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Dear Friend,
This week Donald Trump and his budget director both suggested furloughed federal workers might not get back pay when their offices re-open, and I reminded them that Trump himself signed legislation explicitly guaranteeing back pay during lapses in appropriations in 2019. As the Memphis Safety Task Force surge continues to target Hispanic and Black residents of our community, I introduced the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act. I also participated in the ribbon cutting for the final phase of Foote Park at South City, a project I secured more than $30 million for since 2015. I also observed the second anniversary of the deadly Hamas terror attack on Israel and remain hopeful that the Israel-Hamas peace deal will lead to lasting peace, continued to advocate for my Aviation Funding Stability bill in response to increased disruptions at airports, repeated my call for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign or be fired, invited talented students to register for the Congressional App Challenge, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon and a weekly health tip on flu shots. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Demanding Furloughed Federal Workers Receive Back Pay
Calling for an End to Racial Profiling by Militarized Police
Celebrating Final Phase of Foote Park at South City Community Homes
Observing the Second Anniversary of the Hamas Attack on Israel
Gaining Support for Aviation Funding Stability Act
Urging the Firing or Resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Inviting Students to Register for the Congressional App Challenge
The Friday Flashback
A Bill Day Cartoon
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Demanding Furloughed Federal Workers Receive Back Pay
Earlier this week, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and President Trump suggested there is a possibility furloughed federal workers won’t receive back pay when their offices re-open. This is outrageous and would be illegal. I wrote to OMB Director Russell Vought on Thursday demanding that the 2019 Government Employees Fair Treatment Act that Trump himself signed into law be obeyed. The law explicitly guarantees back pay for all federal employees affected by lapses in appropriations. To suggest otherwise is a direct insult to these dedicated public servants. See my release and the letter here.
Calling for an End to Racial Profiling by Militarized Police
Earlier today, I introduced the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act after the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for this discriminatory and dangerous practice. Racial profiling is core to Donald Trump’s militarized policing strategy now under way in Memphis. People should not be suspected of a crime because of the color of their skin or the language they speak. Decades ago, sweeping civil rights legislation made clear that race, ethnicity and religion should not affect the way people are treated under law. The current wholesale retreat from that principle must be reversed immediately. See my release on the measure here.
Celebrating Final Phase of Foote Park at South City Community Homes
In 2015, I helped secure a $30 million grant to redevelop the Foote Homes project into Foote Park at South City. On Thursday, I attended the ribbon cutting for that project’s final phase for which I secured $750,000 during the annual appropriations process. This is a beautiful development, and the Memphis Housing Authority and residents are justifiably proud of what we have accomplished together.
Observing the Second Anniversary of the Hamas Attack on Israel
I welcome Wednesday night’s announcement that Hamas agreed to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan. The plan includes the release of all remaining hostages and an immediate ceasefire. I am hopeful this initial phase will lead to lasting peace and reconciliation in the region. Increased aid must be allowed to reach Palestinian civilians as soon as possible. Tuesday was the second anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on civilians in Israel, and I released a statement for that solemn occasion.
Gaining Support for Aviation Funding Stability Act
On September 18, as the prospect of a government shutdown loomed, I introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, a measure that would allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to keep all of its programs working and all of its employees working by drawing from its Airports and Airways Trust Fund. As we hear reports of air traffic controllers calling in sick and repeated flight delays at airports around the country, including in Tennessee, the measure is gaining traction and has more than 50 cosponsors. I’ll be pushing for its swift passage when the House reconvenes.
Urging the Firing or Resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Also Tuesday, six former U.S. surgeons general dating back to the 1980s wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post saying they were “compelled to speak with one voice to say that the actions of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are endangering the health of the nation.” As a polio survivor and believer in the use of vaccines against curable diseases, I again urge Kennedy to resign or be fired for the chaos and harm he has caused.
Inviting Students to Register for the Congressional App Challenge
Registration for the prestigious Congressional App Challenge is now under way with an October 30 at 11 a.m. Central Time deadline. The computer science coding competition for middle and high school students has grown exponentially since its inception in 2013. Students living in or going to school in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District are eligible and can use any platform or programming language. Winners will be invited to the U.S. Capitol to demonstrate their projects in Spring 2026. See details and register here.
The Friday Flashback
This is me in 1954 in physical therapy at Baptist Hospital on Madison Avenue where I was hospitalized after contracting polio as a child.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “Health Care”
Weekly Health Tip
The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) is encouraging all Shelby County residents to get annual flu vaccinations as the best prevention against the seasonal flu virus. On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, for one day only, the Shelby County Health Department will offer free flu shots at all its public health clinics and two Memphis community centers:
- Orange Mound Community Center:
2590 Park Avenue, 38114
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Whitehaven Community Center:
4318 Graceland Drive, 38116
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Additionally, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, flu shots will be available at no cost from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at all Shelby County Health Department public health clinics, including:
- Immunization Clinic - SCHD Headquarters
814 Jefferson Avenue, 38105
- Cawthon Public Health Clinic
1000 Haynes, 38114
- Hickory Hill Public Health Clinic
6590 Kirby Center Cove, 38118
- Millington Public Health Clinic
8225 Highway 51 North, 38053
- Shelby Crossing Public Health Clinic
1826 Sycamore View Road, 38134
The free vaccination event is part of a large-scale preparedness exercise conducted by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) each year, in which medical staff and teams at county health departments statewide practice their emergency response plans using free flu vaccine provided by TDH.
Quote of the Week
“California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes.” – California Governor Gavin Newsom in a June 10 interview with CNN. Newsom was born on this day in 1967.
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
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