Expressing Concern Over Harm to Safety Net Programs
Dear Friend,
As the federal government shutdown stretches into a sixth week, I am increasingly concerned for people, including tens of thousands of my constituents, who are not receiving expected social safety net resources for which they are eligible and upon which they depend. In Memphis this week because Speaker Mike Johnson refused to let the House convene although we were scheduled to be in session, I went to the Memphis Rotary Club meeting to get an update on local crime-fighting initiatives from a senior FBI official, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Le Bonheur medical-legal partnership, met with WE ACT for Environmental Justice members, planned to observe Veterans Day on Tuesday, reminded MLGW customers of the Winter Moratorium Program, offered U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 calendars, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon and a weekly health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Expressing Concern Over Harm to Safety Net Programs
Discussing Crime and Safety at a Rotary Club Meeting
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Le Bonheur Medical-Legal Partnership
Meeting with WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Observing Veterans Day on Tuesday
Reminding MLGW Customers of the Winter Moratorium Program
Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 Calendars
Expressing Concern Over Harm to Safety Net Programs
The Trump Administration’s lethargic response to the hunger crisis it created when it let Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits lapse last Saturday is causing real harm. Its decision to provide funding for just half of the November benefit – and only after a federal court ordered the use of contingency funds – is inexcusable. This, combined with its refusal to negotiate on extending subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums, making them beyond the reach of many currently covered by Obamacare health plans, is shredding our social safety net and is prolonging the federal government shutdown and unpaid furloughs for more than a million federal workers.
Discussing Crime and Safety at a Rotary Club Meeting
John Dudas, Rotary Club of Memphis President Chuck Thomas, Rotary Club of Memphis Incoming President Leah Carr, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Memphis Field Office Jeremy N. Baker, Congressman Cohen, WMC’s Joe Birch, and Stan Bell.
On Tuesday, I attended the Rotary Club of Memphis’ weekly meeting at the Memphis Museums of Science and History, formerly known as the Pink Place. Featured speaker Jeremy N. Baker, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Memphis Field Office, discussed the results of Operation Viper and the Memphis Safe Task Force. During the question-and-answer session, I expressed support for the involvement of federal law enforcement agencies (ATF, DEA, and FBI) but suggested that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) immigration enforcement agents’ and the National Guard’s presence shifts the focus from effective crime reduction strategies to inflating Trump’s ego and his continued abuse of power.
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Le Bonheur Medical-Legal Partnership
Congressman Cohen and University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Dean Jim Strickland
On Wednesday evening, I attended the 10th anniversary celebration of the Memphis Children’s Health Law Directive (Memphis CHILD), the medical-legal partnership of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis Area Legal Services and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). This unique collaboration of lawyers, doctors, medical and law school students, and social workers handles cases critical to the welfare of Le Bonheur families, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and appeals, fair housing, custody issues, special education services and the like. I congratulate the successful partnership and its devoted volunteers and will continue to support them.
Meeting with WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Also Wednesday, I met virtually with representatives of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, a grassroots organization founded in West Harlem in New York City more than 37 years ago, to discuss local pollution problems and solutions. Members came to my Washington office from Memphis and Mississippi focused on the environmental justice issues of marginalized and minority communities, highlighting the health consequences to our citizens. We discussed several issues including the Memphis Army Depot, xAI, and the importance of a strong and fully funded Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Observing Veterans Day on Tuesday
Tuesday is Veterans Day, originally the November 11 Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I, that became a national holiday in 1954 to recognize all who have served in the armed services. I commend all veterans on this special day and thank them for their service. Throughout my career, I have supported making it easier for veterans to access the benefits they were promised and enhancing the benefits to meet their needs. To view the full list of bills that I am cosponsoring to help veterans, click here.
Reminding MLGW Customers of the Winter Moratorium Program
On Monday, the Memphis Light Gas and Water Division (MLGW) announced the resumption of its Winter Moratorium program to ensure that customers receive uninterrupted service during the coldest months of the year, even if they can’t pay their full utility bills. (Customers are still obligated to pay their bills on a deferred basis.) The deadline to register is November 30 and the program runs from December 1 until March 1. See details and download an application here.
Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 Calendars
My office currently has a limited number of 2026 U.S. Capitol Historical Society calendars available. If you would like to receive a calendar, please complete this form. Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th District.
This is me with my parents, Dr. Morris and Genevieve Cohen, at my 1983 swearing in as a state senator.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “Fishing Boat Target”
Earlier today, the Shelby County Health Department hosted its “Pink and Pearl” awareness event (and balloon release) at its Jefferson Avenue headquarters to call attention to the availability of screenings for breast and lung cancers, the leading causes of cancer deaths in Shelby County. See information about today’s event and screenings here.
The department also recently released a detailed 112-page report on the demographics and social determinants of health for the 13 commission districts in Shelby County. See the report
“Mr. Trump has warned of an economic catastrophe if the Court rules that his emergency tariffs are unconstitutional. We realize it’s no small matter for the Court to rule against a President on his signature priority. But the constitutional stakes take precedence here. The real calamity for the country and its constitutional system would be a decision that blesses Mr. Trump’s claim that every President can be the Tariff King.” -- Monday’s Wall Street Journal editorial “The Tariff King and the Supreme Court”
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
|
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress