Expressing Concern at the Possible Dissolution of the Voting Rights Act
Dear Friend,
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, a case challenging the Voting Rights Act regarding majority-minority districts, which includes Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, potentially greenlighting new district lines to dilute the impact of minority voters. I also attended the annual National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards, planned to attend what is expected to be a massive “No Kings” demonstration at Poplar and Highland on Saturday, continued to help constituents and federal employees navigate the ongoing government shutdown, condemned violent and racist partisan rhetoric, sought answers about why the United States is bailing out the Argentine economy, announced the beginning of open enrollment for Medicare, invited talented coders to register for the Congressional App Challenge, 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 at Possible Dissolution of the Voting Rights Act
Celebrating the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards
Attending Saturday’s “No Kings” Protest in Memphis
Helping Constituents and Federal Employees Navigate the Ongoing Government Shutdown
Condemning Violent and Racist Partisan Rhetoric
Demanding Answers about Argentine Bailout
Announcing Medicare Open Enrollment Has Begun
Inviting Students to Register for the Congressional App Challenge
Offering U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2026 Calendars
Expressing Concern at Possible Dissolution of the Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed poised to allow state legislatures to disregard the racial impact of their voting maps, ending the 60-year legacy of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. With Republican supermajorities in our state legislature, the Trump-induced gerrymandering we’ve seen in Texas, Missouri and elsewhere may come to Tennessee. This could prevent Memphis, like Nashville before it, from electing a strong voice of its choosing in Congress. The decision could extend well beyond Congress, allowing voting practices that have a discriminatory effect, all for partisan political gain. A one-party-led autocracy is an existential threat to our freedoms. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is the law that guarantees every American’s vote counts, regardless of race, color, or creed. That hasn’t stopped some state legislatures from gerrymandering, but it has helped hold them at bay. If Section 2 is struck down, state legislatures will redraw the maps to silence millions of Black voters across the South and lock in one-party rule for generations. Representation is power, and that’s what will be stripped from us. I will never stop fighting for your right to be heard, and for our votes in Memphis to matter. In the 117th Congress, as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, I held 13 hearings on the Voting Rights Act. In 2019, I also presided at a Memphis field hearing on oversight of the Voting Rights Act.
Celebrating the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Awards
On Thursday evening, I attended the National Civil Rights Museum’s 34th annual Freedom Awards ceremony at the Orpheum, a splendid affair with a visual tribute to the late Fred Smith, a 2022 award winner, showcasing all he has done for Memphis and charities. There was also a video about 1965 covering the Selma march, the assassination of Malcolm X and the fight for voting rights. Among the award winners was my friend Velma Lois Jones, a great educator and civic leader, who spoke about the need for people to vote and about her years as the first woman to head the NAACP in Memphis, the first woman to head the Tennessee Education Association, and her role as a regional leader of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated sorority. Also honored Thursday night was former New Orleans mayor and Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, who spoke of the need to continue fighting for civil rights, particularly in light of the current administration. The third honoree was Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, who spoke of its commitment to spend $200 billion over the next 20 years on worldwide health programs, twice as much as it has spent in the past 25 years. Suzman knew Nelson Mandela as a reporter and said he was honored to be receiving the same award Mandela received in 2000. It was quite an inspiring evening.
Attending Saturday’s “No Kings” Protest in Memphis
I’ll be attending Saturday’s “No Kings” Protest at Poplar and Highland and hope to see you there. Millions turned out peacefully in June for the first of these protests of the authoritarian and corrupt Trump administration and predictions are that Saturday’s more than 2,500 protests scheduled across the country will be the largest day of protest in American history. I asked to speak but wasn’t given the opportunity, but I want to be there listening to my constituents. Be a part of it. Stand up for democracy.
Helping Constituents Navigate the Ongoing Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown entered its third week, my office continues to help constituents navigate the closures through casework for constituents and guidance for furloughed federal workers. The pace of casework responses has slowed because help from federal agencies is, in many cases, unavailable. I continue to stand with Democratic leadership in Washington and insist that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies be restored so premiums for millions won’t soar, but Republicans appear unwilling to negotiate. Unfortunately, it looks like this may last a while. If you are in need of assistance with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA or other federal agencies, please click here to fill out a Privacy Release Form.
Condemning Violent and Racist Partisan Rhetoric
Trump falsely says he is dismantling “Democrat” programs, which Americans know don’t exist, and I condemned his harsh rhetoric in a statement Wednesday. I was also appalled at the reports of Young Republicans expressing support for Hitler and using racist and antisemitic rhetoric in months of group chats made public Wednesday. Trump has eroded norms of civil discourse. It must be called out.
Demanding Answers about Argentine Bailout
On Wednesday, I wrote to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding answers after reports that the United States is bailing out Argentina and its Trump-supporting President Javier Milei. I requested an immediate explanation of why the United States is purchasing an undisclosed number of pesos and providing a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina’s central bank, exchanging stable U.S. dollars with volatile pesos. If, as expected, the Argentine economy collapses, U.S. taxpayers’ money will go down the drain. See my release and the letter here. Since sending my letter, it has been reported that Trump is now seeking an additional $20 billion bailout for Argentina – amounts that would be more than enough to cover a one-year extension of the ACA tax credits.
Announcing Medicare Open Enrollment Has Begun
Open enrollment for Medicare began on Wednesday and ends December 7. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, it is important to check your plan for next year even if you are happy with it, as some of the details may have changed. Log in to an existing account or register for one at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. See eligibility information and plan details here.
Inviting Students to Register for the Congressional App Challenge
Registration for the prestigious Congressional App Challenge is now under way with an October 30 at 11 a.m. Central Time deadline. The computer science coding competition for middle and high school students has grown exponentially since its inception in 2013. Students living in or going to school in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District are eligible and can use any platform or programming language. Winners will be invited to the U.S. Capitol to demonstrate their projects in Spring 2026. See details and register 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 the late Georgia Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis outside the Lorraine Motel, now the National Civil Rights Museum.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “Hostages Freed”
As we enter the cold and flu season, try to enhance your immune system by eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising. See some useful guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here. Also, both the Shelby County and Tipton County Health Departments are holding free flu shot clinics on Tuesday, October 21. See details for Shelby County here and Tipton County here.
“The struggle for the right to vote has been a long, hard, tedious struggle to redeem the soul of America. And the struggle is not over.” — Congressman John Lewis in remarks at the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act in 2015
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
|
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress