Memphis

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced two Constitutional Amendments today on the opening day of the new Congress. The first would eliminate the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States. The second would limit the presidential pardon power by prohibiting presidents from pardoning themselves, members of their families, members of their administrations and their campaign staff.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a package of criminal justice and voter protection bills today on the first day of the new Congress:

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act to help address America's unacceptably high infant mortality rate with concrete measures. If enacted, the bill would create infant-mortality focused pilot programs in the highest-risk areas of the country to help those areas most in need address this problem.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced that the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training Program was signed into law over the New Year's holiday. The SOAR Act will provide training for front-line first responders and health professionals so they can identify and know how best to respond to possible instances of human trafficking when victims appear for needed care.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Porter-Leath will be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office, and made the following statement:

"Early Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the necessary skills to give them a shot at the American Dream. I'm pleased to announce this continuing grant funding for Porter-Leath which has helped meet the needs of Memphis' children and their families since 1850."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) praised final passage of the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training Program (H.R. 767) today on a 386 to 6 vote, a measure to provide training to health care professionals on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) voted for the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that passed the House today on a 358 to 36 vote after clearing the Senate late Tuesday night.