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-9) today re-introduced the Tax Return Preparer Accountability Act to provide the Internal Revenue Service with the explicit authority to regulate tax preparation services by enacting training and integrity requirements.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today suggested that the status of federal buildings, including the Odell Horton Federal Building in Memphis, should be resolved before a bill creating 66 new federal judgeships advances. The General Services Administration prompted by Elon Musk listed more than 400 “non-core” properties for disposal on Tuesday, including the federal courthouse in Memphis.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) has been appalled at a series of President Trump’s dangerous and illegal actions and has created a “Tracker” page on his official web site to keep track of them.
Please consider going to Cohen.House.gov/TrumpAdminTracker to see the full listing and latest updates.
# # #
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today reintroduced the National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act, requiring the collection of pertinent information in these cases. The 1994 Crime Bill requires the Attorney General to collect information on instances of “excessive” force but the term is difficult to define. Congressman Cohen’s bill would be limited collecting records in cases of the use of deadly force.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today spoke at a Highways and Transit Subcommittee hearing reviewing roadway safety and advocated several measures he has long supported.
Congressman Cohen is a strong advocate of the concept of “Complete Streets” for all users of roadways, including bicyclists and pedestrians, and he lamented Memphis’ serious problem with pedestrian fatalities.
WASHINGTON -- Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), David Schweikert (AZ-1), and Tim Burchett (TN-2) today wrote again to President Trump welcoming his Executive Order decision to release the remaining records associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) in 1963 and the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., both of which occurred in 1968.
The Members of Congress wrote:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today joined Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern over reports that he granted Elon Musk access to the federal government’s expansive payments system. Congressman Cohen also cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act introduced today.
The letter reads in part:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, reintroduced the bicameral DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act to create a new role designated as the “National Roadway Safety Advocate” at the Department of Transportation (DOT). The advocate will be responsible for working directly with roadway safety crash victims, survivors, and their families.
WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), David Schweikert (AZ-1), and Tim Burchett (TN-2) today wrote to President Trump urging him to act on a campaign promise to release the remaining records associated with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK) in 1963. Hours later, President Trump took a large step forward in that process, issuing an executive order that directs the government to develop a plan to release the remaining JFK assassination-related records as well as records regarding the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), after reviewing President Donald Trump’s first executive orders released today, focused his immediate attention on new federal government policies on militarizing the southern border with Mexico, ending the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship, and offering pardons and commutations to the January 6 rioters.
Congressman Cohen made the following statements: