers to make phone calls while in flight would disrupt the right of consumers to enjoy the quiet comfort of their flight. In addition, we have strong concerns about the effect such a change may have on safety. Simply put, the flying experience in the United States would be forever changed for the worse if voice calls are allowed on flights. We hope that you will consider our concerns and those of the industry’s experienced professionals as you consider how to proceed.” Should the FCC change its current rules, the FAA would have to approve changes to in-flight policies made by individual airlines. Last month, the Association of Flight Attendants released a statement explaining: “Any situation that is loud, divisive, and possibly disruptive is not only unwelcome but also unsafe.” Representatives Michael Capuano (MA-07), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), Sam Farr, (CA-20), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Michael Honda (CA-17), Walter Jones (NC-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Thomas Petri (WI-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), and Eric Swalwell (CA-15) joined Congre… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002751/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=3c5bacf1-267a-40d9-a637-de8a58a703fc | Alexander, Corker Welcome Lee University’s “Voices of Lee” to Tennessee Tuesday | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 – U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today welcomed a performance by the Voices of Lee, the travelling choir of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., during Tennessee Tuesday, the weekly breakfast the senators hold for Tennesseans visiting the Capitol. The choir performing at today’s event is part of the Lee University Festival Choir that Alexander, as a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, personally recommended to perform at the presidential inauguration this past January. (Click here to see video of today’s performance.) Recalling that announcement as he introduced the choir this morning, Alexander said, “One of my prerogatives as a committee member was to identify one group to perform at the presidential inauguration. So, I drove down to Lee University in Cleveland, and they assembled the student body there, and I said, ‘We don’t know who the president is going to be, but we do know one thing: that the Lee University singers will be singing at the inauguration of the President of the United States’…They are terrific musicians and they represent our country and our state and their community in a beautiful way.” Corker said, “As mayor of Chattanooga, I had the opportunity to hear talented young people from Lee University perform many times, and I was delighted to welcome the ‘Voices of Lee’ to Washington this morning. The recognition they received from Lamar Alexander, the Senate’s resident musician, is high praise indeed.” Beginning a long history with Lee, Alexander invited Lynn Golden of Lee College, as the university was called at the time, to sing the national anthem when he was sworn-in as governor of Tennessee on January 20, 1979. The new governor had met and heard Lynn sing during his 1,000-mile campaign walk across Tennessee. At the breakfast today, the choir performed “Silver Bells” and a rendition of The Preamble to the United States Constitution, transitioning into “America the Beautiful.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002805/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=c521dd70-7c6b-4ee6-a16c-71a6fc71b67c | Corker to Vote No on Budget | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced today that he will vote against the budget deal before the Senate because it busts budget caps without making meaningful changes to mandatory programs. Earlier today Corker voted against cloture, which is a vote to end debate on the budget deal. Majority Leader Harry Reid filled the amendment tree on this bill on Sunday, allowing no amendments and no debate. Since there was no debate and there were no amendments, Corker did not feel it was appropriate to support cloture. “Because of the Budget Control Act, for three years in a row, Congress has spent less on discretionary programs than the year before. While I appreciate the dilemma Paul Ryan was in, it's disappointing the misguided strategy of the House this fall weakened our hand on fiscal issues and that House appropriators indicated they were unwilling to live within the budget discipline laid out in the sequester. So with the afterglow of the ‘bipartisan’ deal fading, I think everyone can see this budget deal busts the budget caps by $45,000,000,000 in the first year alone without making meaningful changes to mandatory programs, violating the only real progress we have made in getting our fiscal house in order and demonstrating that Congress continues to lack the discipline to control spending even in this small way. Spending now and paying later is the cause of our deficit problems, not the solution,” said Corker. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085039/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-introduces-legislation-permanently-eliminate-illegal-alien-lobbyist-position-ice | Black Introduces Legislation to Permanently Eliminate Illegal Alien Lobbyist Position at ICE | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) has introduced H.R. 3732, the Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE) Act. Last March, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013, which contained language to defund the illegal alien lobbyist position within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Sec. 567 here). This “Public Advocate” acted as a lobbyist for illegal aliens by serving as a special point of contact for those who had flouted our nation’s immigration laws. Despite the House and Senate passing language to defund this position and stop this waste of precious taxpayer dollars, and the President signing it into law, ICE simply rebranded the office as “Community Outreach” and allowed its employees to continue their activities as before. This complete disregard for the law was reported on by multiple news outlets and federal watchdogs, such as Fox News and Judicial Watch. In the face of this backlash, ICE has continued to shamelessly operate as if it has done nothing wrong. “It is an outrage that federal bureaucrats think they can simply skirt the law, in essence ignoring the will of the people by playing a shell game and hiding ICE employees and activities with a mere title change,” said Congressman Black. “To stop this blatant abuse of power, I have introduced H.R. 3732, the Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE) Act. This bill would defund both positions and prohibit the creation of any new position within ICE that would allow the agency to ignore the law and continue its pro-illegal immigration activities. It is of utmost importance that ICE be held accountable and be required to follow the spirit of the law, not just the letter.” Despite formal inquiries and letters, Congressman Black has received no response from ICE as to the nature of this position change. She has also demanded information about the operations of this position under the Freedom of Information Act. For text of this legislation, click here. Additional Resources: 06/07/12… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140307001532/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Multimedia&ContentRecord_id=dd278bb2-d1c8-4a79-98f7-80a0b157f733 | Lee University's "Voices of Lee" Perform at Tennessee Tuesday | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | December 17 2013 - U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today welcomed a performance by the Voices of Lee, the travelling choir of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., during Tennessee Tuesday, the weekly breakfast the senators hold for Tennesseans visiting the Capitol. The choir performing at today's event is part of the Lee University Festival Choir that Alexander, as a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, personally recommended to perform at the presidential inauguration this past January.Recalling that announcement as he introduced the choir this morning, Alexander said, "One of my prerogatives as a committee member was to identify one group to perform at the presidential inauguration. So, I drove down to Lee University in Cleveland, and they assembled the student body there, and I said, 'We don't know who the president is going to be, but we do know one thing: that the Lee University singers will be singing at the inauguration of the President of the United States'...They are terrific musicians and they represent our country and our state and their community in a beautiful way." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1f1fb17c-2856-494c-9fd2-bfb0a80b9957 | Alexander, Corker Welcome Lee University’s “Voices of Lee” to Tennessee Tuesday | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Senators, Tennesseans visiting Washington treated to performance by members of university choir that performed at January’s presidential inauguration WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 – U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) today welcomed a performance by the Voices of Lee, the travelling choir of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., during Tennessee Tuesday, the weekly breakfast the senators hold for Tennesseans visiting the Capitol. The choir performing at today’s event is part of the Lee University Festival Choir that Alexander, as a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, personally recommended to perform at the presidential inauguration this past January. (Click here to see video of today’s performance.) Recalling that announcement as he introduced the choir this morning, Alexander said, “One of my prerogatives as a committee member was to identify one group to perform at the presidential inauguration. So, I drove down to Lee University in Cleveland, and they assembled the student body there, and I said, ‘We don’t know who the president is going to be, but we do know one thing: that the Lee University singers will be singing at the inauguration of the President of the United States’…They are terrific musicians and they represent our country and our state and their community in a beautiful way.” Corker said, “As mayor of Chattanooga, I had the opportunity to hear talented young people from Lee University perform many times, and I was delighted to welcome the ‘Voices of Lee’ to Washington this morning. The recognition they received from Lamar Alexander, the Senate’s resident musician, is high praise indeed.” Beginning a long history with Lee, Alexander invited Lynn Golden of Lee College, as the university was called at the time, to sing the national anthem when he was sworn-in as governor of Tennessee on January 20, 1979. The new governor had met and heard Lynn sing during his 1,000-mile campaign walk across Tennessee. At the breakfast today, the choir performe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=582e67a7-44fa-4667-9eb9-02200a878e48 | Alexander: End Wind Production Tax Credit to Pay for Budget Agreement | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Senators call on Senate Finance Committee to let wind production tax credit expire; Alexander says billions being wasted could go toward budget agreement to reduce debt or replace sequester *** “Congress is struggling to find $63 billion to spend in the budget agreement, when all we have to do is get rid of the wasteful wind production tax credit. For the next 10 years, extending the tax credit one year at a time could cost $60 billion or more. Using the wind production tax credit to pay for all or part of the budget agreement would do this country more good than extending this subsidy for expensive, low-quality wind electricity ever could.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and a bipartisan group of senators today sent a letter to Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), calling on them to let wind power “stand on its own” in the marketplace by allowing the wind production tax credit to expire as required under current law. The bipartisan letter, led by Alexander and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), states that after more than 20 years and eight extensions, a 1992 tax credit originally intended to boost a fledgling technology is now subsidizing a “mature technology,” wasting taxpayer money and distorting energy markets by “picking winners and losers.” It requests that the Finance Committee exclude the wind production tax credit – which under current law will have provided $22 billion to wind producers between 1992 and 2022 – from any legislation the committee may consider. The letter was signed by several members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Signatories include Senators Alexander, Manchin, Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Ida.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) “Congress is struggling to find $63 billion to spend in the budget agreement, when all we have to do is get rid of the wasteful win… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=6437155c-9baa-4465-9a23-ee964546d19b | Alexander to Vote Against Budget Agreement | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on Senate consideration of the budget agreement passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 332-94: “I will vote against the budget agreement because it avoids the federal government’s most urgent need: reducing the growth of runaway entitlement spending. Instead, it spends savings that should be used to strengthen Medicare, pensions, and the air transportation system. “It would have been better to pay for this agreement with a small part of the $1 trillion in entitlement savings that Sen. Corker and I have identified in our ‘Fiscal Sustainability Act,’ or with entitlement savings suggested in the president’s budget. “Although I can’t support it, I appreciate the efforts of Rep. Ryan and Sen. Murray to bring certainty to the budget process, which is why I voted earlier today to allow a Senate vote on their agreement, which had passed the House with two-to-one Republican support.” In February, Senators Alexander and Corker introduced the “Fiscal Sustainability Act,” S. 11, to reduce the growth of entitlement spending (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security) by nearly $1 trillion in the next decade in order to improve the programs’ solvency. The bill incorporates many of the recommendations made by President Obama’s Debt Commission (Simpson-Bowles) as well as by former Republican Senator Pete Domenici and Alice Rivlin, budget director for former President Clinton. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=SpeechesFloorStatements&ContentRecord_id=0fda688e-8444-49e9-8c2c-ca656f51188d | Floor speech: The debt-paying generation | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | We are watching America pass from the hands of the "greatest generation" to the hands of the “debt-paying generation” with nothing to show for it but the bill. For months Republicans have challenged President Obama to fix the federal debt, to save entitlement programs that Americans depend upon, and to rescue young Americans from being forever known as the debt-paying generation. Earlier this year, for example, I called on the president to show the same kind of leadership that President Johnson did on civil rights, that President Nixon did on China, that President Carter did on the Panama Canal Treaty, and that President Reagan did on Social Security. Confront your own party. Say what needs to be said. Do what needs to be done. This has not happened. I appreciate very much the efforts of the senator from Washington and Representative Ryan to try to bring certainty to the budget process. That is why I voted today to allow a vote on the House-passed budget agreement. It seems to me, at least, that a Republican senator could allow a vote on legislation passed by the House of Representatives with the support of the House Republican leadership and two-thirds of the House Republicans, so I voted yes to allow a vote. However, I am going to vote against the Ryan-Murray budget amendment because it avoids the federal government's single greatest challenge; that is, reducing the growth of runaway entitlement spending. Instead, it spends savings that should be used to strengthen Medicare, to strengthen pensions, and to strengthen the air transportation system. I believe in user fees. When you build a highway, you have a gas tax to pay for the highway. You do not raise the gas tax to pay for education. You do not raise the gas tax to pay for a health program. A user fee is related to the service it provides. This budget agreement does not withstand that test. It would have been much better to pay for this budget agreement by using a small… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131225101447/http://black.house.gov:80/press-release/black-introduces-federal-exchange-data-breach-notification-act-2013 | Black Introduces the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013 | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) has introduced H.R. 3731, the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013. This commonsense reform would simply require the federal government to notify individuals if their personal information has been compromised on the federal Obamacare exchange. “Whether through Navigators with no background checks, or inadequate security testing on their website, the Obama Administration has thrown Americans’ data security out the window when it comes to Obamacare,” said Congressman Black. “IT experts have repeatedly raised red flags about the security of the information people are putting into the exchanges, and it is only fair that the Administration gives people proper notice if this information has been compromised. Americans deserve this basic notice so that they can protect themselves from cyber attacks and identity theft. Most state run exchanges are subject to laws that guarantee this notice, and the federal government imposes these same rules on the private sector, yet they have gone out of their way to avoid imposing this basic diligence on their own Obamacare exchange. This is clearly wrong, and why I have introduced the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013 – legislation that requires that the Federal Trade Commission to notify individuals whose personal information has been jeopardized by a security breach.” According to a report from Watchdog.org, the Department of Health and Human Services ignored requests from experts to include data breach notification policies when developing the federal exchange. As they report, under current law, “hacks that happen behind the scenes —potentially stealing everything from Social Security numbers to Department of Homeland Security watch lists — never have to be reported.” Additional Resources: Black Statement on Sebelius’ “Navigator” Comment Black, Meehan Seek Answers on IRS Security Testing ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered n… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085111/http://black.house.gov/press-release/case-you-missed-it-require-feds-disclose-security-breaches-healthcaregov | In Case You Missed It: Require Feds to Disclose Security Breaches on Healthcare.gov | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congresswoman: Require Feds to Disclose Security Breaches on Healthcare.gov By Elizabeth Harrington Published December 16, 2013 A bill in the House of Representatives would require the federal government to tell Americans if their personal information has been stolen while using Healthcare.gov. Rep. Diane Black (R., Tenn.) introduced the “Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2013” on Thursday to address privacy concerns regarding the Obamacare insurance website, which has been live for months despite its lack of fundamental security safeguards. The two-page bill (H.R. 3731) would “simply require the federal government to notify individuals if their personal information has been compromised on the federal Obamacare exchange.” “Whether through Navigators with no background checks, or inadequate security testing on their website, the Obama administration has thrown Americans’ data security out the window when it comes to Obamacare,” Black said in a statement. Black cited a report from Watchdog.org, which explained that no law currently requires notification when the security of online government databases is breached. Many state-run exchanges are required to disclose security incidents. For instance, the Minnesota health exchange was compromised even before it launched, resulting in the leak of 2,400 insurance brokers’ Social Security numbers. Should Black’s bill be signed into law, failure to disclose a security breach on the federal health exchange would be classified as an “unfair or deceptive act” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, which can carry a civil penalty of up to $16,000 per violation. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Cyber security experts have warned Americans to stay away from the Obamacare website, saying no security has been built into its over 500 million lines of code, leaving Americans’ personal information at risk. Last week, the House science committee sent a letter to the White House asking the administration what, if any, steps have been t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/honoring-nelson-mandelas-memory | Honoring Nelson Mandela's Memory | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, This week, the late Nelson Mandela was on my mind quite a bit. The life he led and his steadfast dedication to the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation stand alone in their impact on the world as we know it today. The importance and priority that he placed on those principles played a role in my introducing the first Congressional apology for slavery and Jim Crow laws to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives five years ago. Apologizing for past wrongs is the first step towards forgiveness and reconciliation, and it was an important step for Congress to take that helped bring people with different backgrounds and historical experiences together. I spoke with Joie Chen on “America Tonight” about what Mandela’s death means for us and how we can move closer to the goal of true reconciliation. My interview will air in the coming days on "America Tonight," which airs at 8PM CT. While the channel depends on your television provider, you can click here to learn where it airs for you. Keep reading to learn more about what went on in Washington this week. Passing a Bipartisan Budget Compromise Helping Memphians Get Covered Fully Funding the National Institutes of Health Hope Scholarships 2014 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available Grants to Memphis White House Internships Grant Announcements Passing a Bipartisan Budget Compromise America is tired of government by crisis and of a Congress that lurches from one shutdown threat to the next. Last night, I voted for a two-year bipartisan budget compromise that will provide the stability both the business community and the American people need and deserve. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 passed the House by a 332 to 94 vote, putting us on course to pass the first budget through a divided Congress since 1986. You can watch me discussing the budget deal on “America Tonight” by clicking here. While I don’t agree with everything in the bill, I joined President Obama in supporting it because it is a significant step in the right … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-chairman-lamar-smith-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-consumers-unfair-taxes | Cohen, Chairman Lamar Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Consumers From Unfair Taxes on Digital Goods | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) joined Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (TX-21) this week to introduce legislation that would protect consumers from unfair taxes on digital goods, like those purchased over the Internet or on a smartphone. The Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2013, H.R. 3724, ensures that digital goods are not taxed at a higher rate than their tangible counterparts. “Digital goods and services are quickly becoming a driving force in our national economy,” said Congressman Cohen. “We need to establish a uniform framework for the taxation of digital goods and services so consumers won’t be double-taxed. Our Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act would accomplish such a goal.” Chairman Smith said: “In our modern economy, more and more consumers are buying digital goods and services rather than tangible goods. While books are still sold in stores across the country, readers can now download hundreds of digital books, newspapers and magazines instantaneously with the click of a mouse from the comfort of their home. But as technology advances, it is important that tax policies do not unfairly penalize consumers who choose to download digital goods rather than purchase their tangible counterparts. This legislation promotes tax fairness and ensures that consumers are not discouraged from purchasing digital goods.” This legislation would prevent the taxation of mp3 and software downloads, for example, at a higher rate than the tax on music and software CDs. The bill would also make sure that consumers do not suffer tax discrimination because they choose to purchase a good in digital rather than tangible form. The Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2013 is also cosponsored by Representatives Spencer Bachus (AL-06), Steve Chabot (OH-01), and Howard Coble (NC-06). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this year by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Thune (R-SD). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://fleischmann.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-bipartisan-budget-act | House Passes Bipartisan Budget Act | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON− The House of Representatives has passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Following the vote, Congressman Fleischmann released the following statement. “Tonight, the House took a modest step toward reforming spending and setting our government on a more stable path. This agreement maintains sequester savings while also reforming the mandatory spending which is driving our national debt. In fact, this bill has a $23 billion net deficit reduction and ensures we will not shut down the government in 2014. “While this bill is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. For the first time since I have been in Congress, we will finally return to a regular appropriations process, an important step to ending the cycle of governing from crisis to crisis. I hope the Senate will quickly pass this bill so we can continue moving toward the real spending reform our nation so desperately needs.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bipartisan-budget-act | House Passes Bipartisan Budget Act | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON− The House of Representatives has passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. Following the vote, Congressman Fleischmann released the following statement. “Tonight, the House took a modest step toward reforming spending and setting our government on a more stable path. This agreement maintains sequester savings while also reforming the mandatory spending which is driving our national debt. In fact, this bill has a $23 billion net deficit reduction and ensures we will not shut down the government in 2014. “While this bill is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. For the first time since I have been in Congress, we will finally return to a regular appropriations process, an important step to ending the cycle of governing from crisis to crisis. I hope the Senate will quickly pass this bill so we can continue moving toward the real spending reform our nation so desperately needs.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-statement-house-passage-bipartisan-budget-act-2013 | Cohen Statement on House Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – After the United States House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 to alleviate some of sequestration’s crippling effects, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) made the following statement: “America is tired of government by crisis and of a Congress that lurches from one shutdown threat to the next. I voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act because this compromise will provide the stability both the business community and the American people need and deserve. While I don’t agree with everything in the bill, I joined President Obama in supporting it because it is a significant step in the right direction.” “Tonight’s vote means we are on course to pass the first budget through a divided Congress since 1986. The agreement will also alleviate some of the crippling effects of sequestration by restoring $25 billion for non-defense discretionary programs like Meals on Wheels, LIHEAP, and research at the National Institutes of Health that could lead to cures for debilitating and fatal diseases.” “Still, I am disappointed that this agreement does nothing to help the more than one million Americans at risk of losing unemployment benefits just days after Christmas. Earlier today, I voted to ensure this agreement extended a lifeline to those Americans looking for work, but Speaker Boehner and his colleagues did not join me and the vote failed. I will continue to urge the Speaker to keep the House in session until an extension of the unemployment compensation program is passed.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-desjarlais-votes-against-ryan-murray-budget-deal | Rep. DesJarlais votes against Ryan-Murray budget deal | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04) today released the following statement after voting against the Ryan-Murray budget deal: “Not only does this budget deal fail to adequately address our nation’s debt and deficit, it trades real spending cuts for the promise of future reductions. Further, this bill raises taxes under the guise of increasing user fees. My constituents are adamantly opposed to the idea of sending more of their money to Washington to pay for further government expansion. “This budget does not reflect the independent, conservative values we hold in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. Rather, this plan reflects the unacceptable status quo I was elected to fight against. Tennesseans are tired of career politicians who put more faith in manufactured poll numbers and the advice of high-priced political consultants than the views of their constituents.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://duncan.house.gov/press-release/duncan-opposes-budget-bill | Duncan Opposes Budget Bill | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | John Duncan | D000533 | duncan.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON--Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement Thursday on his vote against a budget bill before the House of Representatives: "I could not vote for a bill that increases spending by $63 billion when our National debt is more than $17 trillion dollars and climbing higher and faster than ever before. “The big increase in spending in this bill is offset only by promises of future cuts that could be changed by future Congresses. “I agree with a column this week by Howard Kurtz, who wrote: ‘Turns out nobody likes this budget deal except the press, which loves bipartisan agreements, no matter how puny.’ “It also goes back on sequester cuts that were very minimal cuts, only about 2%. But you can never satisfy government’s appetite for more money.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://fleischmann.house.gov/press-release/rep-fleischmann-submits-comments-defense-nuclear-facilities-safety-board | Rep. Fleischmann Submits Comments to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | On December 10, 2013, Congressman Fleischmann submitted comments to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Safety in Design, Operations, and Emergency Preparedness at the Y-12 National Security Complex Public Hearing and Meeting. Click on the attachment below to read the letter. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://fleischmann.house.gov/press-release/rep-fleischmann-submits-letter-proposed-land-transfer-changes | Rep. Fleischmann Submits Letter On Proposed Land Transfer Changes | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Chuck Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | legacy | On December 11, 2013, Congressman Fleischmann sent a letter to Secretary Moniz regarding the proposed land transfer changes that could greatly impact the Oak Ridge community. Click on the attachment below to read the letter. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center?ID=E6A11D5B-564A-4C4D-8D5D-F32900414C3F | Rep. DesJarlais votes against Ryan-Murray budget deal | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Scott DesJarlais | D000616 | desjarlais.house.gov | desjarlais | https://desjarlais.house.gov/media-center | scraper | Congressman Scott DesJarlais, M.D. (TN-04) today released the following statement after voting against the Ryan-Murray budget deal: “Not only does this budget deal fail to adequately address our nation’s debt and deficit, it trades real spending cuts for the promise of future reductions. Further, this bill raises taxes under the guise of increasing user fees. My constituents are adamantly opposed to the idea of sending more of their money to Washington to pay for further government expansion. “This budget does not reflect the independent, conservative values we hold in Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. Rather, this plan reflects the unacceptable status quo I was elected to fight against. Tennesseans are tired of career politicians who put more faith in manufactured poll numbers and the advice of high-priced political consultants than the views of their constituents.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fleischmann-submits-comments-defense-nuclear-facilities-safety-board | Rep. Fleischmann Submits Comments to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | On December 10, 2013, Congressman Fleischmann submitted comments to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Safety in Design, Operations, and Emergency Preparedness at the Y-12 National Security Complex Public Hearing and Meeting. Click on the attachment below to read the letter. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fleischmann-submits-letter-proposed-land-transfer-changes | Rep. Fleischmann Submits Letter On Proposed Land Transfer Changes | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann | F000459 | fleischmann.house.gov | fleischmann | https://fleischmann.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | On December 11, 2013, Congressman Fleischmann sent a letter to Secretary Moniz regarding the proposed land transfer changes that could greatly impact the Oak Ridge community. Click on the attachment below to read the letter. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T22:40:02Z |
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140220235609/http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364345 | Blackburn Fights for America's Military | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Marsha Blackburn | B001243 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) issued the following statement in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.Based on two bills, H.R 1960 and S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 is a bipartisan agreement on America’s national security goals, resources, and policies. One NDAA provision, a restoration of the Army and Air Force flying hours, secured by Congressman Blackburn provides important resources to the Fort Campbell and broader military community. “Throughout my career, I have worked hard to make sure America’s military heroes had what they needed to fight the causes at hand. It is immoral to ask our military servicemen and women to suit up and ship out without the proper resources, training, and funds they need. It only takes a few weeks for our nation’s pilots and crew members to lose currency, putting their lives and our nation’s security at risk. We need to make sure resources are available to keep their training up to date. “The NDAA is a vital mechanism to provide funding for America’s military. Passed for 51 consecutive years, it has a long and bipartisan history. On behalf of all the outstanding troops of the Tennessee Seventh Congressional District, and their families who serve at home, I am pleased to support this legislation." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140220235919/http://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364336 | Blackburn Statement in Support of Budget Agreement | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Marsha Blackburn | B001243 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) issued the following statement today in support of the Budget Agreement approved by the House of Representatives.“This agreement returns the power of the purse to Congress and allows us to take control of the budget process so we can begin to make permanent reforms to mandatory spending that will result in long term savings without raising taxes that President Obama wanted and needs to run his failed programs. It also achieves 100 percent of the Budget Control Act’s spending cuts and reduces the deficit by an additional $23 billion. “Furthermore, the agreement reins in waste, fraud and abuse by ending the permanent extension of unemployment benefits and putting a stop to government payments for prisoners and the deceased. Most importantly for our men and women in our military, the budget agreement will allow Congress and the Pentagon to return to regular order so we can better manage the cuts facing our military so that they will not damage our national security or vital installations like Fort Campbell. In addition, this bill ensures that our seniors will be able to continue to have access to their physicians and the care they deserve.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221002824/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=0435e2a7-62b2-444e-b8dd-e5a6698911e8 | Corker: “No Sacrifice” for Iran in Interim Deal | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – During a Senate Banking Committee hearing on negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the interim agreement requires “no sacrifice” of Iran and that the sanctions relief being offered by the U.S. risks creating “a rush” to do business with Iran. “Once you begin loosening sanctions, and people begin to see that Iran is now going to become not a rogue country but part of the international community…there is a rush…to do business with them. And I think that’s why we’re all concerned that we did an interim deal that has no sacrifice on their part whatsoever,” said Corker. “Obviously, we’re disappointed but hopeful that somehow you can put the genie back in the bottle and end up with some type of agreement that averts warfare. Because of all of us do want this to succeed. We just don’t know how we get there with an interim deal framed in this way.” On November 21, Corker introduced legislation, the Iran Nuclear Compliance Act of 2013, to keep the pressure on Iran during the negotiations and prevent an interim agreement from becoming the final deal. The bill requires Iran to fully comply with any interim deal and meet the basic conditions for an acceptable final agreement before the president of the United States could waive additional sanctions. It further requires an immediate snapback of all sanctions after confirmation of Iran’s noncompliance at any point or if an acceptable final deal isn’t reached within six months. Key provisions of the legislation are available here. Full text of the bill and an additional summary are available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085233/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-statement-house-passage-budget-conference-agreement | Black Statement on House Passage of Budget Conference Agreement | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) issued the following statement upon House passage of the bipartisan budget agreement: “While this budget agreement is far from perfect, I believe it is a step in the right direction,” said Congressman Black. “Despite demands from Democrats, this budget plan will reduce our deficit by $23 billion over current law without raising taxes. Also, it will restore needed certainty to our budgeting process by returning Congress to regular order. This means that we can stop governing from crisis to crisis and focus on promoting economic growth and protecting Americans from the disastrous effects of Obamacare.” “In addition, this agreement protects our military from devastating cuts which will help make sure our troops have what they need to keep us safe. I wish that this agreement went further to rein in Washington spending, but until conservatives control both Chambers of Congress and the White House, we must act incrementally where we can. This budget agreement reduces our deficit and moves us in the right direction.” For more information on the agreement, click here. ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20150110083938/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=a08a17af-9a3e-4f26-8632-2f53c26b4015 | Alexander: Small Modular Reactors “An Additional Source of Clean, Cheap, Reliable Energy” | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the federal government’s awarding of the second round of licensing support for the production of small modular nuclear reactors: “This is another step toward an additional source of clean, cheap, reliable energy. Congress directed the U.S. Department of Energy to make up to two competitive licensing support awards, and now the department has done so.” The U.S. Department of Energy today announced that it had selected Oregon-based NuScale for its second award for licensing support. The first award for licensing support went to Babcock & Wilcox of Tennessee, under which small modular reactors will be constructed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Small modular reactors are a form of technology under development that would allow for nuclear power installations that are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants, with less capital investment. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=3d6f677f-94cd-46f3-8b44-0a7da6dba385 | Alexander, Feinstein Introduce Legislation to Stop Airplane Cell Phone Conversations | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Alexander says “text messages, yes; conversations, no” *** “This legislation is about avoiding something nobody wants: nearly 2 million passengers a day, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced legislation to prohibit cell phone conversations on commercial airline flights, a possibility the Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to consider today. “Keeping phone conversations private on commercial flights may not be enshrined in the Constitution, but it is certainly enshrined in common sense,” Alexander said. “This legislation is about avoiding something nobody wants: nearly 2 million passengers a day, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts.” U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), an original cosponsor of the legislation, said: “Flying on a commercial airline—in a confined space, often for many hours—is a unique travel experience that is, candidly, not conducive to numerous passengers talking on cell phones. This bill recognizes the use of cell phones to make calls during flights can be disruptive and irritating to other passengers and would prevent such communications during domestic flights. The bill, however, would not affect the ability to communicate via text and email during a flight.” The legislation, the Commercial Flight Courtesy Act, would prohibit the use of voice communication through cell phones on regularly scheduled commercial flights, after the Federal Communications Commission announced it is exploring what type of cell phone use is safe on airplanes. It would allow the use of cell phones for texting and other electronic communication, if the FCC were to approve such communications. It would also allow the use of personal electronic devices such as Kindles and iPads during flight, which the Federal Aviation Administration recently approved. The FCC is scheduled to hold a public meetin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=c45714de-bd7c-41a0-80d0-3de7121653bb | Alexander: Get Washington Out of the Way, College Accreditation Too Costly | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says Vanderbilt spends 5,000 hours to accredit College of Arts and Sciences, 8,000 hours for School of Engineering *** “The whole purpose of accreditation to begin with was an effort by autonomous institutions to regulate themselves with the sole purpose of determining quality. … Are the accreditors doing some things they don’t need to be doing? And are they spending enough time really focused on quality?” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 – The senior Republican on the Senate education committee today questioned whether “the federal government has overstepped” in college accreditation, asking witnesses at a hearing to consider whether federal requirements have accreditors losing their focus on quality. U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, recounted the history of accreditation, noting that it began as a way for colleges to self-regulate and ensure quality. As federal aid became tied to accreditation standards, Alexander said, the federal government added requirements that may be harming efforts to ensure quality education. He asked witnesses to help identify those areas. “I think it is important to look back at where accreditation came from to see what it’s central purpose is, whether the accreditors are fulfilling that role, what is the federal government’s role in accreditation, and has the federal government overstepped to the point that accreditors are not doing what they were designed to do,” Alexander said. Comparing the single page of requirements from 1952 with stacks of paper of current federal statute and regulation, Alexander noted that federal accreditors now must consider 93 criteria. Alexander said, “This is what it is today. This is the law, these are the regulations. These are the sub-regulations – still quite a bit, and I think one of the things we want to know is, is all this necessary? “In our previous hearings, I have suggested that, through no evil intention of anybody, we’ve reauthorized the Higher Educat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-165-house-dems-call-speaker-boehner-help-nations-unemployed-taking-his-christmas | Cohen, 173 House Dems Call on Speaker Boehner to Help the Nation's Unemployed Before Taking His Christmas Vacation | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – On the heels of the announcement of a 2-year budget agreement that does nothing to prevent more than a million Americans from losing unemployment benefits while they look for work, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today joined 173 of his House Democratic colleagues in calling on Speaker Boehner to keep the House of Representatives in Washington and working until an extension of the unemployment compensation program is passed. “Without swift Congressional action, 1.3 million jobless workers will have their benefits cut off on December 28th, and nearly another 1.9 million will lose their unemployment benefits over the first half of next year,” the Representatives wrote today in a letter to the Speaker. “This would not only be a devastating blow for millions of Americans who are already struggling, but it would also hurt our economy.” The Representatives continued: “Now is certainly not the time to further decimate vital federal assistance to workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own and who must actively seek work in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits… We write to urge you to address the looming expiration of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans before adjourning Congress for the remainder of the year.” The federal unemployment insurance program is scheduled to expire December 28, immediately cutting of all jobless aid to 1.3 million Americans. An additional 1.9 million Americans who are estimated to be eligible for federal unemployment insurance in the first half of 2014 would lose access to that coverage. The text of the letter sent by House Democrats to Speaker Boehner today follows: Dear Speaker Boehner: We write to urge you to address the looming expiration of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans before adjourning Congress for the remainder of the year. Without swift Congressional action, 1.3 million jobless workers will have their benefits cut off on December 28th, and nearly another 1.9 million will lose their unemployment benefits ov… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-blasts-house-gop-effort-distract-cuts-medical-research-are-preventing-new-cures | Cohen Blasts House GOP Effort to Distract From Cuts to Medical Research That Are Preventing New Cures For Fatal Illnesses | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – One of the most outspoken advocates in Congress for medical research programs and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to lambast a Republican proposal meant to distract from sequestration’s very real and crippling effects on the NIH’s efforts to find cures for debilitating diseases like cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and AIDS. Video of the Congressman’s remarks on the House Floor is available here. “The NIH is our nation’s true Department of Defense—it defends us from cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, AIDS and diabetes,” said Congressman Cohen. “And their budget for research into new cures is being decimated by sequestration. The $13 million in research funding this bill proposes doesn’t replace even 1% of sequestration’s cuts. Memphis, the city I live in, is home to the world’s best pediatric cancer center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They deserve to be protected from these cuts, as do the countless kids who will be stricken with diseases and illnesses that research projects could cure if adequately funded. They need more than the window-dressing that this bill provides. I urge my colleagues to support full funding for the NIH, not just smoke and mirrors.” The Congressman was speaking out about the Kids First Research Act which was debated by the House today. Supporters of the legislation claim the bill will redirect the spending of the tax dollars that fund political conventions—which amount to a mere $13 million dollars, or less than 1% of the $1.5 billion cut from the NIH this year through sequestration—to raise funding for pediatric research, but the bill does not guarantee that funding will be used for such research. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364105 | Roe Joins Scalise, Blackburn to request meeting with President Obama to discuss health care alternative | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. In a letter sent to President Barack Obama today, three Members of the Republican Study Committee who helped craft the RSC's American Health Care Reform Act requested a meeting to discuss a better way to health care reform. The letter was signed by RSC Chairman Steve Scalise, Congressman Phil Roe and Congressman Marsha Blackburn. The letter comes in response to President Obama's statement earlier this month that the only alternative that Obamacare's critics have is, well, let's just go back to the status quo because they sure haven't presented an alternative. The American Health Care Reform Act currently has 117 cosponsors a number that grows every day, the members write in the letter. Our legislation is anything but the status quo it is a pragmatic, practical, and portable free-market alternative to the current health care system. In addition to the American Health Care Reform Act, Members of the RSC have introduced more than 200 health care related bills this Congress. As a caucus, we are dedicated to improving access to health care for all Americans. We welcome the opportunity to share these ideas with you. The full text of the letter can be found here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085258/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-commends-house-passage-gabriella-miller-kids-first-research-act | Black Commends House Passage of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) issued the following statement upon House passage of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act – bipartisan legislation she cosponsored that would eliminate taxpayer financing of presidential campaigns and party conventions and use these funds to expand pediatric research at the National Institutes of Health: “I am pleased that the House has passed this commonsense measure today,” said Congressman Black. “While we work to reduce government spending, it is also important that we target taxpayer dollars in ways that can best help the American people. Taking federal funds from political events to expand research into pediatric illnesses is a step in the right direction, and I am proud to support this important legislation to improve children’s healthcare.” For more information on the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, click here. ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085444/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-statement-budget-conference-agreement | Black Statement on Budget Conference Agreement | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06), member of the bicameral budget conference committee, issued the following statement on the agreement reached: “While far from perfect, this agreement represents a modest step in the right direction,” said Congressman Black. “By restoring our budgeting process to regular order, we can stop governing from crisis to crisis and provide some needed certainty to the way Washington works for the American people. Furthermore, this deal reduces our deficit without raising taxes and provides smarter cuts and reforms that will help make our government more responsible and efficient. We have much more work to do to tackle our nation’s fiscal challenges, but in a divided government, we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” For more information on the agreement, click here. ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20160116033259/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=0f6bd362-da8f-4205-aa37-0003435d4723 | Alexander Names New Chief of Staff | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement: “I have named David Cleary as my chief of staff. David has worked with me for eight years and fortunately is well-prepared to step into this position. “Earlier today, I was informed by the United States Senate legal counsel’s office that law enforcement agents were conducting a search of the personal residence of Ryan Loskarn, who has been chief of staff of my Washington, D.C., office, regarding allegations involving child pornography. I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay. The office is fully cooperating with the investigation. “The courts will judge Mr. Loskarn’s guilt or innocence, but under these circumstances, he cannot continue to fulfill his duties as chief of staff of this office. Therefore, as of today, I have removed him from the payroll.” David Cleary has served as Alexander’s legislative director since 2011 and as Republican staff director for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee since 2012. He has been working with Alexander since 2006. Cleary previously served as a staff member on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce under then-Chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio), and as a legislative analyst for the U.S. Department of Education. Cleary earned a B.A. in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is married to Marci Vanim Cleary and they have a 6-year old daughter, Maria. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=5cdac021-031f-4b25-94a0-68ee77c20e4d | Alexander Introduces Bill to Include Four Tennessee Civil War Battlefields in National Park System | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says the legislation, introduced in House by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, will “preserve and protect our heritage” in Tennessee WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced that he introduced legislation that would expand the boundary of Shiloh National Military Park to include three Civil War battlefields in Tennessee and designate Parker’s Crossroads as an affiliated area of the National Park System. U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Brentwood) introduced similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. “As Americans, we have a special obligation to preserve and protect our heritage,” Alexander said. “Including these Civil War battlefields in the National Park System will honor that commitment, while providing an opportunity to attract more visitors to Tennessee and encourage the local economies.” “I am pleased to be working with Senator Alexander in preserving this important piece of our national history,” Blackburn said. “Tennessee played a vital role in the Civil War and it’s important that we remember those who lost their lives on these hallowed grounds while fighting for what they believed in. This legislation will preserve our history for future generations and encourage all to travel to West Tennessee to see it firsthand.” The legislation would designate battlefields at Davis Bridge and Fallen Timbers in Tennessee and Russell House (which is in Tennessee and Mississippi) as part of Shiloh National Military Park. It will also include Parker’s Crossroads of Tennessee in the National Park System. The National Park Service has already determined these battlefields are nationally significant and in need of preservation and protection, and the majority of the land included in this legislation is currently owned by the State of Tennessee or the Civil War Trust, which would speed the process of including these areas in the system. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=d49234b5-ae5c-4da6-9293-97f3a1b82a30 | Alexander Statement on Law Enforcement Investigation of Chief of Staff | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement: “I was just informed by the United States Senate legal counsel’s office that law enforcement agents are conducting a search of the personal residence of Ryan Loskarn, the chief of staff of my Washington, D.C., office regarding allegations involving child pornography. I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay. The office is fully cooperating with the investigation.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-announces-nearly-220000-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital | Cohen Announces Nearly $220,000 For St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $218,775 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for a graduate medical education payment program. “This funding will help St. Jude continue to provide the best training for the world’s first-class doctors who choose to pursue the path of children’s medicine,” said Congressman Cohen. This funding comes through HHS’ Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Payment Program, which provides federal funds to freestanding children's hospitals to help them maintain their graduate medical education (GME) programs that train resident physicians. GME follows graduation from medical school and can take between three and seven years to complete, depending on the specialty track chosen. Founded in 1962, St. Jude is one of the world’s leading children’s cancer research hospitals and is focused on finding cures for and saving children from cancer and other life-threatening diseases. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085716/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-challenges-sebelius-defend-obamacare-broken-promises | Black Challenges Sebelius to Defend Obamacare Broken Promises | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) issued the following statement ahead of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday: “Obamacare is an unmitigated disaster that is resulting in dropped coverage, skyrocketing premiums and deductibles, and causing Americans across the country to lose access to the doctors and hospitals they know. This is in direct contrast to repeated promises made by the President and his Administration. Furthermore, the website is not secure, potentially risking the security of Americans’ most sensitive personal information as they seek to enroll in the exchanges. How does Secretary Sebelius intend to rectify the pain that this Administration has inflicted on the American public by Obamacare? Every day I hear from my constituents about how they are being impacted by this law. For instance, Steve Jones, a Pastor from Cookeville, Tennessee, wrote this to me: ‘I am one of those who were lied to. I have received my cancellation letter. I have been trying for weeks to get through the system so I can purchase insurance, even though I don't like it. I cannot. I have called the center three times this week alone and each time after a lengthy time of the agent trying to help me, I have been told the system is now down to call back later. I have submitted an application online but have been waiting for weeks to get my identity verified, as in the early days of the system the attempt online failed. I have uploaded all they asked for but still cannot even get to the area of purchasing insurance. I am dealing with what is likely prostate cancer and if I cannot get this done in the next two weeks I will go January at least without insurance. I have never been so discouraged with our country as I am now.’ “Sadly, stories such as Steve’s have become emblematic of the disastrous effects Obamacare is having on Americans across the country. Secretary Sebelius must answer for this Administration’s broken promises, and must… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=e9c799ce-d808-4aa5-9055-e04966cbf800 | Alexander: Majority Leader Reid, the “Obstructionist in Chief,” Broke Senate Rules to “Help Obama Administration Advance its Radical Agenda Unchecked Through the Courts and Executive Agencies” | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says Democratic Leader has imposed “gag rules” 191 times, “cutting off the right of American voices to be heard on the Senate floor” *** “The ‘nuclear option’ vote was not about the filibuster … The vote was about allowing the majority to do whatever it wants to do any time it wants to do it … In a country that prizes the rule of law, we now have a Senate without any rules because the Senate majority has decided, for the first time, that a majority can change the rules at any time, for any reason it wants, which makes this a body without rules.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), in a speech last night on the Senate floor, said that Senate Majority Harry Reid has become the Senate’s “obstructionist in chief.” Alexander said Reid has imposed gag rules 191 times, “cutting off the right of American voices to be heard on the Senate floor. Seventy-seven times this majority leader has cut off amendments in a body whose whole purpose is to amend, debate, and vote. He has filed a motion to cut off debate 114 times on the same day he has introduced a bill, and he calls that a ‘filibuster.’” On Nov. 21, Reid and 51 other Senate Democrats exercised the so-called “nuclear option,” voting to end the right to filibuster presidential nominations, except for those to the U.S. Supreme Court. Alexander said the “‘nuclear option’ vote was not about the filibuster … The vote was about allowing the majority to do whatever it wants to do any time it wants to do it,” and “I know of only one cure for this dangerous trend, and that is one word, an election – the election of six new Republican senators, so power plays such as Obamacare and the Nov. 21 rules change will be ended and the Senate will again be alive with bills, amendments, and debates, reflecting the will of the American people on the important issues of our time.” The full text of the speech follows: I appreciate the courtesy of the majority leader in allowing me to ask him a question. I have more to say about this whol… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140108114616/http://black.house.gov:80/press-release/black-meehan-seek-answers-irs-security-testing | Black, Meehan Seek Answers on IRS Security Testing | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Diane Black (R-TN-06) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA-07) sent a letter to Danny Werfel, the Acting Commissioner for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in response to a report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). The IRS is responsible for administering tax credits under Obamacare and TIGTA has reported that “critical” elements of the security controls failed during testing, potentially risking the exposure of sensitive taxpayer information. Below is the text of their letter, or a digital copy can be found here. The Honorable Daniel I. Werfel Acting Commissioner, the Internal Revenue Service U.S. Department of the Treasury 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 3241 Washington, DC 20224 Dear Commissioner Werfel: Americans face a great threat to their personal security online, as it is widely understood that information systems can be hacked. Bad actors are constantly in search of opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities in our infrastructure, many of which are related to misconfigured system components and software flaws. Given this reality, we are concerned for the integrity and security of the sensitive personal data transmitted through the new health insurance exchanges. As you know, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for administering the premium tax credits (PTCs) established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now that the health care exchanges are open for business, it is imperative that the IRS has processes in place to keep taxpayer information secure. Recently, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released a report that was completed on September 27, 2013 – days before the launch of the Healthcare.gov website. TIGTA determined that IRS has completed development and testing for the Premium Tax Credit Computation Engine (PTC-CE), which will calculate the PTC for eligible Americans. However, “critical” elements of the security controls failed during testing. Specifically, the report found that twelve con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20150110095118/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1b902a94-df95-421b-8f6b-b82d8bec3424 | Alexander Says Farmers Are “Original Conservatives,” Highlights Importance of Farm Priorities | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | Says farm bill, waterways are important priorities, along with opposing burdensome regulations such as Obamacare, EPA overreach *** “In Tennessee, farmers work on more than 77,000 farms and take care of approximately 10.8 million acres of land. That means they’re doing a full day’s work before many people even start the workday, and shows why agriculture is one of Tennessee’s most important industries.” – Lamar Alexander FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 9 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today highlighted the importance of agriculture in a speech to the Tennessee Farm Bureau, calling farmers the “original conservatives” and pledging to keep pushing their priorities – such as the farm bill – while fighting burdensome regulations and Obamacare. “In Tennessee, farmers work on more than 77,000 farms and take care of approximately 10.8 million acres of land. That means they’re doing a full day’s work before many people even start the workday, and shows why agriculture is one of Tennessee’s most important industries,” Alexander said. “It is my hope that legislation that improves certainty for farmers and allows them to increase production will become law, and that we can continue to push back against burdensome regulations. Farmers are the original conservatives, because they conserve and preserve the land for future production and future generations.” Alexander spoke in Franklin at the annual meeting of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, applauding the nation’s largest state farm bureau and its leaders for their work on behalf of farmers. The senator discussed a number of farm bureau priorities that have seen progress, including passage in the U.S. Senate, as well as challenges facing the industry that he intends to continue fighting against, such as the higher costs Obamacare is imposing on farmers. Alexander highlighted the following Farm Bureau priorities: A five-year farm bill to provide certainty to Tennessee farmers. Alexander supported the Senate-passed bill and said he hopes negotiators can reconcile differences bet… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=SpeechesFloorStatements&ContentRecord_id=5560494c-98b6-4578-bb35-64a60eb0b217 | Floor speech: A Senate without rules | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | I appreciate the courtesy of the majority leader in allowing me to ask him a question. I have more to say about this whole subject. But let me go back to my point. There are 13 district judges on the calendar. On November 21, when we last met, there were 13 district judges. There is only one person in this chamber who can bring a judge from the calendar to the floor for confirmation. That is the majority leader. Why did he not bring them all up? Why didn't he move them? Because under our rules, all he has to do is make a motion that so-and-so district judge be confirmed. If he files cloture, we have to wait one day, and then we have two hours of debate. Never in the history of the country, according to the Congressional Research Service, has a district judge been denied his or her seat because of a failed cloture vote, because of a filibuster. I know this from personal experience, because a judge named McConnell from Rhode Island was nominated by President Obama at the recommendation of the Rhode Island senators, and there were a number on this side who said we should filibuster the judge. I thought not. I argued to all of the Republicans that we never had done that in history and we ought not to do it, we ought not to start it. So, what has happened? I believe, with all due respect, the majority leader is manufacturing a crisis. There is no crisis with those 13 district judges. He is the one who could bring them up. He could have done it on Thursday, November 21, the day he changed the rules. Friday would be the intervening day. The maximum amount of debate the Democrats could require on each judge would be one hour, if they yield back their hour. So in 13 hours, before midnight tonight, they could all be district judges. They were sitting on the calendar waiting for the majority leader to move. The same is true with the sub-cabinet members. But let's just stay with the district judges for a minute. I know I am right about this because I have sat down with the Senate historian. I sat down with the Congression… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/welcoming-holiday-season | Welcoming the Holiday Season | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the holiday season. This week, Congress returned to Washington for the last weeks of the year. This current Congress has so far been the least productive in history, but I hope that after the shutdown battles of the last few months, we can all come together to deal with the issues before us. We should pass a budget that averts yet another shutdown early next year, roll back the cuts that are hurting the middle class, and extend unemployment benefits and the food stamp program so that the least among us can live with dignity. Keep reading to learn more about what went on this week. Helping Memphians Get Covered Remembering Nelson Mandela Promoting Immigration Reform Working for a Living Wage Celebrating Hannukah Promoting American Innovation and Ingenuity Grants to Memphis White House Internships Grant Announcements Helping Memphians Get Covered All Memphians should have quality health coverage and the President’s landmark Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare—is making affordable, higher-quality coverage available to people who have not had access to it in the past. Luckily, many who have been unable to afford quality coverage in the past are now eligible to enroll in Tennessee’s Health Insurance Marketplace. If you do not have health insurance coverage, you may be eligible to save money on your health care premiums in the Marketplace. On Monday evening, I hosted a telephone town hall with Anton Gunn, the Director of External Affairs for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to answer questions about the law and discuss the law’s benefits. During the hour-long town hall, more than 7,000 citizens of the Ninth District participated and I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with them. If you are on Medicare or your employer is going to offer qualified health insurance next year that you will enroll in, you’re already covered and won’t need to enter the Marketplace for your health coverage. If you aren’t s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20150110145517/http://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=28b38984-b9b0-4752-9c7e-f14b480f5425 | Alexander Statement on Interior Department Rule Change | 2013-12-06 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | web.archive.org | legacy | Says Interior Department rule grants “federal hunting licenses” to kill eagles *** “By now it’s no secret this administration will go to great lengths to tilt the scales to benefit the wind industry at great cost to taxpayers, and at the cost of killing a great symbol of our freedoms, the American bald eagle.” – Lamar Alexander NASHVILLE, Dec. 6 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement regarding the Interior Department’s announced rule revision that will extend from five to 30 years permits allowing renewable energy projects to kill or injure American bald eagles: “By now it’s no secret this administration will go to great lengths to tilt the scales to benefit the wind industry at great cost to taxpayers, and at the cost of killing a great symbol of freedom, the American bald eagle,” Alexander said. “It’s appalling that after bringing the American bald eagle back from the brink of extinction, today’s Interior Department announcement grants renewable energy projects what is essentially a federal hunting licenses to kill not only American bald eagles, but also golden eagles. We need even treatment of the law for energy development, regardless of source, and this revised rule misses the mark by giving continued leniency to renewable energy projects, such as wind farms.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated annual bird mortality from wind energy production to be approximately 440,000 in its fiscal year 2013 budget justification, and the figure is expected to exceed one million as more wind turbines are put in service. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-announces-nearly-400000-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital | Cohen Announces Nearly $400,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in downtown Memphis was awarded $393,750 in grant funding for a research project regarding LC3-Associated Phagocytosis. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). “This funding will be used to continue important research at St. Jude, one of the world’s finest health care institutions,” said Congressman Cohen. The NIAID conducts research to better understand, treat, and prevent disease. For over 60 years, research funded by the NIAID has led to innovations in therapy, new vaccines, diagnostics tests, and other technologies that have improved the quality of health for millions of people in the United States and around the world. Founded in 1962, St. Jude is one of the world’s leading children’s cancer research hospitals and is focused on finding cures for and saving children from cancer and other life-threatening diseases. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-statement-passing-nelson-mandela | Cohen Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement upon learning of the passing of civil and human rights leader His Excellency Nelson Mandela: “As a fighter for both human and civil rights, no one was greater than Nelson Mandela,” said Congressman Cohen. “Much like Martin Luther King Jr., President Mandela had a dream for his people that fundamentally changed society for the better. And much like Abraham Lincoln, President Mandela understood the virtue of reconciliation and the value of making peace with one’s enemies for the betterment of their country. This understanding helped unify a divided people and heal the wounds of apartheid.” “After hearing of his passing, I looked at the statue of President Mandela that sits on my Capitol Hill desk with great sadness, but with many fond memories of the humility, self-sacrifice, and enduring warmth shown by one of our generation’s most revered and respected statesmen. The loss that his passing represents to the world community can only be offset by his countless good deeds and the transformative example that he set for each of us.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363509 | Majority of House Majority supports RSC American Health Care Reform Act | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON D.C. The RSC's American Health Care Reform Act today reached another milestone by gaining its 117th cosponsor, a majority of House GOP members. Reps. Roe and Scalise released the following statements: I am proud to see support growing for the American Health Care Reform Act, a commonsense conservative plan to make health care less expensive and more accessible, said Dr. Phil Roe, Chairman of the RSC's Health Care Working Group. With a majority of House Republicans supporting this bill, it's time that President Obama stop claiming Republicans don't have solutions. The health care system in this country was broken before Obamacare, and his law has only made things worse. There is an answer to our country's health care problems, but President Obama's health care law is not it. This bill has real solutions and I am glad to see so many conservatives, under the leadership of Chairman Scalise, rally around it. American families and small businesses deserve and demand real solutions to the serious problems that exist in our health care system, RSC Chairman Steve Scalise said. It is encouraging to see so much momentum building behind the American Health Care Reform Act, which is focused on putting patients back in charge of their health care decisions and lowering costs so hard-working taxpayers have more options for their families. I look forward to this bill continuing to gain momentum as it moves through the legislative process and ultimately comes up for a vote on the House Floor. H.R. 3121 was drafted by RSC Chairman Steve Scalise, RSC Health Care Working Group Chairman Dr. Phil Roe, and working group members Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. Renee Ellmers, Dr. John Fleming, Dr. Paul Gosar, Dr. Tom Price, and Rep. Todd Rokita. Specifically, H.R. 3121, the RSC's American Health Care Reform Act: Fully repeals President Obama's health care law. Provides tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, just like companies, leveling the playing field and providing all Amer… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=3748399d-2ca4-4c21-8ad2-72db5b9c66b5 | Alexander Statement on the Passing of Former South African President Nelson Mandela | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 5– U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela: "Visiting Nelson Mandela's Robben Island prison cell and then reading his autobiography taught our family inspiring lessons from a remarkable life that helped to achieve a political result few imagined possible." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=d38795e4-d06a-45da-9e39-2c1c0894ee0b | Alexander on "Statement of Facts" in Case Against Former Chief of Staff | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) made the following statement when details of the criminal complaint against Ryan Loskarn were released: “The courts will determine his guilt or innocence, but the information in the complaint is repugnant and disturbing.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085858/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-questions-website-security-income-verification-hearing-obamacare | Black Questions Website Security, Income Verification at Hearing on Obamacare | 2013-12-04 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | (Click image above for video) Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) participated in a Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Hearing on Obamacare and questioned the witnesses participating on recent reports of severe security risks associated with the website. Congressman Black questioned whether it was fair to mandate that individuals use this website when their sensitive personal information could be at risk. To watch video of her questioning, click here. For information about the hearing, click here. ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=6aa7cef9-46dd-41c6-bc80-055a44cc4447 | Alexander Accepts “Restoring the Balance” States’ Rights Award | 2013-12-04 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says states, local leaders should be left to make more decisions about taxes, education and other issues reserved to states under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution *** “Nothing made me madder when I was governor of Tennessee than folks in Washington thinking they knew best – coming up with a bright idea and leaving the state to pay for it, or keeping us from making our own decisions about taxes or education.” – Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today spoke before the National Conference of State Legislatures and accepted its “Restoring the Balance Award” for standing up for the rights of states. “Nothing made me madder when I was governor of Tennessee than folks in Washington thinking they knew best – coming up with a bright idea and leaving the state to pay for it, or keeping us from making our own decisions about taxes or education,” Alexander said. “We need to get the federal government out of the way and let governors, state legislators and local elected officials lead.” The “Restoring the Balance Award” is given to members of Congress who have worked successfully to advance and protect states’ rights in United States’ federal system of government. Examples of Alexander’s work standing up for states’ rights include the Marketplace Fairness Act – which would allow states to decide for themselves whether to require remote sellers such as online retailers to collect state sales taxes that are already owed on a sale – and his efforts to move decisions about whether schools and teachers are succeeding or failing back to states and local communities. Of the Marketplace Fairness Act, Alexander said: “The Marketplace Fairness Act is about two words: states’ rights. I believe in the Tenth Amendment, and I don’t think Tennessee or other states should have to play ‘Mother, may I?’ with the federal government to set their own tax policies.” Of education reform, Alexander said: “Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Education has become so congested with fed… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-commends-ut-raising-its-minimum-wage | Cohen commends UT for raising its minimum wage | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement in response to the announcement that the University of Tennessee will raise the minimum wage for its employees. “I commend the University of Tennessee for setting this example to raise the minimum wage for its employees to $9.50 an hour. Throughout my career, I have fought to raise the minimum wage to ensure that hard-working Americans can earn a living wage and won’t have to struggle to provide for themselves and their families. I was proud to vote for an increase in the federal minimum wage in 2007 and am honored to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 1010, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10. “I urge the Tennessee Board of Regents and my colleagues in the House of Representatives to follow the lead of the University of Tennessee and ten states across the nation that have raised the minimum wage this year. Raising the minimum wage would help thousands of Memphians and millions of Americans, reduce income inequality and strengthen American families.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://duncan.house.gov/obamacare-costs-soaring-beyond-estimates | Obamacare Costs Soaring Beyond Estimates | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | John Duncan | D000533 | duncan.house.gov | legacy | Mister Speaker: Some are trying to create the impression that the only problem with Obamacare is the website, and the experts will soon fix that. Actually the biggest problem with the so-called Affordable Care Act is that it is unaffordable already. We are already having trouble paying for all the federal medical programs we have now. The costs of all our federal medical programs have been greatly underestimated at the start. Now with many millions more losing their coverage than the Administration predicted, added to the millions previously uninsured, the costs of Obamacare are already estimated at possibly four times more than when it was passed, and it is not even fully in place. And since it took 3 ½ years to even get a screwed-up website partially ready, most people don’t believe the federal government can run our health care system efficiently in the first place. More bureaucratic, less-humane medical care and all at much greater cost to taxpayers at both the federal and state levels. This plan is already a mess that will ultimately lead to shortages, waiting periods, and great decline in the quality of American medical care. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221085940/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-statement-tigta-report-obamacare-fraud | Black Statement on TIGTA Report on Obamacare Fraud | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) issued the following statement upon release of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s report finding that the Internal Revenue Service has inadequate provisions in place to prevent Obamacare subsidy fraud: “This report confirms what many of us already knew: doling out subsidies before ensuring eligibility will lead to widespread fraud and abuse at taxpayer expense. This is why I introduced and the House passed legislation, the No Subsidies Without Verification Act, that would have protected taxpayers from as much as $250 billion in fraudulent payments, according to one estimate. Verification is commonsense, but unfortunately the President decided to delay verifying eligibility for subsidies this summer in a mad rush to push forward with his unworkable healthcare law. Obamacare is a train wreck that is not only wrecking our healthcare system but also inviting widespread fraud and abuse at taxpayer expense.” RESOURCES: 9/12/13: House Passes Rep. Black Bill – No Subsidies Without Verification Act 7/31/13: Black's Op-Ed in Investor's Business Daily: ObamaCare Honor System For Subsidies Will Invite Fraud ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090012/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-house-floor-obamacare-unmitigated-disaster | Black on House Floor: Obamacare is an Unmitigated Disaster | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | (Click image above for video) Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) took to the House floor to talk about the President’s broken promises on Obamacare. She shared a story of a constituent whose insurance premiums are skyrocketing and urged Democratic lawmakers to break ranks with the President and help protect Americans from this disastrous law. To watch video of her remarks, click here. ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-hosts-telephone-town-hall-affordable-care-act-0 | Cohen Hosts Telephone Town Hall on Affordable Care Act | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) tonight hosted a Telephone Town Hall with U.S. Health and Human Services Director of External Affairs Anton Gunn to discuss the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “Town halls give constituents an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns about laws that have a daily impact on their lives,” said Congressman Cohen. “Today we discussed how the Affordable Care Act is already helping constituents in the Ninth District and answered many questions about the law.” The Telephone Town Hall meeting began at 6:35 p.m. CST and lasted approximately one hour. More than 7,000 District 9 constituents participated in the call and asked questions about the Affordable Care Act. Since being elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, Congressman Cohen has hosted dozens of town hall meetings in his Congressional district and via telephone from Washington, D.C. Additional information about the Affordable Care Act, including information about the health insurance plans made available through the health insurance marketplace, can be found online at https://HealthCare.gov (en Español: https://CuidadoDeSalud.gov). The website provides information and offers online web chats with trained specialists. A 24-hour hotline with translation services for 150 languages is available at (800) 318-2596. Additionally, the local non-profit Seedco offers trained experts to help walk Memphians and Shelby County residents through the application process and help them enroll in insurance plans. Seedco's Mid-South office is located at 22 North Front Street (Suite 900), and they can be reached by phone at (901) 528-8341. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131215220025/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/video?ContentRecord_id=63e0f51e-7930-4d33-beb4-4f89221c4c3e | Corker Discusses Obamacare and Iran on CBS' "Face the Nation" | 2013-12-01 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | Dec 01 2013 December 1, 2013 - Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, talked about Obamacare and Iran on CBS' "Face the Nation." Permalink: http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2013/12/corker-discusses-obamacare-and-iran-on-cbs-face-the-nation Click play to view the video or follow this link http://youtu.be/0RZc2Ix23dE | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131215222944/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=9ae3193e-c389-4ebf-863e-7f40cc813ab8 | Corker on “Face the Nation”: “A Lot of Negative Surprises” as Americans Enroll in Obamacare | 2013-12-01 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – On CBS’ “Face the Nation” today, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Americans will likely experience a lot of “negative surprises” as they continue to enroll in Obamacare. “We all get calls from incredibly distressed citizens who have had their policies cancelled yet are unable to enroll in a new plan….At the end of the day, while there will be a few winners, most Americans are going to find a less dynamic health system, and they're going to find that the cost of the health care they're able to purchase is going to be a lot higher. They're also going to realize that their choices are far less,” said Corker. “Unfortunately as people enroll I think there's going to be a lot of negative surprises as to what they're able to enroll in.” Corker further said the fundamentals of Obamacare were done in a “chaotic” way. “Generally speaking, the fundamentals of this to me were done in a chaotic way, much like we're seeing in the roll out…. I don't know how you fix a program that was put together in this manner with only one side of the aisle and taking the shortcuts that were taken to put it in place,” said Corker. As mandated by law, Corker, his family and staff will enter the Obamacare exchanges on January 1, 2014. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://roe.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363052 | Roe Statement on Yearlong Delay of Online Enrollment for Small Businesses | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Phil Roe | R000582 | roe.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) released the following statement on the Obama administration’s delay in online enrollment for small businesses that want to purchase health coverage through the federally-run exchanges: “This announcement, made one day before Thanksgiving, is just further proof that Obamacare is a disaster,” said Roe. “The administration broke another promise when they said that small businesses would be able to purchase insurance coverage through the website ‘sometime in November.’” “When President Obama talked about purchasing insurance through Healthcare.gov, he said it would be similar to purchasing a television online,” Roe continued. “This is clearly not the case. You can’t force someone to purchase a product without giving them a way to do it. We’ve known for a while that Obamacare was unaffordable, but now it’s proving to be unattainable. This is unacceptable and I believe it’s unfair to leave the American people on the hook for the administration’s failure to deliver what they’ve promised. Today’s announcement is further proof that we need to provide fairness for all Americans and delay this law altogether.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1170f9d0-c1e6-4839-8c5e-b70127d3ad9d | Alexander Compounding Legislation Signed Into Law to Help “Prevent Another Nightmare for Tennesseans Like Last Year’s Terrifying Meningitis Outbreak” | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | President signs Alexander compounding bill, which will make sterile compounded drugs safer by clarifying oversight of compounding pharmacies *** “Tennesseans deserve this law to make it clear exactly who is in charge of overseeing each compounding facility, so there will be no questions about who’s on the flagpole.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Nov. 27– Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the senior Republican on the Senate health committee, today praised the signing into law of The Drug Quality and Security Act, a result of a legislative agreement he reached with House and Senate health committee leaders to make injections of compounded sterile drugs safer. Alexander said: “I have been working with my Senate colleagues for a year to find a solution that would help prevent a repeat of the terrifying meningitis outbreak that has killed 16 Tennesseans and made so many others so sick. Tennesseans deserve this law to make it clear exactly who is in charge of overseeing each compounding facility, so there will be no questions about who’s on the flagpole.” He added: “This law affects the health and safety of millions of Americans. It is important in Tennessee to those 16 families who had a family member die. It is important to the dozens of families with a member of their family who is sick because of those injections. It is important to those families who may still become sick in our state and other states.” Last November, when the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held its first hearing on the deadly meningitis outbreak, Alexander called for a new model of oversight of sterile compounding pharmacies. Alexander and HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) announced legislation agreement and the bill was passed by the House on Sept. 28. The bill, cleared by both houses of Congress on Nov. 18, clarifies current federal law regarding pharmacy compounding and resolves the patchwork… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=21d3802c-43a6-40e4-9bbc-6783d66cb0e5 | Alexander Bill to Reduce Premature Births Signed Into Law | 2013-11-27 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | President signs Alexander PREEMIE bill, which will reduce infant deaths and disabilities related to premature birth *** “This is an important step to help reduce the rate of premature births in Tennessee, which is over 12 percent.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Nov. 27– U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the senior Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today praised the signing into law of his bill to reduce infant deaths and disabilities by expanding research, education, and intervention activities related to premature birth. “This is an important step to help reduce the rate of premature births in Tennessee, which is over 12 percent. Our legislation will help doctors and researchers working on saving infant lives and preventing births from happening too early,” Alexander said. “We have made great progress since we first put the spotlight on premature birth, but it remains the leading killer of newborns and a major cause of lasting disabilities.” Alexander introduced the “PREEMIE” bill with committee member Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), which passed the HELP Committee in February and cleared both houses of Congress in early November. The legislation reauthorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) research and programs on preterm birth, including improving national data tracking on preterm birth, and conducting studies. The bill also reauthorizes programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration aimed at improving the treatment and outcome for infants born premature. The bill also includes two provisions: the CHIMP Act Amendments to ensure the National Institutes of Health is able to continue caring for the chimpanzees it owns; and a provision to create a National Pediatric Research Network to encourage collaboration among researchers and optimize pediatric research. The legislation is supported by the March of Dimes Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131207221943/http://black.house.gov/press-release/supreme-court-will-consider-americans%E2%80%99-religious-rights-under-obamacare | Supreme Court Will Consider Americans’ Religious Rights Under Obamacare | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | Washington— Today, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in Hobby Lobby vs. Sebelius, a case challenging the ability of the government to force employers to provide services that violate their rights of conscience. Republicans and Democrats have joined together to support legislation that would overturn the coercive mandate. H.R. 940, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act, was introduced by Congressman Diane Black (R-TN), and is cosponsored by 188 members of the House. Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) is an original cosponsor of the bill. While Congressman Pitts supports the bill, he has a policy of not cosponsoring legislation referred to the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, which he chairs. “I am pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to review the Obama Administration’s contraceptive mandate,” said Congressman Diane Black. “Being an American means being able to freely choose our faith and live by the dictates of that faith at home, at church, and in the public square. This Administration’s assault on religious liberty is an affront to our Constitution and the Supreme Court must now use this opportunity to preserve the liberties that our country was founded upon by striking down the HHS’ unconstitutional mandate.” “I am very pleased that the Supreme Court will consider whether Obamacare is violating the religious freedom of employers,” said Congressman Pitts. “One employer in my own district, Conestoga Wood Specialties, has been fighting alongside Hobby Lobby. Conestoga and people of faith across the nation are waiting to see if the court will protect their constitutional right to live out that faith in the marketplace.” “I’m pleased that the Supreme Court has decided to hear this case that, at its core, is about preserving the most fundamental of American rights: the rights to religious liberty and conscience,” said Congressman Lipinski. “Although I am hopeful the justices will recognize that the HHS mandate infringes upon these basic constitutional rights, I will continue to be a strong su… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221090104/http://black.house.gov/press-release/black-discusses-impact-obamacare-fox-business%E2%80%99-varney-co | Black Discusses Impact of Obamacare on Fox Business’ Varney & Co. | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | (Click image above for video) Washington – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) joined host Stuart Varney on Fox Business’ Varney & Co. to discuss the latest on Obamacare and its impact on our healthcare system. To watch the interview, click here. RELATED: Fox News: Almost 80 million with employer health care plans could have coverage canceled, experts predict ### Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=3c2a62b0-a9cd-4e30-9e44-2cad571acea3 | Alexander Says “No” to Airplane Cell Phone Conversations | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Says airline cabin privacy “may not be enshrined in the Constitution, but surely it is in common sense” *** “Imagine 2 million passengers, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts. The Transportation Security Administration would have to hire three times as many air marshals to deal with fistfights.” – Lamar Alexander MARYVILLE, Nov. 26 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said today that he will introduce legislation, if necessary, to stop the Federal Communications Commission from allowing cell phone conversations on airplanes. “Imagine two million passengers, hurtling through space, trapped in 17-inch-wide seats, yapping their innermost thoughts,” the senator said. “The Transportation Security Administration would have to hire three times as many air marshals to deal with the fistfights.” Alexander continued. “Stop and think about what we hear now in airport lobbies from those who wander around shouting personal details into a microphone: babbling about last night’s love life, bathroom plans, next week’s schedule, orders to an assistant, arguments with spouses. Imagine this noise while you travel, restrained by your seatbelt, unable to escape.” The senator said. “The FCC commissioners will earn the gratitude of the two million Americans who fly each day by deciding: text messages, yes; conversations, no.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=8b519170-ca7e-4b73-b11a-deda99437c32 | Alexander Statement on Supreme Court Agreement To Review Obamacare Religious Freedom Case | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | MARYVILLE, Nov. 26 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the senior Republican on the Senate health committee, today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s announcement that it will review a mandate in Obamacare that requires business owners to offer employees reproductive services that violate the institutions’ religious beliefs: “Requiring business owners to defy the basic tenets of their faiths shows a disturbing disregard for the Constitution’s protections of religious freedom, and I hope the Supreme Court agrees.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsArticles&ContentRecord_id=0095c70b-f7e9-4c25-9cb7-b62992bb6104 | Washington Post: Op-ed by Sen. Alexander: Without the filibuster, a tyranny of the majority | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Lamar Alexander | A000360 | www.alexander.senate.gov | legacy | Thursday’s stunning rules change by Senate Democrats can best be described as Obamacare II: another exercise of partisan political power to permit the majority to do whatever it wants. This time, the goal was advancing its agenda unchecked through the courts and executive agencies. With all Republican members opposed, the Senate voted 52 to 48 to invoke the “nuclear option,” allowing a majority of senators present and voting (so, not necessarily 51) to approve presidential nominees except for Supreme Court justices. For those positions, this eliminated the filibuster, which required 60 votes to proceed to an up-or-down majority vote. This was the most dangerous restructuring of Senate rules since Thomas Jefferson wrote them. It creates a perpetual opportunity for “tyranny of the majority,” which Alexis de Tocqueville called one of the greatest threats to American democracy. As Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) noted, quoting former senator Arthur Vandenberg on Thursday: “If a majority of the Senate can change its rules at any time, there are no rules.” It is as if the Red Sox, finding themselves behind in the ninth, added a few innings to make sure they could defeat the Cardinals in the World Series. Future majorities could, for example, end the filibuster for legislation, removing any obstacle to tyranny of the majority. Democrats offered flimsy excuses, many of which are untrue: Excuse No. 1: President Obama’s appointees have been unfairly denied seats by failed cloture votes, or filibusters. According to the Congressional Research Service, no Supreme Court nominee has been defeated by filibuster in the Senate. None. (An arguable exception is Abe Fortas’s doomed nomination as chief justice, about which President Lyndon Johnson engineered a face-saving cloture vote.) The number of federal district judge and Cabinet nominees defeated by filibuster? Zero. Regarding sub-Cabinet nominees, there were two for President Obama, three for George W. Bush and two for Bill Clinton. That’s it. As for appeals court judges, Re… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-commemorates-50th-anniversary-assassination-president-john-f-kennedy | Cohen Commemorates 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Congressman Cohen (TN-09) today commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States: “President Kennedy inspired me to pursue a legislative career and dedicate my life to public service,” said Congressman Cohen. “President Kennedy came to Memphis when I was 11 years old. He was campaigning in Memphis and turned toward me near the Methodist Church on Union and I was able to take a photo of him that hangs on my wall in Washington and is one of my most prized possessions, as well as one of my most prized memories. I was 14 years old when he was assassinated, but his death left an indelible mark on me and on millions of others. President Kennedy saw that politics could be an honorable profession and famously spurred countless Americans to serve their nation with the immortal words: ‘ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’” “President Kennedy gave his life to this country; his assassination was a great loss for our nation. As we remember the life he lived as well as the sad occasion of his death 50 years ago today, I hope my fellow Americans will take a moment to think back on the good that he did while he was with us: working for a more just society and fighting for both our civil rights as well as our human rights. He remains greatly missed.” A photo of the Congressman with the many photos and posters of the Kennedy family he has in his Capitol Hill office is available here, and video of the Congressman speaking on the House floor about President Kennedy’s assassination is available here. Congressman Cohen also visited Arlington National Cemetery this week to pay his respects to President Kennedy at the site where the President is buried. A photo of the Congressman at the Kennedy gravesite is available here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/press-release/cohen-passenger-experience-would-be-changed-worse-if-faa-allows-cell-phone-calls | Cohen: Passenger Experience Would Be "Changed for the Worse" If FAA Allows Cell Phone Calls In Flight | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – With the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reportedly considering a rule proposal that could allow for voice calls from cell phones during domestic air travel, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today drafted a letter to Michael Huerta, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly urging the FAA to maintain the ban on cell phone calls in flight. The letter also expresses concerns about disruptions to passengers’ flight experience as well as for consumer safety. “I share the concerns of the flying public and many aviation industry professionals that the flying experience would be not only markedly less pleasant, but less safe as well, if the ban on cell phone calls during flight were lifted” said Congressman Cohen. “Allowing these calls would disrupt the right of consumers to enjoy the quiet comfort of their flight and potentially puts their safety at risk as well. Simply put, the flying experience in the United States would be forever changed for the worse if voice calls are allowed on flights. I hope the FAA considers these important safety and comfort concerns and makes the right decision.” Yesterday, the Association of Flight Attendants released a statement explaining: “Any situation that is loud, divisive, and possibly disruptive is not only unwelcome but also unsafe.” Congressman Cohen’s letter is currently being circulated among his colleagues in the House of Representatives and will then be sent to Administrator Huerta. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cohen.house.gov/remembering-president-kennedy | Remembering President Kennedy | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Democrat | House | TN | Steve Cohen | C001068 | cohen.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, 50 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. This week, I visited President Kennedy’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery to pay my respects. Keep reading to learn more about this week in Washington. Remembering President John F. Kennedy Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address Helping Families Travel with Their Pets Promoting American Innovation and Ingenuity Protecting Human Rights Abroad Helping Memphians Get Covered 2014 U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars Are Available White House Internships Grant Announcements Remembering President John F. Kennedy President John F. Kennedy inspired me to pursue a legislative career and dedicate my life to public service. When I was 11, JFK campaigned in Memphis and I was on the street with my camera hoping to see him and get a photo. As the motorcade passed me near the Methodist Church on Union, John Kennedy, sitting up on the backseat of the convertible in which he rode, turned backed toward me and waved and I snapped the photo which I’ve cherished as one of my most prized possessions, as well as one of my most prized memories. The photo hangs on the wall in Washington D.C., near my desk, and I look at it often. I was 14 years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, but his death left an indelible mark on me as it did on millions of other Americans. President Kennedy was a statesman who believed that politics could be an honorable profession and famously inspired countless Americans to serve their nation with the immortal words: “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” President Kennedy gave his life to this country; his assassination was a great loss for our nation. As we remember the life he lived, as well as the sad occasion of his death 50 years ago today, I hope my fellow Americans will take a moment to think back on the good that he did while he was with us: working for a more just society and fighting for both our civil rights as well as our h… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131128224708/http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=b3538cce-ba5e-4dd9-b95e-87fa70dfa807 | Corker Introduces Legislation to Keep Pressure on Iran | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Bob Corker | C001071 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Following an announcement that the Senate will consider Iran legislation in December, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill setting conditions for an acceptable final agreement with Iran that would restrict sanctions relief until Iran agrees to eliminate the threat of its nuclear program. The Iran Nuclear Compliance Act of 2013, consistent with Iran’s existing obligations under the U.N. Security Council, requires Iran to fully comply with any interim deal reached in Geneva and further agree to the terms of an acceptable final agreement before the president of the United States could waive additional sanctions. Further, it would restore all sanctions if Iran violates the terms of the interim agreement. “It’s important for the Senate to proceed with this debate and keep the pressure on Iran during negotiations over their illicit nuclear program,” said Corker. “Many of us have concerns that an interim agreement in Geneva will diminish U.S. leverage without Iran meeting its existing international obligations. That outcome could result in the interim deal becoming the final deal, legitimizing Iran’s enrichment activities in violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions. Whatever the outcome in Geneva may be this week, I’m hopeful the Senate will work in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen the position of the U.S. in these negotiations so we can reach a final status agreement that will prevent the Iranians from ever developing a nuclear weapon. “Toward that end, I’ve offered legislation that would ensure Iran is in full compliance with any interim agreement and agrees to the essential terms of an acceptable final deal before the U.S. could further lift sanctions. It would further cause any sanctions relieved in the interim to snap back if Iran violates any of its commitments under such an agreement. We all want diplomacy to succeed, so I look forward to working with my colleagues and with the administration to support a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131202205404/http://black.house.gov:80/press-release/roll-call-improving-our-tax-code-american-students-and-families | Roll Call: Improving Our Tax Code for American Students and Families | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | TN | Diane Black | B001273 | web.archive.org | legacy | In Case You Missed It: Improving Our Tax Code for American Students and Families By Reps. Diane Black and Danny K. Davis Published November 22, 2013 Over the last few months, the media has described Congress as “dysfunctional” and “broken,” and the public as “frustrated” and “angry” with its lawmakers. Interestingly, those are the same words that are used to describe today’s tax code. That is what spurred the two of us – a Democrat from Chicago and a Republican from Nashville – to start working together to fix the tax code so that students and families would have an easier time affording higher education. It’s a well-known fact that the cost of education is climbing, and that for too many, the ability to save and pay for college without ending up under a mountain of debt, is simply out of reach. Today’s broken tax code does little to ease that financial burden or provide a sense of security that education will be a reality in the future. In fact, because it is such a complex and confusing system, more than 80 percent of Americans say that dealing with the tax code makes them frustrated and angry. As the chair and co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee Education Tax Reform Working Group, one of 11 working groups tasked with exploring how to make the tax code simpler and fairer for families, frustration with the code was a common theme in our meetings. Working with the Joint Committee on Taxation, we learned that currently there are 15 different tax breaks for education — four are designed to help individuals save prior to becoming a student, nine are available while the student is in school, and two exist for when the student has completed his or her education. It was overwhelming when we had tax experts explain it, and so it was not difficult to imagine parents trying to navigate and understand it all. After sorting through the 90 pages of IRS instructions, parents would simply just toss up their hands and say, “I give up.” During our time together on the Education Tax Reform Working Group, our work didn’t en… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
ON [releases] ([has_text]);