Dear Friends,
A lot has been happening in the District, Washington, D.C. and the region, so let’s jump right in.
PROTECTING CONSUMERS: This week I — along with Sens. Al Franken (D-MN) and  Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — announced our legislation, the Arbitration Fairness Act, which would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in civil rights, employment and consumer disputes. Forced arbitration agreements undermine our indelible Constitutional right to a trial by a jury of our peers, benefiting powerful businesses at the expense of consumers and workers. Americans with few choices in the marketplace may unknowingly cede their rights when they enter contracts to buy a home or purchase cell phone service, place a loved one in a nursing home or accept a new job. We must fight to defend our rights and re-empower consumers. For more, read about it in The New York Times.
Photo above: Hank meets with Sen. Al Franken on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, on Capitol Hill during a news conference where they announced their legislation, the Arbitration Fairness Act, which would restore consumers' rights to seek justice in the courts.
 RARE EARTHS BILL ON LEADERSHIP’S AGENDA: The Rare Act, a bill I introduced last month, is one of 25 bills included in the House Democrats’ “Make It In America” agenda, which was announced last week by Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and the House Democratic Caucus. The “Make It In America” agenda supports job creation by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the U.S. I hope Republicans in the House will support this legislation and join Democrats in focusing on jobs and the economy, instead of trying to defund health care reform, dismantle Medicare and protect Big Oil’s tax breaks. For more, click HERE. Read my column about Rare Earth minerals and my RARE Act in The Hill newspaper's blog.
DRUG COSTS FOR SENIORS: I sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) May 11 concerning the onerous cost-sharing requirements that Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are increasingly imposing on seniors. Using a system known as “specialty tiers” to classify high-cost drugs, Medicare forces recipients to pay up to 33 percent of a drug’s cost that exceeds $600, as opposed to charging seniors a fixed co-pay amount similar to those used for generic or preferred brand drugs. For more, click HERE. To read the letter, click HERE.
Photo above: Participants in Congressman Johnson's 2011 Congressional Arts Competition.
2011 ARTS COMPETITION: Congratulations to all our 2011 Congressional Arts Competition participants. This year, more than 30 entries were submitted from 18 schools. I’m pleased to announce that Aaron Tucker of Meadowcreek High School won the competition with “Peace in the Aftermath.” Ms. Tekeyah Hall of McNair High School was first runner up, Ms. Perry Daniels of Providence Christian Academy was second runner up; and Estephany Morales of Meadowcreek High was third runner up.
HEALTH INSURANCE AND GRADUATION: Thousands of students in the Fourth District are graduating high school and college in the next month. In years past, they automatically would have been kicked off their parents’ health insurance plans upon graduation. But now, thanks to Affordable Care Act, they can stay on their parents’ plans until they turn age 26. For more, watch this short video.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES: Speaking of graduation, congratulations to all our local high school and college 2011 graduates. Last Sunday, I attended Spelman College’s graduation ceremony, which had First Lady Michelle Obama as their commencement speaker. I echo what Mrs. Obama told all the Spelman graduates: “Do big things.” For more, click HERE.
 HELPING VETS: There isn’t much we do in Congress more important than helping our veterans — the men and women who put their lives on the line for us. That’s why I’m proud that more than 400 veterans, military personnel and their families received help at my 2011 Veterans and Armed Forces Expo in Clarkston on April 29. Thanks to Maj. Gen. Maria Britt of the Georgia National Guard and DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis for joining me in helping veterans and military personnel receive the benefits they deserve. For more, click HERE.
ARTS GRANTS: I’m pleased to announce the Phoenix Theatre Academy in Avondale Estates received a $10,000 federal grant to support the Youth’s Artists-in-Schools tour; and Push Push Theater Company in Decatur received a $15,000 federal grant to a career-building initiative for theater and media artists. Congratulations!
SIMPLIFYING TAXES: In an effort to help workers in an increasingly mobile economy who travel for work, Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) and I introduced the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2011. Under current law, some workers must file income tax forms for doing work in states other than where they reside or their employer is headquartered. This hurts small businesses and individuals, especially as we recover from the recession. This legislation not only simplifies the system, but makes it uniform for people who work in multiple jurisdictions. For more, click HERE.
WOMEN’S HEALTH: Last week was National Women's Health Week, but the health events, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women's Health, occur year round. The theme for 2011 is “It’s Your Time.” National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. For more, click HERE.
HOMESAFE: HomeSafe, a Georgia Program designed to provide temporary mortgage assistance to homeowners who have suffered a substantial income loss due to involuntary unemployment or underemployment, is now available online. HomeSafe Georgia provides assistance in the form of a forgivable loan, in which the proceeds would be used to pay mortgage payments directly to your lender. There are two different programs available, Mortgage Payment Assistance and Reinstatement Assistance. For more, click HERE.
POWERFUL STORMS, FLOODS: All of us in the South are united in our concern for the victims of the horrific storms that struck last month and in our commitment to rebuild in their wake. Today, the Mississippi River is flooding and causing millions in damages in its wake. I urge residents to get involved to see how you can make a difference. For more, click HERE.
NEW PASSPORT OFFICE:For all you last-minute globe trotters, a new Atlanta Passport Agency opened May 16 for Georgians who need an expedited passport for travel within fewer than 14 days or within four weeks for a foreign visa. Now we no longer have to drive to Washington, D.C., Miami or New Orleans for an overnight passport. Atlanta Passport Agency, 230 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 1000, 1-877-487-2778; an appointment is required.
As always, I appreciate your time and comments. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. Please share this e-letter with friends and family who live in the Fourth District and encourage them to sign up to receive these free online newsletters. Also, follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
Thanks,
 | May 18, 2011 
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My Staff Arthur D. Sidney, Chief of Staff
Kathy Register, District Director
District
Shy Armstrong
Peter Butts
Katie Dailey
Betty Dixon
Eric C. Hubbard
Ray Khalfani
Andy Phelan
Carole Mumford
Dori Scales
Paulette Suggs Washington, D.C.
Scott Goldstein
Jocelyn Griffin
Glenn Miles
Jonathan Ossoff
Mark Perkins
Ebony Simpson
Oliver Spurgeon, III
Sascha Thompson
Marybeth Williams |
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — announced our legislation, the Arbitration Fairness Act, which would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in civil rights, employment and consumer disputes. Forced arbitration agreements undermine our indelible Constitutional right to a trial by a jury of our peers, benefiting powerful businesses at the expense of consumers and workers. Americans with few choices in the marketplace may unknowingly cede their rights when they enter contracts to buy a home or purchase cell phone service, place a loved one in a nursing home or accept a new job. We must fight to defend our rights and re-empower consumers. For more, read about it in 
RARE EARTHS BILL ON LEADERSHIP’S AGENDA: The Rare Act, a bill I introduced last month, is one of 25 bills included in the House Democrats’ “Make It In America” agenda, which was announced last week by Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and the House Democratic Caucus. The “Make It In America” agenda supports job creation by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the U.S. I hope Republicans in the House will support this legislation and join Democrats in focusing on jobs and the economy, instead of trying to defund health care reform, dismantle Medicare and protect Big Oil’s tax breaks. For more, click 
HELPING VETS: There isn’t much we do in Congress more important than helping our veterans — the men and women who put their lives on the line for us. That’s why I’m proud that more than 400 veterans, military personnel and their families received help at my 2011 Veterans and Armed Forces Expo in Clarkston on April 29. Thanks to Maj. Gen. Maria Britt of the Georgia National Guard and DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis for joining me in helping veterans and military personnel receive the benefits they deserve. For more, click 
concern for the victims of the horrific storms that struck last month and in our commitment to rebuild in their wake. Today, the Mississippi River is flooding and causing millions in damages in its wake. I urge residents to get involved to see how you can make a difference. For more, click 
