Congresswoman Johnson Requests Hearings On Trump White House Cyber Issues

Democrats on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology are asking for hearings about the executive branches’ cyber vulnerabilities.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), the committee’s ranking member, and two other Democrats wrote a letter to Republican committee leaders on Thursday asking to probe cyber issues in President Trump’s White House. 

They cited the massive amount of media and congressional scrutiny of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as a precedent for their request. 

“We are writing to inform the Committee of further opportunities to investigate Executive Branch cybersecurity issues that have been of intense interest to you in the past,” Reps. Johnson, Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) wrote in the letter.

They accused the new administration of showing a “shocking disregard for cybersecurity practices,” pointing to news reports that senior Trump administrative staffers had active accounts on a Republican National Committee server and revelations that President Trump’s @POTUS Twitter account was linked to an unsecured Gmail account. 

They also expressed concern over Trump’s use of an unsecured “outdated Android phone,” which he is reportedly still using.

“Foreign intelligence services, or even an unsophisticated hacker, could easily exploit either of these phones,” they wrote. 

“Given your previous investigations of cybersecurity practices at multiple Federal agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Federal Reserve Board, and with respect to former Secretary Clinton’s private email server, we trust you will be equally concerned with any and all careless cybersecurity practices of the Trump Administration,” the Democrats wrote. 

The letter was sent to Reps. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), the committee’s chairman, and subcommittee chairs Darin Lahood (R-Ill.), and Barbara Comstock (R-Va.).

The request comes amid heightened concern about cyber vulnerabilities in the wake of Russia’s alleged hacking of systems used by the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s former presidential campaign chair. The subcommittee led by Comstock has scheduled a hearing next Tuesday on strengthening U.S. cyber capabilities. 

Source: The Hill

Congresswoman Johnson Opposes Unconstitutional Muslim Ban

“I stand in solidarity with the refugees, immigrants and their loved ones who are being banned from entering our country. This does not represent the America that is made up of immigrants or the values we cherish, one being freedom of religion.

“Yesterday across the nation and here at the Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport many people were being detained and were not allowed entry into our country. This was all a result of the most recent executive action signed by President Trump banning individuals from seven dominant Muslim countries to enter our country. During this time there is a lot of confusion and families being torn apart. I am aware and waiting to be fully briefed on how many people are being detained at the DFW airport, so my staff and I can fully provide assistance and guidance to those who need it.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson On Supreme Court's Decision To Dismiss Texas Voter ID Case

“As a Texas native, I have witnessed many dark days in the fight to ensure voting rights for all people. The 2013 Supreme Court decision, Shelby County v. Holder, overturned portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in historically discriminatory states and allowed those states to implement changes to election laws without any checks and balances.

“Today marks a step in the right direction and gives us that hope for fair and inclusive voting laws. I am encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to deny Texas officials’ appeal of the voter ID law ruling. This restrictive voter identification law has made it harder for the elderly, students, minorities, and rural citizens in Texas to vote.

“It is very clear that the voter ID laws implemented after the Shelby decision are discriminatory in nature. Republicans are losing this battle by attributing the need of strict voter ID requirements to voter fraud when the collected data refutes their argument. However, as the fight remains to stop discriminatory voter laws, I will be persistent in my role as a senior Member of Congress in vocalizing my concerns and providing solutions to this issue. I will not allow or accept laws that intimidate voter participation. And I am confident after today’s Supreme Court decision the lower courts in Texas will find a way to respect the rights of all eligible voters.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Comments On The Confirmation Of Betsy De Vos As Secretary Of Education

“Although members of the House cannot vote on the confirmation of Cabinet Secretaries, Betsy DeVos would not have received my support to be our next Education Secretary,” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson said. “Throughout her confirmation process, Ms. DeVos demonstrated a deep lack of understanding of matters fundamental to education policy and her record provides no reprieve for such concern. Going forward, however, Ms. DeVos will be the Education Secretary, but I do hope that this historically contentious confirmation process will give her pause to reflect and reconsider her approach to the Department of Education. Additionally that she takes seriously the Agency’s mission to provide every child in America the access to a quality public education they all deserve. I believe that it would be in her best interest to take into careful consideration the concerns of many members of Congress and those expressed by millions of Americans about her role as the future steward of our children’s future if she is to effectively carry out the duties of the Secretary.” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Co-Sponsors Freedom Of Religion Act In Response To President Trump's Muslim Ban

In response to President Trump’s unlawful, immoral Executive Order banning all refugees as well as individuals and families from certain Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East from entering the United States, House Members introduced the Freedom of Religion Act today to prohibit barring immigrants, refugees, and international visitors from entry on the basis of religion. They were joined by Gold Star father Khizr Khan and supporting religious and civil liberties organizations. 

Congresswoman Johnson's Opening Statement For "Making EPA Great Again" Hearing

"Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today. In particular, I want to thank my former House colleague, Dr. Rush Holt, for being here to share his unique perspective. I would also like to welcome to the Committee our new Colleagues from both sides of the aisle. As I stated at our organizational meeting this morning, it is my hope that we will be able to find common ground work together on important issues this Congress.

“With that said, I am disappointed, but not really surprised, that our very first hearing this Congress will be focused on attacking the Environmental Protection Agency, as was so often the theme of our hearings last Congress. I would also note that, of the witnesses invited by the Majority to testify today, we have a lobbyist for industry, a representative from an industry trade group, and a consultant for industry. That is not a panel likely to produce an objective examination of EPA’s activities.

“The efforts by some to undermine how the EPA, and other federal agencies, use science threatens our economy, threatens public health, threatens the environment, and threatens public confidence in our government. This is especially true when such efforts rely on biased, incomplete, and misleading information—“alternative facts” if you will—in an attempt to advance a provably false narrative against the EPA.

“Regulatory activity to protect public health and the environment should be supported by a robust analysis of the best available scientific evidence, and that is what EPA does.  Policies geared towards preemptively limiting scientific input into this process undermine EPA’s ability to take justifiable actions to protect the American public. Questioning the credibility of the scientific process, casting doubt on the scientific research used by EPA, or selectively limiting what sources of scientific information EPA may consider jeopardizes the effectiveness of the only government agency specifically tasked to protect human health and the environment.

“Simply put, limiting the science EPA uses only serves to limit the actions EPA may take to protect public health and the environment.

“I hope that my colleagues will listen today with a critical ear, and ask themselves whether they want to support policies that will harm future generations instead of empowering them, remove public health safeguards instead of strengthening them, and reverse the progress made over the last 40 years, instead of working to find a constructive path forward." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces Apollo 1 Memorial Act On 50th Anniversary Of The Tragedy

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has introduced the “Apollo 1 Memorial Act.” This bill establishes a memorial in Arlington Cemetery to honor the astronauts who died in the 1967 Apollo 1 spacecraft fire.

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “The Nation’s success in human spaceflight is well documented. Unfortunately, success in human spaceflight has come at a high cost.  Brave men and women have paid the ultimate cost in the name of space exploration.

“On January 27, 1967, Astronauts Command Pilot Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White II, and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee were killed in an electrical fire that broke out inside their Apollo Command Module on Launch Pad 34 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Although all three astronauts were posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, it is surprising that we do not have a memorial to honor the lives of the crew of Apollo 1 as was done for the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews.

“This bill would redress that unfortunate omission. It has been 50 years since the Apollo accident. We have the opportunity and a duty to honor these three brave men and their contribution to America’s preeminence in human spaceflight.  It is time to build a memorial so that current and future Americans never forget their sacrifice.”

General David F. Melcher (USA-RET.), President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association, said, “A national memorial to the Apollo 1 crew on the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery would serve as a fitting tribute from our nation to these three gallant men who served their country in military uniform and the uniform of NASA.”

Original cosponsors of the bill include Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee; Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Committee; Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL); Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK); Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL); Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA); Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY); Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA); Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA); Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI); Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA); Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR); Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU); Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-WA); Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA); Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL); Congressman Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN); Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN); Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO); and Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI).

Ranking Member Johnson is hopeful that more Members will sign on to this bill honoring these American heroes and that Congress will quickly pass this legislation.