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Bringing Congress to your Corner

September 29, 2017
Enewsletters

Dear Friend,

This week, I hosted my monthly "Congress on your Corner" office hours at the North Branch Library, reacted to the announced retirement of Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) at the end of his current Senate term in 2018, welcomed Congressman Steve Scalise back to Congress, cosponsored legislation to overhaul the credit reporting system and celebrated National Voter Registration Day. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter and Facebook to see more updates as they happen.

Bringing Congress to your Corner
Welcoming Memphis's SisterReach to Washington, DC
Serving with Senator Bob Corker
Welcoming Steve Scalise Back to Congress
Cosponsoring Legislation to Overhaul the Credit Reporting System
Memphis Flyer 2017 Best of Memphis
Celebrating National Voter Registration Day
Important Information on the Equifax Data Breach
The Congressional App Challenge
Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter
Quote of the Week
Weekly Health Tip

Bringing Congress to your Corner

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Today, my office held our monthly "Congress on your Corner" office hours at the North Branch Library. My staff and I answered constituents' questions about and provided assistance with Social Security, Medicare, FHA, the VA and other federal agencies. We also discussed issues such as health care, tax reform. Our next "Congress on your Corner" will be Friday, October 27 from 11am-1pm at the Gaisman Community Center (4221 Macon Road). Visit my website for more information on future "Congress on your Corner" events.


Welcoming Memphis's SisterReach to Washington, DC

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On Thursday, I welcomed Memphis-based SisterReach to Washington, DC. During our meeting, we discussed reproductive justice, the continuation of the health care fight after the failure of the most recent effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the proposed budget and tax cut's negative impact on low income women of color. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Orisha Bowers, Lauren Williams-Batiste, London Lamar, Cherisse Scott, Elizabeth Dorse-Merriwether, Jakiera Stewart, Jovanii Woodley, and Patricia Jones.


Serving with Senator Bob Corker

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I was disappointed to learn that Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) will not be seeking re-election in 2018. Senator Corker has been easy to work with, and we have developed an excellent relationship since beginning our careers in Congress in 2006. Bob is highly respected for his knowledge of the issues, especially foreign policy. He has exhibited moments of independence reminiscent of past great Tennessee Senators. I have enjoyed Bob Corker's friendship and our collegiality since serving together in Tennessee State government, and I will miss serving with him in Congress.


Welcoming Steve Scalise Back to Congress

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Congressman Steve Scalise, who was shot during a Congressional baseball practice in June, returned to Congress this week. Shootings and violence in all forms is abhorrent and violence is not the means to change political discourse in this country. I welcome Congressman Scalise back to Congress and wish him a complete recovery as he continues his rehabilitation.


Cosponsoring Legislation to Overhaul the Credit Reporting System

On Monday, I cosponsored the Comprehensive Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act to overhaul our nation's credit reporting system to better protect consumers. If enacted, this legislation would expand access to free consumer credit reports, credit scores, and ID theft protection tools. It would also reduce the time that most adverse credit information stays on credit reports from 7 years to 4, and revise the dispute process to ensure that credit bureaus and furnishers have the burden to prove the accuracy of credit information is on the credit bureaus and credit furnishers, not consumers.


Memphis Flyer 2017 Best of Memphis

On Thursday, I was proud to be featured in the Memphis Flyer's 2017 Best of Memphis list. The Flyer named me as the "Best Reason to be Proud of Memphis Politics." Read more here.


Celebrating National Voter Registration Day

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Wednesday was National Voter Registration Day, which celebrates one of our most fundamental rights as an American citizen: the right to vote. You can check your registration status or register to vote online in Tennessee here.


Important Information on the Equifax Data Breach

On September 7, the consumer credit reporting agency Equifax disclosed a data breach from earlier this year that compromised the personal information of 143 million Americans. All 9th District residents should be aware of precautionary measures that can help ensure their financial security.

If you believe your data may have been compromised, there are steps you can take. These include: regularly monitoring your accounts, creating additional alerts for your credit report, and placing a security freeze on your credit report, which prevents others from opening up accounts in your name without your knowledge. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP) published a helpful guide, which you can find here, on how to secure your identity following the Equifax data breach.

If you have any questions or are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (901) 544-4131 or visit my website at /contact/email.


The Congressional App Challenge

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The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging U.S. K-12 students to learn how to code by creating their own applications, or "apps." The Congressional App Challenge is open to all students in the Ninth Congressional District of Tennessee. Students entering the competition must submit their app on CongressionalAppChallenge.us by 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Daylight Time on November 1, 2017. Click here for more information.


Sign Up for My New Grants E-Newsletter

Each year billions of dollars are distributed in federal grant and loan money to institutions and organizations throughout the country. The 9th District's universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and local governments are well-qualified to compete for these funds. If you are interested in receiving up-to-date federal grant information, including a list of the most recent grant awards and opportunities, please click here to sign up for my Grants E-Newsletter. I also encourage you to explore the resources on my website to help you and your organization search and apply for grants.


Quote of the Week

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Weekly Health Tip

Each week, I share a health tip in the hopes of promoting a healthy lifestyle for residents of the Ninth Congressional District. As always, it is best to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine or lifestyle.

Tonight at sundown begins the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement," and during the holiday, observers ask for forgiveness for their sins. In Jewish Tradition, observers fast from sundown to sundown. If you are observing the holiday, you can learn some tips to help with the fast here.

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

Issues:9th DistrictFinancial Services and BankingHealth CareJudiciaryMemphisMillingtonShelby CountyTennessee