State of the Union

Dear Friend, 

This week President Obama delivered his State of the Union speech and discussed what the country needs to do to create more jobs and grow economically. And I introduced legislation to prohibit employers from using credit checks and bankruptcy filings as part of the hiring process.

President Obama’s State of the Union Address
Equal Employment for All Act
Telephone Town Hall
Democratic Issues Conference
President Abraham Lincoln
Sequestration
Help Filing Taxes
EnergySmart Memphis
Congressional Calendars
Grant Announcements

President Obama’s State of the Union Address

On Tuesday President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. The President spoke directly to Americans about what we need to do as a nation to create jobs and continue to grow our economy. The President realizes that continuing to turn our country around economically requires hard work and persistence and that Democrats and Republicans must work together to build upon the progress we’ve made to strengthen the Middle Class.
 
If we want to help our country move forward, it is vital that Republicans join Democrats in our efforts to invest in transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, health care, tax reform and education.  We can effectively strengthen our economy and country for future generations through strategic planning and investment.  There is nothing America cannot accomplish when we put our minds to it and work together. Click here to see President Obama’s remarks.

Equal Employment for All Act
This week I introduced legislation that would prohibit employers from using credit checks and bankruptcy filings as part of the hiring process.  Using a job applicant’s credit history to deny employment is not fair because personal credit history is not an accurate predictor of job performance.  It’s important to note how the Commercial Appeal recently reported that no metro area in America has a consumer credit score lower than Greater Memphis’ 638 average according to the TransUnion rating agency.  We should be doing everything in our power to help people find jobs during these tough economic times – not hinder them. My bill would 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 learn more.

Telephone Town Hall
I hosted a Telephone Town Hall today on my recent staff changes, how best to create jobs and improve the economy, middle class tax cuts, health care, and other important issues. Town halls give us the opportunity to discuss the issues and concerns that matter most to Memphis families. Whether it’s Social Security or the war in Afghanistan, 9th District constituents have opinions and ideas that help us move forward with legislation in Congress.

Democratic Issues Conference

Last Friday, while participating in the Democratic Issues Conference in Landsdowne, Virginia, I got a chance to talk to former President Bill Clinton and Stephen Colbert. While speaking to Democratic members, President Clinton urged Congress to take action on comprehensive immigration reform, the economy and job creation, stem cell research and gun safety – all issues that I support.

Stephen Colbert spoke about how Republicans are undergoing some soul-searching in the wake of the recent Presidential election to increase their chances of gaining seats during the next election.  He also discussed how his sister -- Elizabeth Colbert Busch -- is running for Congress in South Carolina.
 
President Abraham Lincoln
On Tuesday I spoke on the House floor to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. I stressed how important it is for us as a nation to remember what President Lincoln taught us about compromise as me move forward with the legislative process in Congress. President Lincoln brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass the 13th Amendment. He was willing to work with Democrats and Republicans to reach a compromise for the benefit of the  nation. The time has come for Republicans to end their obstructionist ways and put the country first.  Click here to see my remarks.

Sequestration

Yesterday I spoke on the House floor about sequestration and how negatively it will impact our nation’s budget and health care system.  Paul Krugman, Robert Reich and Joseph Stiglitz have uniformly agreed and said that austerity programs have not worked and that more needs to be done to create jobs, grow our economy and strengthen our Middle Class. Click here to see my remarks.

Help Filing Taxes
Tax filing season began on January 30. Here is a link that you can use to find the nearest IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site. Constituents earning less than $57,000 per year can file for free.  There are a lot of tax scams out there, even in Memphis. I encourage you to use this website to find an IRS-approved tax consultant who can help you for free.  You can also file online directly through the IRS here: http://www.irs.gov/Filing.

EnergySmart Memphis
EnergySmart Memphis is a year-long energy education and home improvement initiative designed to help Memphians save money on their energy costs. EnergySmart Memphis is a partnership between MLGW, City and County government agencies, Community Development Corporations and non-profit organizations, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Through EnergySmart Memphis, an estimated 3,000 MLGW customers will receive in-depth energy conservation training; eligible customers will have weatherization improvements made to their home through this initiative; a series of Energy Education Workshops will be conducted city and county-wide at area libraries; and the initiative includes weatherization kits for qualified homeowners to receive minor and major home repairs. Click here to learn more.

Congressional Calendars
There are a limited number of 2013 Congressional Calendars available through my office.  If you’d like to receive one of these free calendars, please click here to fill out a short form.  I have already received a number of requests from some who are not residents of District 9.  Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th District.  Please feel free to share this email with other constituents who may be interested in receiving a calendar.

Grant Announcements
I regularly 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 regularly on my website.

Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress