Memphis
As a fourth-generation Memphian, I have dedicated my life to public service in Memphis and Shelby County. My work has defined my life and affected the lives of people in Memphis, across Tennessee and now across America throughout my career in national, state and local politics.
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WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Southwest Tennessee Community College will be receiving a $998,405 grant from the Department of Labor's Closing the Skills Gap Program designed to expand apprenticeship programs.
The college was one of 28 recipients of grants awarded Wednesday totaling nearly $100 million that will support the training of 92,000 individuals in new or expanded apprenticeship programs.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, was alarmed by the President's use of the pardon power to favor celebrities, the rich, and the well-connected. Among the 11 people granted a pardon or commutation were former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, financier Michael Milken, former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, and former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, all whose convictions involve public corruption.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center will receive a $702,163 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for research on drug resistance in a form of fungus responsible for lung infections.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"Understanding disease resistance is the best way to avoid serious infections like those targeted in this research. I'm pleased our Memphis-based medical school is putting scientists to work on this important research."


WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the University of Memphis will receive a $205,978 grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to study alcohol misuse in emerging adults.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"Alcoholism takes its toll on society so any research that helps us understand it, and perhaps prevent it, is welcome. I'm pleased the University will be able to put researchers to work on this problem thanks to this funding."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Making Essentials Affordable and Lawful (MEAL) Act to lift restrictions on the receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for people with prior felony convictions.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today spoke on the House floor in favor of a resolution to remove a deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and then voted for the measure. The vote on passage was 232 to 183.
In his floor speech, Congressman Cohen said:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, today wrote to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson to ask for accurate and credible evidence that the Amtrak ridership supports decisions to end dining car service on some long-distance routes.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) joined with Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.-47), Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Representative Katherine Clark (D-Mass.-5), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to introduce the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020, legislation that would phase out unnecessary single-use plastic products, hold corporations accountable for wasteful products, reduce wasteful packaging, and reform our broken waste and recycling collection system.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, testified this evening before the House Rules Committee, urging the panel to adopt a rule for consideration of a resolution enabling the full ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. It would become the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution.