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 voted for, and the House passed, two spending bills to reopen the Departments of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture in an effort to end the destructive, ongoing Trump government shutdown, and made the following statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) joined House Democrats and eight Republicans to pass the FY 2019 Department of the Treasury and IRS appropriations bill to remove all doubt that hard-working Tennesseans will receive their tax refunds in full and on time. Each year, about 2.4 million Tennessee households receive an average tax return of about $2,713, which could be in jeopardy as long as the President and Senate Republicans refuse to end the Trump Shutdown and fully re-open IRS.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) watched President Trump's speech about the security of our southern border with Mexico tonight and made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today welcomed Governor Bill Haslam's grant of clemency in the case of Cyntoia Brown, a juvenile victim of sex trafficking, who has been serving a life sentence for murder. Congressman Cohen wrote to Governor Haslam on December 10 asking him to give consideration to clemency in the case given the unique circumstances. See that letter here.
Congressman Cohen also made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Don Young (Alaska-at-large) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow patients to have access to medical marijuana in states where marijuana is legal without fear of federal prosecution.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced two Constitutional Amendments today on the opening day of the new Congress. The first would eliminate the Electoral College and provide for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States. The second would limit the presidential pardon power by prohibiting presidents from pardoning themselves, members of their families, members of their administrations and their campaign staff.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a package of criminal justice and voter protection bills today on the first day of the new Congress:

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act to help address America's unacceptably high infant mortality rate with concrete measures. If enacted, the bill would create infant-mortality focused pilot programs in the highest-risk areas of the country to help those areas most in need address this problem.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced that the Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Training Program was signed into law over the New Year's holiday. The SOAR Act will provide training for front-line first responders and health professionals so they can identify and know how best to respond to possible instances of human trafficking when victims appear for needed care.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Porter-Leath will be receiving a $2,330,982 Early Head Start grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Office, and made the following statement:
"Early Head Start helps at-risk children under three years old develop the necessary skills to give them a shot at the American Dream. I'm pleased to announce this continuing grant funding for Porter-Leath which has helped meet the needs of Memphis' children and their families since 1850."
