Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for, and the House passed, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, closing the loophole that permitted the shooter in the 2015 Emanuel A.M.E. Church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina, to buy a gun when the three-day deadline for completing a background check passed, despite the fact he would not have been approved for the sale if the check had been completed. The vote was 228 to 198.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that the National Science Foundation has awarded a $252,934 grant to the University of Memphis for a multidisciplinary program for undergraduates in the Physics and Material Sciences program. The grant underwrites a summer program in which students will be immersed in research-intensive activities.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) voted for, and the House passed, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the first significant gun violence protection bill in years. The vote was 240 to 190. The measure requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer with some reasonable and explicit exceptions, such as allowing temporary transfers to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, and by law enforcement and the military.

WASHINGTON – Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Peter King (NY-02), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act, a measure to ensure the safe and humane treatment of horses on roads and highways by ending the exploitation of a regulatory loophole designed to ban transport of horses in double-deck trailers.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today met in his office with XPO Logistics officials and their consultants to begin review of personnel policies and the company's decision to close its Memphis warehouse, laying off more than 400 employees.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be receiving a Cancer Support Center grant of $6,533,713 from the National Cancer Institute, and made the following statement:

"St. Jude is the premier hospital specializing in the fight against childhood cancers. This substantial grant will allow St. Jude to continue to lead as an outstanding institution and employer in Memphis, and I am pleased this grant will permit it to continue its important work."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) will speak at the funeral for Judge Russell B. Sugarmon Jr. at noon today at Metropolitan Baptist Church, remembering the life of his friend and mentor.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"Russell Sugarmon was one of the last great Civil Rights leaders in Memphis, working with the late Judge Ben Hooks, Maxine and Vasco Smith and Jesse Turner Jr. to transform the city and make society more fair and just. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Gina, his children and his many friends."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) wrote a follow-up letter to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Friday, asking him again to remove the bust of Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest from the State Capitol. A copy can be found here.