Do Nothing Congressman?

There is a sharp division between a Congressman’s District and Washington offices. Washington is where policy is formulated and the politics of governing take place. The District Office is primarily focused on constituent casework: providing assistance liasoning with government agencies and making nominations for service academies. It is clear, therefore, that my understanding of the work done by the Congressman is necessarily limited to these constituent issues and lacks the nuance of high politics that takes place in Washington. Considering the Congressman’s record of sponsored legislation, however, I am puzzled as to why it seems he has marginal tangible influence on national policy issues. While he is certainly a tireless worker for the constituents of Memphis, Congressman Cohen seems to lack the ambition to establish himself as a national figure within the Democratic Party.

            Upon a cursory examination, Congressman Cohen is in an advantageous position to become an influential member of the Democratic leadership structure of the House of Representatives. He is one of the most senior southern representatives within the Democratic Party, hailing from a district that is considered an extremely safe seat. Having easily won reelection twice, he also has the ability to serve as a strong ally to the President who, despite his national ratings, is incredibly popular in the TN-09. Ultimately, the political flexibility that Congressman Cohen derives by representing an extremely liberal district gives him the ability to serve as the administration’s man in the House; attacking the excesses of the Republican opposition and championing the President’s legislative agenda. Despite this flexibility, the Congressman rarely uses it to his, or the Dem’s, benefit.

            Although the Congressman has the position from which to adopt the role of Democratic elder statesman, through rebukes of the Republican agenda and unwavering support of the President, he contents himself with introducing extremely liberal bills which have little to no hope of passing the House. This, combined with a penchant for making radical and ill-timed remarks, have virtually assured the Congressman of a limited role in formulating national Democratic policy. In one respect, however, this marginalization is a good outcome: the people of Memphis benefit from the Congressman’s attention to their personal concerns and the influence he wields in the Mid-South region provides great assistance and relief to constituents who have no other options for a redress of their grievances.