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.
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Coronavirus Update
In an effort to keep TN-09 constituents up to date on the coronavirus situation, I will share updates with important information. I hope you'll take some time to look at this information. As always, if you need to reach my office please call 901-544-4131 for the Memphis office and 202-225-3265 for the D.C. office. Updates will be posted on my website: www.Cohen.House.Gov.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology, today questioned Dr. Walter G. Copan, Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), about the origins of inaccuracies in some facial recognition algorithms. Last December, NIST found significant differences between the accuracy of algorithms and their ability to properly identify people of color.
Congressman Cohen asked:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for, and the House passed, an $8.3 billion emergency spending measure to address the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The vote was 415 to 2.
The Senate is expected to take up the measure on Thursday and the President is expected to sign it into law.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will receive a $410,606 grant from the National Cancer Institute for research on tumor immunotherapy.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a $1,137,678 grant from the National Eye Institute to conduct research on glaucoma.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that is five times more prevalent in African Americans. This research grant will help develop therapies to treat the disease and keep ophthalmologists at work to find an eventual cure."
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 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
St. Jude will receive $163,068 from the Department's Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Payment Program. UTHSC will receive $512,419 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for research on neonatal urinary tract obstructions.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today received the Tennessee Alzheimer's Leader Award for his leadership in supporting Tennessee families facing the disease. The award was presented by members of the Tennessee chapter of the Alzheimer's Association in his Memphis district office.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, today announced that the University of Memphis' Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) will receive a $675,000 grant from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The funding supports CERI's cooperative agreement with USGS in operating the Advanced National Seismic System.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today questioned expert witnesses at a hearing on "An Update on the Climate Crisis: From Science to Solution" before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Congressman Cohen asked about the health consequences of extreme heat and air pollution, the impact of climate change in terms of the extinction of rare species and the impact of plastic pollution in the world's oceans.
Toward the end of his questioning, Congressman Cohen, an advocate of banning single-use plastic bottles and eating utensils, said: