Judiciary
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Voter ID Accessibility Act to mitigate the harmful and potentially disenfranchising effects of the unfair, burdensome and restrictive Tennessee voter ID law. Late last week, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the law, which requires Tennesseans to present selected photographic identification—including gun permits and hunting licenses but excluding photographic library cards—in order to cast a ballot.
Dear Friend,
This week, our nation turned the page on a sad chapter in its history when President Obama signed a consensus agreement to re-open the federal government and prevent our nation from defaulting on our debts for the first time in history.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Following recent announcements that President Obama’s Administration will respect state marijuana laws and seek smarter sentences when prosecuting low-level drug offenses, U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Sam Farr (CA-20), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Jared Polis (CO-02) urged the President to take another step towards common-sense drug policy by nominating a new “Drug Czar” who will bring reason, science, and facts to the soon-to-be-vacant position.
Dear Friend,
I know we are all shocked, stunned, and saddened by the tragic events that unfolded on Monday morning at the Navy Yard in Washington. I have spent much of this week thinking of the victims and all those affected by the horrors—but I simply cannot imagine the horror they must have experienced and the grief felt by their families. I hope we keep them all in our thoughts and prayers as they begin the recovery process.
Dear Friend,
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), today joined Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-06), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-14), Subcommittee Chairman Spencer Bachus (AL-06) and Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-01) in introducing H.R. 3086, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act. The legislation makes permanent a moratorium on the imposition of new taxes to internet access by state and local governments, which was originally enacted in 1998.
[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.