Memphis

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip James Clyburn asking them to prevent the privatization and outsourcing of federal jobs during the ongoing pandemic. Congressman Cohen cited a plan by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to outsource 108 Information Technology (I.T.) jobs to private contractors.

Congressman Cohen's letter reads in part:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, today announced that the University of Memphis will receive a grant of $543,552 from the National Science Foundation's Division of Materials Research.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"It is good to see the continuation of important materials research at the University of Memphis while this pandemic persists. This grant will keep researchers at work making discoveries and advancing science."

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MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who represents Memphis, the birthplace of the blues and the home of Rock 'n' Roll, today remembered Little Richard, a pioneer of Rock 'n' Roll, who died today in Tullahoma, Tennessee, with this statement:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will receive a $410,606 research grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I'm pleased that the important research St. Jude is famous for continues during this period of pandemic. St. Jude's work leads to cures and therapies for sick children. This funding will keep researchers working toward those goals."

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced $1,488,117 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants to three Memphis community health centers to expand their coronavirus testing capacity. Memphis Health Center Inc. will receive $409,024; Tri-State Community Health Center will receive $136,924; and Christ Community Health Services will receive $942,169.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure's Aviation Subcommittee, today commended Frontier Airlines for its decision to rescind its "More Room" social distance seat-pricing policy. In a letter to Congressmen Cohen and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-04) and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts late Wednesday, Frontier Airlines President and CEO Barry L. Biffle said the additional fee for passengers to avoid being seated next to a middle seat passenger has been abandoned.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-04), both members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure's Aviation Subcommittee, and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation, today wrote to Frontier Airlines President and CEO Barry L. Biffle, asking him to reconsider charging a fee to passengers seeking to comply with healthy social distancing practices on flights.

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced that the Department of Justice has awarded the City of Memphis a $2,523,880 grant to address emergency needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic. The money can be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus with funding for law enforcement overtime pay; equipment; hiring; supplies such as gloves, masks, sanitizer; training; travel expenses; and addressing the medical needs of inmates in jails and detention centers.