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
Dear Friend,
This week, after years of gridlock, large majorities of both parties in Congress came together to pass a bipartisan bill to fund the government through 2014. The bill includes a number of provisions that will help Memphis and the citizens of the Ninth District, like increased funding for Head Start programs, Section 8 rental assistance renewals, and the TIGER grant program which is currently helping fund the Main2Main project. Keep reading to learn more about the bill and about what else happened this week.
Dear Friend,
Dear Friend,
This week, our nation turned the page on a sad chapter in its history when President Obama signed a consensus agreement to re-open the federal government and prevent our nation from defaulting on our debts for the first time in history.
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) made the following statement as Congress appeared to have reached an agreement to re-open the federal government and prevent the United States from defaulting on its debts. The Congressman also recorded a video statement regarding the agreement, which is available here.
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) spoke on the floor of the United States House of Representatives this morning about how the federal government shutdown started and how we can cooperate to help the middle class, pay our country’s bills, stabilize our economy, and create jobs. Video of the Congressman’s remarks is available here.
Dear Friend,
In his 1996 State of the Union Address, President Bill Clinton drew the attention of the nation to a man sitting in the House gallery watching that night. Richard Dean was a Vietnam veteran who had worked at the Social Security Administration for more than two decades. Mr. Dean was at work in the Federal Building in Oklahoma City when a car-bomb that ultimately killed 169 people exploded just outside. He ran back into the building not once, not twice, but four times and saved the lives of three women.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – A spokesman for Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today made the following statement regarding the status of the Congressman’s salary:
“Congressman Cohen remains focused on reopening the federal government and is steadfastly working to make that happen as quickly as possible, but he will not accept his pay until this shutdown is resolved,” said the spokesman. “The Congressman has asked the official responsible for paying Members of Congress to withhold his salary as long as this shutdown of the federal government continues.”
[WASHINGTON, DC] – After House Republican leaders made good on their threat to shut down the federal government if their reckless, unreasonable, and irresponsible demands were not met, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) spoke out against the Republican’s manufactured, harmful, and unnecessary shutdown of our nation’s government. Video of the Congressman’s remarks is available here.
Dear Friend,