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.

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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.

All members of Congress were rated based upon their votes on such issues as paycheck equity, anti-wage discrimination, expanding healthcare coverage for children, and strengthening federal hate crime laws.

You can read the NAACP Legislative Report Card by clicking here.

“As a Lifetime Member of the NAACP, I have always been supportive of their legislative agenda both in the U.S. House of Representatives and during my tenure in the Tennessee State Senate,” Congressman Cohen said.  “I am grateful for this recognition and I will continue to work with NAACP leaders like Julian Bond and Maxine Smith to effect change that benefits the people of the 9th District.”

The criteria upon which Cohen and the other members of Congress were graded included increasing the minimum wage, making college more affordable, crimes prevention, the Head Start reauthorization, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), reducing recidivism through ex-offender reentry programs, the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, the extension of unemployment benefits, the Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights, and the Paycheck Fairness Act— All of which Cohen voted for.

You can view the report card here.

Television producer Norman Lear founded the group in 1981 as a means of countering the influence of social conservatism, and has grown to included rapid response to events and widespread volunteer mobilization.