Enewsletter: Addressing the Root Causes of the Baltimore Unrest

Statement

Dear Friend,

This week, we saw a powder keg of lack of access to education, lack of opportunity, and lack of hope explode with the unrest in Baltimore--it's clear we must do more to address persistent poverty and prevent police illegal force. It was also busy in Congress, as I was on the floor both Wednesday and Thursday evening until almost midnight, my energy efficiency amendment passed, I introduced legislation to protect students and taxpayers from bad actors in the for-profit college industry, saw how much progress we've made in the marijuana reform movement, helped welcome more than 200 new Americans to our city, and listened to the Prime Minister of Japan speak to Congress.

Keep reading to learn more about what happened this week, or if you'd like to receive the updates in this eNewsletter (and more) as they happen, simply "like" my Facebook page. Be sure to check it regularly, as it will be updated often with news, pictures, and videos.

Addressing the Root Causes of the Baltimore Unrest

What we see happening in Baltimore is a microcosm of what's happening in urban areas across the country, and the underlying causes are the same causes that led to the civil and voting rights movements as well as the 1968 riots. A lack of access to quality education, lack of opportunity, and lack of hope and justice are a volatile mixture that can explode with provocation--and that's what has happened in Baltimore.

The President's task force on policing called for several reforms to our criminal justice system, including comprehensive collection of data on use of deadly force by officers as I proposed with my Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act, which would help us understand the scope of these problems and better address them. So far the Republican Congress has not done enough to address these challenges, but I hope this week's events will convince them it's time to act.

Protecting Students and Taxpayers from For-Profit Colleges

For-profit colleges that put profit above providing a quality education should be held accountable both to the students they claim to educate as well as to the taxpayers who keep their doors open. Too often they operate only for profit, not for education--a fact that we can see in the average for-profit college CEO salary: $7.3 million each year. The PRO Students Act, which I introduced with Representatives Mark Takano and Susan Davis will help protect students from unscrupulous institutions and ensure that tax dollars are used to educate, not pad investors' wallets. You can read more about this legislation here.

Reforming our Nation's Outdated Criminal Drug Policies

On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of speaking to a packed room at the Marijuana Policy Project's 20th Anniversary Gala. Drug policy reform is long overdue. The science has been in for a long time and keeping marijuana on the same list of the most dangerous controlled substances--along with heroin and LSD--doesn't make any sense.

I'm pleased that we're finally seeing increased bipartisan support for this important issue and I will continue fighting to pass the CARERS Act that I introduced with Senators Cory Booker, Rand Paul, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Don Young to bring the federal government in line with the science and with the American people, respect states' rights, remove the threat of prosecution in states with legal or medical marijuana, and help Americans who are suffering like Sophia access the treatments they need.

Helping Welcome New Americans to Memphis

I was proud to speak at Monday's Law Week Naturalization Ceremony at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts and to help welcome 230 new U.S. citizens, including Maria Reina Ramirez, pictured above.

Promoting Energy Efficiency

With debate on the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill extending late into the evening on Wednesday night, I introduced an amendment to increase funding by 25% for the SuperTruck II program, which works to improve freight trucking fuel efficiency. I was pleased that the House adopted my amendment; it is good for our environment, good for trucking companies, and good for America.

Recognizing Impressive Young Memphians

Don't miss this Commercial Appeal story about the academic achievements of Memphis student Dellarontay Readus.

Listening to the Prime Minister of Japan

On Wednesday morning, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke to Congress, and afterwards I enjoyed an impromptu press conference with foreign reporters. I answered a lot of questions about our relationship with Japan and about the Prime Minister's speech, and some of my answers were quoted in the USA Today.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Source