Archive for January, 2009

For the second year in a row, Congressman Steve Cohen’s record in the House of Representatives has been rated 100% by the American Association of University Women.

You can read the American Association of University Women’s Scorecard by clicking here.

Congressman Steve Cohen has been chosen by his peers on the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law as its chairman. Congressman Cohen replaces Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-39) as Chairman for the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the following subject matters: bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state taxation affecting interstate commerce, interstate compacts, other appropriate matters as referred by the chairman, and relevant oversight.

“I am truly honored to serve as a subcommittee chairman in just my second term,” said Congressman Cohen.  “And I’m even more proud that it’s the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, which will have jurisdiction over key elements of the economic recovery plan.  We have a lot of work to do, and I plan to hit the ground running to ensure mortgage bankruptcy legislation is included in the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.’”

“Chairman [John] Conyers (MI-14), whose support made my election to the chairmanship of this subcommittee possible, has been like a mentor to me during my short time in the Congress.  Getting to know and learn from Chairman Conyers was one of my great joys during my first term, and I can now say that I understand why he was the only person for whom Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ever campaigned. I thank him for his friendship, his leadership and his service to our great nation.  I look forward to working even more closely with Chairman Conyers, House Leadership and President Obama over the next two years to effect the change that the American people have sought.”

Congressman Cohen added, “We have got to make a straightforward change to the law that gives homeowners filing for bankruptcy the opportunity to restructure their loans so that they can save their homes from foreclosure just as they can with other assets.  Specifically, we need to empower bankruptcy judges to modify mortgage terms to help homeowners stay in their homes and put a floor on this mortgage crisis.”

It was also announced today that Congressman Cohen will sit on the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, as well as the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

This is Congressman Cohen’s second election to a leadership position in his sophomore term in the U.S. House of Representatives.  On December 11, 2008, he was elected by his colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to serve as one of twelve Regional Whips.  In that capacity, Congressman Cohen will count votes for Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC-06) represent Region VII, a territory which includes Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.  Congressman Cohen will be responsible for relaying concerns and questions about legislation from his Members to the Majority Whip, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.  Additionally, as a Regional Whip, Congressman Cohen will frequently be asked to participate in floor discussions of bills.