Judiciary

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Legislation introduced by Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congressman Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL) to increase transparency and help ensure adequate protection under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, was approved on a voice vote this morning by the House Judiciary Committee.

Congressman also gains seat on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee

[WASHINGTON, DC] – After serving on the House Judiciary Committee since joining Congress in 2007, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today was appointed Ranking Member of the Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee.

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today railed against misguided and outdated federal drug enforcement policies that place marijuana on the same level as much more dangerous drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine.

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today expressed hope that President Obama’s newly-announced changes to domestic surveillance programs would result in meaningful reforms that help restore the public’s trust in its government, but he also reiterated that Congress must act as well to fully protect the rights and privacy of American citizens from the National Security Agency (NSA).

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) this week introduced two bills, the Justice Integrity Act and the Byrne/JAG Program Accountability Act, to help address, reduce, and prevent racial disparities in the United States’ criminal justice system. The Congressman’s bills, which he also introduced in previous Congresses, are aimed at identifying racial and ethnic disparities, examining their causes, and developing plans for reducing or eliminating those unjustified disparities wherever they are found.

Congressman recommended Lipman after convening diverse, bipartisan screening committee

[WASHINGTON, DC] –Sheryl Lipman, who Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) recommended to President Obama to fill a vacancy on the District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, was today approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is tasked with reviewing nominations to the federal bench. Ms. Lipman currently serves as Chief of Staff to University of Memphis Interim President R. Brad Martin and formerly served as University Counsel.

[MEMPHIS, TN] – After President Obama commuted the sentences of 8 Americans serving unfair crack cocaine sentences and pardoned 13 others, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) positively acknowledged the use of executive clemency but noted that thousands more like these Americans remain incarcerated, serving sentences that would not be ordered today and that have been repudiated by Congress and by the United States.