Rep. Hank Johnson's E-Newsletter for December 2013

Dear Friends,

Last week in Washington, I voted in favor of the bipartisan budget proposal. It wasn’t everything that I wanted, but it represents a modest step toward enacting a budget and preventing further manufactured crises that only harm our economy, destroy jobs, and weaken our middle class.

Some members of the House went into these budget talks insisting on cuts to initiatives that families and seniors depend on – but the bipartisan deal does not cut Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid benefits.

Some insisted on continuing the job-killing sequester, but the agreement replaces almost two-thirds of the sequester’s impending cuts to important domestic investments like education, medical research and law enforcement next year.

Unconscionably, the agreement does not include an extension of unemployment insurance that many House Democrats have been fighting for. Last week, 166 House Democrats, including myself, called on Speaker Boehner not to let Congress go home for the year without extending the vital unemployment insurance that is set to expire for more than one million Americans, right in the middle of the holidays.

Unfortunately, Speaker Boehner refused. Now he must deal with presiding over one of the all-time least productive years in Congressional history, with its failure best illustrated through the government shutdown in October that put another unnecessary drag on our economy. My focus will remain on lifting the sequester, growing the economy, creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and continuing to reduce the deficit in a balanced and responsible way.

HONORING MR. MANDELA: Since my last e-letter, we lost civil rights icon and former South African President Nelson Mandela. In 1990, just after Mr. Mandela was released from a South African jail, I attended his speech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta during his 8-city tour of the United States. What impressed me most about Nelson Mandela was his humble spirit of forgiveness and love towards those who persecuted him. Neither angry nor vindictive, and with great courage and dignity, he endured 27 years in prison, sacrificing his liberty for the sake of all South Africans. To see my floor speech honoring Mr. Mandela, click HERE.

HELP FOR HEALTH CENTERS: I’m pleased to announce an additional $1.8 million from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is coming to Georgia for health centers that are currently assisting uninsured Americans with the new health insurance coverage options. Of the $1.8 million, more than $117,000 is coming to the Fourth District for Oakhurst Medical Center in Stone Mountain and Four Corners in Norcross. For more, click HERE.

EXTENDING DEADLINES FOR HEALTHCARE: Consumers now have more time to pay premiums for health coverage thanks to an extension worked out between the White House and insurance companies. America’s Health Insurance Plans announced Dec. 18 that consumers who select plans by Dec. 23 on the Affordable Care Act’s federal and state exchanges will be allowed to pay premiums as late as Jan. 10 for coverage that begins Jan. 1. For more, click HERE.

FAST FOR FAMILIES: Last week, I fasted for a day as part of the Fast for Families call for comprehensive immigration reform and the need for a vote on immigration in the House. I took up the fast from Rep. Jim McGovern and passed it to three California colleagues: Reps. Judy Chu, Zoe Lofgren and George Miller. For more, click HERE. For more on Fast for Families, click HERE.

MOBILE APP COMPETITION: I’m excited to announce the new Congressional app competition for high school students in participating districts. As part of the first ever House Academic Competition to promote innovation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the mobile apps competition will be the first in a series of STEM competitions next year and will be formally launched in February 2014. Please stay tuned for more information.

ART STATION: I want to congratulate Art Station in Stone Mountain for receiving a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This round of NEA funding supports primarily small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations – those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics or disability. For more, click HERE.

DISTRICT DURING HOLIDAYS: My wife Mereda and I had a wonderful time participating in various local holiday parades and celebrations, including Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Conyers and Covington. Thank you for such a warm welcome. For more, visit my Facebook page HERE.

INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG MAN: This week, we honored five-year-old Morgan Steward during “Officer Morgan Day” in Covington. Morgan suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition that affects his muscle movement. Despite the difficulties, he has one dream – to be a police officer. So, the Covington Police Department teamed up with 11Alive to hold “Officer Morgan Day” on Dec. 17, where Morgan got to be an officer for a day – writing speeding tickets, helping kids cross the street and giving a speech to the “bad guys.” We’re just glad our office could participate. For more, click HERE.

SOCIAL SECURITY: I want to let you know about some important upcoming changes to the way services are provided by Social Security offices. As of February 2014, the Social Security Administration will no longer offer Social Security number (SSN) printouts and benefit verification information in field offices. However, to ensure a smooth transition, they will continue providing these services if requested until April 2014. Beneficiaries and recipients needing a benefit verification letter can obtain one immediately by registering for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, or through the mail within 5–7 days by calling their national toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213.

MANUFACTURING COMMUNITIES: The U.S. Department of Commerce announced this week the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) competition. IMCP seeks to enhance the way we leverage federal economic development funds to encourage American communities to focus not only on attracting individual investments one at a time, but transforming themselves into globally-competitive manufacturing hubs. The deadline to apply is March 14, 2014. For more information, click HERE.

EXPEDITED PASSPORTS: The U.S. Department of State offers expedited passport services to U.S. citizens throughout the year. While U.S. citizens should apply as early as possible for their passport needs, the Department offers convenient options for those who need their travel documents sooner than the standard 4-to-6-week processing time. For more, click HERE.

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. Please have a safe and Happy Holiday season!