America’s Most Boring Congressman Isn’t Rep. Steve Cohen

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To say that Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) has had an interesting week would be an understatement.

That’s because for the Democrat from Tennessee, most of his time in Congress has been “interesting.”

His latest brush with the ridiculous came during a House Judiciary hearing on Tuesday when he asked a conservative sheriff and Fox favorite whether he agreed that marijuana was not in fact the “scourge of the black community.” Cohen, visibly taken aback by the sheriff’s disagreement, called him out for not giving the “obvious answer.”

That’s just the latest. Below are some of his greatest hits and gaffes since becoming a member of Congress in 2007.

‘3/5 As Much’ Love For America

In February, Cohen criticized former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) who said he didn’t think President Obama “loves America.” Cohen, who represents a majority-black district, jabbed Giuliani in a tweet that referenced slavery.

“Rudy Giuliani questioned how much, or even if, President Obama loves America.Maybe he thinks he loves it 3/5 as much as Giuliani & his pals,” the tweet read.

White House Should Be Protected By A ‘Moat’

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing in November 2014, Cohen suggested the White House adopt a tried and true (read: ancient) approach to security after the Secret Service came under scrutiny.

“Would a — moat, water six feet around, be kind of attractive and effective,” Cohen said. Although he’d made the proposal hesitantly, it was well received by the acting director of the Secret Service, Joseph Clancy, who said, “Sir, it may be.”

Two NFL Players Sexually Assault ‘Their Wives’

In February 2014, Cohen was asked in an interview with TMZ to comment on the allegations of sexual assault that were made being against a Tennessee Titans player, Sammie Hill.

Cohen said he didn’t keep up with football but was a fan of the Manning brothers, Eli and Peyton, who both play in the NFL. He then added: “Eli and Peyton don’t do sexual assaults against people other than their wives.”

A spokesperson was later forced to clarify that Cohen didn’t mean to say the Mannings sexually assaulted their wives.

Valentine’s Wish For A ‘Beautiful Girl’

Cohen made news in February 2013 when he deleted tweets he’d sent to a mysterious 24-year-old blonde woman during the State of the Union address.

Cohen tweeted “pleased u r watching .ilu” and “nice to know you were watchin SOTU(state of the union).Happy Valentines beautiful girl. ilu.” (“ilu” is short for “I love you” or “I like you.”). The tweets aroused suspicion about the woman, Victoria Brink, who had tweeted Cohen: “just saw you on tv!”

The unmarried Cohen eventually explained that the woman was not a paramour but was actually — his daughter.

Cohen said he had googled her mother and found out she had a child who, based on the dates, was his daughter. Cohen spent time with her and took her on a tour of the White House and Capitol.

Cohen Learns More About The ‘Beautiful Girl’

Cohen soon received even more shocking news than having a grown daughter — namely, that he didn’t.

In July 2013, after performing a DNA test, Cohen found out Brink was, in fact, not his daughter.

Cohen released a statement that he was “stunned and dismayed” that the test had “disproved what Victoria and I believed about our relationship.” Cohen also said he still loved Brink and hoped to remain in her life.

GOPers Lie Like ‘Joseph Goebbels’

Cohen said, in January 2011, that the lies being spread by Republicans about health care were similar to the lies spread by Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Cohen refused to back down from his comments and said, “I mean what I said, that lies are wrong.” Cohen added that if you “repeat a lie over and over again it doesn’t make it the truth and that’s what Goebbels did.” He defended his comments by saying he didn’t think the Republicans were actually Nazis but they were propagating lies which is “uncivil” and “wrong.” Cohen also said he regretted that people were offended by the “portrayal of my comments” and added that he didn’t intend to “diminish the horror of the Nazi Holocaust.”

This post has been updated.

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