Children and Families
It is important to provide all children and families access to a quality, affordable education and healthcare to help them secure a prosperous future. As a member of Congress, I have championed for legislation that makes it easier for Americans to balance work and family responsibilities, expands support for foster youth care, and serves the needs of children with special behavioral health needs and/or medical disabilities. I also firmly believe that assisting families in their pursuit of higher education is critical for our nation's growth and success.
More on Children and Families
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), who asked Governor Bill Lee to reconsider a decision not to participate a summer food program for children then released a statement saying his decision was “cruel,” tonight condemned the inadequate alternative summer food program the governor has proposed.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today condemned a Trump Administration proposal to cap facilities and administrative cost reimbursements to 15 percent of total research project costs on National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awards to biomedical research institutions. The proposal would be devastating to Tennessee universities and research organizations. In 2023, Tennessee received about $770 million in funding from the NIH. The proposed reduction would result in a roughly $250 million annual loss to institutions in the state.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today introduced a Congressional resolution commending efforts to eradicate the wild poliovirus. As a child, Congressman Cohen contracted the disease which still affects his daily life.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today questioned expert witnesses at a Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement hearing on “Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America.”
Congressman Cohen focused his questions on enforcement priorities: “Do you think DACA kids who’ve been in this country for maybe 20 or 25 years, been good citizens, maybe been in the military, the National Guard or something, should be rounded up and deported as well?”
WASHINGTON – On January 6, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) wrote to Governor Bill Lee expressing concern that Tennessee had missed a deadline to participate in the Electronic Benefits Transfer Program for Children and would forfeit $1.1 million for a program that fed 700,000 children last year unless the situation was rectified.
The letter set a January 17 deadline for Governor Lee to provide an explanation of the decision. The explanation has not been forthcoming.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will send $12,795,521 to a variety of homelessness programs in Memphis and Shelby County, part of the largest investment in homelessness in history. Tennessee programs statewide will receive $41,382,540. In all, the Biden-Harris administration will award nearly $3.6 billion for almost 7,000 homelessness Continuum of Care programs nationwide.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced a $1,999,581 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to the University of Memphis for a project titled “S-STEM Bridging the Gaps: Cultivating STEM Identity and Success through STEM Outreach, Networking, and Scholarships,” under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Ivey, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Civil Engineering.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Shelby County’s Ryan White HIV Emergency Relief Program will receive a $1,288,750 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement
“I am pleased to see this substantial federal investment in the health of some of the most vulnerable our community. This funding for Shelby County’s Ryan White program is critical because the Memphis region has one of the highest HIV rates in the country.”
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants totaling $1,447,636. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive $606,034 for research on diseases of the retina from the National Eye Institute. Shelby County’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS program will receive $841,600 for its continuing efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement: