Dear Friend, 

This week, while in the District, I have been paying close attention to the war in Iran and the false, shifting, and confused rationales Trump and his subordinates have given for the attack. As the week ends, we have confirmed reports that American missiles caused the catastrophic loss of life at a girls’ elementary school in Iran. As gasoline prices rise and the war becomes more unpopular by the hour, I am calling for an end to this madness. The first week of the war has been estimated to cost over $10 billion, money that could be used for education, and for feeding and housing those in need in our community. I also met this week with faith leaders to discuss their congregations’ needs and how my office can help, sought answers about Veterans Affairs claims processing and its unfortunate error rate, visited Idlewild Elementary School’s Civics Club, attended Founders Day for the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, discussed the future of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and xAI data centers with Alex Coleman of WREG, attended the inspiring naturalization ceremony where 41 immigrants became new citizens, received a perfect score on retiree issues, welcomed the addition of Shelby County to jurisdictions eligible for federal disaster assistance after the January storms, 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.

Condemning Unconstitutional and Careless Approach to War with Iran

Meeting with Local Faith Leaders

Seeking Answers from Veterans Affairs Secretary on Claims Processing

Visiting Idlewild Elementary Civics Club

Attending Founders Day for Memphis Alumnae of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated

Discussing Shelby County Schools, xAI on WREG’s “Three at Three”

Attending Naturalization Ceremony at which 41 Immigrants became U.S. Citizens

Meeting with Newly Appointed MATA Trustee Roderick Holmes

Scoring Perfect 100 Percent on Retiree Issues

Welcoming Designation of Shelby County for FEMA Disaster Assistance

The Friday Flashback

A Bill Day Cartoon

Weekly Health Tip

Quote of the Week

Condemning Unconstitutional and Careless Approach to War with Iran

Donald Trump and his administration claim to be surprised that an attack on Iran would raise gasoline prices. They also claimed without evidence that Iran was responsible for bombing a girls’ school that evidence now clearly shows was hit by an American Tomahawk missile. We’re not sure why this war was started – in coordination with Israel and without a congressional declaration – but it is clearly unpopular and growing more so. And it’s not distracting people from the need to release Trump-specific references we know are in the Epstein files. I am opposed to this war, which has no exit strategy, and am a cosponsor of a resolution that would direct the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

Meeting with Local Faith Leaders

This morning, I met in my District Office with local faith leaders to hear directly from them about the needs of their congregations and what I can do to help. We had a productive discussion centered on practical solutions, and we ended with a prayer for those we serve.

Seeking Answers from Veterans Affairs Secretary on Claims Processing

On Monday, I wrote to Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins regarding the Department’s claims processing. While the backlog of pending claims has fallen below 100,000, the rate of inaccurate decisions has increased from one in nine to one in five. I requested an explanation for this troubling trend and urged Collins to ensure that speed does not come at the expense of accuracy. Our veterans deserve everything they have earned, and I assure you I will be vigilant in seeing that happens. See my release and the letter here.

Visiting Idlewild Elementary Civics Club

On Thursday, I visited with the Civics Club at Idlewild Elementary School in Midtown to talk about my work in Washington and to answer the thoughtful questions these future leaders had about our nation. I went to Idlewood from kindergarten through the sixth grade, and it is a great school. I am pleased to give back to Idlewood which gave me a good start. I talked about the role of House and Senate in declaring war – and that the president doesn’t have one – my votes for health care, renewable energy, passing the Tennessee state lottery, and bringing in nearly $400 million for the new Interstate 55 bridge. I also talked about contracting polio as a child, my love for President John F. Kennedy, and my daily routine in Congress. I am always inspired by these school visits and impressed with the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm.

Attending Founders Day for Memphis Alumnae of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated at Greater Imani

On Sunday, I attended 113^th Founders Day for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated at Greater Imani Church – Cathedral of Faith on Austin Peay. I congratulated members and thanked them for their work in service to our community. I also presented a proclamation observing the milestone and commending the Deltas' keynote speaker, the Reverend Shavon Arline-Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women.

Discussing Shelby County Schools, xAI on WREG’s “Three at Three”

On Wednesday, I went on Alex Coleman’s live show on WREG – “Three at Three” -- at the station’s riverfront studio. The wide-ranging interview covered the future of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the impact of xAI data centers, the funding for the new Kings’ Crossing I-55 bridge for which I secured funding, and community project funding like the $3.1 million I secured for the iconic Clayborn Temple where striking sanitation workers gathered in 1968. See part of that interview here.

Attending Naturalization Ceremony at which 41 Immigrants became U.S. Citizens

On Thursday, I attended the naturalization ceremony where 41 immigrants to the United States from 17 nations became American citizens. U.S. Chief Magistrate Tu M. Pham conducted the ceremony in the Odell Horton Federal Building. Pham told the new citizens his own story of immigrating from Vietnam as a child. It was an inspiring moment. I told those who were sworn in that I have the title of Congressman, and am proud of it, and that the judge has a title: Judge. But I told them they had the most important title of all: Citizen.

Meeting with Newly Appointed MATA Trustee Roderick Holmes

On Wednesday, I met in my Memphis office with the newly appointed Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) trustee Roderick Holmes. We discussed the system’s needs going forward, some funding programs for the trolley, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements for wheelchair-assisted users of public transit, the possible reconsideration of some routes and the need to replace aging equipment. It was a productive meeting.

Scoring Perfect 100 Percent on Retiree Issues

I was given a perfect 100 percent score from the Alliance for Retired Americans after it assessed my 2025 voting record on issues critical to retirees. I was the only member of the Tennessee delegation with a perfect score. In fact, everyone else from our state received zeroes, including the senators. See my release here.

Welcoming Designation of Shelby County for FEMA Disaster Assistance

On Tuesday, I was pleased to be notified that Shelby County was finally added to the state’s disaster declaration for the January storms and will now receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding. I wrote to Governor Lee twice – on January 30 and February 9 – asking him to add Shelby County to his request. See my release here.

The Friday Flashback

This is me with Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, my mentor, who was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on which I serve. We spent a lot of time together talking about politics, civil rights and music. He was proud to be a Kappa man.

A Bill Day Cartoon - "Gas Prices"

Weekly Health Tip

With warmer weather, many of us are thinking about “Spring cleaning.” Whether you are deep cleaning or decluttering, consider these healthy tips to keep your lungs healthy:

• Choose cleaning products that do not contain or contain very little volatile organic compounds, fragrances, chemicals and flammable ingredients.
• Dust off surfaces with a damp or microfiber cloth.
• Vacuum rugs and furniture.
• Ventilate while you are cleaning by opening windows up to flush out the air in your home.
• Clean or replace the filter in your air conditioner.

See more tips from the American Lung Association here.

Quote of the Week

“You can’t show up four months before the election and gain a lot of credibility, in my humble opinion. You have to spend time ingrained, working with people in this community who want to make a difference. And I’ve never left this community.” – Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, quoted in The New York Times on Sunday. Thompson won his primary with 86 percent of the vote on Tuesday.

As always, I remain

Sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress