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] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today made the following statement after House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) released the House Republican FY2015 budget proposal:
DEA Deputy Administrator Harrigan makes outrageous and false statement that “every single parent” opposes marijuana
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) once again highlighted his concerns with the misguided and outdated federal marijuana enforcement priorities as he questioned Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Deputy Administrator Thomas Harrigan at a House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations hearing this week.
Dear Friend,
This week, I launched my “Building a Healthier Memphis” series on wellness in the Ninth District with a panel discussion on the racial disparity in breast cancer outcomes in our city, introduced legislation that could help in the fight for a sane national marijuana policy, and continued to speak out to protect the HOPE Scholarship that so many of our state’s young people rely on. Keep reading to learn more.
Congressman also joins bipartisan letter asking the President to remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of most dangerous drugs
[WASHINGTON, DC] – House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (TN-09) introduced H.R.
Dear Friend,
This week, I spoke out against the Federal Drug Czar’s outdated and racially-charged policies when it comes to marijuana and I also spoke out against Governor Haslam’s plan to raid the HOPE Scholarship surplus fund. In addition, I attended a meeting with President Obama and was selected to be the lead Democrat on the influential House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. Keep reading to learn more.
[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.