Veterans' Affairs
The bravery and devotion veterans have shown throughout our history has helped build this great country, and each of us owes them—and their families—a debt of gratitude.
Congressman Cohen strongly believes the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that veterans receive all of the benefits they have earned, and continues to work with the Memphis VA Medical Center (VAMC) to ensure that our veterans are receiving both appropriate and excellent care at the Memphis VA.
In 2022, Congressman Cohen voted to pass the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act — the most significant expansion of veterans’ health care and benefits in decades. The law finally guarantees long-overdue care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange, and other hazardous substances, and it expands VA resources so veterans can receive timely screenings, treatment, and disability benefits. Thousands of Memphis-area veterans are now eligible for new benefits because of the PACT Act, and my office stands ready to help any veteran navigate the process.
Congressman Cohen introduced the Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act, which reauthorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor's Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which provided up to 12 months of training assistance to nearly 76,000 eligible unemployed veterans between July 2012 when it rolled out and March 2014 when it expired.
He also authored the legislation to rename our veterans’ hospital as the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center. Lt. Col. Weathers was one of the first Tuskegee Airmen and one of the bravest heroes in Memphis history. A Booker T. Washington graduate, he fought not only in World War II but also against the segregated institutions that tried to prevent him from serving his country as a combat fighter pilot. He won that fight at home, went on to distinguish himself in the air over Europe, and helped break down barriers nationwide through his excellence and determination. With his name now on our region’s VA hospital, more Memphians will know his story and see what it means to overcome obstacles and serve with honor.
To see a list of bills Congressman Cohen is cosponsoring to help veterans, click here.
More on Veterans' Affairs
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) released the following statement today in recognition of Memorial Day on Monday:
MEMPHIS -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) yesterday joined his colleagues in a resolution recognizing the harmful health disparities faced by minority communities during the coronavirus pandemic and urging immediate action to address the ongoing situation. The resolution will be introduced soon.
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) today voted for and the House passed the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act. The measure calls for the Veterans Administration to establish a five-year pilot program to make grants available to appropriate non-governmental entities for the purpose of assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through a therapeutic medium of training service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today hosted his 11th annual Veterans Day event at the Kroc Center, thanking veterans for their service and listening to their ideas about how better to address veterans' needs. He was joined by the Trezevant High School Junior ROTC Color Guard and guests Captain Alonza J. Ross, commander, Naval Support Activity Mid-South; Terrell Owens, chief of police, VA Medical Center; David K. Dunning, director, Memphis VA Medical Center; and Dr. Michael C. Ellis Sr., Office of Community Engagement and Outreach Division of Community Services.
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen released the following statement commemorating this year's Veterans Day:
"Each November, we pause to pay special tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. This year, we also commemorate the 101st anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act to help reduce veteran unemployment and train our nation's heroes for good-paying, high-demand jobs. Congressman Cohen's legislation would reauthorize the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which helps train unemployed veterans for careers in high-demand occupations, through 2021. VRAP expired in March 2014.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) was pleased to see that his bill, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act, has been signed into law.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today hailed House passage of the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act that he introduced in June with Representatives Ben Cline (R-VA), Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA). The vote was 417 to 1.
The bill ensures that certain members of the National Guard and Reserves can obtain bankruptcy relief without the burden of the "means test" under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance Congressman Steve Cohen's (TN-09) bill to ensure that certain members of the National Guard and Reserves can obtain bankruptcy relief without filing substantial paperwork required by the "means test" under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. With the Committee's vote today, the bill is headed to the House floor.