Science and Technology
As a member of Congress, Congressman Cohen has supported federal funding for programs like the National Science Foundation (NSF), which has led to several innovations in engineering and technology. As the Trump administration and his cabinet work to make Americans doubt the value of science and question proven facts, it is more important than ever to support these programs. Congressman Cohen will continue to support legislation that will increase funding for technological and scientific research, especially in the Memphis medical community.
As a long-time supporter of STEM education programs, he knows that engineering and computer science are increasingly important subjects for all children to study. In Congress, he has cosponsored several bills that would improve funding and accessibility to STEM programs across the country, including legislation that created grants for encouraging underrepresented minority or low-income students to pursue STEM careers.
As a member of Congress, he will continue to encourage progress in science and technology for the American people.
More on Science and Technology
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a Co-Chairman of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, today wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrator Terrance C. Cole seeking clarity on two drug policy implementation issues: rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act and implementing the scientific provisions of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) in Fentanyl Act.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Dr. Wei Li of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a grant of $614,894 from the National Cancer Institute. The grant supports Dr. Li’s work targeting brain and bone metastases in metastatic breast cancer for improved patient survival through the development of new drugs more tailored to these types of cancers.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Dr. Jonathan H. Jaggar of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Department of Physiology will receive a grant of $596,176 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for research on chloride channels in endothelial cells. Chloride channels are a type of protein that allows chloride (Cl-) to flow in and out of cells. Endothelial cells are the type of cells which line all blood vessels and form capillaries.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Dr. Shannon L. McKinney-Freeman of the Hematology Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive a grant of $673,150 for research on stem cell dysfunction in sickle cell disease from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. These types of stem cells – found in every person – give rise to all other types of blood cells. Part of the project’s goals are to develop new treatments for sickle cell disease.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive a $573,500 Outstanding Investigator Award grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for a project entitled “Understanding Phase Separation in Biology and Disease.” The grant is being awarded to Dr. Richard W. Kriwacki, a member of the St. Jude faculty in the Department of Structural Biology.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a longtime member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, has once again received a perfect 100 percent on the Humane World Action Fund and Humane World for Animals Scorecard, previously known as the scorecard of the Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Humane Society of the United States. He has consistently received the highest score on humane treatment of animals issues dating to his time in the Tennessee State Senate.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive two grants totaling $1,389,167 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for research on engineering high-fidelity regulator T-cells and defining their sustainability. The work is under the direction of Dr. Yongqiang Feng of the Department of Immunology.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today announced that Regional One Health will receive a grant of $499,996 from the U.S. Department of Justice for its Rx for Change comprehensive support services program for crime victims of gun violence and other violent behaviors.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today voted for major spending bills for the Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments.
All of the appropriations bills considered today passed the House.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program has awarded two grants totaling $6,891,760 to the Memphis Fire Department and the MidSouth Development District.


