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Presiding Over a Hearing on Voter Suppression and Threats to Democracy

January 21, 2022
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News from Congressman Steve Cohen

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January 21, 2022

Dear Friend,

This week, I presided over a Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties hearing on voter suppression and continuing threats to our democracy. I also commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and day of service; reintroduced the Safer Streets Act to address violent crime in places like Memphis; announced a significant grant to support Shelby County's Ryan White HIV Emergency Relief Program; supported the use of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to assure the stability of electricity transmission towers along the Wolf River; announced American Rescue Plan funding for Shelby County's emergency food and shelter program; voted to make sure all our eligible veterans are automatically enrolled in the VA health care system; and offered a health tip about the availability of free COVID-19 test kits. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens.

Presiding over a Hearing on Voter Suppression and Threats to Democracy

Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Reintroducing the Safer Streets Act

Announcing $2.25 Million Ryan White HIV Grant for Shelby County

Supporting Effort to Address Stability of MLGW Transmission Towers

Announcing Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Shelby County

Helping Our Veterans Secure Needed Health Care

Weekly Health Tip

Quote of the Week


Presiding over a Hearing on Voter Suppression and Threats to Democracy

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On Thursday, as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, I presided over a virtual hearing on voter suppression and threats to democracy from my home in Memphis. Behind me on the wall was a Ted Faiers print of the late Illinois Senator and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, a Republican who sponsored the 1965 Voting Rights Act and led the effort to end the filibuster that was preventing its consideration. See my release on the hearing, including my opening statement, here.

Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

On Monday, I commemorated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day National Holiday and Day of Service in Memphis. See my statement regarding the holiday here.

Reintroducing the Safer Streets Act

On Thursday, I reintroduced the Safer Streets Act to authorize grants through the Justice Department to local governments and community-based violence prevention organizations to better address violent crime in communities, like Memphis, confronting high rates of violent crime. See my release on the measure here.

Announcing $2.25 Million Ryan White HIV Grant for Shelby County

Also Thursday, I announced that Shelby County's Ryan White HIV Emergency Relief Program would receive more than $2.25 million to address the needs of patients. See that release here.

Supporting Effort to Address Stability of MLGW Transmission Towers

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The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a bill that only Congressman Jim Cooper and I voted for from the entire Tennessee Congressional delegation, continues to rain its benefits on Memphis and Shelby County. Last Friday, I announced major annual and five-year expenditures for the rehabilitation of the state's 881 deteriorating bridges. On Wednesday, I announced IIJA funding will be used to perform a feasibility study to assure the stability of electrical transmission towers whose foundations are being eroded along the Wolf River. See those releases here and here.

Announcing Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Shelby County

The American Rescue Plan that I voted for last March will provide nearly $500,000 for emergency food and shelter assistance to Shelby County. See my release on that funding here.

Helping Our Veterans Secure Needed Health Care

On Thursday, I was proud to vote for the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to automatically enroll veterans who are eligible for VA health care into the VA health care system. Veterans who do not want to enroll in the VA health care system will be able to easily opt out. The bill is now awaiting action in the Senate.

Weekly Health Tip

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The White House has begun new programs to make free COVID-19 tests and high-quality masks available for every household in the country. To promote broad access, the initial program will allow four free tests to be requested per residential address. As of January 19th, Americans have been able to order their tests online at COVIDTests.gov. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering. Shipping is free. For more information on the free tests, see the White House announcement here. Starting next week, the Biden Administration will also be distributing 400 million N95 masks, which will be available for free at participating health clinics, pharmacies and retailers.

See additional information and resources to address the pandemic on my website here.

Quote of the Week

"Historians will study the period between 2020 and 2025 for decades to come, seeking to explain the next century of American life. They will ask the question: Did we act when we had the chance, or did we squander our last, best hope to protect the freedom to vote and save our democracy? This moment, right now, January 2022, may be the pivotal moment. What we do now will shape the next century." – Written testimony of Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., at a hearing on Voter Suppression and Threats to Democracy on Thursday.

As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
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Steve Cohen
Member of Congress

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Memphis
167 North Main Street,
Suite 369
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-4131
Fax: (901) 544-4329

Washington, D.C.
2104 Rayburn
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3265
Fax: (202) 225-5663

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