Chairing Memphis Field Hearing on Voting Rights
Dear Friend,
This week, I announced that I will Chair a Memphis field hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties exploring "Discriminatory Barriers to Voting" next Thursday, September 5, at the University of Memphis School of Law on Front Street. I also wrote an op-ed for Labor Day in The Commercial Appeal; called attention to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Gun Crimes Tip Line; announced more than $3.1 million in Early Head Start grants; advertised my September 16 Small Business Procurement Fair; and offered a health tip about reproductive health. Keep reading to learn more about my week and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see more updates as they happen.
Chairing House Judiciary Subcommittee Memphis Field Hearing on Voting Rights
Writing an Opinion Article for Labor Day
Calling Attention to U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Tip Line
Visiting Smith & Nephew Medical Device Manufacturing Plant
Announcing more than $3.1 Million in Early Head Start Grants
Announcing Small Business Procurement Fair on September 16
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Chairing House Judiciary Subcommittee Memphis Field Hearing on Voting Rights
Next Thursday, September 5, as Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, I will preside at a field hearing in Memphis on "Discriminatory Barriers to Voting" at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. I'm proud to chair the subcommittee, which has held a series of historic hearings this year. It is an honor to convene a hearing in Memphis on this critical issue. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Writing an Opinion Article for Labor Day
Today, The Commercial Appeal published my op-ed for Labor Day on the need to raise the minimum wage and reorient state and federal law to favor working people over big corporations. See my article here.
Calling Attention to U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Tip Line
Earlier this month, I met with officials with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to talk about gun crime in Memphis and their creation of a strike force to address it. I assured the officials that I would call attention to the Bureau's Gun Crimes Tip Line in my newsletter to constituents. Call (888) ATF-TIPS – (888) 283-8477 – if you have a tip for these dedicated law enforcement specialists.
Visiting Smith & Nephew Medical Device Manufacturing Plant
Congressman Cohen with, left to right, Smith & Nephew representatives Ken Bly, Paul Seltman and Mark Gorman
On Tuesday, I toured the impressive medical device manufacturing plant of Smith & Nephew and met with hundreds of employees who make artificial knees and hips. I also discussed with company officials the challenges facing the medical device industry.
Announcing more than $3.1 Million in Early Head Start Grants
On Monday and Wednesday, I announced that Porter-Leath will be receiving millions of dollars in grant funding to operate its Early Head Start programs and prepare Shelby County children for kindergarten. See those releases here and here.
Announcing Small Business Procurement Fair on September 16
On Monday, September 16, at 9 a.m., I will host a Federal Procurement Fair at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis to give Memphis small business owners an opportunity to learn more about the federal government contracting process. Participating agencies include the General Services Administration (GSA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, UT CIS Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and the Minority Business Development Center. If you would like to participate, please contact Jeremy Jordan at Jeremy.Jordan@mail.house.gov or (901) 544-4131.
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Weekly Health Tip
You may have read recently that Planned Parenthood was forced to leave the Title X family planning program after the Trump Administration implemented new, archaic rules to prohibit women's access to the full spectrum of family planning options, including their right to choose. Women's reproductive health has always been my priority, and I believe it is important for women to know all of their options to make the best decisions for themselves. Learn more about family planning options from the Women's Health Center here.
"Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union
I'm sticking to the union 'til the day I die." – Woody Guthrie, "Union Maid," 1940.
I want to wish everyone a happy and restful Labor Day.
As always, I remain
Most Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress