Government Reform
In Congress, Congressman Cohen has taken numerous steps to begin to change the way we do business in Washington and to restore accountability and transparency to government.
He has voted for and passed legislation that banned gifts from lobbyists, prohibited the use of corporate jets, and required full disclosure of earmarks. He has supported legislation banning pensions for Members of Congress convicted of certain crimes, and to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act by increasing government transparency.
Congressman Cohen has also taken the lead on important structural reforms, like non-partisan redistricting with the John Tanner and Jim Cooper Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act, and the rigorous, nonpartisan agency oversight with the Independent Acting Inspectors General Act.
More on Government Reform
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee who has long sought the removal of Trump lackey Pam Bondi as Attorney General, today welcomed the decision to remove her from running the U.S. Justice Department. Congressman Cohen released the following statement in response to the announcement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) tonight released a statement after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington ruled that construction of a White House ballroom must cease until President Trump receives Congressional approval after demolishing the East Wing. The statement reads:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a Co-Chairman of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, today wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrator Terrance C. Cole seeking clarity on two drug policy implementation issues: rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act and implementing the scientific provisions of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) in Fentanyl Act.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a cosponsor of legislation that would fund critical agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard and other DHS components, vowed to sign a discharge petition to force a vote on the measure. At the same time, Congressman Cohen continued to insist that any funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) be contingent on significant policy reforms guaranteeing civil rights and transparency.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, welcomed the Trump administration’s decision to fire Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a day after she appeared before the Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing. In yesterday’s hearing, Congressman Cohen challenged Secretary Noem on her claim that she was deporting “the worst of the worst.” In remarks at this morning’s markup, Congressman Cohen followed up on his line of questioning, explaining why local law enforcement agencies decline to cooperate with an “out of
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today spoke out against out-of-control immigration enforcement and misplaced priorities at a Committee markup. He also condemned “open and notorious unprosecuted corruption” and outrageous pardons of convicted felons.
In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today recognized Tuesday’s annual Holocaust Remembrance Day by calling Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis for standing up for a just cause, just like the “righteousness among the nations” who saved Jews from the Holocaust.
He noted that the painter Marc Chagall credited the “righteous” non-Jews for saving his life after he fled to Marseille during the Second World War. The Nazi assaults, like current ICE outrages, are being conducted by agents of government.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today voted against the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security that contains funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today questioned former Special Counsel Jack Smith about his investigation and indictments of Donald Trump for conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election and illegal retention of classified documents.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today signed a discharge petition to bring the Restore Trust in Government Act to the House floor for a vote. The petition requires 218 signatures. The Restore Trust in Government Act would end the practice of Members of Congress, the President and the Vice President trading stocks.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement: