The Heart of District#9~Tennessee ~ Steve Cohen

News from District#9 Memphis-Shelby County
http://www.cohen.house.gov/

This week I joined Bishop Al Green at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church’s 34th anniversary. I also voted to keep the federal government running, ensure the food we eat is safe, and invest in our children’s science education.

111th Congress Accomplishments:
On Wednesday I spoke on the House floor about the many accomplishments of the 111th Congress. Those accomplishments included the passage of health care reform, the Lilly Ledbetter law, and other historic legislation. Click here to see my remarks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScCVTSic8zw&feature=player_embedded

Full Gospel Tabernacle Church
On Sunday I joined Bishop Al Green at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church’s 34th Anniversary celebration. The event was hosted by Judge Betty Thomas Moore and Robert White. It was a great celebration that marked an amazing achievement. During my presentation I discussed how my relationship with Bishop Green dates back to 1977 when I attended the first anniversary of the church as the Vice President of the 1977 Constitutional Convention. Bishop Green, known to fans over the world as Al Green, is a musical icon and one of Memphis’ ambassadors to the world. There was much “love and happiness” in the church. Bishop Green and the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church have helped many charitable causes in Memphis over the years, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Funding the Government
On Tuesday I voted to support the Continuing Resolution, legislation that would keep the federal government funded until March 4. Had the measure failed to pass the House, the federal government would have shut down. The Senate approved the measure earlier that day.

Food Safety
This week I also voted to support the Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act, the first major overhaul of our food safety system in 70 years. The measure would help protect our children and families from contaminated food.

COMPETES Act
On Tuesday I voted to support the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which makes investments in science, innovation and education to strengthen U.S. scientific and economic leadership. The measure would also help create jobs with innovative technology loan guarantees for small and mid-sized manufacturers. The legislation was sponsored by Congressman Bart Gordon, who retired this year after 25 years of service. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with Congressman Gordon over the years. I especially appreciated his help on the MED.

Government Efficiency
I voted to support the bipartisan Government Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Performance Improvement Act, which offers Congress new tools to reduce wasteful and ineffective spending and cut the deficit by assessing the performance of federal agencies.

Credit Check Lawsuit
The New York Times ran an article this week on how the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the Kaplan Higher Education Corporation citing its discrimination against black job applicants through the way it uses credit histories in its hiring process. I authored the Equal Employment for All Act (H.R. 3149) to prohibit employers from using credit checks as part of the hiring process unless the position sought involves national security, FDIC clearance or tremendous financial responsibility. Click here to read the article, and click hear to learn more about my bill. http://cohen.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1303&Itemid=25

Norm Brewer :

Norm Brewer died of cancer this week. Norm -- who served as a political analyst and commentator on WREG-TV Channel 3 for many years -- was a good friend that I will miss dearly. He once said I belonged in the “Hall of Fame of Persistence” for my work to establish the Tennessee Education Lottery. I was and remain quite appreciative of that comment. Norm was an important part of a collective conscience in Memphis that will be sorely missed. Please keep Norm and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Cancer Treatment Research
On Monday I announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the University of Tennessee Health Science Center $307,100 for cancer treatment research.

Health Insurance Rates
New proposed Affordable Care Act regulations announced this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will bring new transparency and scrutiny to proposed health insurance rate increases. These proposed rules allow HHS to work with states to require insurers to publicly disclose and justify unreasonable rate increases. Under the proposed regulations, states with effective rate review systems would conduct the reviews. If a state lacks the resources or authority to do thorough actuarial reviews, HHS would conduct them. Meanwhile, HHS will continue to make resources available to states to strengthen their rate review processes. Click here to learn more. http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/ratereview.html

Grant Announcements
Each week I release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others. These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated weekly on my website.

Genevieve Cohen
My mother, Genevieve Cohen, passed away on December 9. I was called home to Memphis on December 7 to be by her side and accordingly missed votes for the remainder of that week. I pride myself on good attendance in Congress and hope you will understand why I missed votes that week. I thank the many constituents who relayed their condolences. For those who would like to memorialize her, her favorite charity was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas with your family and friends,

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress, District#9~Tennessee