Congressman Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for June 19, 2018
Dear Friends,
THE FIGHT TO #KEEPFAMILIESTOGETHER CONTINUES: I hope all of Georgia's Fourth District fathers had a great Father's Day this weekend. Millions of fathers were showered with love, and thanked for their guidance and mentorship. That's why it's unconscionable to me that the United States is now has a policy of punishing fathers and mothers who are trying to save their children's lives, and punishing children for being brought to safety by their parents by separating them – it is fundamentally cruel, inhumane and un-American. I spoke out against these practices and policies and will continue to fight for innocent children and families being used as pawns in our ongoing immigration policy battle.
REDAN TAKES HOME FIRST IN SIFMA CHALLENGE: Four recent Redan High School graduates from the winning team for this year's 2018 National SIFMA (Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association) Capitol Hill Challenge's Stock Market Game visited my Washington, D.C., office last week. Through the competition, the game helps students develop a better understanding of markets and the global economy. Hundreds of teams competed from across the nation, and Redan High School – under the leadership of teacher Bill Roth – finished first! Congrats! To read more, click HERE.
FIGHTING GERRYMANDERING: African Americans in Georgia – and all minorities – must have an equal opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. It is high time we move past the dilution of African-American voting power in Georgia and ensure equal voting rights for all. I am proud to support a lawsuit that brings to life the rights provided by Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Lawsuits were also filed in Alabama and Louisiana. To read more, click HERE.
NET NEUTRALITY MUST BE PROTECTED: The Trump Administration is gripped by a feverish obsession to favor their corporate and special-interest friends when it comes to the Internet, among other things, all while making consumers and small business in Georgia take a back seat. It gives me great pride to stand with Georgians and to speak out to defend their right to the free and open Internet. To read more, click HERE.
TAKING AWAY PROTECTIONS FOR PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Republicans continue their attacks on health insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions as the Trump Administration announced it will argue in court that the Affordable Care Act's provisions preventing insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more for pre-existing conditions should be struck down. For more, click HERE.
GWINNETT COUNTY MAKES HISTORY WITH GT: Congratulations to Gwinnett County for being selected one of four communities to win the inaugural Georgia Smart Communities Challenge. The teams will each receive $50,000 in grants and $25,000 from Georgia Tech in researcher support. The selected communities each raised an additional $50,000. To read more, click HERE.
HEADED TO GERMANY: I would like to congratulate Tabea Lent, a Fourth District student from Oxford, Ga., who has been selected to participate in the Council on International Educational Exchange and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs' 2018-2019 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program in Germany. She is among 250 students from across the U.S. selected for this full-funded scholarship program. For more information on this program, click HERE.
THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON: I'll be voting on a slew of bills dealing with the opioid crisis and potentially voting on an immigration bill or two. We're still waiting to hear what Republicans will put on the floor. Also today, I'll be taking part in a joint Judiciary-Oversight Committee hearing discussing the Inspector General's 2016 election report, and I have hearings on federal judges and bankruptcy on Thursday.
Thank you.