National Security and Foreign Policy
What Hank has done:
- Played host to former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Thomas R. Pickering on Capitol Hill in April 2011 to discuss the path to a political settlement of the war in Afghanistan.
- Consistently opposed the Iraq War and supported removal of our forces from Iraq.
- As member of House Armed Services Committee, always voted to protect and support our Armed Forces.
- Cosponsored the successful legislation of the 9/11 Commission's official recommendations.
- Introduced and passed a resolution officially calling upon the warring parties in Uganda, the government of the United States, and the international community to work to peacefully resolve that country's brutal civil war.
- Voted to restrict "no-bid" defense contracts, by which politically-connected companies like Halliburton receive Pentagon contracts with no competition.
- Introduced legislation to establish a National Commission on Detainee Treatment to review United States policy regarding the capture, custody, treatment, judicial proceedings, and repatriation of suspected "unlawful enemy combatants."
- Co-authored legislation to impose sanctions on Iran’s petroleum sector. It passed the House.
- Cosponsored the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, which passed the House. It would sanction Iran for its failure to make good on its international legal commitments with regard to its clandestine nuclear program.
- Cosponsored the successful Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act, which states that it is U.S. policy to support state and local efforts to divest funds from, or restrict investments in, companies that conduct business operations in Sudan.
- Voted to increase U.S. funding for the global fight against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, which exacerbate global poverty, pose an international health risk, and undermine the stability of entire regions.
- Cosponsored H.R 1698, the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act to prevent Iran from undertaking any activity related to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
- Cosponsored H.Res.92, to condemn North Korea’s development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles.
More on National Security and Foreign Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced he will restore U.S. economic sanctions on Tehran, a move that effectively pulls the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPA), a 2015 agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, Germany and the European Union that halted Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions:
Congressional Management Foundation Recognizes Rep. Johnson for Outstanding Achievement
Congressman Hank Johnson held a telephone town hall from his Washington, D.C. office on Wednesday, January 31 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. He called 40,000 residents in the Fourth District to hear their thoughts on what they would like to see him work on in 2018.
Mr. Johnson spoke to residents for more than an hour and 20 minutes on such topics as the immigration, taxes, President Trump, assistance with federal agencies and help for veterans -- among many other important topics.
Rep. Johnson Questions AG Sessions in Judiciary Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, questioned U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions about why he recused himself from the investigation into Russian interference in U.S. elections, the sale of CNN as part of the proposed AT&T-Time Warner merger and whether DOJ was conducting a review of cyber-security measures to prevent future meddling in U.S. elections. Below is a transcript and video link of the exchange:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement after President Donald Trump withheld certification of the Iran nuclear deal, a 2015 agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, Germany and the European Union that halted Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions:
More Than A Dozen Colleagues Join Effort to Hold Agencies Accountable for War on Drugs in Foreign Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today demanding answers as to what steps the Department of Justice and the Department of State plan in response to the killing of innocent bystanders in US-backed counter-narcotics operations abroad.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement after President Trump threatened the North Korean regime with "fire and fury like the world has never seen" during a photo opportunity at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey:
This is the fourth annual Immigrant Heritage Month. Each year, we take time in June to share and honor the inspirational, heart felt stories of our nation’s immigrants.
I am proud to work with the immigrant communities in the Fourth Congressional District. One in particular is the Clarkston community. Clarkston has served as a safe haven for thousands of refugee families over the years and is home to a range of successful immigrant-owned businesses. The City of Clarkston is often referred to as “the most diverse square mile in America.”
In his opening remarks, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson spoke about the SGI and its ongoing efforts under the leadership of Daisaku Ikeda to abolish nuclear weapons.
Rep. Johnson said that nuclear disarmament through multi-lateral dialogue is a fight worth fighting for the sake of all living beings.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” he said, citing the famous line by Lao Tzu. “Today is one step in that long journey toward a world without nuclear weapons.”
The atrocious chemical weapons attack this week was a visceral reminder of the horrors facing the Syrian people caught in this years long civil war.
President Trump’s military strike raises several disturbing concerns about this Administration’s approach to foreign policy and national security. The policy of brute force is no substitute for rational thinking and the careful consideration of all possible options and consequences.