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HomePoliticsMarsha Blackburn Report: This Week From Washington – April 28th, 2019

Marsha Blackburn Report: This Week From Washington – April 28th, 2019

U.S. SenateWashington, D.C. – Just this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the largest outbreak of measles in the United States since 2000. The alarming increase in measles cases underscores the importance of vaccines and immunizations in our country.

The U.S. Senate recently passed my bipartisan Vaccines Save Lives resolution to send a clear and unequivocal message of Congressional support for vaccines and to urge parents, in consultation with their health care providers, to follow scientific evidence and the consensus of medical experts in favor of timely vaccinations for the well-being of their children and surrounding communities. 

Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Senator Marsha Blackburn.

Happy Arbor Day

Arbor Day began in 1872 to encourage people to plant trees. For 147 years, this tradition has endured inspiring countless Americans to plant millions of trees to add to the natural beauty of our country. 

Learn more about Arbor Day and ways you can get involved by visiting the Arbor Day Foundation.   

In The News: Bipartisan Solutions for Tennessee

Great News: Bipartisanship is alive and well in Washington! Though it may not get a lot of attention in the national press, the United States Senate is managing to get things done by working across the aisle. I told WBBJ about the work we are getting done in DC, including the passage of the Vaccines Save Lives resolution, as well as the proposed Internet Exchange Act and the BROWSER Act.

Watch the full video from WBBJ here.

“Re-enactment Honors First Woman to Vote in Tennessee”

A re-enactment of the vote at Benton County Courthouse with Jenna Cole-Wilson, Executive Director of the Benton County Chamber of Commerce.
A re-enactment of the vote at Benton County Courthouse with Jenna Cole-Wilson, Executive Director of the Benton County Chamber of Commerce.

One hundred years ago this month, the first Tennessee woman cast a ballot in the Camden mayoral election of 1919. The road to women’s suffrage was long and arduous. It took 72 years and the perseverance of the suffragists to win women the right to vote in Tennessee and across the nation. 

Their example still serves as a role model to all who seek to change our country for the better. It took even longer – Ninety-nine years – for a woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee. In breaking this barrier, I am pleased to blaze a trail for women to lead in public service.  

Learn more about Tennessee’s role in the women’s suffrage movement. 

Talking Tech Innovation at Toyota Bodine

It was a pleasure to tour the Toyota Bodine plant in Jackson this week and learn about their efforts to improve workplace safety, product quality, technological innovation, and collaboration with local educational institutions. Thank you to the hard-working men and women at Toyota Bodine for their warm welcome.

 

Tackling High-Speed Internet Issues with AT&T Team in Memphis

Closing the digital divide in Tennessee is absolutely imperative. It will require a robust public-private partnership and working with a variety of stakeholders. This week, I met with AT&T’s West Tennessee leadership team to discuss innovative ways we can work together to close the digital divide and to update them on my BROWSER Act and Internet Exchange Act.

Catching up with Tennessee Mayors

I had a great working lunch with Lobelville Mayor Robbie Moor, Linden Mayor Wess Ward, and Perry County Mayor John Carroll this week. We discussed infrastructure, economic development, healthcare and nutrition. These issues are vitally important to the communities these mayors represent and serve as a good example of how local and federal governments can work together to meet the needs of Tennesseans. 

Holding Big Tech Accountable and Protecting Your Privacy

Senator Blackburn at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing with Twitter and Facebook.
Senator Blackburn at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing with Twitter and Facebook.

President Trump met with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at the White House this week to discuss online censorship of conservative voices. Free speech must be allowed to flourish in the digital space without censorship or interference from Big Tech. At a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, I asked representatives from Twitter and Facebook how they plan to promote free speech on their platforms ahead of the 2020 election. 

You can view my questions and the panel’s answers on my YouTube page

 

Look Ahead: Next Week in the Senate

  • The Senate will be voting on another group of President Trump’s qualified nominees for the federal bench and executive agencies. The recent reforms to outdated Senate rules made by Republicans are allowing us to confirm the President’s nominees with greater speed and efficiency. 
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee will also hear testimony from Attorney General William Barr. I look forward to questioning him about the findings of Special Counsel Bob Mueller’s report.      

Facebook: facebook.com/marshablackburn

Twitter: @MarshaBlackburn

Instagram: @MarshaBlackburn

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RepMarshaBlackburn

 

My Best,

 
Marsha Blackburn

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