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), 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:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act, a measure to prohibit federal funds being used at any property owned, managed by, or under the control of former and future President Donald J. Trump.
WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), Danny K. Davis (IL-7) and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) today reintroduced the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act, a measure to provide critical relief to those in severe financial distress because of overwhelming student loan debt.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded House passage of his bill, the TVA Salary Transparency Act, that he introduced with Representative Tim Burchett (TN-2). This bill aims to reinstate and modernize the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) annual reporting requirements to Congress concerning its management structure and the compensation of its top executives and managers.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), former Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today reintroduced a Constitutional Amendment to clarify and limit a President’s pardon power.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today condemned the unwarranted intervention of Judge Aileen M. Cannon, a Trump appointee who dismissed the classified documents case, by enjoining the imminent release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s final report.
The action temporarily bars release of the findings to the public in the days leading up to Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement: