Memphis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) voted to extend tax cuts for all Americans and opposed the Republican plan to deliver extra tax breaks to the richest two percent on the backs of the middle class. Rather than joining Democrats in their effort to provide tax cuts, Republicans voted down this measure in an attempt to secure even larger tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans which they know will not pass in the Senate. Congressman Cohen stayed in Washington, D.C. to cast these votes, despite being in a contested primary, which is being held tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the University of Memphis has received two federal grants totaling more than $700,000, both awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The first grant -- worth $574,848 – is for a project entitled “Supporting a New Generation.” The second grant -- worth $136,178 – is for a project entitled “Making Global Capital Work: Economic Openness and Corporate Governance in Chinese Capital Markets.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the National Civil Rights Museum has received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant worth $352,000 for the Renovation of the Lorraine Motel Permanent Exhibits. NEH grants are highly competitive and involve a rigorous review and selection process to ensure that the best of humanities research, education, preservation and public programs is cultivated.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Marketplace Equity Act of 2011 (H.R. 3179) – legislation Congressman Cohen co-sponsored to establish a uniform national standard for determining when a state can tax an online sales transaction. Click here to see a video of Congressman Cohen and Governor Haslam discussing this issue.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has established a new streamlined website and several social media tools that will make it easier for students and families to navigate the financial aid process and make informed decisions about paying for college. The launch of the new website, StudentAid.gov, follows a report from the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today called for passage of legislation he authored that will restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans the same as other types of private debt in bankruptcy. Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) recently sent a letter to Richard Cordray – Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – urging him and the agency to observe how employers apply credit checks to hire or fire employees. Congressman Cohen’s letter comes shortly after CFPB announced that the agency has adopted a rule to supervise the leading credit bureaus with more than $7 million in annual revenue. A copy of Congressman Cohen’s letter is below:

July 18, 2012

Mr. Richard Cordray

Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) ushered through the passage of an historic amendment to cut funding for Afghanistan infrastructure. Congressman Cohen’s amendment reduced funding for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund by $175 million in the FY2013 Defense Department Appropriations bill. It was the only amendment to pass during roll call votes last night. It passed by a vote of 228-191.