Jordan B. Cohen

About Jordan B. Cohen

As an analyst in firearms policy at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), I provide Congress with nonpartisan, data-driven insights on firearms policy and legislation. With over a year of experience at CRS and a Ph.D. in Political Science, my work spans critical issues such as mass shootings, firearms trafficking, and federal regulations on things like background checks, ghost guns, export controls, and firearms exports. In January 2025, I contributed to congressional discussions by offering testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Committee. At CRS, I have also written multiple external and internal reports about firearms policy and advise policymakers on a daily basis.Previously, I managed the U.S. arms sales and arms exports portfolios at the Cato Institute, where I was an analyst in defense and foreign policy studies. While at Cato, I analyzed U.S. arms transfers to critical countries as well as co-developing the Arms Sales Risk Index, which has been cited and used by congresspersons and the State and Commerce Departments. I also conducted research on Department of Defense monetary policy and how it affected U.S. national security. My portfolio examined the risks and benefits of firearm exports (including Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), private sales regulated by the Commerce Control List (CCL), ITAR regulations, and security assistance).During my Ph.D. program, I studied elements of international relations, comparative politics, and public policy creation in the United States. I have graduate training on all aspects of politics, qualitative and history-based case study research, and advanced quantitative skills.My dissertation examines when Congress legislates against the president’s ability to sell weapons as a tool of foreign policy. It proposes Congressional Arms Restraint Theory and argues that members of Congress are most likely to restrict the president’s ability to use arms transfers as a tool of foreign policy when an arms sales scandal makes weapons transfers salient, Congress sees electoral benefits to legislating, and there is divided government. In the dissertation, I used data mining tools and provided a history of U.S. arms exporting policies to research potential answers to my dissertation question.My commitment to advancing informed policy decisions is grounded in rigorous research, a deep understanding of legislative processes, and collaborative solutions. My mission is to empower policymakers with the tools and knowledge needed to address complex firearms and arms control challenges.

Experience

1. Analyst in Firearms Policy

   Congressional Research Service

   Jan 2024 — Present

   I write for and advise Congress with nonpartisan and unbiased information on all firearms policy issues as well as on federal and state prosecutors. The firearms portfolio includes - but is not limited to - advising on issues such as: mass shootings, firearms trafficking and regulations, types of firearms, ghost guns, stabilizing braces, Federal Firearms Licensees, straw purchases, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, school shootings, firearms export regulations, firearms and U.S. military veterans, and less-than-lethal weapons.I am aware of all members of Congress and their legislative interests surround firearms. This provides me with knowledge of legislative affairs and the legislative process.In January 2025, I testified in front of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. This testimony centered around veterans who receive disability benefits through a fiduciary and their inability to pass a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check. This testimony helped the committee write legislation that, if passed, would remove this barrier.I also cover issues such as innocent convictions, plea bargaining, innocence conviction units, DNA policy, and junk science I also work closely with CRS’s legislative attorneys on all issues. This has provided me with legal knowledge and the ability to work with teams of lawyers as well as other analysts.

Education

• George Mason University

  Master’s Degree, Middle East and Islamic Studies

  2014 — 2016

• High Point University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, History

• George Mason University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Political Science and Government

• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Certificate, Economics

  2014 — 2014