Judiciary
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today honored baseball legend and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated on April 15 to commemorate the day Jackie Robinson made his major league baseball debut. Jackie Robinson is best known for becoming the first black major league baseball player in the modern era in 1947. A full video of Congressman Cohen’s speech can be fund here.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued the following statement to commemorate the life and work of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in Memphis, TN 48 years ago today:
[MEMPHIS, TN] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today commended President Obama’s decision to commute the sentences of 61 drug offenders incarcerated in federal prisons, including two Memphians. Under current federal law, many of these prisoners would have already completed their sentences and been released.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today called upon the Senate Majority to hold a fair confirmation hearing and a timely up-or-down vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. Judge Garland serves as the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The recent resignation of U.S. Department of Justice Pardon Attorney Deborah Leff, just over a year after she was appointed, is alarming.
President Obama's appointment of Leff was a wise move that underscored his commitment to just and careful consideration of the thousands of petitions for clemency still pending.
Her departure, however, is an ominous sign that the office, with a staff of only 10 attorneys and nearly 10,000 petitions still awaiting review, will need significantly more resources to complete its work.
The recent resignation of U.S. Department of Justice Pardon Attorney Deborah Leff, just over a year after she was appointed, is alarming.
President Obama's appointment of Leff was a wise move that underscored his commitment to just and careful consideration of the thousands of petitions for clemency still pending.
Her departure, however, is an ominous sign that the office, with a staff of only 10 attorneys and nearly 10,000 petitions still awaiting review, will need significantly more resources to complete its work.