Environment

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) again received the highest possible score from the Defenders of Wildlife on its 2020 Conservation Report Card for 14 critical votes during both sessions of the 116^th Congress.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I'm dedicated to working hard to protect our wildlife and its habitats. I am proud and encouraged by this acknowledgement of my voting record by Defenders of Wildlife."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today introduced FedEx Corporation CEO and Chairman Fred Smith, one of the witnesses at a hearing on "The Business Case for Climate Solutions." Congressman Cohen praised FedEx for its work in vaccine distribution and for its efforts to meet ambitious sustainability goals.

In his introductory remarks, Congressman Cohen said:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, today questioned expert witnesses at a hearing on "Full Steam Ahead for Rail: Why Rail is More Relevant than Ever for Economic and Environmental Progress."

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today attended his first hearing of the Committee on Natural Resources that he joined in January. The hearing, which he attended remotely, was on Discussion Draft of the Insular Area Climate Change Act. The insular areas of the United States are territories that do not belong to one of the 50 states, and include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today questioned expert witnesses about the treatment of African Americans during traffic stops. He noted that his Police Training and Independent Review Act, which was made part of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act last year, would address some of the problems associated with such stops.

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to President Biden urging that he direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind its recently issued nationwide permit to Valero Energy and All Plains American for its proposed Byhalia Connection Pipeline. This pipeline cuts through historic, predominantly Black neighborhoods and crosses over the Memphis Sand Aquifer which could potentially irreparably contaminate the City of Memphis' source of drinking water.

The letter reads in part:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) was pleased to announce today that he has been named to the House Natural Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over the nation's energy and mineral resources; national parks, public lands and wildlife refuges; wildlife conservation, clean water and outdoor recreation. One of Congress' oldest committees, it can trace its jurisdiction to the Public Lands Committee created in 1805.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to leaders of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington to express his concern that the proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline project plan may be granted a nationwide permit without taking into consideration its proximity to the Davis Wellfield and the potential impact it could have on the environment and our city's precious drinking water.