Tennessee
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.
More on Tennessee
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) noted the passing of his friend Roger T. Knox, and made the following statement:
"Roger Knox is largely responsible for today's extraordinary Memphis Zoo (but not the parking) where he served as President and CEO from 1989 to 2003. Before that he ran the Memphis-based Goldsmith's department store chain and was actively involved in civic affairs. He was a friend and will be missed. His was a life well lived."
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Betty McCollum (MN-04) led a letter with 32 other representatives to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking for an explanation of why the agency disregarded the advice of its own scientists by issuing a rule restricting but not banning asbestos, a known carcinogen. See the letter here.
The letter reads in part:
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2019, which would provide a free and accurate credit score with the free annual credit reports that are already available to consumers through the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) voted for, and the House passed, H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, public accommodations and the use of federal funds. The vote was 236 to 173.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for, and the House passed, H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. The vote was 234 to 183.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus, today announced that the National Endowment for the Arts will be making grants to Creative Aging Memphis ($10,000) to support its Senior Arts Series; New Ballet Ensemble ($30,000) to support year-round dance instruction, mentoring and tutoring; and Opera Memphis Inc. ($25,000) to support 30 days of opera and The McCleave Project, which seeks to deepen the company's engagement on issues of equity and diversity in opera, both on stage and in its audience.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide the Millington-Memphis Airport $10 million in supplemental funding to rehabilitate runways.
This funding is part of $779 million in supplemental funding for 127 small and rural airports announced by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, questioned Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Daniel K. Elwell about two fatal crashes of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in October 2018 and in March of this year. See the exchange here.
During his exchange with Administrator Elwell, Congressman Cohen asked: "I believe every country grounded the MAX before we did. Every country. How were we last?"
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, released a statement today in response to growing criticism and calls for consequences of Criminal Court Judge Jim Lammey's racist and anti-Semitic posts on his personal social media accounts. Lammey reportedly disseminated the notion that Jews need to "get the f--- over the Holocaust" and that Muslims are "batsh— crazy."
Congressman Cohen said:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the Helsinki Commission), today expressed his concern about President Trump meeting with dictatorial Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban. Congressman Cohen joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel in a letter to the president last week expressing misgivings about the planned Oval Office visit. See that letter here.