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 – 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:
WASHINGTON -- Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Tim Burchett (TN-2) today reintroduced a measure ensuring the public has access to information about the salaries of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) employees making more than $123,041 annually, or the maximum basic pay rate of a General Schedule Grade 15 (GS-15) Federal employee.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Memphis Zoo will receive a grant of $395,000 to transform food waste destined for landfills into sustainable fertilizer for local agriculture. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is part of a nationwide initiative involving 26 cooperative agreements aimed at supporting innovative waste management practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and a former member of the Ethics Committee, today welcomed press reports that the Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on its investigation of alleged misconduct by former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today attended Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s announcement of a final rule that is the biggest expansion of rights for passengers with disabilities in a generation.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today reintroduced a joint resolution to amend the Constitution by abolishing the Electoral College. The archaic vestige of a compromise with pro-slavery Southerners during the 18th century debate over the U.S. Constitution, the Electoral College can – and has, as recently as 2016 – thwarted the will of the American people by installing as president the loser of the popular vote.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement: