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 – Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led a letter to President Biden today urging his administration to begin accepting applications for commutations from all detainees released to home confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, today questioned expert witnesses at a commission hearing entitled "Confronting Kremlin and Communist Corruption."

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, along with Ranking Member Joe Wilson of South Carolina, today introduced a Congressional Resolution to end recognition of Vladimir Putin as president of Russia after May 7, 2024, if the autocrat remains in power.

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Kelly Armstrong (N.D., at large) today applauded the Judiciary Committee vote advancing their bill, the Prohibiting Punishment for Acquitted Conduct Act, to the full House. The measure would end the unjust practice of judges increasing sentences based on conduct for which a defendant has been acquitted by a jury.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today questioned expert witnesses at a hearing entitled "Silenced: How Forced Arbitration Keeps Victims of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in the Shadows." Victims of sexual harassment testified about being denied an opportunity to tell their stories in public after sometimes unwittingly signing forced arbitration agreements with employers.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, today voted for the rule for consideration of the Build Back Better Act, historic legislation investing in the nation's social safety net.

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, tonight voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Congressman Cohen has repeatedly pointed to the positive impacts this bill will have on Memphis and nationwide from economic growth, increased labor participation, and enhanced U.S. competitiveness.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, spoke from the House floor today, applauding a variety of popular elements in the Build Back Better plan nearing a vote in the House including the extension of the Biden Child Tax Credit, the expansion of access to affordable home care for older adults, the authorization of universal, comprehensive paid leave for U.S. workers, and the largest effort to combat climate change in U.S.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, spoke from the House floor and expressed hope that both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – which has passed the Senate – and the Build Back Better Act, which is still being negotiated, will pass with bipartisan support.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today spoke in favor of and voted to advance to the full House of Representatives, the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act. The measure would, in part, prevent companies from avoiding the financial consequences of their actions by transferring liabilities to other legal entities and then filing for bankruptcy to avoid losses.