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Dear Friend,
This week, I was pleased to see that more than $14.7 million I requested for community projects, including $3.1 million for the restoration of the iconic Clayborn Temple, was signed into law. I also spoke out against an out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, introduced a bill to require the independent review of federal agents’ use of deadly force, met with Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and his colleagues, met with several constituents serving as youth mentors and mentees, sought disaster relief for Shelby County after the recent winter storm, planned to attend a free tax-preparation event, celebrated Black History Month, introduced a trucking accident safety measure, viewed artwork in a landmark federal building now up for sale in D.C., talked about arts education at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, flagged the February 16 deadline to apply for summer internships, and offered a Friday Flashback, a Bill Day cartoon, and a weekly health tip. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Delivering $14.7 Million in Community Projects to Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District
Expressing Concern about ICE Tactics and Accountability
Introducing the Deadly Force Independent Review Act
Meeting with Tennessee District Attorneys on Their Priorities
Meeting with Youth Mentors and Mentees
Seeking Disaster Assistance after Snowstorm
Participating in a Tax Preparation Clinic on Saturday
Celebrating Black History Month
Introducing Stop Underrides 2.0 Act 2.0
Visting the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal
Talking about the Future of Arts Education
Flagging that Summer Internship Deadline is February 16
The Friday Flashback
A Bill Day Cartoon
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Delivering $14.7 Million in Community Projects to Tennessee’s 9th District
Photographer Ernest Withers took this picture of workers and students outside Clayborn Temple in 1968. Source: Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library and Information Center
The Transportation and Housing spending bill signed into law on Tuesday delivers more than $14.7 million in community projects that I secured in the annual appropriations process to benefit Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. Among the projects funded are $3.1 million for the restoration of Clayborn Temple where striking sanitation workers gathered in 1968 which burned down last April, and $1.2 million for renovation to the Mason Temple where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech, known to history as “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” These are investments in the history and culture of Memphis. Read about all of them here. And they're part of the $17.7 million in new targeted community funding I've secured for 2026. I've delivered nearly $69 million in community project funding since 2021. That's what happens when you know how to get results.
Expressing Concern at ICE Tactics and Accountability
On Tuesday, I spoke at a Judiciary Committee markup about the out-of-control immigration enforcement actions around the country, including the killing of two Americans exercising their rights in Minneapolis. I also called out President Trump’s outrageous pardons of frauds and felons that will deprive victims of $1.3 billion in restitution. See my release and remarks at the markup here.
Introducing the Deadly Force Independent Review Act
On Monday, I introduced the Deadly Force Independent Review Act to ensure that incidents in which federal agents engage in deadly force are investigated fully, independently, and impartially so the public can trust the results. See details about the legislation here.
Meeting with Tennessee District Attorneys on Their Priorities
On Wednesday, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and local Tennessee prosecutors visited my Washington office to discuss their priorities. I noted that the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the YWCA of Greater Memphis Domestic Violence Shelter/Safe Space, will receive $1,031,000 that I secured in the annual appropriations process after it was signed into law on January 27. The D.A.s’ federal priorities include public service loan forgiveness and retention incentives for prosecutors and victim-witness support services. It was a productive meeting.
Meeting with Youth Mentors and Mentees
On Wednesday, I also met with a group of mentors and mentees from the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation Grizzlies Prep Charter School, Memphis Grizzlies Scholars Program and Youth Villages to talk about the importance of mentorship programs that help youths discover and achieve their full potential. The mentees I met were intelligent and inspiring. I have no doubt they will do great things for our community and beyond.
Seeking Disaster Assistance after Snowstorm
Last Friday evening, January 30, after the preliminary assessment of damage done in Shelby County by the recent snowstorm, I wrote to Governor Bill Lee and asked him to add the county to his request for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). See that request here.
Participating in a Tax Preparation Services event on Saturday
On Saturday, I’ll join the United Way of the Mid-South’s Free Tax Prep and the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at the Southland Mall. VITA experts will provide free tax-preparation services for individuals making $70,000 a year or less who are eligible for free assistance under the IRS VITA program. IRS-certified volunteers will be ready to file and prepare tax returns and apply the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to qualified returns. The program is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Tax Prep, which is part of the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, is available at more than 20 area locations through April 15. To find the one closest to you, dial 211 or visit the following this website.
Celebrating Black History Month
On Monday, I released a statement recognizing Black History Month and the proud legacy Memphis has in advancing historic progress. See that statement here. I also co-sponsored a bill to establish a National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. This is an important effort that I had also co-sponsored in the 118th Congress, and hope all my colleagues sign-on.
Introducing the Stop Underrides Act 2.0
On Wednesday, I introduced the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 to help prevent deadly crashes in which cars and vulnerable road users such as bikers and pedestrians, slide under truck trailers. My constituents Randy and Laurie Higginbotham lost their son to an underride accident in Memphis in 2014. The bill makes improvements to existing underrides regulations, potentially saving lives. See my release on the legislation here.
Visting the Sistine Chapel of the New Deal
On Wednesday, I toured the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building on the National Mall to see its magnificent 1940s murals and frescoes in what’s deemed “The Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.” The Trump Administration has placed the building up for sale and the future of the iconic artwork celebrating Social Security, the dignity of labor and the Roosevelt administration's efforts to repair the economy is unclear. There is currently no public access to these treasures owned by the American people. I support the preservationists who are working to protect the building and the art.
Talking about the Future of Arts Education
Congressman Cohen with Derek Patterson, director of Contemporary Arts Memphis, today at the Brooks
Earlier today, I spoke at the “Ideas Over Lunch” program at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art about the future of arts education in Memphis and my work securing funding for the Brooks and other arts organizations. I took the occasion to remind the educators and others present about the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students. The winner of the competition for students who live in Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District will have their artwork displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year. (If you aren’t sure which congressional district you live in, use this tool to enter your ZIP code.) Contemporary Arts Memphis is partnering with my office to get Shelby County Schools involved. For more information, call my district office at (901) 544-4131. Since it was established in 1982, more than 650,000 students from around the country have participated in the competition.
Flagging that Summer Internship Deadline is February 16
Students who would like to intern in either my District or Washington office should apply by February 16. Details on the logistics and scope of the internship, and what you can expect, can be found here.
The Friday Flashback
This is me with the renowned trumpeter and Tonight Show Orchestra leader Doc Severinsen at the Germantown Performing Arts Center on February 1, 2014. Severinsen played with Big Band leaders Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and others before landing his gig with the NBC Orchestra in 1949. Besides trumpet playing, he is probably best known for his witty repartee with Tonight Show host Johnny Carson. He is still playing at 98.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “ICE OUT!”
Weekly Health Tip
The recent inclement weather prompts my recommendation to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) safety guidelines during and after winter storms. Those include not using the stove to heat living space, always wearing hats outdoors, dressing in layers, avoiding walking on ice and not shoveling snow for those with heart conditions. See all of its guidance here.
Quote of the Week
“Jeff Bezos wealth in 2024: $194 billion. Jeff Bezos wealth in 2025: $215 billion. Jeff Bezos wealth today: $249.4 billion. Net increase in Bezos wealth since 2024: $55.4 billion. Cost of Bezos’ 417-foot superyacht: $500 million. Amazon investment in ‘Melania’: $75 million. Original Bezos purchase price of the Washington Post in 2013: $250 million. Bezos net worth in 2013: $25.2 billion. Net increase in Bezos wealth since buying the Post: $224.2 billion. Last reported annual losses of Post: $100 million. Number of years Bezos could absorb those losses with what he makes in a single week: 5.” – Peter Baker in The New York Times
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress
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