Steve Cohen

Electoral integrity

Criminal justice

Fiscal policy

Healthcare

Education

Economy and labor

Environment and energy

Immigration

National security and foreign policy

Civil rights and liberties

Social policy

Technology and data

Civil liberties and government power

Government accountability and transparency

Infrastructure and public investment

Cohen commemorated the 36th anniversary of Black January by describing the January 20, 1990 killings in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Soviet troops killed 147 individuals and injured approximately 800 others, and urged his colleagues to recognize the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani people in their steps towards independence.

Cohen stated that the Kennedy Center should not be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center and called for President Trump to renounce any involvement in renaming the center.

Cohen delivered a one-minute speech on the House floor stating that President Trump's national security strategy is disastrous, citing its harsh criticism of allies rather than Russia, elevation of strongman leadership over democratic values, focus on spheres of influence, and absence of the word "corruption" throughout the document.

Cohen addressed the House for 1 minute regarding the dismantling of the United States Institute of Peace by President Trump and the renaming of the building to the Donald J. Trump Peace Institute.

Cohen requested unanimous consent for Matt Van Epps of Tennessee to take the oath of office as a Member of the House.

Cohen spoke on the House floor about the Epstein documents release bill signed by President Trump, stating that classified documents would not be released and that $500,000 allocated to each Senator should instead go to Epstein victims.

Cohen stated that he had a community meeting in Memphis where constituents expressed concerns about ICE operations, and he said he would write a letter to Kristi Noem and the Trump administration asking them to take ICE out of Memphis.

Cohen spoke on the House floor for 1 minute about authoritarianism and free speech, stating that when government officials pressure media companies to cancel shows or dictate what should be said on television, it constitutes authoritarianism and suppression of free speech protected by the First Amendment.

Cohen introduced a billionaires tax bill alongside Representative Beyer, Senator Whitehouse, and Senator Wyden.

Cohen announced plans to introduce the Billionaire Income Tax Act on Wednesday and stated he would hold a press conference with House cosponsor Don Beyer and Senate bill sponsor Ron Wyden.

Cohen announced his intention to sign a discharge petition to release the Epstein files and called on all members to sign it to obtain an unredacted copy of the files.

Cohen stated that Congress has earned an "F" grade for taking away health care and SNAP payments, harming the Earth, restricting women's access to Planned Parenthood, and removing clean energy protections, while passing only 27 bills since January 3 and advancing legislation that provides tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires at the expense of critical programs.

Cohen stated that Congress deserves an "F" for its work, citing actions including removing healthcare access, cutting SNAP payments, harming the environment, restricting women's access to Planned Parenthood, and removing clean energy protections, and expressed shame at being part of Congress while pledging to stand up for justice, due process, fairness, and care for ordinary Americans.

Cohen argued that the recent legislation provided more funding to ICE than the FBI, and stated that funding should prioritize the FBI for investigating crimes such as felonies, rapes, murders, and child sexual abuse rather than immigration enforcement.

Cohen delivered remarks to the House memorializing Frederick W. Smith, Jr., the founder of FedEx, describing Smith's life, business accomplishments, and philanthropic contributions to Memphis and Tennessee.

Cohen spoke for one minute in the House about concerns that budget cuts to research and graduate medical education would harm the healthcare system and result in loss of life, citing the Hippocratic principle of "do no harm."

Cohen introduced the Medical Research for Our Troops Act, a bill to restore funding for Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs within the Department of Defense.

Cohen stated that accepting a $400 million airplane from Qatar as the presidential aircraft would be cheap, demeaning, harmful to the country, and constitutes graft and corruption.

Cohen expressed concern about the President's statements on "Meet the Press" regarding the Fifth Amendment and the Constitution, and objected to a proposed $90 million parade featuring military equipment planned for the President's birthday.

Cohen addressed the House for 1 minute to state that Democrats and Republicans should come together to remember plane crash victims, that DEI did not cause the crash, that the House was invaded on January 6 by insurrectionists, that colleagues have not questioned pardons given to January 6 insurrectionists, that the President and Elon Musk are attempting unconstitutional actions that only Congress has the authority to undertake, and that America is under attack.

Cohen rose in the House to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Azerbaijan's "Black January" killings on January 20, 1990, when Soviet troops killed 147 people and injured about 800 in Baku, and urged colleagues to recognize the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani people in their steps towards independence.

Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 — This bill advances government transparency by requiring the Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on threats to agriculture and natural resources.

DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024 — This bill supports national security by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security to develop better technology for detecting dangerous drugs at borders and ports of entry.

Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act — This bill advances Native American sovereignty and self-determination by transferring land to tribal control, supporting the civil right of indigenous peoples to govern their own territories.

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 — This bill supports Holocaust education programs by extending federal authorization and funding for educational initiatives through 2030.

Midnight Rules Relief Act — This bill makes it easier for Congress to overturn multiple regulations at once during presidential transitions, which could reduce executive branch accountability by allowing rapid reversal of rules without individual scrutiny.

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — This bill extends and updates federal programs that protect endangered wildlife species and their habitats through conservation funding and partnerships.

Cohen raised a question of the privileges of the House and offered H. Res. 1609, which directs the Committee on Ethics to preserve documents related to Representative Matthew Gaetz's conduct and publicly release its investigative report.

Cohen gave notice of his intention to raise a question of the House's privileges by proposing a resolution directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and release its records regarding its review of alleged misconduct by Representative Matthew Gaetz.

Cohen filed a bill to require the Ethics Committee to release the ethics report on former Representative Matt Gaetz.

Cohen gave notice of his intention to raise a question of the privileges of the House by offering a resolution directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records of its review of alleged violations of the House Code of Conduct and Federal law by Representative Matthew Gaetz.

Cohen expressed concern that President Trump's request for a 2-week Senate recess appointment period would bypass the Senate's constitutional duty to hold hearings and votes on Cabinet nominees, stating this constitutes a dereliction of the Constitution's checks and balances.

Cohen introduced the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act, which would codify the Olmstead decision and strengthen the rights of Americans with disabilities to receive long-term services and supports in the settings of their choice, and filed a discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor.

Cohen eulogized John David Souther, a singer and songwriter who passed away at age 78, sharing personal anecdotes about their friendship and Souther's musical contributions to artists including the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt.

Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act — This bill streamlines the permitting process for dredging and filling activities in U.S. waters, potentially making it easier to conduct these projects but risking reduced environmental protections.

Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 — This bill strengthens national security by reducing Chinese government influence over U.S. shipping infrastructure and giving federal authorities more power to prevent foreign manipulation of maritime commerce.

Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy. — This bill opposes a carbon tax as economically harmful, taking a stance against a potential revenue-raising or economy-regulating tax policy.

Denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes. — This bill opposes environmental regulations on energy production and federal lands while promoting increased domestic fossil fuel development.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Restoring American Energy Dominance Act — This bill would block new environmental protections and climate provisions for oil and gas leasing on public lands, favoring fossil fuel extraction over energy transition goals.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Protecting American Energy Production Act — This bill would protect fossil fuel extraction through fracking by preventing the President from restricting it without Congress approval and prioritizing state over federal environmental regulation.

Condemning the illegal abduction and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. — This bill strengthens the U.S. position on a major foreign conflict by formally condemning Russian actions against Ukrainian children and supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act — This bill uses sanctions to protect the stability and democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, advancing U.S. foreign policy interests in maintaining peace in a strategically important region.

Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act — This bill would restrict or ban applications controlled by foreign adversaries like China from operating in the United States to protect national security and prevent foreign surveillance of Americans.

Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024 — This bill extends federal funding and authorization for airport infrastructure programs and aviation services, supporting continued public investment in transportation infrastructure.

Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 — This bill authorizes federal spending to keep government operating and funds student aid programs, representing a decision to maintain current spending levels rather than make cuts or increases.

DOE and SBA Research Act — This bill would advance the economy and labor pillar by fostering collaboration between federal agencies to support research and development activities that include small businesses, potentially creating innovation and job opportunities.