The Health Care Debate

Statement

This week I discussed health care on the House floor and introduced legislation that would prohibit employers from using credit checks as part of the hiring process.

Health Care Debate

There has been considerable media attention regarding comments I made during Special Orders on the House floor as part of a colloquy Tuesday evening. While I received no comments or responses from my colleagues on the floor at the time or, for that matter from anyone until midday on Wednesday, someone posted a small portion of the speech on the internet. Taken out of context, I can understand the confusion and concern. In speaking about the Republican message of "government takeover of health care" that has been drummed into the heads of Americans and the media for more than a year, I referenced the non-partisan, Pulitzer prize-winning Politfact.com judgment that named the Republican message as the "2010 Lie of the Year." Click here to read my statement.

On Thursday I went on the Ed Schultz Show on MSNBC to discuss my comments. Click here to see the interview.

Credit Checks

On Wednesday I introduced legislation that would prohibit employers from using credit checks as part of the hiring process. 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. We should be doing everything in our power to help people find jobs during these tough economic times -- not hinder them.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Sunday I toured the National Civil Rights Museum with Beverly Robertson and MLK Sports Symposium Legends honorees Willie Mays, Willis Reed and Lenny Wilkens. Monday I spoke about the continuing legacy and impact of Dr. King and his work at the beginning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sports Legacy Symposium, presented by the Hyde Family Foundation, at the Coventry Healthcare Practice Facility at the FedEx Forum. I spoke later that day at the SCLC's annual MLK Commemorative Program and Worship Celebration, "It's All About the Children," at Mt. Moriah East Baptist Church. Click here to see the statement I issued to celebrate this historic day.

Annual Kappa Days of Caring

On Saturday I attended the 15th Annual Kappa Days of Caring mentoring program. The event was hosted by the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Memphis Alumni Chapter, and its philanthropic partner, The Kappa Alpha Psi Memphis Alumni Service Corporation. The program provides tutoring, mentoring, computer training, educational field trips and positive life skills training to the children who participate. This is one of many programs that are funded and staffed by the men of Kappa Alpha Psi and The Memphis Alumni Service Corporation to help the children of Caldwell--Guthrie Elementary and students from Memphis and Shelby County.

Helping the Homeless

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded several groups throughout Memphis -- including city and county government -- with millions of dollars in new federal funds to help the homeless. Memphis has far too many people living on the streets. These new federal funds will help give the homeless in Memphis and Shelby County the tools they need to secure permanent housing, secure jobs, and help them become productive members of society.

Committee Assignments

This week I was appointed to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I will serve as ranking member on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law. I previously chaired a similar subcommittee in the 111th Congress.

Grant Announcements

Each week I release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others. These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated weekly on my website.

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