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
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Legislation introduced by Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Congressman Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL) to increase transparency and help ensure adequate protection under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, was approved on a voice vote this morning by the House Judiciary Committee.
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today railed against misguided and outdated federal drug enforcement policies that place marijuana on the same level as much more dangerous drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine.
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.”