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, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today highlighted a new report from Oxfam America showing that an estimated 60,000 citizens in the Ninth District will get a raise if Congress increases the national minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. The esteemed international relief and development organization’s new report also showed that roughly 548,000 Tennesseans, about 22% of the state’s workforce, stand to benefit from an increased national minimum wage.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced 5 federal grants totaling $4,605,108 in funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used for a variety of programs and research projects.
“This funding will be used to continue important work at St. Jude, one of the world’s finest health care institutions,” said Congressman Cohen.
Today’s announcement includes funding for the following St. Jude projects:
[WASHINGTON, DC] – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed on a voice vote Congressman Steve Cohen’s (TN-09) amendment to the Agriculture appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015 that will help prevent children around the country from going hungry during the summer when free school lunch programs are not in effect. The amendment adds $3 million in funding to the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program, which is a pilot program focused on helping provide meals to low income children during summer months when school lunch programs are not in effect.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that President Obama’s move to give certain borrowers the ability to cap their student loan payments at 10% of their monthly income will help an estimated 103,736 citizens of Tennessee burdened with student loan debt, according to a new report released today by the Domestic Policy Council and the Council of Economic Advisers.
Dear Friend,
This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved my provision to add $5 million in funding to help eliminate the nationwide rape kit backlog, I spoke about the need to prevent childhood hunger, and President Obama’s Administration announced their plan to reduce carbon emissions and protect our air. Keep reading for more information about what else happened this week.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced $3,260,950 in federal funding for the Memphis Health Center, which provides high-quality, affordable health care services to Shelby County citizens. This grant funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration.
Dear Friend,
This week, the House passed my amendment to provide an extra $5 million to help eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits in America, on the House Floor I highlighted the importance of making sure our veterans receive the care they deserve, and an impressive Memphian was interviewed by Katie Couric for her work to help foster youth. Keep reading to learn more about what happened this week.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – The U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon passed on a voice vote Congressman Steve Cohen’s (TN-09) amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that would provide more federal resources to local law enforcement agencies working to reduce their backlogs of untested rape kits. Of roughly 400,000 untested rape kits sitting in evidence rooms nationwide, an estimated 12,000 remain untested in Memphis—more than anywhere else in the country.
Dear Friend,
There were no votes in Congress this week and I enjoyed spending it at home in Memphis, where I helped open the new Fairway Manor affordable housing complex, had the opportunity to speak with elementary school students about the importance of public service, and participated in a conference focused on ensuring that our community’s cemeteries are properly maintained and respected. Keep reading to learn more about what I did in Memphis this week.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) was awarded with an A, the highest grade awarded to any member of Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation, by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) for his 2013 votes to improve the lives of working Americans and their families.