Defense
Information concerning my stance on Defense and Military issues.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted to prohibit federal funds from being used for military actions in or against Iran unless Congress has declared war. Congressman Cohen also voted to repeal the outdated and unnecessary 2002 Iraq Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Under the Constitution, Congress has the sole duty to declare war and these votes reassert Congress' authority over this solemn duty.
After the vote, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for one of two comprehensive spending measures funding federal government programs through the end of fiscal year in September 2020. Both measures passed the House, averting another government shutdown. The measure the Congressman supported provides a record high level of spending on the National Institutes of Health, Child Care and Community Development Block Grants, Head Start, Title 1 Education, and Food for Peace.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) was pleased to see that his bill, the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act, has been signed into law.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a Member of the bicameral U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (known as The Helsinki Commission), today made the following statement commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
"NATO remains the most important and critical security link between the United States and Europe. NATO allies and partners in both Central and Eastern Europe have stood alongside the United States in joint peace operations in the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) chaired the first hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties today for a hearing on the National Emergencies Act of 1976 and President Trump's declaration of an emergency on the U.S.-Mexican border. See his opening statement here.
Afterward, Congressman Cohen said:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen released the following statement commemorating this year's Veterans Day:
"Each November, we pause to pay special tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. This year, on Sunday, we also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the brutality of World War I.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of John McCain upon hearing of his death in Arizona, and made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) condemned the disgraceful and embarrassing comments by President Trump after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Trump's remarks accepting the Russian's denial of election meddling is an attack on American democracy.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN), a Member of the bicameral U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (known as The Helsinki Commission), was pleased that the House of Representatives today passed his bipartisan resolution expressing support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance and reaffirming the sovereignty of our partners in Central and Eastern Europe. The text of the resolution, introduced in April 2017, can be found here.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, expressed frustration tonight that his effort to amend another spending bill with language prohibiting federal spending at businesses owned by President Trump, this time by Department of Defense programs, was prevented from consideration by the House Majority.