Legislative Accomplishments

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Legislative Accomplishments

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Signed Into Law

FY26 Homeland Security Community Project
- Shelby County Emergency Operations Center TN 1,034,480
  - Signed into law 5/30/2026
FY 26 THUD Approps Community Projects
- Historic Mason Temple Restoration Project -- $1,200,000.
- Historic Sterick Renovation and Restoration Project -- $1,200,000.
- Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments -- $1,000,000.
- Monroe Plaza and extended pedestrian infrastructure improvements -- $850,000.
- Memphis Housing Authority Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades at Montgomery Plaza -- $850,000.
- University of Memphis Park Avenue Campus Upgrades - $850,000.
- Memphis Community Engagement Youth Facility Renovation and Vulnerable Family Housing Project - $850,000 (Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis and Hospitality Hub).
- Memphis Homeless Veterans Homes Renovation Project -- $250,000. (Alpha Omega Veterans).
- Reimagining Southwest Tennessee Community College Renovations Project - $250,000.
- Memphis Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Project - $4,250,000.
  - Signed into law on 2/03/2026
FY 26 CJS Approps Community Projects
- Memphis Police Department Equipment Upgrades Project -- $1,031,000.
- Enhancing Shelby County District Attorney’s Victims/Witness Unit and Data Collection Services -- $1,031,000.
- Community Project Funding for City of Memphis Youth Violence Prevention Initiative -- $1,031,000. (Heal 901 and Pure Academy).
  - Signed into law on 1/23/2026

Sponsored bills that passed the House

TVA Transparency Act
- Passed the House on 1/15/2025

Co-led bills that passed the House

The Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail bill (co-led with Rep. Chuck Fleischmann)
- Passed the House on 6/2/2026
Count the Crimes to Cut Act (co-led with Reps. Roy, Biggs and McBath)
- Passed the House on 12/1/2025
Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act or the MEGOBARI Act (co-led with Rep. Joe Wilson)
- Passed the House on 5/5/2025

Amendments Made in Order

FY2027 Energy and Water Appropriations Amendment to Support the Hatchie/Loosahatchie Restoration Project
- Passed out of Rules Committee on 6/25/2026

Passed out of Committee

Lower Mississippi River Restoration Program
- Included in WRDA 2026 bill
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 7/16/2026
Environmental Justice Language (with Rep. Ocasio-Cortez)
- Parts of the language included in WRDA 2026 bill
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 7/16/2026
Responsible Charge cost-sharing (Rep. Kustoff) modify WRDA 2024 Section 219(f)(582)
- Parts of the language included in WRDA 2026 bill
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 7/16/2026
Clarify Need to Offset Impacts (National Wildlife Federation)
- Parts of the language included in WRDA 2026 bill
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 7/16/2026
Safe Cloud Storage Act (co-led with Rep. Laurel Lee)
- Passed out of Judiciary Committee on 7/15/2026
Train FOOD Act
- Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
Safe Streets and Roads for All Act
- Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
Federal-State Partnership (FSP) for Intercity Passenger Rail Authorization Act
- Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
Train EATS Act
- Parts of the bill Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
Complete Streets Act
- Parts of the bill Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
Stop Underrides Act 2.0
- Parts of the bill Included in Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill – Build America 250 Act
- Passed out of T&I Committee on 5/22/2026
FY27 Community Project Funding:
LHHS
- Tristate Community Health Center, Memphis, TN for facilities and equipment-- funded $250,000
THUD
- Historic Clayborn Temple Restoration Project-- $250,000
- LeMoyne Owen College Town Center Economic Development Initiative-- $1,800,000
- MATA Trolley Station Modernization – ADA Upgrades –$1,000,000
- Historic 100 North Main Renovation and Restoration Project, Memphis, TN – $1,250,000
- MHA Edgeview at Legends Park Phase II Project, Memphis, TN- -$1,000,000
- Historic Sterick Renovation and Restoration Phase II Project--: $850,000
- Shelby County Affordable Housing Project, Shelby County, TN – $500,000
- Memphis Homeless Veterans Homes Renovation Project—: $1,000,000
- Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments, Memphis, TN -- : $500,000
- Southwest Tennessee Community College Campus Renovation and Expansion Project, Memphis TN –$500,000
- University of Memphis Highland Street Improvement Project, Memphis, TN-- $1,000,000
- Memphis Senior Home Repair and Rehabilitation Project –-:$500,000
- Memphis Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Project- $3,250,000 (Cohen:$250,000 Kustoff: $3,000,000)
  - Passed out of Approps Committee on 5/26/2026
Homeland Security
- Shelby County Emergency Operations Center TN Phase II - $581,533
  - Passed out of Approps Committee on 5/18/2026
CJS
- Memphis Police Department Aviation Equipment Upgrades Project – $773,200
- Memphis Allies Violent Crime Intervention Program—$772,700
- City of Memphis Youth Violence Prevention and Crisis Response Program—$772,700
- Shelby County Crime Reduction Initiatives Program –$772,700
- Covington Violent Crime Prevention and Public Safety Enhancement Project --683,000
  - Passed out of Approps committee on 4/30/2026
The Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail bill (w/Rep. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann)
- Passed out of Natural Resources Committee on 3/5/2026
Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act
- Passed out of E&C Committee on 4/2/2025
Count Crimes to Cut Act (w/ Chip Roy, Andy Biggs, and Lucy McBath)
- Passed out of Judiciary Committee on 6/10/2025
FY26 Community Project Funding:
- Historic Mason Temple Restoration Project -- $1,200,000.
- Historic Sterick Renovation and Restoration Project -- $1,200,000.
- Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments -- $1,000,000.
- Monroe Plaza and extended pedestrian infrastructure improvements -- $850,000.
- Memphis Housing Authority Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades at Montgomery Plaza -- $850,000.
- University of Memphis Park Avenue Campus Upgrades - $850,000.
- Memphis Community Engagement Youth Facility Renovation and Vulnerable Family Housing Project - $850,000 (Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis and Hospitality Hub).
- Memphis Homeless Veterans Homes Renovation Project -- $250,000. (Alpha Omega Veterans).
- Reimagining Southwest Tennessee Community College Renovations Project - $250,000.
- Memphis Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Project - $4,250,000.
- Memphis Police Department Equipment Upgrades Project -- $1,031,000.
- Enhancing Shelby County District Attorney’s Victims/Witness Unit and Data Collection Services -- $1,031,000.
- Community Project Funding for City of Memphis Youth Violence Prevention Initiative -- $1,031,000. (Heal 901 and Pure Academy).
  - Passed out of committee on 7/15/2025
- Shelby County Emergency Operations Center -- $1,034,487.
  - Passed out of Approps committee on 6/13/2025

Passed out of Senate Committee

Senate version of the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act
- Passed out of the Senate Ag Committee on 10/27/2025

Mentioned in Hearing

Fort Pillow National Historical Battlefield Act – 1/14/26 Natural Resources Subcom

118^th Congress (2023-2024)

Signed into Law

Dredging of Pidgeon Harbor at Pidgeon Industrial Park
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Authorization of the Hatchie-Loosahatchie Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Provisions related to preventing the U.S. Army Corps from using remote operation activities at a navigation or hydroelectric power generating facility unless under specified conditions, offsetting costs to the Mississippi River.
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Provisions making permanent a 2020 provision that directed the Secretary to implement a pilot program for carrying out continuing authority projects in small or disadvantaged communities at 100% federal costs.
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
H.R. 1105, Debbie Smith Act of 2023
Passed the House on 11/13/2023
Signed into law on 7/30/2024
HR 3082, Mobility aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower all Act (MOBILE) Act
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR1445, Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation Consumers Act of 2023
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 3897, Safe Seats for All Act
Provision included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 3896, Airport Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2023
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 3762, Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin Act
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 3634, Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2023
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 1223, Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023
Related provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
H.R.659, FAIR Fees Act of 2023
Related provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
HR 1267, Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (You co-led with Titus)
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
Language regarding FAA’s Reclassification of Hub Airports
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Signed into law on 5/10/2024
Language regarding FAA review of cabin temperature standards
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Passed the House in extension bill on 5/15/2024
Signed into law on 5/16/2024
HR 3315, National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2023
Passed the House on 12/11/2023
Signed into law on 12/20/2023

Passed the House

HR7224, the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/16/2024
Dredging of Pidgeon Harbor at Pidgeon Industrial Park
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Authorization of the Hatchie-Loosahatchie Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Provisions related to preventing the U.S. Army Corps from using remote operation activities at a navigation or hydroelectric power generating facility unless under specified conditions, offsetting costs to the Mississippi River.
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Provisions making permanent a 2020 provision that directed the Secretary to implement a pilot program for carrying out continuing authority projects in small or disadvantaged communities at 100% federal costs.
Included in WRDA Reauthorization
Passed the House on 12/10/2024
Secured funding for community project in FY25 Homeland Security Appropriations bill
Shelby County Health Department Emergency Operations Center TN -$1,023,405
Passed the House on 6/28/2024
Amendment to the FY25 Defense Appropriations bill
Would support funding two University of Memphis projects
Passed the House on 6/27/2024
HR 4693, Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act
Passed the House on 3/11/2024
Amendment to the FY24 Defense Appropriations bill
Would fund CP/HIE research
Passed the House on 9/21/2023
HR 3082, Mobility aids On Board Improve Lives and Empower all Act (MOBILE) Act
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR1445, Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation Consumers Act of 2023
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 3897, Safe Seats for All Act
Provision included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 3896, Airport Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2023
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 3762, Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin Act
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 3634, Safe Aviation and Flight Enhancement Act of 2023
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 1223, Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023
Related provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
H.R.659, FAIR Fees Act of 2023
Related provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
HR 1267, Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (You co-led with Titus)
Provisions included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Language regarding FAA’s Reclassification of Hub Airports
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023
Language regarding FAA review of cabin temperature standards
Included in FAA reauthorization bill
Passed the House on 7/20/2023

Co-Lead Bills/Amendments that Passed the House

Interior Wild Horses Amendment (Co-led with Rep. Titus)
Passed on 7/23/2024

Passed out of Committee

Secured Community Project Funding in FY 25 CJS Appropriations bill
Enhancing Shelby County District Attorney’s Office Crime Reduction Initiative Memphis, TN $1,184,000 
Shelby County Crime Reduction Initiatives Program Memphis, TN $1,000,000
Memphis Police Department Real-Time Crime Center Equipment Upgrades Memphis, TN $1,184,000
Covington Police Department Youth Crime and Violence Diversion Project Covington, TN $100,000
Shelby County District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Services Program Memphis, TN $300,000
Included the CJS Approps Committee mark-up on 7/9/2024
HR 7224, SOAR Act
Included in the E&C committee mark-up on 3/20/2024
H.R. 5430, the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2023
Included in Judiciary committee mark-up 11/2/2023

Co-led Bills passed out of Committee

HR 3988 Assuring Robust, Thorough, and Informed Congressional Leadership is Exercised Over National Emergencies (Article One) Act
Included in T&I mark-up on 9/18/2024
H.R. 9135, the Ensuring Airline Resiliency to Reduce Delays and Cancellations Act
Included in T&I mark-up on 9/18/2024
H.R. 8566, the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence (MEGOBARI) Act
Included in Foreign Affairs Committee mark-up on 7/11/2024
H.R. 6509, the Voluntary Information-Sharing System Act
Text included in PIPES Act, which was included in T&I mark-up on 12/6/2023

117^th Congress (2021-2023)

Signed into Law

HR 7086 - Oligarch Asset Forfeiture Act
Added as an amendment in the Senate to FY23 Omnibus
Passed the House on 12/23/22
Signed into law on 12/27/22
HR 7912 - Evaluating Lynching Locations (ELL) for National Park Sites Act
Included in FY 23 Omnibus
Passed the House on 12/23/22
Signed into law on 12/27/22
Secured 3 Projects in FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
The projects will deauthorize the Wolf River to create a lake adjacent to the historic downtown Snuff District and to accommodate a floating entertainment dock at Cobblestone Landing and transfer control of the Ensley Levee from the City of Memphis to the USACE
Passed the House on 12/8/22
Signed into law on 12/23/22
HR 6863 - To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, as the "Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center".
Passed the House on 11/14/22
Signed into law on 12/20/22
Secured funding for 15 Community Projects in FY 23 Appropriations
$3,000,000 for the Overton Park/Memphis Zoo Parking Solution Initiative
$673,332 for the 901 Entrepreneurs (901E)
$1,000,000 for the Agape Child & Family Services, Memphis, TN for job training, career placement, and supportive services
$1,250,000 for the Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital/Room at the Inn
$1,275,000 for the Hospitality Hub Studio Village
$970,000 for the Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN for facilities and equipment
$4,000,000 for the Memphis Cobblestone Landing Recreational Center
$2,000,000 for the Memphis Home Repair Program
$3,000,000 for the Porter Jr. High School – MLK Transition Academy Redevelopment
$1,200,000 for the Promoting and Preserving Homeownership in Memphis
$500,000 for the Reentry Services to Reduce Recidivism
$2,000,000 for the Regional One Health, Memphis, TN for facilities and equipment
$1,150,000 for the Soulsville Foundation, Memphis, TN for an afterschool music education program  
$750,000 for the South City VI
$1,000,000 for the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, Cordova, TN for educational programs before and after school
Passed the House on 12/23/22
Signed into law on 12/27/22
Secured additional $22,650,000 for University of Memphis in FY23 Omnibus
Multi-drone, multi-sensor ISR: $5,000,000
Cavitation erosion: $5,000,000
sUAS degraded environment facility: $12,650,000
Passed the House on 12/23/22
Signed into law on 12/27/22
Programmatic and report language accomplishments in FY23 Omnibus
CJS (LSC funding) - The bill provides $560 million for LSC, which is $71 million, or 14.5 percent, more than the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.
THUD - Fairness in CDBG formula. -In addition to the direction in House Report 117-402, the agreement directs HUD to submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this act on work undertaken by the Department in 2021 and 2022, and planned to be undertaken in 2023, to update the CDBG formula and reauthorize the CDBG program.
LHHS-Ed:
Tourette syndrome: $2,500,000
Cerebral palsy:
Funding to re-establish CP surveillance in at least 2 ADDM sites
Language encouraging NIH to prioritize and invest in CP research
Polio Eradication: $180,000,000
SFOPS: Polio Global Health Program: $85,000,000
Leg Branch - The plastic waste reduction directive is included in the bill text and report language emphasizing support for the plastic waste reduction directive and directs the AOC, SAAs, Secretary of the Senate, CAO and USCP to identify the types of single-use plastics currently being used; develop recommendations on alternative products, including reuse and refill options; and report within 60 days of enactment on their findings and the associates costs of implementing said recommendations.
Passed the House on 12/23/22
Signed into law on 12/27/22
Secured funding for 10 Community Projects in FY 22 Appropriations
$3 million - Tom Lee Park
$750,000 for the Memphis ReStart Initiative
$1 million - Regional One Medical Center
$400,00   Educational and job opportunities for residents of Orange Mound and Binghampton at Christian Brothers University
$350,000 - Church Health Center
$1,080,000 - Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital
$3 million - redevelopment of the Historic Melrose High School and the Orange Mound Community
$1 million - the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Memphis Home repair program 
$450,000 - Sadie B’s Kitchen at The Hospitality Hub
$671,000- Cocaine and Alcohol Awareness Program, Incorporated (CAAP, Inc) Community Corrections Program
Passed the House on 7/29/21
Signed into law on 3/15/21
Report language in FY23 Appropriations bills
limiting single-use plastic in House facilities (FSGG)
Reviewing CDBG Formula (THUD)
Accelerated Learning Centers (LHHS)
Passed the House on 7/29/21
Signed into law on 3/15/21
Secured $5 million for University of Memphis multiple drone, multiple sensor ISR capabilities project.
Included in FY22 National Defense Authorization Act
Passed the House on 9/22/2021
Passed the Senate on 12/15/21
Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) Act
Establishes priorities of U.S. engagement at INTEPROL, identifies area for improvement in the U.S. government’s response to INTERPOL, and protects the U.S. judicial system from abusive INTERPOL notices
Offered as an amendment to the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act
Passed the House on 9/22/2021
Passed the Senate on 12/15/21
Signed into law on 12/27/21
Signed into law on 12/27/21Amendment to FY22 National Defense Authorization Act
Included Combating Global Corruption Act – Reps Malinowski & Salazar: Creates a country-by-country tiered reporting requirement based on compliance with anti-corruption norms and commitments. Those countries in the lowest tier will have their leadership considered for Global Magnitsky sanctions
Passed the House on 9/22/21
Signed into law on 12/27/21
Amendment to FY 22 National Defense Authorization Act
amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to attempt to recover Afghan aircraft that the U.S. provided to the Afghan government and were flown out of the country by Afghan pilots fleeing the Taliban
Passed the House on 9/22/21
Signed into law on 12/27/21
H.R. 390, which would redesignate the Federal building in Memphis, Tennessee as the “Odell Horton Federal Building”
Bill removes Clifford Davis from the building name
Passed the House on 11/4/21
Passed the Senate on 12/9/21
Signed into law on 12/21/21
Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act 
Elements of the bill included in the American Rescue Plan - included language that changed the Higher Education Act’s provision to specify that for-profit schools must take in at least 10 percent of their funding from “nonfederal” sources
Passed the House on 3/10/2021
Signed into law on 11/15/2021
H.R. 3090, the Interstate Rail Compacts Advancement Act
Included in its entirety in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  
Signed into law on 11/15/2021
H.R. 3757, the Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act
Included in its entirety in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  
Signed into law on 11/15/2021
H.R. 1622, the Stop Underrides Act
Elements of bill included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  
Signed into law on 11/15/2021
H.R. 1289, the Complete Streets Act
Elements of bill included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  
Signed into law on 11/15/2021

Bills Passed on the House Floor

HR 6863 - To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, as the "Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center".
Passed the House on 11/14/22
HR 5441, Prevent All Soring Tactics Act
Passed the House on 11/14/22
Secured funding for 9 Community Projects in FY23 Minibus Appropriations bill
901 Entrepreneurs - $673,332
$3,000,000 for the redevelopment of the Porter Jr. Hi. – MLK Transportation Academy
$1,275,000 for Hospitality Hub Studio Village (Partnered with Sister Reach)
$750,000 for South City VI, supporting the final phase of the redevelopment of the Foote Park at South City Community Homes
$2,000,000 for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)Memphis
$1,250,000 for the Collins Chapel/Room in the Inn
$1,200,000 for the United Housing, Inc. (UHI) Promoting and Preserving Homeownership Program
$3,000,000 for Overton Park – Memphis Zoo Parking Solution
$4 million for the Cobblestone landing project
Passed the House on 7/20/22
Report language in FY23 Appropriations bills
limiting single-use plastic in House facilities (FSGG)
Reviewing CDBG Formula (THUD)
Accelerated Learning Centers (LHHS)
Passed the House on 7/20/22
Amendment to FY23 Minibus Appropriations bill
Amendment expresses the intent that there be a moratorium on the further shrinkage of seat sizes and passenger space until the FAA publishes a final rule for minimum seat size standards as mandated by the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act and expresses intent that the final rule shall not set minimum seat width less than 18” and seat pitch less than 29-30” with separation between adjacent seat of at least 3-4.”
Passed the House on 7/20/22
H.R.8156, Oligarch Assets for Ukrainian Victory Act of 2022
Included as an amendment to FY23 NDAA
Passed the House on 7/14/22
Amendment to FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
Amendment requires a GAO study of single-use plastics at DoD
Passed the House on 7/14/22
Amendment to FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
Amendment directs the Department of Justice to create a website that lists by country the amount of money that has been stolen from the citizens of kleptocratic regimes and recovered by US law enforcement. (Malinowski bill - Justice for Victims of Kleptocracy Act)
Passed the House on 7/14/22
Amendment to FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
Amendment authorizes visa bans on foreign persons who use state power to engage in acts of corruption against any private persons and publicly names them. (Malinowski bill - Foreign Corruption Accountability Act)
Passed the House on 7/14/22
Amendment to FY23 National Defense Authorization Act
Amendment extends the statute of limitations for certain money laundering offenses to provide DOJ with the time to prosecute cases against Russian oligarchs who may be laundering and hiding assets in the United States.
Passed the House on 7/14/22
Projects secured in Water Resources Development Act of 2022
Included 2 submitted projects that would deauthorize the Wolf River to create a lake adjacent to the historic downtown Snuff District and to accommodate a floating entertainment dock at Cobblestone Landing
Passed the House on 6/8/22
Amendment to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
amendment helps ensure that subject matter experts in local agencies, local educators, and community leaders can be included as a part of workforce development boards.
Passed the House on 5/17/22
H.R. 1621, Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act
Ensures that no one is sentenced by a judge for conduct they have been found to be not guilty of by a jury of their peers
Passed out of the Judiciary Committee on 11/17/21
Passed the House on 3/28/22
Amendment to H.R. 5314, Protecting Our Democracy Act
Amendment requires Congressional oversight when the President grants self-pardons or pardons family members, administration officials, or paid campaign staffers.
Passed the House on 12/9/21
Amendment to H.R. 2119, Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021
Amendment clarified grant eligibility to legal aid organizations that work on violence prevention
Passed the House on 10/26/21
H.R. 1809, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Highway Act
Included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 3090, the Interstate Rail Compacts Advancement Act
Included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 921, the Horse Transportation Safety Act
Included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 1622, the Stop Underrides Act
Elements of the bill included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 3381, the School Bus Safety Act
Elements of the bill included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 1289, the Complete Streets Act
Elements of the bill included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
H.R. 3757, the Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act
Elements of the bill included in HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Passed the House on 7/1/2021
Amendments to HR 3684, Invest in America Act
Three amendments from last Congress included were again:
Authorize GAO to study inconsistent reporting of alcohol-impaired arrest and citation results
Direct the Amtrak Working Group to study the reinstatement of dining car service on long-distance routes
Set establishment date for the Committee on Underride Protection
H.R.2135 Fair Debt Collection Improvement Act
Offered as an amendment to H.R. 2547 - Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act
Amendment was made in order and bill passed the House on 5/13/21
Amendment to HR1195, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act
Amendment added Alzheimer’s and memory care facilities to the types of facilities covered by this bill.
Passed on 4/16/21
National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act
Parts of the bill included in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Passed the House on 3/3/2021
Police CAMERA Act
Parts of the bill included in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Passed the House on 3/3/2021
Police Training and Independent Review Act.
Parts of the bill included in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Passed the House on 3/3/2021
Secured funding for 5 Transportation Projects
Electric Buses for MATA - $7 million
Elvis Presley Boulevard -$7 million
Overton Park Cooper Street Entrance - $1,739,432
Memphis 3. 0 (Kimball and Pendleton) - $3 million
Mississippi Boulevard Signalized Crossings – $1,141,440

Passed out of Committee/Subcommittee

HR 5441, Prevent All Soring Tactics Act
Included in Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce markup on 6/23/22 and passed

116^th Congress

Passed on the Floor

HR 3304 National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act of 2019
Passed the House on 7/23/19
Fair Access to Credit Scores Act 2019 offered as an amendment to HR 1500, the Consumers First Act
Amendment was adopted and passed the House on 5/22/19
Trump Amendment to appropriations bills
Amendment would prohibit the use of funds at businesses owned by President Trump
Was made in order and passed in three appropriations bills
State Foreign Ops
CJS
Financial Services & General Government
National Defense Authorization Act Amendments
Offered two amendments, which were adopted and passed the House on 7/12/19
Directs the Department of Defense to pursue compensation from the contractor for costs of non-RFI spare parts that it failed to deliver since 2015 as described in the June 13, 2019 DoD Inspector General Report No. DODIG-2019-094. DoD received non-RFI spare parts and spent up to $303 million in DoD labor costs since 2015.
Directs the Department of Defense to pursue compensation from the contractor for costs of non-RFI spare parts that it failed to deliver since 2015 as described in the June 13, 2019 DoD Inspector General Report No. DODIG-2019-094. DoD received non-RFI spare parts and spent up to $303 million in DoD labor costs since 2015.

Discussed in a hearing

HR 121, Fresh Start Act
HR 3738, Safer Streets Act
HR 125, Police Training and Independent Review Act of 2019
HR 1511, Stop Underrides Act
HR 1400, Horse Transportation Safety Act
HR 3959, School Bus Safety Act
HR 3663, Complete Streets Act of 2019
Amtrak bill

Other Accomplishments

Demanding President Trump Abide by his Oath of Office
 All year, presided at hearings and spoke out to condemn the President’s alleged misconduct, culminating in a vote to impeach the President in December.
Chairing Historic Hearings on Voting Rights, Equal Rights Amendment
 As Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, presided at hearings on the Voting Rights Act, reparations for African Americans for slavery and Jim Crow, the Equal Rights Amendment, the extent of the President’s Power to Pardon, and other constitutional and civil rights issues. In September, brought my subcommittee’s field hearing on the VRA to Memphis.
Funding Bus Rapid Transit through Innovation Corridor
As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, helped secure $12 million Department of Transportation grant to support a Bus Rapid Transit corridor from downtown to the University of Memphis.
Continuing to be a Leader in Marijuana Legalization efforts. 
Cosponsored and voted to advance the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act out of Committee to the House floor. The comprehensive legislation decriminalizes marijuana at the federal level, calls for a reassessment of marijuana convictions and expungement of criminal records and creates an excise tax to fund restorative justice programs in the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.  
Chaired the first hearing in decades on H.R. 40, a bill that would create a commission to study reparations for slavery in the United States. 
Chaired the first hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in 36 years and guided the legislation to revive the amendment through the House Judiciary Committee.

Hearings in the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 

The National Emergencies Act of 2019 

History and Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 
Examining the Constitutional Role of the Pardon Power 
Equal Rights Amendment 
Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act in the State of Texas [Field Hearing] 
Threats to Reproductive Rights in America 
The Need to Reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund 
H.R. 40 and the Path to Restorative Justice 
Continuing Challenges to the Voting Rights Act Since Shelby County v. Holder 
Discriminatory Barriers to Voting (field hearing in Memphis) 
Evidence of Current and Ongoing Voting Discrimination 
Congressional Authority to Protect Voting Rights After Shelby County v. Holder 
Legislative Proposals to Strengthen the Voting Rights Act  

Hearings in the House Judiciary Committee on matters within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 

H.R. 1, the “For the People Act of 2019” 
H.R. 5, the “Equality Act” 
Executive Privilege and Congressional Oversight 
Lessons from the Mueller Report, Part III: “Constitutional Processes for Addressing Presidential Misconduct” 
Presidential Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Power 
Protecting America from Assault Weapons 

115th Congress (2017/2018)

Pushing Back Against President Trump

Cosponsored the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act to require the President and Vice President to abide by the same ethics rules as other federal office holders. It requires the President and Vice President to place their assets in a blind trust or disclose to the Office of Government Ethics and the public when they make a decision impacting their personal assets.

Cosponsored the Presidential Tax Transparency Act to require major political party nominees to publicly disclose their last 3 years of federal tax returns.

Cosponsored the Protecting Our Democracy Act to create a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate foreign interference with the 2016 election.

Cosponsored the Statue of Liberty Values (SOLVE) Act to prohibit the use of federal funds from being used to implement President Trump's executive order on immigration issued on January 27, 2017. The order suspends all refugee admission for 120 days, prohibits Syrian refugees indefinitely and bans citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries (Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen) from entering the U.S. on any visa category. The order prioritizes refugee claims by members of a religion that is the minority in the nation from which they are seeking to leave.

Cosponsored the Protecting the National Security Council from Political Interference Act. This bill prohibits staff whose positions are primarily political from being members of the National Security Council, and expresses a sense of Congress that there should be no limit on access to such meetings by the Director of National Intelligence and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Opposed cabinet nominees that, in his opinion, are controversial including: Senator Jeff Sessions for U.S. Attorney General, Rep. Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education, and Scott Pruitt for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Opposed the President's nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court, following the Senate majority's decision to not conduct a hearing or a vote on President Obama's March 16, 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.

114th Congress (2015/2016)

Crime & Justice

Congressman Cohen offered an amendment, ultimately enacted into law, toincrease funding by $4 million for programs to reduce the rape kit backlog at law enforcement agencies. This amendment built upon a $5 million increase Congressman Cohen secured in 2014, boosting total, nationwide funding to $45 million – a 25% increase. As a result of the availability of nationwide funding, Memphis received a nearly $2 million federal grant to help reduce its local rape kit backlog.

Congressman Cohen cosponsored the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015. This bipartisan bill reduces mandatory minimums for drug offenses, applies them retroactively to offenders who do not have prior violent felonies, gives judges more flexibility when dealing with offenders with prior misdemeanors, and retroactively applies the disparity reduction between crack and powder cocaine enacted in the Fair Sentencing Act.

Congressman Cohen has cosponsored numerous bills to combat gun violence including: the Background Check Completion Act to close the loophole that allowed the shooter at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC to obtain a gun; the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2015 to require gun show operators to undergo a background check, ensure that operators have not lied or concealed information from the national registry, and have verified the identity of every participating gun show vender; and the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 to prohibit the sale of firearms and explosives to those on the terrorist watch list.

Protecting Civil Rights

Congressman Cohen introduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act to create an incentive for states to require independent investigation and prosecution of incidents in which police use of deadly force results in a death or injury. The bill has been endorsed by the N.A.A.C.P. and the Chicago Tribune.

Congressman Cohen repeatedly asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to open a federal investigation into the shooting death of Darrius Stewart by a Memphis Police officer to determine if any civil rights laws were violated. A Justice Department investigation is now ongoing.

Congressman Cohen introduced the National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act to press states to collect data in all instances in which police use deadly force and report it to the Department of Justice.

Congressman Cohen introduced the SIMPLE Voting Act of 2015 to ensure polling locations are accessible, appropriately equipped and staffed, and wait times are not excessive. Congressman Cohen has also cosponsored numerous bills to protect voting rights including the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965 struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court and make improvements to the underlying law, and the America Votes Act of 2015 to allow voters to provide a sworn, written statement attesting to their identification as a means by which to meet voter identification requirements.

Keeping Memphians Moving

Congressman Cohen served as a member of a House-Senate conference committee to finalize the first multi-year highway bill in a decade. In addition to providing funding for local highway projects like Lamar Ave., the bill, now law, included Congressman Cohen's amendment to help improve paratransit services like Memphis Area Transit Authority's MATAplus Service for seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Economic Empowerment

Congressman Cohen helped secure a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to redevelop Foote Homes and revitalize Memphis, invest in schools, public transportation, and job creation. Memphis' selection as a Choice Neighborhood results from years of Congressman Cohen working closely with the City of Memphis and HUD Secretary Julian Castro.

Congressman Cohen is a cosponsor of the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act to increase the minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2020.

Congressman Cohen voted for legislation, now law, to permanently extend the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax credit for low- and moderate-income working people. It encourages and rewards work as well allows families with children to keep more of their money.

Housing

Congressman Cohen wrote Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Julian Castro to request a federal investigation of Goodwill Village, Tulane, and Warren Apartments, following reports of deplorable conditions. HUD completed a 100% inspection in July and August 2015. Further investigation is ongoing.

Building a Healthier Memphis

Congressman Cohen led the bipartisan efforts of the Tennessee delegation to the U.S. House to get a guarantee $530 million over the next 10 years in disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments to help Tennessee's hospitals and community health centers recoup expenses incurred while caring for those who cannot afford to pay. He also helped enact a $2 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health to boost research for cures for diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

Congressman Cohen introduced the CARERS Act. This bipartisan bill allows states to set their own medical marijuana policies and allows for greater access to Charlotte's Web cannabidiol (CBD) to help children with seizures like 3-year-old Memphian Chloe Grauer who was denied this treatment and ultimately passed away.

Congressman Cohen has voted more than 60 times against efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. While the Tennessee legislature's failure to expand Medicaid coverage has denied full benefits of the law to Memphians, the law has already reduced the number of uninsured in Tennessee and across the country. He also helped block efforts in Congress to eliminate federal funding for women's health services at Planned Parenthood.

Retirement Security

Congressman Cohen has cosponsored several bills to help protect and enhance Social Security benefits including the Seniors Deserve a Raise Act, the Guaranteed 3% COLA for Seniors Act, and the CPI for Seniors Act to ensure that seniors receive appropriate cost-of-living adjustments.

Congressman Cohen cosponsored the Keep Our Pensions Promises Act. This bill prohibits trustees of multiemployer pension plans from reducing retirees' monthly benefits. It would also safeguard promised benefits by creating a new legacy fund that would insure participants from companies that leave multiemployer plans, and subsequently stop paying into them, will continue to receive benefits.

Education

Congressman Cohen successfully offered an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act to allow funds to be used for restorative justice programs to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline. He also cosponsored the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act to allow students to refinance loans at lower interest rates, and introduced the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Act to ensure that students with private student loans are treated fairly in bankruptcy.

113th Congress (2013/2014)

H.AMDT.717 to H.R. 4660, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015. Provision included in H.R. 83, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.

Signed into law on 12/16/14

This deficit-neutral amendment transfered $5 million in federal funds to a new grant program focused specifically on helping law enforcement agencies and cut through their sexual assault kit backlogs. The additional funding would increase the grant program's budget by nearly 15%, from $36 million to $41 million, and increase Memphis' chances of receiving the funding necessary to significantly reduce its rape kit backlog.

H.R.3658, Monuments Men Recognition Act of 2014

Signed into law on 6/9/14

Ensures that the World War II unit known as the "Monuments Men" receives a Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest recognition for distinguished achievements and contributions. Congressman Cohen was one of the lead Democratic cosponsors of this legislation. The Congressman single-handedly secured nearly half the signatures required for its passage in the House and was credited by Representative Kay Granger of Texas, the bill's original sponsor, as the person responsible for the bill's passage.

Legislation Passed by the House of Representatives:

H.AMDT.853 to H.R.4800, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Passed the House on 6/11/14

This amendment adds $3 million in funding to the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program, which is a pilot program focused on helping provide meals to low income children during summer months when school lunch programs are not in effect.

H.AMDT.1120 to H.R.4984, Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act

Passed the House on 7/24/14

This amendment would ensure that student loan borrowers are informed of and adequately understand the risks associated with their loans, including those issued by private lenders with excessively high interest rates and fees. Because of an unjustifiable change to the bankruptcy code made in 2005, student loans from private lenders are no longer treated the same as other types of private debt in bankruptcy proceedings, meaning students can be saddled for life with mountains of fees and loan debt that they have no hope of ever paying off.

H.R.3086, Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act

Passed the House on 7/15/14

This bipartisan legislation amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Congressman Cohen was one of the lead Democratic cosponsors of this legislation.

H.R.2919, Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act

Passed the House on 5/6/14

This bipartisan legislation would improve government transparency by reinstating the tracking and reporting requirements of certain payments awarded by the federal government to help ensure the American people have access to this important information. Congressman Cohen was a lead Democratic sponsor.

H.R.4292, Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act

Passed the House on 5/6/14

This bipartisan legislation would remove certain legal barriers and make foreign artwork and artifacts more accessible to the public to view, study and appreciate in American schools and museums while preserving important protections in current law for Holocaust-related claims.

H.AMDT.74 to H.R.3, Northern Route Approval Act

Passed the House on 5/22/13

This amendment requires TransCanada to submit its oil spill response plan and any updates to the plan, to the Governors of each State in which the Keystone XL pipeline operates.

H.AMDT.372 to H.R.2397, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014

Passed the House on 7/23/13

This amendment reduces funding for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund by $139 million and applies the savings to the Spending Reduction account.

112th Congress (2011/2012)

H.R. 1067, Surface Transportation Earmark Recession, Savings, and Accountability Act of 2011, provisions included in HR 1473, FY 2011 Continuing Resolution

Signed into law on 4/15/11.

Rescinds funding for outdated earmarks that date back to 1978 from prior surface transportation authorizations. Many of these projects have been completed or are no longer viable.

H.R. 2192, National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act

Signed into law on 12/13/11.

Helps members of the National Guard and Reserve obtain bankruptcy relief if they need it by extending a bankruptcy provision that that enables Guardsmen and Reservists to bypass the ‘means test.'

H.R. 1046, Honor the WISH Act included in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act

Signed into law on 12/31/11.

Removes limitations of who members of the Armed Forces can designate to oversee disposition of remains.

Legislation Passed by the House of Representatives:

H.AMDT. 1401 to H.R. 5856, FY13 Defense Appropriations Bill

Passed the House 7/18/2012.

Reduced the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund by $175 million and applied the savings to the spending reduction account.

H.R. 1046, Honor the WISH Act included as amendment to HR 1540, the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act

Passed the House 5/26/2011.

Provision requires the Pentagon to initiate a study to examine the effects of expanding the current statute to allow other people, including foster parents, friends or fellow soldiers to be designated.

Legislation passed in Committee:

Amendment to HR3534, Security in Bonding Act of 2011

Passed the Judiciary Committee on 3/20/12.

Added a GAO study to access to the effects of the bill on the ability of disadvantaged business entities to obtain federal contracts.

111th Congress (2009/2010)

H.R. 2765, the Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage (SPEECH) Act.

The measure was signed into law by President Obama in August 2010. The law protects American authors, journalists and publishers from foreign defamation judgments that undermine the First Amendment and American due process standards.

H. Res 18, Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Newman, Passed the House on 2/24/2009.

H.R. 2247, the Congressional Review Act Improvement Act.

Eliminates a requirement that federal agencies must submit specified information about a rule to both Houses of Congress before such rule can take effect (thus requiring that the information be submitted to only the Comptroller General).

H. Res 476, Celebrating the 30th anniversary of June as "Black Music Month"
A resolution honoring the contributions of African-American artists to America's history and culture.

H. Res 260, Supporting efforts to reduce infant mortality in the United StatesExpresses support for efforts to: (1) lower the rate of infant mortality in the United States; and (2) correct the racial disparities in prenatal care to lower that rate.

H.R. 3470, the NEWBORN Act. Included in H.R. 3249, Healthcare Reform bill which passed the House on 11/7/09. Also passed the House on 9/22/10. Addresses the United States' high rate of infant mortality through the creation of pilot programs across the nation. These programs would be established in the cities and localities with the highest rates of infant mortality and would be financed through grants given by the Department of Health and Human Services. Each program will focus on providing at-risk mothers pre-natal care, community outreach, and education about pregnancy and infant mortality.

110th Congress (2007/2008)

H.Res. 194 , An Apology for the Enslavement and Racial Segregation of African Americans.

On July 29, 2008, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res.194, apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans. Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced the resolution on February 22, 2007. This is the first time that the federal government has ever formally apologized for slavery or racial segregation in United States history. Congressman Cohen's statement on the passage of H.Res. 194:

I am very proud that my colleagues in the House of Representatives passed our resolution apologizing for slavery and Jim Crow in the United States. This is a historic moment in the ongoing struggle for civil rights in this country, and I hope that this legislation can serve to open the dialogue on race and equality for all. Apologies are not empty gestures, but are a necessary first step towards any sort of reconciliation between people. I thank Congressman John Conyers (MI-10), whose assistance in moving this resolution forward was indispensible, for his strong support for this bill.

H.R. 6146 , Libel Tourism Bill

Congressman Cohen wrote and introduced this legislation to amend U.S. code to prohibit recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments. On September 26, 2008, the House passed the bill unanimously. The New York Times wrote an editorial in support of the bill which can be found HERE.

TIH Amendment

In March 2007, Congressman Cohen ammended the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. The amendment would establish a program to coordinate with state and local governments to minimize the need for toxic inhalation hazardous materials to be routed through our communities. The amendment passed the House by a comfortable margin.

Local officials who were concerned about the transportation of hazardous materials through District 9 approached Congressman Cohen earlier that year. He heard their concerns and worked to find a bill which would appropriately carry the language needed to guard against potential toxic spill incidents.

H.R. 6986 , the Individual Depositor and Community Bank Protection Act
On Sept. 22, Congressman Cohen introduced this influential legislation which would raise the maximum federal deposit insurance coverage from the FDIC from $100,000 to $200,000. Leaders in both parties negotiated a similar provision into H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which was enacted into law Oct. 3, 2008.

H.RES. 162 , Negro Baseball Leagues Resolution

This resolution introduced by Congressman Cohen recognizes the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues and their players. It passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

H.R. 3385 , Homelessness Task Force Bill

Congressman Cohen introduced this legislation which calls on Congress to establish a bipartisan task force to examine homelessness in the United States and make recommendations to alleviate its causes and effects. With 27 cosponsors, it has been referred to committee and will be taken up in the 111th Congress.

H.R. 4158, the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act

Congressman Cohen introduced this legislation which would consolidate the authorization of the National Urban Search and Rescue program and place its authority in one section of the Stafford Act. This will help ensure that the Urban Search and Rescue can competently and proficiently respond to a wide range of natural disasters.

Further, the bill would ensure Urban Search and Rescue Task Force members are given secure uniform workers compensation and tort liability protection under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which currently provides such protections to activated National Guard and reserve members. The bill was referred to committee and will be taken up in the 111th Congress.

H.R. 2 , the Fair Minimum Wage Act

This landmark legislation raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour as one of the first acts of the 110th Congress. It had been 10 years since the previous increase in the minimum wage, and this was one of the first acts of the 110th Congress. Congressman Cohen was an original cosponsor of this bill.

H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act

Among its provisions, this legislation increases research, development, and deployment of clean renewable energy and efficiency technologies. This legislation also included a landmark increase in corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Congressman Cohen was a lead cosponsor of this legislation, and it became law on December 19, 2007.

H.R. 2578 , the Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Enhancement Act

Congressman Cohen was a lead cosponsor on this legislation introduced by Congressman Artur Davis (AL-07). It extends and expands the benefits for businesses operating in empowerment zones, enterprise communities and renewal communities, and promotes housing choice for low-income families through the HOPE VI grant program which revitalizes severely distressed public housing.

H.R. 2881 , the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act

Congressman Cohen was an original cosponsor of this legislation, which authorizes appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, provide stable funding for the national aviation system. The bill also includes provisions for consumer rights, noise abatement, safety issues, flight attendant, air traffic controller and pilot work conditions (passed the House Nov. 20, 2007).

H.R. 5524, the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008

Congressman Cohen was an original cosponsor on this bill which revises requirements for services provided under grants from the Secretary of Health and Human Services for centers for runaway and homeless youth and their families. The President signed this into law on October 8, 2008.

H.R. 6658 , the Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008

This billl requires the president to award financial assistance under the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program on a competitive basis and authorize continuing appropriations for this program through Fiscal Year 2011. Congressman Cohen was one of the lead cosponsors of this legislation.

H.R. 753 , a bill which redesignates the federal building at 167 North Main Street in Memphis as the "Clifford Davis/Odell Horton Federal Building."

Congressman Cohen wrote this legislation and introduced it in the House of Representatives on January 31, 2007. It passed unanimously and was signed by the President on May 2, 2007.

Odell Horton was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee by President Jimmy Carter on May 12, 1980, the first black federal judge appointed since Reconstruction. Judge Horton served as chief judge of the district from January 1, 1987 until December 31, 1993.

H.R. 2587 , a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 555 South 3rd Street Lobby in Memphis, Tennessee, as the "Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr. Post Office Building."

Congressman Cohen wrote this legislation and introduced it in the House of Representatives on June 6, 2007. It passed unanimously and was signed by the President on October 24, 2007.

Kenneth Whalum died on October 22, 2007, two days before this legislation passed. He worked for years in the U.S. Postal Service as director of personnel and served two terms on the City Council. He was best known, however, as the founder and long time pastor of the Olivet Baptist Church, one of the largest congregations in Memphis.

Other Accomplishments

HIDTA, Congressman Cohen helped secure designation for Shelby County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). This federal designation -- which was made in August 2010 -- will further the development of joint drug control efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers in the region and allow them to benefit from ongoing initiatives. Congressman Cohen issued a letter to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in April 2010.

U.S. Attorney, Congressman Cohen recommended lifelong Memphian Ed Stanton to President Obama, who then nominated Stanton as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. Ed Stanton was confirmed by the Senate in August 2010.

Federal Judge, Congressman Cohen recomended Sheryl Lipman to President Obama to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee after convening a diverse and bipartisan screening committee to conduct interviews of nine potential candidates for the position. The President then nominated Lipman and she was confirmed as U.S. District Court Judge in April 2014.

The MED, Congressman Cohen advocated for a provision that addresses Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to Tennessee that will ensure the state receives federal funding for hospitals like The MED that provide uncompensated care – a battle which dates back to inception of the TennCare program in 1993.

It was a long, difficult road to secure these critical funds in the Affordable Care Act but Congressman Cohen paved the way for their inclusion when he stood up at a Democratic Party meeting and gained the support of President Obama, who now shares Tennesseans' concerns about the funding shortfall.

FDIC, Congressman Cohen authored legislation in 2008 to raise the maximum federal deposit insurance coverage from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from $100,000 to $200,000. His idea was used and increased to $250,000, and included in the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which became law.

CHIP, Congressman Cohen voted in favor of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 2009, a bill that not only provided health insurance to many of our nation's needy children, but also included provisions that help The MED.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board, Congressman Cohen recommended Memphian V. Lynn Evans, CPA, to President Obama, who then nominated Evans to the Board of Directors of the TVA. V. Lynn Evans was confirmed by the Senate in January 2013. In August 2014, President Obama also nominated Ron Walter for the TVA Board after Congressman Cohen recommended the Memphian.

Youth PROMISE Act, Congressman Cohen authored this bill to bring together various stakeholders in the community to address the problem of gang violence. Everyone from law enforcement and the legal system to schools, faith-based organizations, and mental health organizations would develop a comprehensive strategy for diverting young people who are at risk of joining a gang.

High Speed Rail, Congressman Cohen proposed building a high-speed rail corridor from Little Rock to Memphis that would be a major economic catalyst that has the potential to create jobs, reduce congestion on our roads and bridges, curb our reliance on fossil fuels, and improve our environment. He worked to amend the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act to include a feasibility study on the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor expansion.

$15 Million Main Street to Main Street TIGER Grant, After working for nearly 3 years to secure funding for the Main Street to Main Street Multi-Modal Connector Project, Congressman Cohen announced a nearly $15 million grant for the region's most ambitious and impressive bicycle/pedestrian project in June 2012.

NIH, Congressman Cohen authored an amendment in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to give the National Institutes of Health (NIH) an additional $10 billion to help fund hospitals like Memphis' St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The measure was incorporated into the Recovery Package through an amendment put forth by Senator Tom Harkin. NIH is the primary source of funding for treatments to diseases like cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

Top

Most Significant State Legislative Accomplishments

2006: Lottery-funded after-school programs, Lottery scholarship awards increased, Felon voting rights reform, Coretta Scott King Memorial Highway, Teen DUI death initiative
2005: Lottery Scholarship expansion & refinement, One of the Principal Ethics Bills of 2005 which included the Prohibition of Lifetime Health Benefits for Interim Legislators, and Cell phone restrictions/learner and graduated drivers
2004: "General Patton Act"/animal cruelty felony, Lottery Education Reform, Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act
2003: Tennessee Education Lottery Implementation Law and Scholarship/Education Law
2002: State Lottery Referendum passed with 58%, President Tennessee Student Scholarship Lottery Coalition, Aggravated animal cruelty act, Cultural license plates reform act
2001: State Lottery Referendum, Non-livestock Humane Death Act, Post Conviction DNA Analysis Act, Uniform Athlete Agents Act, & The 2000 Presidential Election Debacle Reform Bill
2000: Graduated Drivers License, T-BO Act (non-economic damages for death of pets), & Emeritus Pay Reform
1999: Naming of the "Albert Gore, Sr. Memorial Interstate Highway System," The Good Samaritan Protection Act, & Elderly Abuse Law
1998: Most Aggravated Drunk Driver Act, 70 MPH Speed Limit, & Cultural/Special License Plate Reform
1997: Music Highway Act, Anti-SLAPP Act, Memphis Sports Authority Funding Act, & Professional Baseball Sales Tax Rebate Act (AutoZone Park)
1995: Toll Free Legislative Line Service, Campaign Finance Reform (co-prime sponsor), Lobbyist Reform Act (co-prime sponsor), State Carjacking Law, Handicapped Parking Citation Law, & Imported Keg Beer Law
1994: Handgun Permit Reform Bill & Women's Restroom Equity Act
1993: Sexual Harassment Act, Used Oil Collection Act, & Bicentennial Beautification Act (interstate wildflowers)
1992: Open Appointments Act & Stalking Law
1991: Reduction of Waste in Government Act, Anti-Skullduggery Act (election reform), & Consumer Telemarketing Protection Act
1990: Civil Rights Act & Finance Registry Act (Ethics)
1989: Volunteer State Investment Fund Act (tax free open-ended bond funds)
1988: Sports Agent Legislation & Hate Crimes Bill
1987: Racing Control Act (Parimutuel referendum), College and Cultural License Plates (Arts funding), Dual Divorce Act, & Private Protective Services Licensing & Regulatory Act
1986: Felon voting rights (1986-96 "Cohen Period")
1984: Created the Tennessee Commission on the Commemoration of the Holocaust

Primary budget proponent for state funding for: The Pyramid, the Memphis Zoo, the Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis Food Bank, the Orange Mound Senior Care Home, Orange Mound Concerned Citizens Headquarters, Aloyious House, Friends for Life, the Memphis College of Art's Burton Callicott Auditorium, Overton Park/Ted Rust lawn sculpture, the Brannon-McCulloch Primary Health Center, The Blues Foundation, the Center for Southern Folklore, the Blues City Cultural Center and the state student ticket subsidy program for the arts, sponsored legislation which created the environmental license plates and suggested the iris design. Charter form of county government, Hall Income Tax exemptions for elderly and low income, and citations in lieu of arrest for misdemeanants and a plethora of laws facilitating the enjoyment of wine while dining.

Other Political Positions

1980,1992, 2004 & 2008: Delegate to Democratic National Convention; Platform Committee 2000
1984: Shelby County Charter Commission
1988-90: Chair, Shelby County Legislative Delegation
1986: Delegate to American Council of Young Political Leaders, USA/Japan Study Mission
1999: Delegate NCSL/China 1999
2000: Delegation Leader NCSL/Germany
2002: Council of State Governments Executive Committee, 2002
1998-2005: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Executive Committee Member