WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon his bill H.R. 146, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, being voted out of The U.S. House of Representatives:

“Tonight, the House voted to keep a promise to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by rightfully returning 76 acres of sacred land in Monroe County, putting the land back in tribal hands,” said Congressman Fleischmann. “The Cherokee have a rich heritage in the Third District and I am thankful to have played a part to ensure the story of the Eastern Band is preserved in the Cherokee towns of Chota and Tanasi, and allow our future generations to understand and appreciate the heritage of the Eastern Band in East Tennessee. In fact, the history of Tennessee cannot be told without mentioning Tanasi, the origin of the name of our great state. I thank Principal Chief Sneed for his support and advoacy in getting this legislation to where it is today. I hope my colleagues in the Senate recognize the importance of H.R. 146 and act quickly to move my bill through their chamber and on to President Trump’s desk.”

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed stated, “We are one step closer to completing reacquisition of historical Cherokee lands in East Tennessee. These lands are culturally and historically important to all Cherokee people. The protection of Cherokee historic sites is critical to understanding our shared history. Congressman Fleischmann and the people of East Tennessee have been remarkably hospitable to us, and we look forward to new investments in East Tennessee when the bill is enacted into law.”

In detail, H.R 146, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, will:

• Impact approximately 76 acres of land along the Tellico Reservoir and Little Tennessee River in Monroe County, Tennessee;
• Include lands from the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, Tanasi Memorial and land to provide support for these properties and cultural programs;
• Place impacted land into trust for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement in support of President Trump’s response to the chemical attack in Syria:

“I support President Trump’s response to the malicious attack in Syria. In partnership with our British and French allies, the President’s decision sends a clear message that red lines matter and the chemical warfare of the Assad regime will not be tolerated. Tonight, I pray for the safety of the men and women overseas and for the families with loved ones abroad.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement on Speaker Paul Ryan’s retirement announcement:

“I want to thank Speaker Ryan for his patriotic service to the Republican Party and in the United States House of Representatives. During his almost twenty years in the House, Speaker Ryan has epitomized what it means to lead our country forward with strong conservative values and commitment to a limited government.

Throughout my time in the House, I have come to know Speaker Ryan as a friend and colleague. Since his time as Chairman of Ways and Means, his tireless work to provide Americans with a fairer and simpler tax code, and success in this endeavor, will continue as his legacy in both the House and homes of the American people. I wish my friend well in his retirement as he enjoys more time in the best role – that of a husband and father.”

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By: Mrs. Brenda Fleischmann 

A Conversation That May Save Your Life

Often times in conversations “bathroom talk” can be considered taboo, but when it comes to colorectal cancer, it may save your life.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and though colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., it’s not discussed openly. More than 140,000 men and women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018 and 50,630 will die of the disease. In Tennessee alone 3,110 are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year.

Despite common misconceptions, colorectal cancer doesn’t affect only men or just the elderly. In fact, colorectal cancer rates for men and women are similar, and although your risk increases with age, rates in young people are on the rise. You’re also at greater risk if you smoke, are overweight, are not physically active, drink alcohol in excess, eat a lot of red and processed meats, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer.

A colonoscopy can find polyps (growths) that can be removed before they become cancerous or it can detect cancer early, when successful treatment is more likely. You should get a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50, unless your results or risk factors indicate you need to be screened earlier or more often.

Reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by exercising, limiting your alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco, eating less red meat and avoiding processed meat, and maintaining a healthy weight. To learn more, visit www.preventcancer.org.

Brenda Fleischmann is the spouse of Representative Chuck Fleischman and is a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. Statistics are provided by the American Cancer Society.

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement after voting in support of the H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act:

“I believe in our country, I believe in the men and women that serve our great nation, and I believe that we should no longer ask so much from our armed forces while allowing the resources, tools, and funds available to them to remain depleted. Today, I joined members of House and voted to increase defense funding for our armed forces on the ground, in the air, and on the water. In detail, this bill makes investments of $47.4 billion for our planes, $37.3 billion for our navy, and $22.1 billion to best prepare our sons and daughters for deployment. The time is now to properly equip our military to support our allies and stand strong against our adversaries.

In addition to the largest increase in defense spending in 15 years, this legislation marks an end to the continuing resolutions that have hampered the progress our of nation, by funding our government through the duration of the 2018 fiscal year. As an appropriator, I am proud to see all 12 appropriations bills receive support from my House colleagues after tireless work from the House Appropriations Committee.

Most importantly, this legislation substantially benefits Tennessee’s Third District. As neighborhoods and communities unite against the toxic opioid crisis, an additional $4 billion in funds are included for treatment, prevention, and to allow local law enforcement to further their mission against this national emergency. In addition, the Chickamauga Lock is a vital piece of infrastructure that supplies jobs and supports the East Tennessee economy. This bill will fully fund this project, and marks another milestone toward the timely completion of the Lock.”

H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed the House with a vote of 256 to 167.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement in support of H.R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act:

“Plain and simple, no child should ever have to question their safety or security while at school. As lawmakers, we have the responsibility to do everything within our power to harden our schools, and this legislation takes essential steps for increasing school safety through a proactive, multi-layered approach to better identify and prevent violence. In our schools, training students, faculty, and local law enforcement to recognize and address threats before they escalate is a key element in fostering a safe school environment. In our communities, increasing the awareness and efficiency of anonymous tip reporting channels allows for those who witness suspicious behavior, both in and out of school hours, to alert the proper authorities. As a father of three, I understand the urgent need to stop school violence and do all we can to protect our children.”

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By: Mrs. Brenda Fleischmann

Cancer Prevention is a Commitment for Life

If you’re like myself and many other Americans, you may already be neglecting your New Year’s resolutions.  But consider the big picture: lifestyle changes like exercising more and eating better are long-term strategies that may reduce your risk of cancer. About 1.7 million men and women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2018, with 36,760 diagnoses in Tennessee alone—but many of these cancer cases are preventable. February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and a great time to commit to a lifetime of healthy choices—for yourself and your loved ones—that can reduce your risk of cancer. Here are four ways to get started.

• Get screened. Regular screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal (and lung for those at high risk) cancers have been shown to reduce cancer deaths. Men should talk to their health care professionals about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
• Protect your skin. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and one of the most preventable. Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or if you need to be outside, wear sunglasses and a hat, and use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 with UVA and UVB protection to reduce your risk (even if it’s cloudy). Never use tanning beds or sun lamps.
• Exercise. Research shows that regular exercise can reduce your risk of colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers; more recent evidence links exercise to reduced risk of additional cancers, including liver and kidney cancers. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week, and children should get at least an hour daily. 
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity has been linked to at least 13 types of cancer, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal and liver cancers. Eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting red meat and alcohol, can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Think beyond short-term goals for a lifetime of health. To learn more about cancer prevention and early detection, you can visit www.preventcancer.org.

Brenda Fleischmann is the spouse of Representative Chuck Fleischmann and a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement in honor of the life and legacy of the late Rev. Billy Graham:

“Rev. Billy Graham was a man of honor in every sense of the word – a man with a servant’s heart that helped spread the Gospel across the world. Today, the late Rev. Billy Graham will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, joining a legacy of great Americans before him. While I mourn the immense loss of his absence, I rejoice in knowing that he has received his reward in heaven.”

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 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon the House passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act:

"The current governing trend of short-term solutions and budgetary instability is detrimental to the security of our nation. Secretary Mattis recently stated the urgent need for fiscal stability for our service members by accommodating the requests made by the Pentagon to maintain our world class military. Our men and women in uniform perform the most noble of tasks, and they deserve the budgetary certainty that this resolution provides.

In addition, our nation’s infrastructure has been neglected due to short-term fixes in place of long-term solutions. This budget agreement provides funding for infrastructure projects including bridge repair and construction. In East Tennessee, short-term continuing resolutions have hampered the progress of the Chickamauga Lock, an essential infrastructural investment.

While I have serious reservations in respect to spending increases, I have witnessed the harmful impact of this uncertain funding climate to Tennessee’s Third District and our nation. We can no longer accept the status quo of budgetary instability that hinders our military, and impedes major projects in East Tennessee.

I believe that the budgetary certainty provided by this bipartisan compromise marks an important shift away from short-term funding measures. In this difficult situation, my priority remains with East Tennesseans, our troops, and our nation, and that is why I support this legislation."

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon the release of the FISA memo:

“The American people have the right to know the information in the memo released by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The release of the memo has followed all procedures and protocols to both protect national security and provide Americans with the transparency they deserve. The FISA law is about facts and in this instance it appears the facts may have been jeopardized to serve a political agenda. It is critical that we unite as members of Congress to properly implement our FISA system, to hold our federal agencies to the highest of standards, and to safeguard the integrity of our country.”

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