Children and Families

[MEMPHIS, TN] – After Congressman Cohen urged Attorney General Holder to allow states to determine their own marijuana laws and to respect those determinations, the Department of Justice today announced new guidelines for federal prosecutors that—while not fully protecting businesses and individuals that comply with state and local laws—appear to reduce risk of federal prosecution for those individuals and businesses. The Congressman made the following statement:

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) hosted a telephone town hall this evening to answer his constituents’ questions about the issues facing the Ninth District and the nation. On the telephone town hall, the Congressman discussed a variety of issues including today’s commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington, the urgent need to bring justice to those serving outdated deferral sentences, his work bringing jobs to Memphis, the upcoming agenda in Congress, and how sequestration is hurting families across the country.

[WASHINGTON, DC] – On the eve of the 50^th anniversary of the historic March on Washington which led to the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today called on President Obama to heed the “fierce urgency of now” and take immediate steps to reduce unfair racial disparities in our judicial system, cut prison overcrowding, reduce the deficit, and further the cause of justice.

[MEMPHIS, TN] – After President Obama announced a new agenda to fight rising college costs and keep higher education within reach for middle class families this morning, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) highlighted his work to make college more affordable for Memphians and Tennesseans. When he served in the Tennessee Senate, Congressman Cohen led the fight to create the HOPE Scholarship program and in Washington he has fought to keep student loan rates down as well as to treat private student loan debt the same as other types of private loan debt.

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Shelby County has been awarded a $3,629,895 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support Head Start projects that help promote school readiness of children from birth until the age of 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. This announcement completes the current year’s funding for a total of $23,249,312.

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that the Memphis-based Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (Seedco) Mid-South has been awarded $1,216,013 in grant funding to help provide in-person assistance to area residents who want additional help in shopping for and enrolling in plans available through the health insurance Marketplaces that will open this fall. This funding comes through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Navigator grant program.