Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 23rd Annual Prayer Breakfast

Congresswoman Johnson hosted the annual “30^thCongressional District Prayer Breakfast.  The event was well attended with more than 100 guests gathering to experience what has become one of the Congresswoman’s signature events for the last 23 years.

“No life is worth living without the presence of God,” said Congresswoman Johnson as she opened the two-hour event. “These are very trying times in Washington,” she said. “Through them, I have learned the strength of prayer…Thank you for praying for both me and my efforts in Congress.”

The breakfast keynote speaker, Reverend Larry James, the CEO of CitySquare, a Dallas-based non-profit that advocates for those living in poverty, said “all of God’s children are worthy of respect. We must work to improve the social conditions that some of our fellow citizens confront each and every day.”

Central to Congresswoman Johnson’s mission is “a devotion to solving problems that many people face, and enriching the lives of all people,” said Reverend James. “I have voted for her in each election, and I will continue to vote for and support her efforts, because she has the best interests of those she serves at heart.”

“We are a nation governed by a constitution that recognizes the equality of people of all religions,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “In our country, and certainly in District 30, all people are welcome regardless of their religious background.”

The prayer breakfast also featured student performers from the surrounding area, cellist, Iris Holister from Southern Methodist University’s Seminary School and Claude Alexander III, a performance dancer from the Dallas Black Dance Theater.

Congresswoman Johnson Pushes For Congressional Medal Of Honor For Texan 'Dorie' Miller

Since at least 1942, beginning with U.S. Rep. John Dingell — whose son would become the longest-serving member of Congress — several U.S. representatives have fought to have the Medal of Honor bestowed on Texan Doris “Dorie” Miller.

Among those members of Congress who tried, but failed, were Reps. Jake Pickle, Barbara Jordan, Craig Washington and Mickey Leland, according toThe Dallas Morning News.

Miller, a native of Waco, was an African-American who served as a mess attendant aboard the USS West Virginia when it was hit by Japanese torpedoes in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

In those days, blacks were not allowed to have combat assignments, yet when his ship was struck Miller manned a machine gun, firing it until it ran out of ammunition, and helped carry the wounded to safe areas.

In 1942, the Texan was given the Navy Cross, now the Navy’s second highest honor, for “exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety,” becoming the first black person to receive that award. But he was not recommended for the Medal of Honor.

Miller died in action the following year while serving on a ship in the South Pacific that was also struck by a torpedo.

After almost 75 years since his heroic act at Pearl Harbor, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas, also a Waco native, is making another attempt to get the Medal of Honor for Miller. The Morning News says she “is building a national committee of 500 community leaders, elected officials and historians” to work toward that effort.

Beginning this summer there will be a letter writing campaign to ask President Obama to award the honor to Miller.

The nation’s highest military award should not be handed out lightly and, for some reason, Miller’s actions have been deemed by those who reviewed them to cross the merit threshold for the Navy Cross but not the Medal of Honor.

At a time when the term hero is so easily applied to those who perform even the most mundane acts, it is about time that the nation recognizes this true American hero with its highest honor. - Source: The Star Telegram

Congresswoman Johnson Urges Confirmation of Loretta Lynch As Attorney Gerneral

"Her impeccable record includes the successful prosecutions of high profile public corruption and civil rights cases, as well as cases in which public officials were physically assaulted. Since the events of9/11, her office has been responsible for the conviction ofindividuals involved in plotting terrorist attacks against this country.Time and time again, Ms. Lynch has demonstrated a commitment tokeeping Americans safe. She has performed her job effectively, andwithout grandstanding. It is time for the Senate to do the same.

The U.S. Constitution grants the Senate the power to provide“advice and consent” regarding Presidential appointments. This role of the Senate in confirming presidential appointees is an important one. Historically, Senators will question a nominee on their record, and press them on important matters to determine if the nominee is qualified to advise the president.

The Senate has already determined, on two separate occasions, that Ms. Lynch is a prosecutor with impeccable character and expertise. She has been confirmed by the Senate twice as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York under President Clinton in 2000, and again under President Obama in 2010. During her most recent Senate confirmation hearing Ms. Lynch performed admirably. She endured hours of grueling questions concerning her legal record, her views on immigration, limits to the president’s executive authority, and a host of other legal issues she may encounter as the nation’s top law enforcement official.

Ms. Lynch has the necessary qualifications to be our nation’s next Attorney General. From her stellar record as a federal prosecutor, to her prestigious academic pedigree, her experiences have prepared her to enforceand uphold both the letter and the spirit of the United States Constitution at the highest level. Shamefully, Senate Republicans are holding her confirmation hostage as they continue the battle over the president’s immigration policies.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated that there would not be a confirmation vote for Ms. Lynchuntil the Senate finishes its debate over an anti-trafficking bill, which has been slowed by a fight over anabortion provision. Yet again, Senate Republicans are using Ms. Lynch’s confirmation as political leveragefor an unrelated matter. This is no way to govern.

America has waited far too long for a new attorney general to be confirmed while justice hangs in the

balance. The time has come for the Senate to act. There has been no substantive criticism of Ms. Lynch’s qualifications. She has worked to earn the support of a majority of the Senate. In fact, the Senate Judiciary Committee has already voted to approve the nomination. Yet the Republican Leadership has refused to bring her nomination to the floor. It is time for the Senate to provide the “advice and consent” that they are constitutionally empowered to give." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Highlights New Report Showing 16.4 Million Americans Covered Under Affordable Care Act

Congresswoman Johnson highlighted that a new report shows that 16.4 million uninsured people have gained coverage since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010.

"This new report continues to highlight the success of the Affordable Care Act- showing that more than 16 million uninsured Americans have been able to obtain quality, affordable coverage since the ACA became law nearly five years ago on March 23, 2010," said Congresswoman Johnson. 

Specifically, the 16.4 million Americans who have gained coverage include:

• 14.1 million adults who have gained health insurance coverage since the beginning of Open Enrollment under the Affordable Care Act in October 2013; and

• 2.3 million young adults who have gained coverage since the enactment  of ACA in 2010 due to the ACA provision allowing young adults to remain on a parent's plan until age 26.

Additionally, the new report shows that the ACA has made progress in addressing high uninsured rates in Latino and African American communities.  Since October 2013, the uninsured rates among these minority groups have dropped more dramatically than the rate among Whites:

• Among Latinos, the uninsured rate has dropped by 12.3 percentage points - resulting in 4.2 million gaining health coverage; and

• Among African Americans, the uninsured rate has dropped by 9.2 percentage points - resulting in 2.3 million obtaining coverage.

These reductions in uninsured rates are due to three key provisions in the ACA:  the availability of affordable insurance through Health Insurance Marketplaces, the expansion of Medicaid, and allowing young people (up to age 26) to stay on their parents' plans.

"When it comes to the key measures of affordability, access, and quality, evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses, and taxpayers are better off as a result," concluded Congresswoman Johnson. 

Congresswoman Johnson Reintroduces Public Access To Public Science Bill

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) today reintroduced the Public Access to Public Science (PAPS) Act. This legislation would ensure public access to published materials concerning scientific research and development activities funded by federal science agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Weather Service (NWS). An embargo period is included to help balance publishers' needs with public access goals. PAPS builds on efforts by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner: "It is past time to embrace a public access policy for scientific research. The federal government spends over $100 billion annually on research and development. This bill would ensure Americans have access to the results of their investment. Public access will help prevent duplicative research, foster innovation, increase scientific breakthroughs and keep America on the cutting edge of science and technology."

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson: "I want to thank Mr. Sensenbrenner for his continued leadership on this issue. I am delighted to join him once again in introducing this legislation. Public access is an important topic across the scientific enterprise, and for budding scientists, start-up companies, garage inventors, and families everywhere. Increased access and increased use of technology to enable and promote discovery across the corpus of scientific literature will advance the frontiers of science, medicine, and innovation across all sectors of our economy. In 2009 and 2010, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee took a leadership role on public access, launching an open process that culminated in the 2013 OSTP guidance to all federal research agencies to develop public access plans. I am pleased that many agencies have since published such plans and I encourage those agencies who have not yet done so to accelerate their processes. In codifying OSTP's balanced guidance with this legislation, we are institutionalizing the framework for public access while ensuring that stakeholders continue to have input as agencies implement and update their policies. But as with any introduced bill, this remains a work in progress. I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Sensenbrenner and with all interested parties as we move forward."