Government Reform
In Congress, I have taken numerous steps to begin to change the way we do business in Washington and to restore accountability and transparency to government. I have voted for and passed legislation that banned gifts from lobbyists, prohibited the use of corporate jets, and required full disclosure of earmarks. Also I have passed legislation banning pensions for Members of Congress convicted of certain crimes; and strengthening the Freedom of Information Act to increase government transparency.
More on Government Reform
WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), the former Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Andre Carson (IN-7), a Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, a measure that would allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to keep all of its programs running and all of its employees working by drawing from its Airports and Airways Trust Fund during any lapse in typical government appropriations. The current temporary budget agreement ends September 30.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today introduced the John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting (FAIR) Act, which would require states to remove politics from the their congressional apportionment and require independent redistricting commissions. The measure is named for former Tennessee Congressmen John Tanner and Jim Cooper who for decades championed an end to partisan gerrymandering.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) released the following statement after learning that the Trump Commerce Department cut funding to the Minority Business Development Center, causing it to shut down after 13 years:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), who as the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee authored and successfully worked to enact into law consumer protections for air travelers, today blasted the Trump Administration’s reported consideration of airline industry proposals to dismantle rules safeguarding passengers such as compensation for passengers for lengthy delays or cancellations caused by air carriers. He also criticized a request to the U.S.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today questioned the premise of a Republican-inspired hearing on “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” calling it “disingenuous.”
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) tonight held a successful town hall meeting where he addressed constituents’ questions about what’s happening to the social safety net under the Trump Administration and vowed to oppose the serious devastation and chaos it is causing. A crowd of more than 300 attended the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church event for the second in-person town hall Congressman Cohen has held this year.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will hold an in-person Town Hall Meeting with constituents on Monday evening, August 11, at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. The news media are welcome to attend.
What: An in-person town hall meeting to discuss the Congressman’s work for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, including energy costs and the GOP’s so-called “One Big Ugly Bill” that makes devastating cuts in SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and other lifeline programs.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) went to the House floor this evening after learning that Republican House leaders have decided that Congress will adjourn early on Wednesday for a five-week August recess, and made the following remarks:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Independent Acting Inspectors Generals Act aimed at insulating both permanent and acting inspectors general – appointed to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in their agencies and departments – from political interference.
President Donald Trump fired inspectors general as one of his first acts in office. Federal inspectors general were created in 1978 to establish independent oversight of federal agencies.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded House passage of the Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act. Congressmen Cohen and Tim Burchett (TN-2) introduced the measure in February, and it passed unanimously out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in April.