Rep. Johnson's E-Newsletter for Friday, February 22, 2013
Dear friends,
You might recall in my last e-newsletter that I discussed the drastic across-the-board spending cuts – referred to as the “sequester” or sequestration – that are set to take effect March 1. There is virtually no aspect of daily life in this country that will not be impacted in some way by these cuts.
We’ve arrived at this point for a number of reasons, none of which justify making life more difficult for honest, hardworking Americans. Instead of working together on a balanced approach to avoid the sequester and make smart, targeted cuts, this meat-axe approach threatens to shrink the operating budgets of every aspect of the federal government. I do not support the idea or policy of sequestration because simply put, it is bad policy.
Click image above for video of Hank discussing sequestration in a House Armed Services Committee meeting or click HERE.
Congress passed sequestration before the president signed it, and the whole self-defeating exercise was carried out in response to Tea Party Republicans’ insistence that we play chicken with the debt ceiling, which ultimately cost America its AAA credit rating.
In fact, sequestration was designed to be such a poison pill that Congress would cut a balanced deal to address the deficit so we could avoid it.
Despite the fact that sequestration is the result of failures on both sides of the aisle, it appears that House Republicans do not accept what many credible economists are saying: We can only deal with the debt if we put both spending cuts and revenue increases on the table.
As long as my friends on the other side of the aisle continue to insist only on cuts, against all economic logic, sequestration is going to eviscerate our military readiness while also endangering our fragile economic recovery. It could destroy millions of jobs – from teachers to firefighters, air traffic controllers to FBI agents – and cut access to health care.
This isn’t how you run government. I urge my colleagues to come together to fix this before it’s too late.
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S VISIT: It was a great day for Georgia and an honor to have President Obama in DeKalb County and the city of Decatur last week. We’re so proud that Georgia is leading the way in early childhood education; and that we can be the example the President can hold out to the nation. The President gave an inspired State of the Union address this month, now it’s time for us to get behind him and let everyone in Congress know that we need to move forward. He presented a bold plan to help create jobs by investing in education, infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing – offset by new savings or revenues. I agree with President Obama – only a thriving middle class can stimulate long-term growth and Americans must be given the tools to succeed.
For the sake of our children and our future, we must provide high-quality preschool for every child so they’re prepared and on the path to opportunity from an early age. We’re moving in the right direction. The economy is improving, but we have more work to do to ensure that all Americans can take advantage of a stronger economy. For more photos of the President’s visit, click HERE.
Pictured above: Hank and his wife, Mereda Davis Johnson, take in President Obama’s speech on the importance of early childhood education at the Decatur Recreation Center on Feb. 14.
CONYERS JOB FAIR: Springfield Baptist Church, the Georgia Department of Labor and the DeKalb Career Center Veterans unit are hosting a Career Expo on Wednesday, February 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Springfield Baptist – 1877 Iris Drive, Conyers, GA 30013. The event is free and open to the public. Military veterans will take priority. Please bring plenty of copies of your résumé and dress for success. For more, click HERE.
ROCKDALE RESOURCE SUMMIT: Next month, my office will participate in the Rockdale Nonprofit Resource Summit. We’ll be sharing valuable information and resources with nonprofit organizations so they can continue to enhance the lives of those we serve. For more, click HERE.
WHAT: Rockdale Nonprofit Resource Summit
WHERE: Rockdale Career Academy: 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers 30094.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 12, 2013; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FEDERAL GRANTS: Federal grants to help reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, gun violence, dating violence and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence are now available and on my website. For a look at these and other grants, click HERE. The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta also announced two diverse and flexible, but highly competitive grants for projects and activities limited only by the imagination and energy of neighborhoods’ residents for events such as block parties, cultural fairs and beautification projects, as well as longer-term undertakings such as after-school programs or community organizing efforts. For more, click HERE.
HEALTHY ME: On Saturday, Feb. 23 at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension – 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200 in Decatur – Generations Connected, in conjunction with the UGA-DeKalb Cooperative, is holding a free health program for middle school girls who attend DeKalb schools. The event focuses on health/nutrition awareness, best practices and leadership. The group meets the fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cooperative Extension. For more information and registration, contact the Extension office at 404-298-4080. Parent or guardian attendance is required for participation.
IMMIGRATION REFORM: I was pleased my office was able to attend GALEO-Azteca America meeting about commonsense immigration reform at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Briarcliff Road on Feb. 16. It is paramount that our country creates a pathway to citizenship for outstanding young people, law-abiding immigrants and the next generation of innovators and job creators. For more, click HERE.
WOMEN & VETERANS CONTRACTING PROGRAM: On March 14 at the U.S. Small Business Administration on Peachtree Street, there will be an eligibility workshop for women-owned and veteran-owned business entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business with the federal government. For more, click HERE.
GOOGLE & PRIVACY: I sent a letter to Google this week after reports indicated that some Google mobile apps are sharing user account billing information with third-party software developers, citing recent complaints of an app developer who claimed Google was sending him customers’ account names, email addresses, and locations without letting them know. It’s issues like this that prompted me to launch AppRights – a bottom-up mobile privacy initiative. I have heard from many consumers who want greater transparency, control, and security on their mobile devices. For more, click HERE.
ATLANTA VA’S NEW LEADER: Last week, the Veterans Administration announced that Leslie B. Wiggins will be the new director of the Atlanta VA Medical Center, which delivers health care to more than 89,000 veterans. Please welcome Ms. Wiggins. For more, click HERE.
TREASURY DEADLINE: March 1 is the deadline for all recipients of federal benefits who now receive paper checks to switch to a safe and convenient electronic payment option. Federal benefit recipients can sign up today by calling the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center’s toll-free at 1-800-333-1795. To learn more visit www.GoDirect.org.
NEWTON COUNTY: My staff and I look forward to attending the 2013 Newton County Farm Bureau Legislative Appreciation Dinner next week, and participating in the Newton County Leadership Collaborative 9th Annual Meeting on March 2.
PASSPORT DAY: The Atlanta Passport Agency – 230 Peachtree Street – is hosting a special passport event in Atlanta on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications. For more information, call (877) 487-2778 or visit travel.state.gov if you are interested in participating.
EAST MOUNTAIN STUDIOS: Congratulations to Thomas Blake and Bill Leavell on the opening of East Mountain Studios in Conyers this week. As the new kid on the block in the film industry offering one of the largest sound studios in the Southeast, we’re all excited that they have decided to call Rockdale County home. Pictured left is my District Director Kathy Register with Mr. Blake at the opening.
As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
