CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON'S COMMENTS SUPPORTING THE PAYROLL TAX CUT

President Obama spoke this afternoon at Scranton High School in Scranton, Pennsylvania to inform the American people on the dire need to extend the payroll tax cut, a section in the American Jobs Act. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson offered the following statement:

“The President’s payroll tax cut is an important piece of legislation that will benefit 160 million Americans by giving families an extra $1,500 a year. This is a necessary act that will give relief to working families, businesses, and ignite economic growth.

The tax cuts will be paid by implementing a small 3.25 percent surtax on income over $1 million a year. I stand by President Obama and believe that it’s time for the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.

If we don’t act now, Americans will feel the weight of owing $1,000 or more in tax increases, at a time when the nation is experiencing 9 percent unemployment and continued financial insecurity.”

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON's STATEMENT ON THE TEXAS VOTER ID LAW

In a letter issued Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) told the Texas Secretary of State’s Office that more information will be needed before any decision will be made on the controversial Voter ID law.

“The information provided thus far is incomplete and does not enable us to determine that the proposed changes have neither the purpose nor will have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of account of race, color or membership in a language minority group, as required under Section 5,” the Department of Justice stated.

In September, the DOJ requested a demographic breakdown of the estimated 605,500 registered voters who do not have state-issued IDs and drivers licenses in Texas. The Voter ID law, if pre-cleared would require all Texas voters to show a picture ID before casting their ballots.

The bill was pushed through under a Republican super-majority in the Texas Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry in the spring. However, any law affecting how Texans vote must first be pre-cleared by the DOJ, due to the state’s history of racially discriminating laws.

“I applaud the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision, denying preclearance on the Voter ID Law. This is a win for the Texans fighting to protect their Constitutional Right to Vote. The state’s continued defiance of cooperating with the DOJ, shows that the true intent of this legislation was to disenfranchise certain voters,” stated Congresswoman Johnson.

Congresswoman Johnson Awards Legendary Astronauts The Congressional Gold Medal

Space legends John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were awarded Congressional Gold Medals, the nation's highest civilian honor.

" 'Hero' is an overused word, but I think that all who are assembled here today would not hesitate to describe our honorees as genuine national heroes," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.


She said the astronauts have "continued to inspire young and old, even though their path-breaking missions occurred more than four decades ago."

The Capitol Rotunda ceremony was attended by Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, NASA administrator Charles Bolden Jr., retired space shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Democrat who was shot in the head in an assassination attempt in Tucson in January, and five members of the most recent astronaut candidate class.

It was a bittersweet moment for supporters of the space program, coming as Congress takes up a spending bill that would cut NASA’s budget by $648 million.

In accepting the medal, Glenn, 90, reprised a closing line from a speech he delivered to Congress nearly 50 years ago after his flight in Friendship 7: "As our knowledge of the universe in which we live increases, may God grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely."

Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. Aldrin, pilot of the lunar module, was the second to step foot on the moon. Collins piloted Apollo 11’s command module. Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth.


Recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include Wilbur and Orville Wright, Charles A. Lindbergh, Rosa Parks, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Walt Disney.

The presentation ceremony came more than two years after President Obama signed legislation to award the medals to the NASA legends. It was passed by Congress in 2009, the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON’S STATEMENT ON VETERAN’S DAY

“November 11th is an important and significant day in our nation as we have the opportunity to honor our veterans and offer sincere gratitude to those who’ve valiantly served our country. Our veteran’s commitment to America has provided a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Union, in which we live. I encourage each of you to observe this day by participating in programs and events commemorating their loyal service to our nation.

I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of our nation’s fallen heroes. I also wish to honor the million-plus American servicemen and women who are currently stationed in the United States and around the world. I commend them for their bravery and for the sacrifices they make to keep our nation safe and secure.

I will continue to ensure that our commitment to our troops and their families extends beyond November 11, 2011 and that we regularly honor the brave who’ve shaped our nation into a better country.”

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON HOSTS THE "TEXAS NO KID HUNGRY DALLAS SUMMIT"

On Wednesday November 9, 2011, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted the “Texas No Kid Hungry Dallas Summit” to help eradicate hunger through policy and education. Hunger thought leaders, key stakeholders, and local community organizations joined together at the Dallas Farmers Market to discuss solutions and make a pledge to combat child hunger in Dallas County.

“It is extremely appalling that Dallas is the fifth worst city for child hunger. What a difference it makes when students start the day with breakfast. We will not stop until we know every child is fed,” Congresswoman Johnson said.

Congresswoman has tirelessly worked on this issue since 1975, while serving in the Texas House of Representatives, by authoring a bill to stop hunger in schools through the School Breakfast Program. This program is now national and has positively impacted the lives of low-income children and families, which has successfully helped improve children’s overall classroom performance.

The Texas No Kid Hungry Dallas Summit was launched in partnership with the Texas Hunger Initiative (THI), Share Our Strength, Feed 3, City Square, and North Texas Food Bank.

Congresswoman Johnson's Floor Statement On The Importance Of Passing the American Jobs Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the President’s American Jobs Act because America’s small businesses need this legislation now to grow and hire new workers.

Creating jobs and strengthening the economy is my highest priority and I strongly urge this Congress to remain focused on these goals because they are the most pressing challenges facing Americans today. I know President Obama is 100 percent committed to creating jobs and I stand with him today in support of the American Jobs Act for the help it will bring to American small businesses.

The President’s American Jobs Act will cut the payroll tax in half for 98 percent of small businesses. These tax cuts will help over one hundred thousand African-American owned small businesses nationwide and countless other non-minority owned business. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cutting the employer payroll tax is one of the most effective job creating measures Congress can take and this effort has been supported by Republicans and Democrats alike.

In addition, the president’s proposal will completely eliminate payroll taxes for businesses that add new workers or increase wages of existing wages. This incentive is directly targeted to encourage small businesses to hire new workers and enjoys bipartisan support.

These tax incentives and tax reductions for American small businesses are common sense proposals to create jobs and strengthen our economy. I urge my colleagues on both side of the aisle to put partisan politics aside and stand with President Obama in his efforts to pass this legislation now because American families and small businesses need jobs now.

Thank you.

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses STEM Education, President Obama, CBC, and 2012 Plans with Dallas South News

In late September, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) hosted a roundtable discussion on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in Dallas. The roundtable examined how public and private stakeholders can work together to improve STEM education, especially at the middle and high school levels.
Johnson is the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She was joined at the event by Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-Texas). Johnson says the political climate in Washington has not been friendly to innovation, as a number of funding cuts have targeted science and technology programs.

Last April NASA’s budget was cut by $241million and Johnson argues that dollars spent on science and research pay big dividends. She cites how federal research spending has helped bring about innovations like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The congresswoman says her defense of investment in technology seems to “fall on deaf ears,” but she presents detailed, knowledge based information in committee meetings to support her positions.

Johnson said a “new element” in Congress has created a challenging work environment. She wouldn’t go so far as to blame the Tea Party, nor would she indict all of her GOP colleagues.

“I can’t say it’s the entire Republican Party,” Johnson says, “some of them say they wish they could do more to help.” But she adds there is a real fear which has divided the GOP. “I don’t think the Speaker (John Boehner) is engrained with this new element,” says Johnson, though she feels House Majority Leader Eric Cantor plays to the group.

CBCand President Obama

In recent months Congressional Black Caucus members have grown increasingly frustrated with President Barack Obama. Some representatives, including Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) say he hasn’t done enough to help African-Americans navigate the sour economy.

At the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in September, the President pushed back against his critics. “Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying,” the President said in a tone and voice many of his supporters have been waiting to hear. “We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC.”

Congresswoman Johnson said she respects the opinions of her colleagues, but disagrees with many of the claims levied against the President. “I know there are some personal things that have come up with several (CBC) members and the President.”

According to Johnson, the President was very clear about his position the last time he met with the caucus. “He said he understands the concerns but there’s not a lot he can do,” she recounts. The President suggested tapping into stimulus funds that have not yet been spent as well as focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Community Colleges.

Johnson has been a staunch supporter of the President and has been frustrated by how he’s being treated in recent months. “He’s done a lot with what he’s had to work with,” she says, “he can’t just get a pen and say ‘I’m setting up this program.’”
Jobs

Representative Johnson says the Congressional Black Caucus has introduced more than 40 bills related to jobs. She said the caucus has approached different companies to see what, if anything, they can do to help the situation.

Johnson said she’s found the skills being taught in classrooms don’t always line up with the skills that are needed in the workplace. She asserts that more teachers need to be brought into the work place so they can see what their students will face as they enter the job market.

“If [America is] going to continue to be competitive, we have got to focus on education,” Johnson says, adding an emphasis must be placed on technology education. “We’ve got to rise to the occasion,” she adds.



2012 Election Plans

Rep. Johnson was first elected to the U.S. House in 1992. For the last few cycles, there have been whispers of whether or not she would seek reelection. “I’ve been retiring for the last 10 years,” Johnson says. Last year she easily defeated Republican challenger Stephen Broden

Johnson says she intends to seek reelection next year in large part because of the encouragement she’s received throughout Dallas. She intends to make it official with an announcement at Southwest Center Mall this Friday.
“I’ve had the labor and business community and city and county officials approach me about staying,” Johnson explains. “If I wasn’t in this seat there may not be a Democratic representative from North Texas.”

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson spoke exclusively with Dallas S South News Editor Shawn Williams in her Dallas office. (Photo by Grant Meeks)