Judiciary
[MEMPHIS, TN] – After Congressman Cohen urged Attorney General Holder to allow states to determine their own marijuana laws and to respect those determinations, the Department of Justice today announced new guidelines for federal prosecutors that—while not fully protecting businesses and individuals that comply with state and local laws—appear to reduce risk of federal prosecution for those individuals and businesses. The Congressman made the following statement:
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) hosted a telephone town hall this evening to answer his constituents’ questions about the issues facing the Ninth District and the nation. On the telephone town hall, the Congressman discussed a variety of issues including today’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the urgent need to bring justice to those serving outdated deferral sentences, his work bringing jobs to Memphis, the upcoming agenda in Congress, and how sequestration is hurting families across the country.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington which led to the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today called on President Obama to heed the “fierce urgency of now” and take immediate steps to reduce unfair racial disparities in our judicial system, cut prison overcrowding, reduce the deficit, and further the cause of justice.
Dear Friend,
I am writing to you today from Washington, DC. After spending the week in Memphis, I came back to attend many events surrounding the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington taking place in our nation’s capital over the next week, including a breakfast with Dr. C.T. Vivian tomorrow.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced his support of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) new lawsuit challenging the Constitutionality of a recently-passed Texas law that threatens to disenfranchise countless voters. This move by the DOJ carries exceptional weight in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that left important provisions of the Voting Rights Act in limbo and raised questions about whether the civil rights of millions of Americans—including minority groups who have historically been oppressed—would remain protected.
Dear Friend,
I always enjoy the time I am able to spend in Memphis, being with friends, and in my home. The weather has been glorious this week and Elvis and Tiger Football are in the air. We’ve been meeting with lots of groups and individuals as well as our constituents and mentioning our accomplishments and disappointments. Keep on reading to learn more about my week.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a national leader in the effort to reduce prison overcrowding and reform federal mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses that unfairly and unequally affect people of color and minority communities, today applauded United States Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will overhaul its draconian prosecution policies for non-violent drug offenders.