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Veterans Day celebration 2011

Thank you ladies and gentlemen, it's great to be with you on DeKalb's Veterans Day 2011 celebration.

Every Veterans Day, Americans come together to remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country around the world.

Our debt to them is immeasurable. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families protect us and our freedom.

Thousands of American service members remain deployed abroad and thousands need us now that they have returned home.

Now, more than ever, we renew our commitments to the nation’s more than 2 million service members and reservists, their families, and 23 million veterans, including more than 770,000 here in Georgia and more than 50,000 in the Fourth District.

As memorialize all of our veterans from wars past, let us also honor the more than 4,400 Americans who have died in Iraq, the more than 1,800 who have died in Afghanistan, the 32,000 U.S. troops wounded in Iraq and 14,600 wounded in Afghanistan.

With hundreds of thousands of our veterans returning from foreign battlefields to face a tough economy at home, we must ensure that they get the support they have earned.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I promise to do everything I can to support our Veterans and their families. Everything I do on Armed Services, I do with Veterans first and foremost in my mind.

Thank you.

Pictured above: Hank receives the 2011 Veterans Champion Award from Mike Sauls, chair of the DeKalb County Veterans Advisory Board, for his work on veterans' issues as a member of the Armed Services Committee and for his advocacy on behalf of veterans in the district.

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Thank you, M. Speaker.

America was united in its disgust at the spectacle in Washington during the debt ceiling fiasco.

The Republican threat to force a default ranks among the most reckless and destructive political stunts in modern American history.

It undermined a fragile but recovering economy and reduced faith in the United States.  It has also undermined the American people's trust in its political leadership.

There's no reason to have a debt ceiling at all.  It doesn’t restrain spending, since the spending has already been committed.  It just threatens our credit.  It weakens our country. 

That’s why I joined Representative Nadler of New York and Representative Moran of Virginia this morning to introduce the Full Faith and Credit Act, a bill to do away with the debt ceiling once and for all.

But if we are going to have a debt ceiling, the threat by Members of Congress to refuse to raise it is an outrage.  We’ve already made these commitments.  Yet, some would have us default.  Some would undermine the full faith and credit of the United States.  Some would do irreparable damage to our economy and our standing in the world. 

It’s a disgrace.  A disgrace.  And the American people see it for what it is – part of a concerted effort to undermine this economy in order to undermine this President.

I yield the balance of my time.
 

M. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill which will keep people working building our infrastructure. 

Failure to pass this bill would put politics first and mean unnecessary economic pain for millions of Americans. 

I commend the majority for putting America first by bringing this bill up quickly and without any policy riders.  

As our infrastructure continues to crumble and unemployment remains above 9 percent we need to recognize that both issues can be addressed by investing in infrastructure. 

In Georgia, the highway bill provides more than $97 million a month for infrastructure jobs, employing more than 22,500 Georgians. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill so we can move past this stalemate and pass a long term bill. 

M. Speaker, I rise today to talk about jobs. 

I am not alone – everyone here TALKS about jobs.

One side offers solutions to create jobs and the other side stands in the way, blaming the President.  

It’s been more than 250 days since the Republicans took control of the House, and they have failed to pass a single bill to address the jobs crisis.

They will say the President has failed, but it is this Majority that has failed the American people. 

President Obama presented his plan to create jobs. 

Several of my colleagues did not even attend.   

Is this part of their “No Jobs” Fall Agenda? 

It’s certainly not leadership or governing.

Good morning – it’s good to be with all of you here in Stone Mountain for such an important commemoration. Thank you to Mayor Wheeler, members of the city council, elected officials and the organizers Jack Sartain, Dr. George Coletti and Bugles Across America.

And thank you to all the citizens who took time to come out this morning, and to all of our officers and first responders who are here as well, thank you for all that you do.

Today, we honor the lives we lost 10 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our nation and the world.
As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, firefighters, first responders and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks.

Like all of you, I remember exactly where I was that fateful day 10 years ago today. I recall it being a dreary day here in Georgia, and I was at a DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting. When I first heard the news, it took me some time to come to grips with what happened – the unthinkable had occurred and changed America forever.

While we have killed public enemy No. 1 – Osama bin Laden – we understand our battle with terrorists is not simply won by military might alone. A strong military is important, but we must also win the hearts and minds of our enemies.

We must accept and nurture the higher nature of all human beings, and through dialogue, diplomacy and assistance we must help oppressed people be free.

Rather than a time of sadness, this should be a day of challenge to us all – a challenge to treat one another as we wish to be treated and a calling to the higher aspirations for all men and women without regard to their race, creed, or religion.

As President Obama said: September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which America was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all of us to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad today.

Thank you and God Bless the United States of America.

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According to the latest figures available, an estimated 43.5 million Americans are living in poverty. 

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s more than the entire population of California!

Communities of color continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty.
 
The national unemployment rate is 9.2 percent.  In my home state of Georgia, the unemployment rate is even higher at 9.8 percent.

With millions of people in poverty and a high unemployment rate, you would think that Congress would do what it was elected to do - create jobs and pass legislation that spurs economic growth.

But in the past seven months, the Republican majority has not moved a single jobs bill.

Instead, this House majority is pushing bills through that take away grand-mama’s Social Security check, dismantle the Affordable Care Act that will provide health care to millions of uninsured Americans and cut a first generation college student’s Pell grants.

This is ridiculous.

Instead of bringing us opportunity and the American Dream, the Republican majority gives us Cut, Cap and end Medicare. 

Staying committed to safety net programs in health, education, housing, and employment is both a moral and economic responsibility that we cannot ignore.
The Cut, Cap and end Medicare Act that the majority passed will not get America on the road to prosperity. 

It would require spending cuts of $111 billion in fiscal year 2012, which the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates would cut about 700,000 jobs. 

This bill would cap federal spending at levels that can only be achieved by slashing Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, and student loans.
 
Rather than closing corporate loopholes and asking millionaires, billionaires and Big Oil to pay their fair share, the majority wants to cut Medicaid, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and foster care for abused and neglected children. 

However, there is a budget model that would safeguard America’s children, seniors and most vulnerable communities. The Progressive Caucus or People’s budget would make targeted cuts that preserve our national security, put Social Security and Medicare on stable footing going forward, raises vital revenue equitably and protects and invests in the American people.

Now is the time Congress needs to be doing all it can to help families get back on their feet, not pull the rug out from under them. 

Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and the working poor in America did not cause the so-called debt crisis.

The record debt run up by the Bush Administration was a direct result of Republican’s two unfunded wars, failed economic policies, and failed oversight of the financial services sector.

What we need to do is support more grant programs like the “Pathways Out of Poverty” funds that put residents in my district back work in green jobs. 

Americans want to work.  Let’s focus on getting Americans what they need ---- jobs, jobs, jobs!
Thank you, M. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time. 

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Monday, May 30, 2011

Good morning, it’s great to be here this morning to honor our Veterans – especially our Vietnam Veterans, who for too long were not treated with the dignity and respect they deserved.

And it’s good to be here with Senator Johnny Isakson – who co-sponsored the Senate bill that declared March 30, 2011, as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” That was a great piece of legislation, Senator and we are all indebted to you for making sure that Viet Nam Veterans receive their rightful honors.

CEO Burrell Ellis, thank you for all you do and for hosting this important event here at the Maloof Building. And thank you to Major General James Donald and Chaplain Tommy Thompson for being here today – gentlemen, thank you for your service.

And a special thanks to Vietnam Veteran and aviator Marvin Myers, president of the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance for being here. I look forward to his address this morning.

Not a day goes by in my office without one of our constituent representatives speaking with a veteran who is dealing with a housing, health, job or compensation issue.

To all the Veterans, please know that it is an honor to serve you – You have served us so well – and now it’s our time to serve you.

There’s not much in Congress we do that’s more important than serving our veterans.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee since 2007, every day I’m inspired to work on behalf of all our military personnel and veterans.
 
Ensuring that quality services are being delivered to each of you is one of my greatest joys as a public servant.

I thank each of you for your service and can assure you that as long as I am in The Congress, your needs will remain a priority for me and my staff.

Memorial Day is a solemn holiday and a great opportunity for us to make it clear, we appreciate the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. 

It is a day to pause and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to say a heartfelt thank you to those who are still with us. 

Your service is noble and in the best traditions of our nation. Putting service before self, you have made our country strong.  You make us all proud.

So I end today with the simple, but heartfelt words…THANK YOU for your service. 

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Amendment No. 10,  Rep. Johnson, House Judiciary Committee, Thursday, March 3, 2011

Amends Section 303 to provide it does not apply in the case of a taxpayer who is an individual, except to the extent that such amount is paid or incurred in carrying on a trade or business. 

"Mr. Chairman, my amendment would prevent tax increases for individuals who would be subject to such increases pursuant to Section 303(1) of the bill. 

The title of this bill is misleading.  This is not about funding abortions.  We already have the Hyde Amendment which prohibits federal funding of abortions.  This is about taking away a woman’s right to choose. 

This bill is a tool that the majority is using to push the abortion debate into the tax code.  H.R. 3 would increase taxes in order to prevent women from obtaining abortion care. 

While women would be disproportionately harmed under the bill because they are most likely to spend funds on abortion procedures, men would be affected as well.
Many men purchase insurance policies that cover their family, spouse and dependents, and may use funds to cover abortion care for them. 

Again, this is baffling to me.  The same lawmakers who campaigned on growing our economy and cutting taxes are now trying to impose new tax penalties on individuals who happen to choose a procedure that they do not agree with. 

This bill would impose tax increases on individuals who have health insurance that covers abortion.  Currently, most insurance plans cover abortion. 
This bill would make any insurance plan that includes coverage of abortion ineligible for premium assistance, thereby raising taxes on potentially millions of otherwise eligible families. 

This bill is cruel as it would raise taxes on some workers who lose their jobs as a result of outsourcing. 

Under current law, certain workers who lose their jobs as a result of outsourcing to foreign countries may be eligible for a Health Coverage Tax Credit.
The Health Coverage Tax Credit pays 80% of the costs of a qualified health plan premium for eligible workers.  H.R. 3 makes any insurance plan that includes coverage of abortion ineligible for the Health Coverage Tax Credit, thereby raising taxes on potentially thousands of displaced workers.

H.R. 3 would also impose tax increases on women who use their tax preferred savings accounts, such as flexible spending or a health savings account, to pay for abortion care. 

Currently, individuals and employers can contribute wages to these accounts and they would be exempt from taxation.  Under H.R. 3, these funds would no longer be exempt, and she would have to pay income tax on any funds needed to cover an abortion procedure. 

Further, this bill would penalize low and middle-income people.  The Affordable Care Act created a refundable tax credit for individuals who purchase health insurance through an exchange. 

Under this bill, individuals who purchase insurance on an exchange would lose a tax credits, and practically be precluded from obtaining insurance with coverage for abortion care.

The fact that H.R. 3 specifically references premium assistance shows the sponsor’s intent that it apply to the Affordable Care Act.   

Why would we want to hurt women, low and middle-income individuals, and displaced workers?  That is what this bill would do. 

I urge the Members of the Committee to vote this amendment out favorably. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time." 
 

Rep. Hank Johnson amends Section 311 to provide the bill shall not take effect unless the Attorney General submits a report to Congress setting forth the effect of the bill on women’s access to abortion and health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.

March 3, 2011

"Mr. Chairman, this is an important amendment.  It is imperative that Congress know the effect this bill would have on women’s access to abortion and to health benefits coverage of abortion.
My amendment would delay implementation of the bill until the Attorney General submits a report to Congress setting forth the effect of the bill on women’s access to abortion and health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion.
 
Despite the Manager’s Amendment, this bill is still dangerous as it restricts health care for women.  The decision about whether or not to have an abortion is a difficult choice for women.  This is not a choice that is made lightly.  This is a decision that women should have the right to make without government intrusion. 

I find it ironic that the majority would interfere in such a private matter.  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have always prided themselves on the ideology that the government should not interfere in the personal lives of Americans. 

They believe that the government should stay out of your wallet and out of the private contours of your home.  I must say that I am baffled by the fact that the majority is pushing a bill that would directly interfere with a woman’s private choice of whether or not to have an abortion.  
I am especially concerned about how this bill will affect the most vulnerable women in our society.  Restricting public funding for abortion will especially hurt low-income women.  Low-income women may have to sacrifice basic needs such as paying for groceries and rent to save money for an abortion.

The majority has already pushed through a Continuing Resolution that will harm all women, whether they are poor or middle class.  The majority has already slashed funding for Title X which provided crucial family planning services.  The majority has already eliminated federal funding for Planned Parenthood. 
Now, the majority wants to push through a bill that would put another roadblock in front of women when seeking health care coverage.  All of this amounts to nothing more than a full-fledged attack on women and their access to health care.   
    
Some women who could not afford an abortion might be forced to resort to self-inducing abortions or to the back-alleys of untrained, unlicensed practitioners, which would compromise their health.

Alicia was a 26 year-old graduate student from Maryland. She had been through a lot in her short life.   Her mother had been murdered, and after that she felt like her life had shattered into pieces.  She was having trouble working, keeping up with school and supporting her one year-old child.  She also feared eviction because she was behind on rent. 

Alicia had no idea she was pregnant until she went to her school clinic to obtain birth control and took a pregnancy test.  At that point, she had to sell possessions, forgo paying bills, and risk eviction to pay for an abortion. 

To place more roadblocks in front of a woman in Alicia’s situation would just be mean-spirited.  
Judging by the number of this bill, it is the third highest priority for the majority.  At a time when America is digging itself out of a recession, and nearly 14 million people are out of work, and an unemployment rate of 9%, we should not be prioritizing bills that limit and restrict a woman’s access to health care services.  We should be focusing on growing the economy and creating jobs. 

Where I come from, actions speak louder than words.  The majority has stated that one of its top priorities is job creation, and ensuring that every American who wants to work is able to work.  However, the past couple of weeks have shown otherwise. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time. "

The Honorable Henry C. “Hank” Johnson
 For the Hearing on the Role of Public Employee Pensions in
Contributing to State Insolvency and the Possibility of a
State Bankruptcy Chapter

Monday, February 14, 2011 | 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building 

With all due respect to my friends on the other side of the aisle, I must wonder aloud why it is that we are holding this hearing today.  Ostensibly, it is about whether states should be permitted to file for bankruptcy, but from what I can tell, none of the witnesses claims that bankruptcy is a panacea for a state’s financial troubles.

We seem to agree that allowing states to file for bankruptcy would result in increased interest rates, making it more expensive for states to address their financial needs.  Moreover, a state bankruptcy option would create greater instability in the financial market.

There also seems to be some shared concern about respect for state sovereignty in that federal bankruptcy law could be used to override state constitutions and laws prohibiting an impairment of contractual obligations.

Finally, states already have the tools at their disposal to address any financial troubles they face, as Majority Leader Eric Cantor has noted.  States have the ability to adjust revenues and spending and to renegotiate their financial obligations with creditors.   Indeed, I get the strong sense that state bankruptcy may be a solution in search of a problem.

Why are we wasting time on what promises to be something of an esoteric discussion about a proposal that few, if anyone, on this Committee appear to support?

 Instead, we should be talking about what Congress will do to accelerate economic recovery and create jobs, which, in turn, will help states recover financially.

We should be talking about the continuing mortgage foreclosure crisis and how Congress will help hard-working American families stay in their homes.

We should be talking about crushing private student loan debt that threatens to stifle educational opportunities for people of modest means.

We should be talking about how to improve the bankruptcy process so that it can better help honest but unfortunate debtors who have fallen on hard times because of the lingering effects of the 2008 financial crisis, a crisis brought about by Wall Street’s reckless behavior.

Unfortunately, I suspect we are here talking about state bankruptcy because of a cynical attempt by the likes of Newt Gingrich, Jeb Bush, Dick Morris, and Grover Norquist to demonize public employees for political reasons.  Let’s call this what it is – an attack on a group of workers - including state troopers, prosecutors, and teachers - that these proponents of state bankruptcy simply do not like.

In fact, public pensions barely have an impact on a state’s financial health.  Less than three percent of all state and local government funding is spent on pension benefits, as most such benefits are paid out of trusts funded by employees and their employers.

But why let facts get in the way of political opportunism? 

The proponents of state bankruptcy don’t even bother to hide their true intent.  For instance, in a Los Angeles Times op-ed piece published last month, Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Bush pointed to the “stranglehold government employee unions have on state and federal budgets,” rather than the severe economic recession of the last few years, as the reason for states’ fiscal problems.

Even more crassly, Mr. Morris wrote a piece for The Hill arguing in favor of state bankruptcy because it would “break the political power of [public employee] unions and undermine the labor-Democratic Party coalition[.]”

Hopefully, sensible minds on both sides of the aisle, including Majority Leader Cantor, Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, and Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble, will carry the day on the issue of state bankruptcy and not allow naked political calculation to answer serious constitutional and policy questions.

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