Archive for April, 2010

Environment America has issued its annual Scorecard and rated Congressman Steve Cohen’s Congressional Voting Record at 100%.

Environment America is a federation of state-based, citizen-funded environmental advocacy organizations operating in twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C. Their Scorecard is based on key votes such as the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, and the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act.

Congressman Cohen’s 100% voting record was the highest score received by any member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation.

You can read the Environment America scorecard by clicking here.

Americans for Democratic Action have issued their Scorecard rating the top members of the House of Representatives and Senate. Congressman Steve Cohen’s voting record gave him a 100% score.

The scorecard was based on key votes on issues such as the Paycheck Equality Bill, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, and the Health Care Reform Bill.

Founded in 1947, Americans for Democratic Action were the first group to rate members of the United States Congress on their voting records.

Click here to read the ADA Congressional Scorecard.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has presented Congressman Steve Cohen with its Day Award for his work in funding the Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance to low-income families who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

The ABA also recognized him for addressing racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system.

ABA President Carolyn B. Mann called him “a noted fighter for civil rights and justice for all Americans”.

“At a time when struggling Americans urgently need legal help, Congressman Cohen is a champion of the organization behind such assistance — the Legal Services Corporation.  He has also been untiring in his efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities in the federal criminal justice system.  Congressman Cohen’s leadership within the House Committee on the Judiciary is exemplary and we look forward to continuing to work with him on these important issues,” Mann said.

The ABA also lauded Cohen for H.R. 1412, The Justice Integrity Act, a bill that will address the racial disparities of the criminal justice system by establishing advisory committees that will study the disparities and recommend ways to make the justice system fairer for all.

Congressman Steve Cohen was one of four members of the House of Representatives honored with the “Champion of Consumer Rights” Award,

The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys established The Champion of Consumer Rights award in 1993 to honor those individuals who have distinguished themselves through leadership, scholarship, or legal advocacy by giving voice to American families facing financial crisis.

NACBA President Carey Ebert commended this year’s recipients:

“In an atmosphere of unprecedented home foreclosures, unemployment and soaring medical costs, American families desperately needed someone to champion their concerns.  This year’s recipients have answered the call and stepped up to help struggling Americans in economic crisis.  These recipients have shown American families the dignity and respect they deserve in times of trouble.”

Read more at the NACBA website.

Congressman Steve Cohen discusses the Tea Party movement on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews”.