Capitol Hill Update and August Events in GA-04

As I return home from a busy Congressional schedule, I wanted to touch base, and give you an update on what I've been working on in Washington, but also what's on tap in August here in the district.

A few weeks ago, you told me in response to an e-letter survey that gun violence and the price of gas and groceries were your most important issues. I heard you loud and clear.

I – along with mostly Democrats and a couple of Republicans – passed the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, historic legislation that will reinstate the assault weapons ban, a key action to ensure safer communities for Georgians by preventing gun violence and keeping weapons of war off our streets. I sincerely hope the Senate, in its infinite wisdom, takes up and passes this bill as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

Your input was also why I recently voted for the Active Shooter Alert Act, legislation that establishes a program similar to the AMBER Alert system, allowing law enforcement to effectively and efficiently alert the public during a shooting. Similarly, the Protecting Our Kids Act, legislation that would keep weapons of war out of the hands of teenagers and crack down on ghost guns, passed the House with my support earlier this year. Additionally, the House passed, and I supported, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the country's first piece of major gun violence prevention legislation in nearly three decades. Gun safety and community security remain top priorities for House Democrats, and I will continue to fight for these life-saving measures.

When Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said – that the landmark high court rulings that established gay rights and contraception rights should be reconsidered now that the federal right to abortion has been revoked – it gave me pause.

Thomas wrote in the ruling that overturned 50 years of precedent and a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions that those rulings on equal rights and bodily autonomy "were demonstrably erroneous decisions."

So in the last couple of weeks of July, I also supported legislation that defends Americans' reproductive health freedoms, protects marriage equality and safeguards Georgians' right to contraception.

I am also happy to report that mine and Sen. Ossoff's Cybersecurity Opportunity Act passed as part of the wider CHIPS and Science Act last week. The bipartisan Cybersecurity bill, which will establish the "Dr. David Satcher Cybersecurity Education Grant Program," requires that 50% of Satcher grant funds must go to HBCUs, tribal, and minority serving institutions to support greater diversity and equality of opportunity in the cybersecurity field. This bill and the CHIPS and Science Act are a major victory for Georgia families and the state economy. They will strengthen Georgia families' financial future, boost America's research advantage and safeguard our economic and national security for generations to come.

On the inflation front, I've been monitoring the progress of talks surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act, which will reduce costs for working families in Georgia's Fourth District. Rising prices are squeezing too many hardworking people in Georgia, which is why the Inflation Reduction Act is so critical. As leading economists confirm, it will bring down health care costs and lower energy costs for families. And it is fully paid for by making big corporations pay their fair share in taxes. Extreme MAGA Republicans, who are propped up by the special interests, are opposing this critical legislation. But I work for you, which is why I am putting People Over Politics to Lower Costs for working families. I look forward to returning to Washington next week to vote on this important measure.

From my own legislative shop, I introduced the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act last week, which would establish term limits for Supreme Court justices while preserving constitutional protections for judicial independence in decision making. Under the TERM Act, a new justice would take the bench every two years and spend 18 years in active service. The Supreme Court is increasingly facing a legitimacy crisis. This bill will help restore the venerable institution by bringing it back into balance -- not unlike my bill to expand the Court as well.

And recently Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and I introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act H.R. 8531) to protect artists from the wrongful use of their lyrics against them in criminal and civil proceedings. The legislation is the first bill of its kind at the federal level. The RAP Act adds a presumption to the Federal Rules of Evidence that would limit the admissibility of evidence of an artist's creative or artistic expression against that artist in court.

UPCOMING EVENTS

This month, I'm hosting two important events – one on Thursday, August 11 to address the housing shortage, higher rents and homelessness. I'll have officials on hand with resources for you and your family members who are having trouble paying your mortgage, covering increasing rent or even dealing with homelessness. This will be a virtual event from 3-4:15 PM. To sign up, click HERE.

WHO: Congressman Hank Johnson & local officials
WHAT: Webinar on: What Are Our Housing Options?
WHEN: Thursday, Aug 11, 2022, at 3 PM
WHY: To help constituents stay in their homes
WHERE: Via Zoom: Click HERE to sign up

On Tuesday, August 16 from 6:30-7:30 PM, I'm holding a telephone townhall to update constituents on legislation we've passed in the House and to listen to your questions and get your thoughts on the most important issues to you and your family. To make sure you're on the list, sign up HERE.

Lastly, I'm pleased to announce that Georgia's Fourth District own nominee, Ina Johnson Cook, has won the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Award for 2022. Each year, the Angels in Adoption awardees travel to Washington, D.C., to both celebrate their hard work and dedication to the issues and participate in special events geared toward children in need of safe and nurturing families. We look forward to welcoming Ida next month to accept her award. Congratulations Ida!

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. If you have any issues with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to call my district office at 770-987-2291. Thank you.