PERSONAL EXPLANATION

On 2026-06-15, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) delivered a floor speech titled "PERSONAL EXPLANATION" in the House.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 100 (Monday, June 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E579] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. STEVE COHEN of tennessee in the house of representatives Monday, June 15, 2026 Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, and Thursday, June 11, 2026, due to a Post Polio medical condition. Had I been present, I would have voted: Nay on Roll Call No. 222, condemning actors seeking to defraud the U.S. Government, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that government- wide fraud and improper payment prevention reforms will meaningfully improve the financial prosperity of the U.S., and that Federal program eligibility should be verified before payment; Nay on Roll Call No. 221, to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978: Nay on Roll Call No. 220, Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act; Yea on Roll Call No. 219, Motion to recommit the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act; Nay on Roll Call No. 218, Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act; and Nay on Roll Call No. 217, No Aid for Ghost Students Act. I would like to further explain my vote on Roll Call No. 221, regarding H.R. 9238, I could not support this bill after President Trump nominated Bill Pulte to be the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The law requires the DNI nominee to have extensive background in intelligence and the man the President put forward has none. He has zero experience. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR9238