Rep. Johnson’s first votes of 2015 protect healthcare & environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that the first two major votes of the 114th Congress he cast were to protect Americans access to healthcare and safeguard the environment.

On Thursday, House Republicans voted for the 54th time to undermine or scrap altogether the Affordable Care Act. H.R. 30, the Sabotage American Workers Act, is a GOP bill that would increase the deficit and reduce the number of people who have health insurance, according to the CBO. Instead of protecting the American worker, this bill would make it easier for employers to cut hours to deny people health care. This bill is a talking point, disguised as a helpful policy proposal.

“I strongly opposed this bill because it would significantly increase the deficit, reduce the number of Americans with employer-based health insurance coverage, and create incentives for employers to shift their employees to part-time work – causing the problem it intends to solve,” said Johnson.

“Rather than attempting once again to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, which the House has tried to do 54 times, it is time for the Congress to stop fighting old political battles and join the President in forwarding an agenda focused on providing greater economic opportunity and security for middle class families and all those working to be a part of the middle class.”

On Friday, Rep. Johnson also voted against the Keystone Pipeline.

“Well, at least Republicans are staying true to form and showing the American people where their priorities lie – it appears their 2015 agenda is focused on big giveaways to Big Oil and other corporate interests,” said Johnson. “Not only does this project threaten to pollute our land and water, but offers the American people little to nothing in return while sidestepping the permitting process.”

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