Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today questioned experts in election security and voter suppression about America's efforts to combat election interference and ensure our voting systems are safe, accurate and fair. Congressman Cohen believes U.S. elections should be decided by U.S. citizens without meddling by foreign governments and interests.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at a hearing on "Oversight on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)." Congressman Cohen expressed concern about seeking surveillance warrants based on activity protected under the First Amendment. Congressman Cohen asked representatives from the FBI and Department of Justice to audit their use of the law in surveilling racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.

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.

Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that Memphis and Shelby County will receive grants totaling $799,048 from the Department of Homeland Security to make transportation infrastructure improvements to meet their maritime security and facility security plans. Memphis will receive $283,953 and Shelby County will receive $515,095.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) will join Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and a delegation of 22 additional House Members to investigate the impact of Trump Administration immigration policies in and around El Paso, Texas. Congressman Cohen will also participate in a press conference at 5 p.m. Mountain Time (6 p.m. Central Time; 7 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, which will be live-streamed by the Democratic Caucus.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today hailed House passage of the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act that he introduced in June with Representatives Ben Cline (R-VA), Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA). The vote was 417 to 1.

The bill ensures that certain members of the National Guard and Reserves can obtain bankruptcy relief without the burden of the "means test" under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, today questioned witnesses at a hearing on "Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System."

During the question-and-answer session, Congressman Cohen asked Jesselyn McCurdy, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office, about private prisons and their impact.