Press Releases

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today released the following statement on the death of Officer Verdell Smith, an 18-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department:

“I was saddened to learn of the death of Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith,” said Congressman Cohen. “Law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. My heart goes out to Officer Smith’s family.”

“Today we pay tribute to the memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives defending our nation and reflect on their selfless courage, commitment to our country, and sacrifice they and their families made to keep us safe. Whether attending a parade or spending time with family and friends outdoors, I appreciate your joining me in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Co-chairs of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, released the following statement in response to the release from prison of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan:

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Liberties, today was named a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee on a legislative package to address the opioid addiction epidemic.

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) today introduced the bipartisan DUI Reporting Act of 2016. This bill would close a reporting loophole that inadvertently enables repeat DUI offenders to be tried more leniently as first time offenders.

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today received a perfect 100% score on the Defenders of Wildlife Conservation Report Card for the 1st Session of the 114th Congress. Congressman Cohen was the only member of the Tennessee Congressional delegation to receive a perfect score.

[MEMPHIS, TN] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice and leading Congressional advocate for more justice through Presidential commutations, today commended President Obama’s decision to commute the sentences of 58 non-violent drug offenders incarcerated in federal prisons, including one Memphian. Under current federal law, many of these prisoners would have already completed their sentences and been released.

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the Shelby County Board of Education has been awarded an $11,329,118 grant from the Department of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) to support Head Start projects.