Judiciary
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today commemorated the 100th anniversary of the formal certification of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Last week, on August 18, Congressman Cohen celebrated Tennessee's General Assembly vote in 1920 to become the 36th state to ratify the amendment, which gave it the required approval of three-fourths of the states. Today's commemoration recognizes the U.S.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and State Senator Raumesh Akbari (District 29) today condemned a bill signed into law last week that makes it a felony to protest on the grounds of the state Capitol. The measure also imposes mandatory minimum jail sentences for assaulting a first responder or participating in a riot. It also enhances penalties for vandalism of government property.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who as a Tennessee State Senator sponsored legislation to create and served on the Women's Suffrage Commission for the 75th anniversary and championed the public art inside the state Capitol in recognition of Tennessee's historic role in ratifying the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and women's right to vote on this date in 1920, today commemorated the 100th anniversary of the occasion and made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today introduced the Civil Rights Enhancement and Law Enforcement Accountability Improvement Act. The measure would explicitly provide that an employer of a law enforcement officer is vicariously liable for officers' acts or omissions committed within the scope of their employment that deprive people of their constitutional rights. Municipalities would be liable to the same extent as private employers under state law.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, today questioned Attorney General William P. Barr at a Committee oversight hearing. It was Barr's first appearance before the Committee since his appointment more than 17 months ago.
Congressman Cohen, noting that he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, asked Barr to make Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband available to the committee. Barr gave him a noncommittal response.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today introduced the Citizen Participation Act, which would make it easier to dismiss frivolous lawsuits brought to intimidate individuals because of their speech.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today condemned President Trump's commutation of Roger Stone's sentence on seven felony convictions. Stone was convicted of making false statements to Congress, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. He was scheduled to surrender Tuesday to begin a 40-month sentence.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today introduced a Congressional Resolution seeking an inquiry into whether the House of Representatives should impeach Attorney General William P. Barr. The resolution has 35 co-sponsors.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee that voted to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to a floor vote last week, today applauded passage of the landmark measure. The vote was 236 to 181.
Congressman Cohen participated in the debate on the bill this afternoon. In his floor debate remarks, Congressman Cohen said:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee that voted to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to a floor vote last week, today said he intends to vote for the measure. Congressman Cohen participated in the debate on the bill this afternoon. The vote is expected this evening.
In his floor debate remarks, Congressman Cohen said: