MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Steve Cohen

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Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, focuses mostly on his Memphis district and on sharp criticism of President Trump, particularly over the Iran war, crypto earnings, and ICE operations. His strongest recurring habit is ceremonial and local celebration—he spends much of his floor time on greetings and tributes, notably around 901 Day and a tribute to Dolly Parton, and does so far more often than most members. On substance he often lays out figures, but tends to state conclusions without supporting reasons: he asserts Donald Trump made a deal with himself on his tax returns and that ICE is ‘killing Americans every day’ with no evidence offered, and answers arguments about Iran spending by making an unrelated condition about Trump paying taxes. He frames his case emotionally (‘it should scare you’) and, as his district lost its seat through redistricting, returns to voting rights and Memphis history as themes.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
B–
70 / 100 over 4 statements
Signal 55 / 100
Relevance Not scored
Reasoning 71 / 100
Respect Not scored yet
Clarity 99 / 100
Averaged over the 4 of 4 statements graded so far.

In their own words

Loses points more than most for

Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it.1.5 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×1.5

Loses points less than most for Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business.Less often than most members.What the tags mean

Statements 4

House of Representatives ·

Honoring Dolly Parton

“I want to honor Dolly Parton. She is a great singer and person who always helped people in need. Tennessee is proud of her.”
  • Speech in the House

    Signal 20 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, this is my first opportunity to serve as the dean of the Tennessee delegation, and it didn’t come too soon. Time is running out. Dolly Parton was a phenomenal Tennessean, probably the best representative we ever had. She never looked down on anybody. She had a big heart. Whenever there was a tragedy or somebody in need, she came forward and wanted it to be anonymous. She was a good human being, and she had a beautiful voice. I had a friend who was involved in the music business in the early seventies in Laurel Canyon when the Eagles and others were getting together. He told me about Dolly being out there, and that is where she got to know Linda Ronstadt and others. He said she had such a beautiful voice, and she did. She will be remembered forever for all she did for humanity. Tennessee is proud to have her and will always love her.

House of Representatives ·

Celebrating 901 Day

“Today is 901 Day, and I am celebrating Memphis, Tennessee. Our city has a long history of fighting for civil rights and fair treatment, from the 1968 sanitation workers strike to today. We must keep fighting against unfair voting maps and immigration raids.”
Official Congressional Record

Today, we celebrate 901 Day--a day to celebrate Memphis, Tennessee, and the people who make the city the great city that it is. Mr. Speaker, 901 is more than an area code. It represents people who have never been afraid to stand up and demand better. In 1968, AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis marched for dignity, fair wages, and the basic right to be treated with respect. Dr. King came to Memphis to stand with those workers and tragically lost his life at that time. This history reminds us that progress has never simply been given to Memphis. We have fought for it. Now with the gerrymandered redistricting effort that took away the votes of Black voters and the large-scale ICE raid that was carried out this past weekend, we must fight harder. Yes, today we celebrate the history, music, culture, and barbecue; but, most importantly, we celebrate the people, the generation of Memphians who refused to accept that things had to stay the way they were. We carry that spirit forward. Happy 901 Day, Memphis.

House of Representatives ·

Bring Your Chips to the Table

“The war with Iran is a failure and a waste of money. I will not vote to spend another $70 billion on it until Donald Trump pays his taxes on the money he made last year.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hegseth said we have spent $37 billion on an unnecessary--he didn’t say an ``unnecessary’’ war, but it is an unnecessary and failed war in Iran--$37 billion and lost 17 soldiers. He says he is going to ask for another $70 billion to fight this unnecessary and failing war. We have resolved the fact that we can stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon when Barack Obama was President and negotiated a treaty. Right now, we don’t know if they have moved the enriched uranium outside of the place where it was buried underneath a mountain or not. It is suspected they might have. It is a failed war. Mr. Speaker, I will be willing to vote for a bill that has $70 billion in it when President Trump pays his share by paying his taxes on the $2.2 billion he earned last year, mostly in crypto, which cost the people that bought crypto a billion dollars. That is what they lost. When Trump pays his share, I will pay my share and vote for it. I won’t vote for it otherwise. President Trump, bring your chips to the table.

House of Representatives ·

Negative Consequences of President Trump's Tax Cuts

“President Trump made a deal so the IRS will not check his or his family's taxes. This lets them avoid paying taxes on billions of dollars they made, which is stealing from the American public. He is out of control and putting our country in trouble.”
  • Speech in the House

    Reasoning 33 of 100

    Of the 3 conclusions drawn, 2 rested on reasons that did not support them.

    See full analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, my friend, Mr. Wilson, made some remarks about how everybody benefited from the big, beautiful bill. What he didn’t tell you is that President Trump made a deal with himself when he sued the IRS for $1 billion for releasing his tax returns, along with thousands and thousands of other Americans. He settled the case with himself and the man he wants to make Attorney General with a clause, an agreement, that the IRS would not prosecute or even look at his tax returns, his family’s tax returns, or any businesses they are involved with. That means that the $2.2 billion they made this year off of crypto and other questionable companies will be tax free. That means he is stealing from you and me, the American public. He doesn’t want to spend money on his failed war in Iran or his failure with ICE, who are killing Americans every day. Our country is in trouble. We have a man who is out of control as our President. It scares me tremendously, and it should scare you, as well.