Steve Cohen, U.S. Congressman representing Tennessee’s 9th district, used his social media account in early October 2025 to criticize the Republican Party’s actions regarding a government shutdown and related issues. Cohen, who has served in Congress since 2007 after replacing Harold Ford Jr., posted several statements on X (formerly Twitter) expressing concern over the impact of the shutdown and accusing Republicans of refusing to negotiate.
The following day, he addressed former President Donald Trump’s stance during the shutdown: “Trump is now saying he’ll force civil servants to work through the GOP shutdown without backpay. He’ll steal their paychecks to try and force Democrats to cave on ACA credits. This is not the time to back down. Not while they threaten workers’ pay AND your healthcare—all to help” (posted on October 7).
On October 8, Cohen referenced efforts to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, linking this effort to ongoing partisan disputes: “It’s been over a month since I signed the petition to release the Epstein files—and look what’s happened. The GOP shut down government, ran for the exits & are blocking a new Democrat from being sworn in who could give us the votes. You don’t go to these lengths to hide”.
Cohen has represented Tennessee’s 9th District in Congress since 2007 and previously served in the Tennessee Senate from 1983 to 2003. Born in Memphis in 1949, he continues to reside there. He earned his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and later received a JD from the University of Memphis.
