Why Federal Representation for Memphis Matters to Families Across Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee has called the Tennessee legislature into a special session to consider redrawing congressional districts in a way that could eliminate the state’s only Democratic congressional district: the district currently represented in Congress by Steve Cohen.
For many of us, this is not simply a partisan issue. It is a question about whether Memphis continues to have meaningful federal representation in decisions that shape healthcare, disability services, addiction treatment, transportation, education, housing, economic investment, and public health infrastructure across Tennessee.
Congressional representation is not symbolic.
Federal representatives influence:
Medicaid and TennCare funding structures
behavioral health and overdose response grants
disability rights protections and IDEA funding
housing and homelessness programs
transportation and infrastructure investment
maternal and child health initiatives
public health preparedness
workforce development
agricultural and freight policy
research and hospital funding
For families navigating disability, mental illness, addiction, complex medical needs, housing instability, or fragmented systems of care, federal policy is not abstract. It determines what services exist, who qualifies, what gets funded, and whether support arrives in time to matter.
Memphis carries an enormous share of Tennessee’s healthcare and economic infrastructure. Memphis hospitals treat patients from across the state. Memphis drives freight movement, river commerce, agricultural distribution, and transportation systems that support communities far beyond Shelby County. Federal investments tied to these systems affect all Tennesseans.
Weakening Memphis’ voice in Congress has consequences far beyond Memphis.
This is especially important because Memphis is also Tennessee’s largest majority-Black city. Any effort to fracture or dilute its congressional representation deserves serious public scrutiny.
At Fierce Mamas, we believe care infrastructure is public infrastructure. The systems families rely on do not stop at county lines, and neither do the consequences when representation is weakened.
We also recognize that not every legislator supporting this effort is necessarily beyond persuasion. Some lawmakers have built their public identities around healthcare access, disability advocacy, behavioral health, child welfare, economic development, or institutional stability. Those values matter here.
If you choose to contact legislators, we encourage:
grounded, respectful communication
personal stories
concrete examples of how federal programs or Memphis-based systems have impacted your family
emphasis on shared statewide consequences rather than partisan talking points
A short, human message often carries farther than a perfectly crafted political argument.
Below are several legislators observers believe may still be persuadable, along with issue areas they have publicly prioritized. The first four appear to be on the fence about this, so they are our priority if you only have a few minutes.
Legislators to Contact
Sen. Tom Hatcher (R)
Focus areas: education, workforce development, regional economic stability
Possible message: Memphis is a federal economic and healthcare anchor for all of West Tennessee. Weakening its voice in Congress weakens the region’s ability to advocate for infrastructure, workforce, and healthcare investment.
📞 (615) 741-0981
📧sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Paul Bailey (R)
Focus areas: rural healthcare, pharmacy access, hospital infrastructure
Possible message: Federal healthcare funding and policy decisions directly affect Memphis hospitals and medical systems that serve patients from across rural Tennessee.
📞 (615) 741-3978
📧sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Ed Jackson (R)
Focus areas: agriculture, infrastructure, regional stability
Possible message: Memphis representation in Congress affects freight policy, river commerce, transportation funding, and agricultural distribution networks that support all of West Tennessee.
📞 (615) 741-1810
📧sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Shane Reeves (R)
Focus areas: behavioral health, addiction treatment, healthcare workforce
Possible message: Federal funding shapes Tennessee’s response to the overdose crisis, behavioral health workforce shortages, and addiction treatment systems centered in Memphis.
📞 (615) 741-1066
📧sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Ferrell Haile (R)
Focus areas: healthcare systems, institutional stability
📞 (615) 741-1999
📧 sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Becky Massey (R)
Focus areas: disability, aging, healthcare access
📞 (615) 741-1648
📧 sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Richard Briggs (R)
Focus areas: healthcare, governance, institutional integrity
📞 (615) 741-1766
📧 sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Page Walley (R)
Focus areas: child welfare, family systems
📞 (615) 741-2368
📧 sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Ken Yager (R)
Focus areas: governance, legislative process
📞 (615) 741-1449
📧 sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Ryan Williams (R)
Focus areas: economic development, business climate
📞 (615) 741-2886
📧 rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Patsy Hazlewood (R)
Focus areas: business and economic infrastructure
📞 (615) 741-2956
📧 rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov