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 – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, today expressed strong support for the Article of Impeachment that will go to a vote in the House on Wednesday, and made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, today introduced a joint resolution to amend the Constitution by abolishing the Electoral College. In the past 20 years, the archaic institution has twice awarded the presidency to a candidate who did not win the popular vote, defeating the will of the American people.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, will introduce on Monday a joint resolution to amend the Constitution by abolishing the Electoral College. In the past 20 years, the archaic institution has twice awarded the presidency to a candidate who did not win the popular vote, defeating the will of the American people.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) was in the House Chamber earlier today when intruders breached U.S. Capitol security and illegally occupied parts of the Capitol Complex. He is safe and plans to vote later this evening to certify the votes of the Electoral College. He made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Chairman of House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, today introduced a Constitutional Amendment to reform the Presidential pardon power to address ongoing abuses and prevent its future use to advance conflicts of interest. The Congressman introduced the measure on the first day of the new, 117th Congress to call attention to its importance.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today joined his colleagues in a bipartisan vote overriding the President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. The measure contains vital provisions for our service members, addresses Vietnam-era veterans dealing with exposure to Agent Orange, and begins the process for removing the names of Confederate officials in the Civil War from our military installations, among its important provisions.
The vote, which required a two-thirds majority, was 322 to 87.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today congratulated former Tennessee General Assembly Speaker Beth Harwell and Eastern Tennessee State University President Brian Nolan on their Senate confirmations as the newest members of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today sent a letter to coronavirus relief negotiators expressing his support for an extension of the December 30, 2020 spending deadline for financial assistance to states, tribes and local governments.
The letter reads in part:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to House and Senate negotiators considering a possible coronavirus relief bill, urging them to include language that would keep President Trump's name from appearing on a second round of Economic Impact Payment (EIP) stimulus checks. A similar prohibition was included in the Heroes Act that passed in May.
The letter reads in part:
MEMPHIS -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today was pleased to see the Water Resources Development Act pass the House, a measure which includes his language transferring the operation and maintenance of the Memphis flood control system to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.