Judiciary
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congressman Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL) introduced H.R. 2919, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, this week to increase transparency and help ensure adequate protection under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Congress originally intended EAJA as a means to help individuals, retirees, veterans, and small businesses recover attorney’s fees and costs associated with suing or defending against the federal government, but in 1995 removed important reporting requirements.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that President Obama has nominated Sheryl Lipman, Chief of Staff to University of Memphis Interim President R. Brad Martin and former University Counsel, to serve as District Court Judge for the Western District of Tennessee. The Congressman recommended Ms. Lipman after convening a diverse, bipartisan screening committee to conduct interviews of nine potential candidates for the position.
Dear Friend,
First of all, many of you know that this week has been difficult and trying for me personally. I wanted to take a moment at the beginning of my newsletter to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stood with me. I am energized by and appreciative of all the words of support and understanding that I have received from you. Thank you.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – At a House Judiciary Committee hearing today on the oversight of the federal use of surveillance and intelligence-gathering authorities, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) shed light on the extremely partisan tilt of the secretive FISA Court that we entrust to balance our nation’s need for national security with every American’s right to personal privacy.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that his legislation to bring transparency and balance to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or FISA Court, has gained the bipartisan support of eleven Members of Congress. The FISA Court Accountability Act would give the American people, through their elected representatives, a voice in who serves on the court we entrust to balance our nation’s need for national security with every American’s right to personal privacy.
[MEMPHIS, TN] – After calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Saturday to fully consider hate crime or civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for his role in the killing of Trayvon Martin, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today praised the DOJ for announcing it will do just that. George Zimmerman was acquitted of state charges of second-degree murder late Saturday evening, despite not disputing that he killed the unarmed teenager.
[MEMPHIS, TN] - Just hours after George Zimmerman, the undisputed killer of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, was acquitted of state charges of second degree murder, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced his intention to join the Congressional Black Caucus and others in calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to consider federal hate crime or other civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
[MEMPHIS, TN] –Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) announced over $2 million in grants to Memphis have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The City of Memphis Youth Build Program will receive $1.1 million for workforce development programs and the Memphis Leadership Foundation will receive $1 million for programs to help juvenile offenders.
“These grants will strengthen our local economy by providing education and assistance to those who need them most,” said Congressman Cohen.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced a bill that would give Congress greater oversight of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA Court), the Court which is responsible for approving measures like the recently disclosed NSA surveillance programs.