Women's Issues
Congressman Cohen has been a staunch supporter and advocate for protecting women’s rights, including reproductive freedom and pay equity. Having served as both Chairman and Ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, Congressman Cohen has played a leading role for women’s rights.
The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and wiped away the constitutional protections for abortion, allowing states to criminalize healthcare. It is antithetical to women’s empowerment, depriving women of their right to make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Congressman Cohen continues to fight this decision in Congress and by supporting relevant court cases. He supports legislation to ensure access to care, protect patient privacy, and respect the relationship between doctor and patient.
More on Women's Issues
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who as a Tennessee State Senator sponsored legislation to create and served on the Women's Suffrage Commission for the 75th anniversary and championed the public art inside the state Capitol in recognition of Tennessee's historic role in ratifying the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and women's right to vote on this date in 1920, today commemorated the 100th anniversary of the occasion and made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, today joined Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and several other colleagues in introducing the Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act.
Congressman Cohen has long been a leader in addressing the issue of high infant and maternal mortality, especially in Memphis, and has worked tirelessly to find solutions to these devastating problems that disproportionately affect Black Americans.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a 24-year member of the Tennessee State Senate, today condemned the Tennessee General Assembly for making passage of a draconian abortion bill the bargaining chip needed to pass a state budget. The measure was passed in the early hours of Friday morning.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
MEMPHIS -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) yesterday joined his colleagues in a resolution recognizing the harmful health disparities faced by minority communities during the coronavirus pandemic and urging immediate action to address the ongoing situation. The resolution will be introduced soon.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today spoke on the House floor in favor of a resolution to remove a deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and then voted for the measure. The vote on passage was 232 to 183.
In his floor speech, Congressman Cohen said:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today voted to advance a measure that would eliminate the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment. The Judiciary Committee approved H.J. Res. 79 by a vote of 21 to 11. Earlier this year, Congressman Cohen chaired the first public hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment in 36 years.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) questioned witnesses today at an Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services hearing titled "Long Overdue: Exploring the Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act (H.R. 2694)." In his questioning, Congressman Cohen asked about accommodating pregnant women by employers offering them leave and also raised questions about the conditions for pregnant women at the XPO Logistics warehouse in Memphis.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and urged its members to hold a hearing on his bill, H.R. 117, the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now (NEWBORN) Act. See his remarks here.
In his testimony, Congressman Cohen told the subcommittee:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, today questioned witnesses at a hearing on "Women and Girls in the Criminal Justice System."
During the question-and-answer session, Congressman Cohen asked Jesselyn McCurdy, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office, about private prisons and their impact.
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 "Threats to Reproductive Rights in America."
In his opening statement, Congressman Cohen said: