February 2010 Archives

Temporary Extension Act will extend key programs through April 5; Johnson urges colleagues to act:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, Congressman Johnson voted for the Temporary Extension Act, a bill to extend federal unemployment benefits and job-creation investment in highway construction.  The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation will extend unemployment benefits, COBRA health insurance for the unemployed, federal investment in highway construction, small business loan guarantees, and several other federal programs..

Congressman Johnson urged his colleagues to support the legislation, which will support job creation and provide relief for those who still cannot find work.  “We must remain dedicated to job creation and support for the suffering,” said Johnson.  “Our constituents are counting on us.”

As of Friday, Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky's filibuster was blocking passage of this emergency measure, despite serious consequences for families across the nation.

Without the proposed extension, benefits to about 8,000 laid-off Georgia workers currently receiving state extended benefits will be cut off starting Monday, said state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.

The following programs would be extended by the bill:

-- Unemployment Insurance: Extends unemployment benefits, including the increased payouts and longer duration of benefits from the Recovery Act through April 5.

-- Help with Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers (COBRA): Extends the COBRA health insurance subsidy for people who have lost their jobs through March 28.

-- Surface Transportation Authorization: Authorizes the highway, highway safety, transit and motor carrier safety programs of the Department of Transportation through March 28.

-- Medicare Physician Payments: Delays a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare physician payments to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians through March 28.

-- Small Business Loans:  Extends two temporary improvements to the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee program, raising the percentage of loan amounts that the SBA can guarantee and allowing SBA to waive or reduce loan fees through March 28.

-- Flood Insurance:  Extends the National Flood Insurance Program authorization through March 28.

-- Satellite Television:  Extends the compulsory copyright license used by satellite television providers through March 28.

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As Chairman of Competition Policy Subcommittee, Rep. Johnson influenced development of new policy:

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) today voted in favor of the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, which repeals the health insurance industry’s antitrust exemption and restores competition and transparency in the health insurance market.

“This is a victory for the American consumer,” said Rep. Johnson, troubled by recent news that some Georgians face a 72 percent increase in their health insurance premiums. “It is a critical step toward comprehensive health care reform.”

Seventy-five percent of Georgia’s health insurance market is controlled by just two companies. Rep. Johnson said his vote will provide Georgia’s families and businesses with more choice and more power as they benefit from real competition between health insurers.

As Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, Johnson led efforts to strip health insurers of their antitrust exemption. His bill, H.R. 3596, was incorporated into the comprehensive health care reform bill that passed the House in November 2009.

The bill amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 to repeal the blanket antitrust exemption that has long benefited insurers at the expense of consumers.  With the enactment of H.R. 4626, health insurers will no longer be shielded from legal accountability for price fixing, anti-competitive collusion, division of territories or markets amongst themselves, sabotage of competitors to gain monopoly power, and other such anti-competitive practices. 

Key Points:

●   Removing health insurance’s antitrust exemption will also give antitrust enforcers such as the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission the authority to investigate any evidence of possible collusion within the health insurance industry – a move that puts an end to the 65-year-old prohibition on the federal government’s ability to investigate and hold accountable bad actors in the health insurance industry.

●   Removing this anti-trust exemption not only enables appropriate enforcement; it will also give all health insurance companies healthy competitive incentives that will promote better affordability, improved quality, increased innovation, and greater consumer choice – as the antitrust laws have done throughout the rest of the economy for over a century.

●   Removing this antitrust exemption has been a bipartisan legislative priority for law enforcement groups and consumer groups such as the Consumer Federation of America for more than two decades.  Two separate bipartisan antitrust commissions, one in the 1970s and another during the Bush Administration, have also called for removing the exemption. 

●   Some opponents of the bill argue that state insurance commissioners can effectively police health insurers’ antitrust violations under state law.  But experience contradicts this.  A recent study found that state insurance commissioners have not brought any actions against health insurers for anticompetitive conduct over the last five years.  

●   The bill makes absolutely no change in the state-based system for regulating insurance.  The part of the McCarran-Ferguson Act that reaffirms state regulatory and taxing authority for the insurance industry remains unchanged. 
   
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) today released the following statement in response to President Obama’s health insurance reform proposal, which was released this morning in advance of Thursday’s bipartisan meeting on health reform:

“I look forward to reviewing President Obama’s proposal as we prepare for Thursday’s summit.

“Our nation stands on the cusp of ensuring that quality, affordable health care is available to all Americans.  We must take action to rein in soaring premiums, expand coverage, and reduce the deficit.  Lives are on the line.

I remain hopeful that Thursday’s bipartisan meeting will be productive.  I am confident that we will succeed.”

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Legislation goes into effect today, enacts unprecedented consumer protection:

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced landmark reforms to the credit card industry will go into effect today thanks to the Credit CARD Act.

The law, which Congressman Johnson supported and was signed by President Obama last year, will end unfair industry practices and protect consumers from abusive tactics like retroactive rate increases, misleading late fee charges and over-limit fee traps. 

“When so many American families are struggling to make ends meet, consumers deserve to be treated fairly by their credit card companies,” said Congressman Johnson. “That’s what this new law will do: level the playing field for consumers.”

The new law bans retroactive interest rate hikes on existing balances (except when payments are more than 60 days late), double-cycle billing and due-date gimmicks, and stops companies from charging over-the-limit fees unless the consumer opts in. Consumers will save at least $10 billion a year from curbs on interest rate increases alone, according to the Pew Charitable Trust that tracks credit card issues.

The Credit CARD Act is part of a long-term plan to rebuild the economy in a way that works for middle-class families and rewards responsibility and hard work – not high-flying finance schemes.

“The people of the Fourth District work hard and play by the rules; they deserve fair treatment from their credit card companies. The Credit CARD Act gives Americans the information and rights they need to make smart, informed decisions about their financial lives,” explained Rep. Johnson.

Specifically, the law increases notice of any rate hikes going forward on new purchases to 45 days, requires card companies to fairly credit and allocate payments and prohibits charging fees just to pay a bill by phone. It also protects young consumers by requiring that before cards can be issued to anyone under 21, a parent must co-sign or an ability to pay must be demonstrated.

“Our economic recovery depends on a shared prosperity,” said Rep. Johnson. “That’s why House Democrats continue to side with middle-class families, over a credit card industry that has profited through unfair, abusive practices.”
 

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Dear Friends,

I had a very productive district work period in Georgia recently, and I heard from many constituents who asked me to remain even more committed to working with President Obama and my House colleagues to create jobs, help homeowners in danger of losing their homes and ensure access to quality, affordable health care.

EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, HEALTH COVERAGE, AND HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION JOBS INVESTMENT – On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 4691, the Temporary Extension Act. This emergency legislation will extend a range of programs, including unemployment insurance, COBRA health benefits for jobless Americans, highway construction jobs programs, small business loans, and flood insurance.  As of Friday, Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky is singlehandedly blocking passage of this emergency measure, despite serious consequences for families across the nation. For more, click here.

PALS OF SMALL BUSINESSES – I was pleased to see more than 400 people at our Partnership Alliance Learning Series for small businesses last week at DeKalb Technical College in Clarkston. We know that small businesses are the engine of job creation in our economy, so it was important for me to connect our small businesses to federal, national, state and local resources. Between our nonprofit meeting Feb. 5 and small business meeting Feb. 19, we helped more than 1,000 local organizations. If you missed the meeting, please e-mail our coordinator Paulette Suggs at paulette.suggs@mail.house.gov for further resources information. Please visit my Flickr page to see photos of all the activity.

RECOVERY FUNDS IN THE DISTRICT – In case you missed it, I recently announced a $2 million Health Care and High Growth Job Training Grant for DeKalb Technical College (DTC). This is the second job training grant for the Fourth District authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package) since January – a $1 million green jobs grant we announced last month. For more on what this will do and how many jobs it will create, click here.

FAIRNESS IN HEALTH INSURANCE – I was troubled to hear that some Georgians face a 72 percent increase in their health insurance premiums. And with 75 percent of the state’s health insurance market controlled by just two companies, it’s why I voted for the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act this week. Not only will it restore competition and transparency in the health insurance market, it also gives the Justice Department more power to investigate possible price fixing. This is a victory for the American consumer and a critical step toward comprehensive health care reform. For more, click here.

CLEAN-ENERGY JOBS –I was honored to be invited to Suniva – a solar panel manufacturer in Norcross – last week to tour their impressive facility. Thanks to more than $5.7 million in Recovery Act tax credits, Suniva is expanding and creating the clean-energy jobs that will fuel our nation’s economic renaissance. To see more about the company or surf their jobs listing, click here.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS – Landmark reforms to the credit card industry went into effect this week thanks to the Credit CARD Act, which I supported. The law will end unfair industry practices and protect consumers from abusive tactics like retroactive rate increases, misleading late-fee charges and over-limit fee traps. When so many American families are struggling to make ends meet, consumers deserve to be treated fairly by their credit card companies. This new law will level the playing field for consumers. For more, click here.

HELPING SAVE OUR HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS – Please join us Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Maloof Building in downtown Decatur for a Home Buyer Information and Education Workshop. It’s part of the federally funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program designed to help rehabilitate our neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates. Learn how to buy a foreclosed home or buy a former foreclosed home that has been renovated. Don’t worry, if you can’t make this meeting, there will similar meetings on March 27 and April 17 at the Porter Sanford Center. To register, click here.

NOISE STUDY – I’m pleased to announce that we have secured more than $565,000 for a noise study along I-285. The project starts from 1-20 East and I-285 South interchange to Bouldercrest Road. The project involves additional lanes, safety improvements and sidewalks from I-285 to the Clayton County line.  Increasing traffic along this corridor has negatively impacted the quality of life for residents, so I’m grateful that we can begin to determine whether we need more sound barriers. Stay tuned.

SKYROCKETING TUITION COSTS – I read with interest this week that state officials are considering raising tuition costs a whopping 77 percent. Did you know that students whose families earn less than $33,300 qualify to attend Georgia Tech debt free if they are accepted into the university and complete the student financial aid form? Tech is looking for schools to help identify and encourage high academic achieving students who otherwise could not afford to attend. For more information, click here.

EASTER AT THE WHITE HOUSE – If you’re interested in participating in the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll, there is an online lottery for tickets through Sunday, Feb. 28. To apply for tickets, click here. Children of all ages are welcome to attend, as long as there is at least one child 12 years old or younger. Tickets are required for every attendee, including small children and infants.

FAITH-BASED SITE – The White House has just launched the new Internet home of the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  This Web site will help faith-based and neighborhood organizations learn more about how they can partner with government to better serve individuals, families and communities in need. You can find it here.
 
POOR PEOPLE’S DAY AT CAPTIOL – I would like to thank Sandra Robertson, the executive director of the Citizens Coalition, for inviting me to the state capitol Feb. 11 for the Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger Poor People’s Day. I was proud to let the folks there know I support the battle against poverty; the quest for fair, living wages and an end to hunger. It’s why I co-sponsored the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, I supported the Recovery Act, which sent billions in tax breaks and community improvements to our most distressed neighborhoods, and I supported S-CHIP – which funds Georgia’s PeachCare providing health insurance for our most at-risk children. To see a video, visit my Facebook page.

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED – When you receive your 2010 Census next month, please be sure to fill it out and send it back. It’s crucial for the distribution of federal funds, allocation of services, block grants, planning for new hospitals, schools, and libraries – not to mention resources for infrastructure. For more information, click here.

IRS OUTREACH – The IRS Exempt Organizations (EO): Customer Education and Outreach Office is bringing a one-day workshop for small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations to the Atlanta area on March 2, 3, and 4, 2010. The workshop will cover information and procedures to help nonprofits comply with their tax obligations and maintain their tax-exempt status. For more, click here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Until next time be safe and stay warm, spring is just around the corner.
 

Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at DeKalb Tech's Conference Center, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, Ga., 30021

8:30 am – 9:00 am  Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – 9:15 am Welcome – Mr. Reggie Gay, Event Moderator
9:15 am – 9:30 am Presentation of Colors – Pledge of Allegiance

Remarks – Congressman Hank Johnson

Introduction of Presenters

9:30 am – 10:00 am Presentation: Ms. Terri Denison, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

10:00 am – 10:45 am Presentation: Mr. Jorge Valentin-Stone, Veterans Business Development Officer, U.S. Small Business Administration; Ms. Joyce Thurmond, Procurement Center Representative

10:45 am – 11:15 am Presentation:  Mr. Bob Thiele, Business Consultant, UGA Small Business Development Center

11:15 am – 11:30 am Presentation:  Ms. Maria D. Gutierrez, Business Development Officer, Department of Commerce, Export/Import Bank of the United States

11:30 am - 12:00 noon Presentation:  Mr. John Fleming, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Atlanta, International Trade Administration

12:00 noon – 12:30 pm Presentation:  Ms. Tonia Warfield, Contract Management, Georgia Power, A Southern Company

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Break

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Presentation:  Mr. Curtis Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Target Management Group, LLC

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Presentation:  Mr. Jerome Edmondson, President, Entrepreneur Development Network

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Presentation: Mr. Karl Barnes, Certification Director, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council

2:30 pm to 3:00 pm Presentation:  Mr. Joe Beaulieu, Government Contracting Counselor, Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

3:00 pm to 3:30 pm Presentation:  Mr. Tony Greene, Outreach & Special Projects Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development

3:30 pm to 4:00 pm Presentation:  Ms. Sharon Judge, Certification Manager, Greater Women’s Business Council

4:00 pm to 4:30 pm Presentation:  Ms. Jeffri Epps, FourEyes Insights and Growth Strategies

Resource Exhibitors

U.S. Small Business Administration – Ms. Joyce Thurmond, Procurement Center Representative
DeKalb Workforce Development:  Small Business Highlights – Ms. Tammy Patterson
U.S. Department of Labor:  Employee Benefits Security Administration – Ms. Veronica Patterson
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce – Ms. Jackie Ginn
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce – Mr. Gary Walker
Ashford University – Ms. Annette Evans
Georgia Power-A Southern Company – Ms. Tonia Warfield
Above the Line Magazine – Ms. Veronica Stephens
Clark & Associates Credit & Investment – Mr. William Clark
DeKalb Enterprise Business Corporation – Mr. Charles Blackmon
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) – Mr. Aston Carter
DeKalb County Office of Economic Development – Mr. Maceo Rogers
 

Norcross clean energy company hiring with stimulus funds:

 LITHONIA, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) will tour solar cell manufacturer Suniva’s Norcross facility on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.

Suniva, which operates a solar cell plant in Norcross, GA, is a world leader in the production of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Suniva has received $5.7 million in tax credits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the “stimulus package.”  The company recently announced that it will add 50 new jobs at its Norcross facility.

Praising Suniva’s decision to hire more Fourth District workers, Congressman Johnson stressed the importance of job creation, energy independence, and environmental protection. “We face a jobs crisis, an energy crisis, and an environmental crisis.  I am working with President Obama to support businesses that will create jobs while leading us to a cleaner, energy- independent future.”

The Recovery Act provided $2.3 billion for clean energy manufacturing projects.  Since January 2009, Congressman Johnson has delivered more than $200 million in federal funds to support job creation in the Fourth District.

“There is no question that Georgia can put people to work and power our state with clean and efficient energy, but there is a lot of push to take us in the opposite direction” said Jennette Gayer, a policy advocate with Environment Georgia. “Right now utility companies want to invest in two new coal plants in Georgia. We need clean energy leaders like Congressman Johnson and innovative businesses like Suniva to make a clean energy economy a reality.”

Who: Congressman Johnson, representatives of Suniva, members of the Black Chamber of Commerce and Environment Georgia.

Where: Suniva Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility – 5775 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Norcross, GA 30092

When: Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 at 3 p.m.

What: Environment Georgia, a Georgia-based environmental advocacy organization, will take Congressman Hank Johnson on a tour of Suniva’s solar cell manufacturing facility. Members of the Black Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Suniva and the Southern Alliance for Clean will also attend.

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LITHONIA, GA – Congressman Johnson and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced today another job training grant for the Fourth District authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package) – this one even larger than the $1 million green jobs grant we announced last month.

This latest grant is a $2 million Health Care and High Growth Job Training Grant for DeKalb Technical College (DTC). 
 
Via this grant, DeKalb Technical College will expand its existing EMT and Paramedic Technology Programs to train unemployed and dislocated workers for quick entry or re-entry into the workforce as first responders.

Funds will be utilized to hire additional instructors, provide more advanced technology to support the existing curriculum, and support the training and certification of 224 participants with these critical, employable skills as first responders. 
 
Bottom line – these funds will create jobs twice – first, DTC will hire additional instructors, creating jobs in the District.  Then those instructors will use these funds to train and certify 224 unemployed or displaced Fourth District residents as EMTs, who will then be employed providing critical first responder services to the community.

Below are quotes from Rep. Johnson and Secretary Solis.

“This $2 million grant for DeKalb Technical College will hire additional instructors and train hundreds of displaced workers for quick re-entry into the workforce as first responders we need in emergencies,” said Rep. Johnson. 

“The Recovery Act’s investments are making a positive difference in the lives of America’s working families,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The Recovery Act funded grants announced today will ensure thousands of workers across the nation can receive high-quality training and employment services, which will lead to good jobs in healthcare and other industries offering career-track employment and good pay and benefits.”

Key Partner Highlights: DeKalb Technical College, Grady Emergency Medical Service (EMS), On Site 911, Rockdale County Fire Department, Local Workforce Investment Boards, and Goodwill Industries of North Georgia.
 

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Congressman pushes ‘Put America Back to Work’ legislation:

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Focused on creating jobs and revitalizing distressed communities, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) today cosponsored the Put America to Work Act of 2009.

The Put America Back to Work Act would create jobs immediately by hiring Americans to repair schools, community centers and libraries; restore abandoned or vacant properties, parks and playgrounds; and staff Head Start, child care and other early childhood education programs.

“We’ve already invested more than $200 million in our District’s recovery, but much work remains,” said Rep. Johnson. “I will keep working with President Obama to create jobs for my constituents.”

The legislation (H.R. 4268) appropriates $40 billion to create jobs in the public/non-profit sector and small businesses that provide public services.

Under the bill, the Department of Labor would be required to report to Congress every six months on the use of the grants and federal funds for job creation.

“The economy remains my focus,” said Rep. Johnson.  “Full recovery will take years, and there are still tough times ahead.  But we’re on the right track, and this job creation bill is another positive step.”
 
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To kick off Black History Month, Congressman congratulates U.S. Navy for naming a supply ship after civil rights leader:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson’s (D-GA) H. Res. 1022, a resolution honoring the life and achievements of civil rights hero Medgar W. Evers (1925-1963), passed the House today 426 to 0.

H. Res. 1022 recognizes Evers not only for his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement but also as a soldier in the Battle of Normandy during World War II. Recently, the U.S. Navy named a Lewis and Clark class dry cargo ship after Mr. Evers in light of his courageous efforts to guarantee equal rights for all Americans.

“Medgar Evers remains an inspiration to us all – humble, yet powerful in intellect and inner strength,” said Johnson. “His courageous efforts led to the desegregation of the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1962 and his eventual martyrdom for the cause. His life’s work was to achieve equality and dignity for all Americans and his pioneering courage was an inspiration to the Movement,” Rep. Johnson said in remarks urging his colleagues to support the resolution. “I hope you will join me in celebrating his life and commending the U.S. Navy for naming the USNS Medgar Evers in his honor.”

Fifty-seven colleagues cosponsored the resolution, including all 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. David Scott (D-GA), Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Stanford Bishop (D-GA) and Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA) also is an original cosponsor of the resolution.

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Congressman: ‘Corporations are not citizens’ when it comes to elections: 
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson, Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, voiced serious concerns Wednesday regarding the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

On January 21, the Supreme Court overturned long-held precedent by ruling that Congress may not limit corporate spending on campaigns for federal office. While limits on direct contributions to candidates stand, the Court ruled that corporations could spend unlimited amounts of money expressly advocating for the election or rejection of a candidate for federal office.

At Wednesday’s hearing of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, Rep. Johnson questioned expert witnesses regarding the implications and validity of the ruling.

“How does this ruling help the man on the street make informed decisions in the voting booth?” Rep. Johnson asked. “How does this facilitate the free exchange of ideas? This ruling will allow corporations to saturate the airwaves with disinformation to ensure that their candidates are elected. Corporations are not citizens, and it is appropriate for government to regulate their spending on advocacy where there is a compelling public interest.”

Rep. Johnson is an original cosponsor of H.R. 4522, the Prohibiting Foreign Influence in American Elections Act, which was introduced by Rep. Bill Pascrell on January 26, 2010. The bill would ban campaign contributions and expenditures by domestic corporations with foreign ownership or management.

Johnson is also cosponsor of the Fair Elections Now Act of 2009, a bill that would promote public financing of campaigns such that federal candidates could spend more of their time hearing from constituents and making good policy instead of fundraising.

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LITHONIA, GA – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) commended the progress achieved in the first year of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. The law was an important part of this Congress’ pledge to fight for middle-class families and rebuild our economy in a way that gives every American the chance to succeed. Today marks one year since President Obama signed the bill into law.

“We’ve seen more than a thousand American workers use the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ensure they receive a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Bush recession has been an unfair blow to most American families, but wage discrimination threatens Americans’ prosperity even when the economy recovers.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores employees’ rights to challenge pay discrimination. In the year since the law took effect, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reviewed more than 1,100 cases in which people were denied fair wage compensation, and some 4,800 charges alleging wage discrimination were filed with the Commission. Numerous court cases have cited the law in an effort to win compensation for back-earnings.

“This law is not just about gender discrimination – it’s about fairness for all American workers and families,” said Rep. Johnson. “In this economy, too many workers have seen their jobs disappear and their wages slashed. That why it’s crucial that all Americans are paid fairly for their hard work.  The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was among the first bills we undertook last year because it’s such an important part of strengthening our middle class and putting our economy back on sound footing.”

After 20 years as an employee of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Lilly Ledbetter sued the company when she learned that she was paid less than her male counterparts at the facility. A jury found that her employer had unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of gender. However, in 2007, the Supreme Court reversed Ledbetter’s case, saying she had waited too long to sue for pay discrimination. 

“While this law was an important step forward, it’s just the beginning,” said Rep. Johnson. “In the third quarter of 2009, women were still earning only 81 percent as much as men. In the fourth quarter of last year, women made an average of $670 per week, to a man’s $825. That’s unacceptable.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act clarified that every paycheck or other compensation resulting from an earlier discriminatory pay decision constitutes a violation of the Civil Rights Act and applies to workers who file claims of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or disability. It reversed a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that made it more difficult for Americans to pursue such claims. The legislation was among the first to be considered and passed by the 111th Congress, and the first major bill to be signed into law by President Obama. 
 
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Dear Friends,

In the past 12 months, I have been working in Washington to create jobs, save homes and restore savings. Though much work remains and the hardship is ongoing, the Recovery Act and Neighborhood Stabilization programs are meaningful steps toward recovery and growth.

Since January 2009, we’ve invested more than $200 million in our District’s recovery. We’ve saved or created more than 1,100 teaching jobs, brought $100 million to our schools, hired more than 60 firefighters for DeKalb County, put more and better-equipped police officers on the streets in Rockdale and Gwinnett counties, saved homes, and invested millions in transportation, job training, and energy efficiency.

And now we know that the economy grew by 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 – an encouraging sign that our recovery and reinvestment strategy is working.  Recovery will be slow.  It will take years.  But I pledge to continue working with President Obama to create jobs, pass health care reform, protect consumers, reform our financial system, and invest in clean energy.

On that note, I’m holding two very important meetings this month to help local businesses and nonprofits.

My two upcoming Partnership Alliance Learning Series or PALS will connect local small businesses and nonprofits with state, federal and local resources to help them grow and thrive.

Please spread the word about my meetings!  Click HERE for details and registration instructions.

PARTNERSHIP ALLIANCE LEARNING SERIES (PALS) – My first meeting is at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 at DeKalb Technical College’s conference center, where we’ll have resources available to help nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations.

Grant-writing and proposal-writing seminars will be held, and our staff will walk you through current grant opportunities. Funding opportunities with national organizations will be presented, and participants can learn how to launch a nonprofit.

At 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, (also at DeKalb Tech), our small business initiative will help local small businesses navigate Small Business Administration (SBA) resources and learn how to partner with financial institutions and procure government contracts.

You can register for these meetings on my Web site.

Click HERE for a map of DeKalb Technical College in Clarkston.

For more information on either meeting, call PALS coordinator Paulette Suggs in my Tucker office at 770-939-2016.
 

19 colleagues join Congressman in call for humanitarian policy:

 WASHINGTON – On Friday morning, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) urged Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to allow Haitian immigration applicants with family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents to enter the United States while processing of their immigration applications is completed.

In a letter signed by 19 colleagues from the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Johnson argued that extreme conditions in earthquake-stricken Haiti necessitate the implementation of a Humanitarian Parole policy that would ease entry for Haitians who have applied for family-based immigration to the United States.

“These are people with family members who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents,” said Rep. Johnson. “Most of their applications will be approved. Conditions are extreme in Haiti. They should be permitted to enter the United States while their applications are processed. Those few who are rejected will be deported.”

Signing the letter authored by Johnson were Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. James Moran (D-VA), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), and Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA).

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