Steve Cohen is a prominent Democratic congressman representing Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007 and is currently the only Democratic congressman from Tennessee. Throughout his career, Cohen has consistently advocated for progressive causes, civil rights, and social justice. His work in establishing the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program and efforts to reform marijuana laws have been particularly notable. As a member of the Progressive Caucus, Cohen has maintained a liberal voting record and has been described as “the conscience of the freshman class” by former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. His commitment to public service and his constituents in Memphis has been evident throughout his long political career, from his early days as a Shelby County Commissioner to his current role as a U.S. Representative.
Career Path to Congress
- Born on May 24, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Contracted polio at age five, which shifted his focus from sports to politics.
- Graduated from the University of Memphis School of Law.
- Served as a legal advisor for the Memphis Police Department from 1975 to 1978.
- Elected vice president of the Tennessee Constitutional Convention (exact year needed).
- Served as Shelby County Commissioner from 1978 to 1980.
- Elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 1982, serving for 24 years.
- Ran unsuccessfully for governor of Tennessee (exact year needed).
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (exact year needed).
Sponsored Legislation
- Introduced legislation to examine racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
- Proposed a bill to prohibit the use of credit checks in pre-employment screening.
- Sponsored the National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Extension Act (exact year needed).
- Introduced a bill to prohibit wildlife killing contests on public lands.
- Championed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.
Stances on Social Issues
- Voted against the Tennessee Marriage Protection Amendment (exact year needed).
- Supports the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana.
- Advocates for civil rights and civil liberties as the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
- Sponsored legislation to increase funding for reducing the rape kit backlog.
- Supports animal welfare and has received awards from the Humane Society.
Stances on Economic Issues
- Voted for raising the federal minimum wage.
- Supported breaking ties between lawmakers and lobbyists.
- Advocated for ending tax subsidies to oil companies.
- Worked to secure funding for public transportation projects, including a $12 million grant for a Bus Rapid Transit corridor in Memphis.
- Championed the creation of the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program, which has provided over $2.7 billion for college students.