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-09) today wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for the second time, asking for clarification of his plan to forgive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans despite clear evidence that some were obtained by fraud. In today's letter, Congressman Cohen also asked Mnuchin to review coronavirus-related loans to businesses associated with President Trump in light of recent revelations that several businesses with ties to the president received millions of dollars in loans.
His letter reads in part:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today presided over a hearing on Oversight of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.
In his opening statement, Chairman Cohen spoke of the division's failure to defend and, on some occasions, active efforts to erode Americans' voting rights. He said in part:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today led a letter with his Congressional colleagues asking Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles P. Rettig to extend the deadline and expand outreach efforts for an estimated 9 million people eligible for economic impact payments but whose incomes do not require that they file annual federal tax returns. The current deadline is October 15.
The letter reads in part:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking that he reconsider blanket loan forgiveness for recipients of assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program after both the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service identified egregious instances of fraud. Congressman Cohen reminded Mnuchin of his public testimony on the issue of loan forgiveness and asked, in light of the fraud concerns, whether he has reversed his position.
The letter reads in part:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, this evening wrote to Attorney General William Barr asking that Memphis federal law enforcement officials be included in the Justice Department's body-worn camera pilot program. The request comes days after U.S. Marshals shot a Memphis teenager in an incident in which cameras were not in use.
Congressman Cohen's letter reads in part:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and State Senator Raumesh Akbari (District 29) today condemned a bill signed into law last week that makes it a felony to protest on the grounds of the state Capitol. The measure also imposes mandatory minimum jail sentences for assaulting a first responder or participating in a riot. It also enhances penalties for vandalism of government property.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today returned to Washington and voted for the Delivering for America Act to restore normal operations and confidence in the U.S. Postal Service. This is in response to the Trump Administration efforts to dismantle postal infrastructure and to delay deliveries of vital shipments during a pandemic and before large scale mail-in voting for the November Presidential election is set to occur. The vote on passage was 257 to 150.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today wrote to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland about an outdated funding formula that shortchanges Memphis in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) program. Congressman Cohen told Strickland that he plans to introduce legislation to both remedy the formula and increase overall funding for the program after seeking the mayor's input.
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today wrote to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing his concern about the removal of sorting machines from Memphis postal processing facilities and the delays in delivery times that have resulted in reduced service. He urged DeJoy to reverse his decisions and "ensure people can receive their mail in a timely manner."
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today expressed deep concerns about Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's reported conflicts of interests in running the USPS.
Yesterday, Congressman Cohen joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and 191 other House Democrats in calling for the reversal of policies that have worsened the crisis facing the Postal Service and exacerbated a dramatic increase in delayed and undelivered mail.