Homeland Security

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) will receive $11,423,844 for the permanent repair of the electrical distribution system damaged by the straight-line wind storms of July 18-21, 2023. The figure represents the 75 percent federal share of the $15,231,792 in actual damage.

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today commended the Biden-Harris Administration for its immediate and comprehensive response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Virginia. On September 27, shortly after Governor Lee submitted a request for a major disaster declaration, Congressman Cohen joined the Tennessee delegation in urging President Biden to swiftly approve the designation.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the City of Memphis will receive two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter grants totaling $2,945,907. One for $1,460,144, will go for its operations and safety programs. The other, for $1,485,763, will be used to acquire vehicles.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today spoke in favor of the Assuring Robust, Thorough, and Informed Congressional Leadership is Exercised Over National Emergencies (ARTICLE ONE) Act -- and voted to pass it favorably out of committee. The bill is now eligible for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today expressed concern at a Department of Justice finding that a Russian disinformation campaign is again seeking to boost Donald Trump’s prospects in the presidential race this year and has used a Tennessee-based company to spread its pro-Russian English-language propaganda videos on YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Memphis and Professor of Civil Engineering Dr. Sabya Mishra will receive a $75,000 grant to study the transportation challenges facing Ford’s future Blue Oval City employees from the National Science Foundation. The Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) Stage One project will look at the need for efficient public transit systems, including fixed-line buses and on-demand micro-transit services, meeting strict arrival times.

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will invest $13,526,378 in the de-icing facility at Memphis International Airport (MEM) completed in December of 2022 with a dedication ceremony attended by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today reintroduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act. The measure would require enrollees at law enforcement academies to receive sensitivity training on ethics and racial bias, cultural diversity, and police interaction with the people with disabilities, those in a mental health crisis, and new immigrants.