Congresswoman Johnson Hosts Annual Youth Crime Prevention Summit

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted the Annual Youth Crime Prevention Summit at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center in Dallas, TX. The Summit brought together students from vulnerable and underserved populations in Dallas and local members of law enforcement, county judges, community/business leaders:  

Each year, after schools release their students for summer break, a traditional increase in youth related crimes occurs. This spike is often attributed to a lack of constructive outlets summer activities or programs for vulnerable youth. This year’s theme, “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Stay Safe, Survive, and Thrive” drove the summit’s discussion on crime deterrents, dispute resolution tactics, community programs, and constructive activities students can participate in throughout the summer months.

Due to legislative obligations Congresswoman Johnson greeted the audience digitally, with a prerecorded video. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of making positive choices. “Today is all about cultivating your leadership skills, surrounding you with the right people, and helping you to avoid situations that might lead you down the wrong path,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “And believe me, there are many situations you will find yourselves in life where the opportunity to make the wrong choice is easy.”

“Opportunity is constantly knocking at our door. It is up to you whether to open that door and walk through the threshold to achieve your full potential. That means making the right decisions and it all begins with your choice. My hope is that you will leave here today with a better understanding of how to surround yourselves with the right people, how to equip yourselves with the right tools to make sound decisions, and how to channel your energy to do good for your community.”

The program concluded with a Q&A session from students to the panelists, thereafter.

A special thank you to members of the Dallas Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department, our judges, Corps of Engineers, Ms. Pemberton, Mr. McGuire, Mr. Ewell, and Pastor Marsh for your participation and in guiding the youth from our community today.

Congresswoman Johnson Honors Service Men And Women On Memorial Day

“On this Memorial Day, we honor the sacrifices of the servicemen and women of America’s Armed Forces who have fought and died to defend our freedom. Members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard have molded America into the great Nation that it is today. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the brave Americans in uniform and recognize the families of our fallen.” Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces Resolution Recognizing Commencement Of Ramadan

Congresswoman Johnson was joined by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), André Carson (D-IN), Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), in introducing a resolution recognizing the commencement of Ramadan. May 26, 2017, marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan:

“We are blessed to live in a nation that protects its citizens' right to religious freedom, and embraces religious diversity and interfaith understanding,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Muslim Americans and Muslims across the world take time during this month to reflect upon their faith and strive for an elevated level of compassion and charity. Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, family bonding, communal service and worship, and self-renewal.”  

“Let us not forget that our Muslims brothers and sisters serve our nation everyday by placing their lives on the line. As we approach the Memorial Day holiday, we should also celebrate and acknowledge that over 3,700 Muslims serve on active duty and over 1,900 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces. I am pleased that in Texas we have the largest Muslim populations in our nation who are active participants and continuously contribute in our communities.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson 

Congresswoman Johnson Responds To Trump's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal

“The President’s Budget Proposal for fiscal year 2018 is a far cry from the promises he made to work on behalf of all Americans. Instead, the President and his administration propose a budget that provides an abundance of unnecessary and untenable tax cuts to powerful corporations and wealthy individuals, while jeopardizing the future of hard-working families.  

Critical investments in our nation’s infrastructure are still desperately needed.  Yet, the President’s FY18 budget proposal seeks instead to slash funding for important programs such as Capital Investment Grants, effectively killing 56 transit projects that are currently in the pipeline such as DART’s D2 Alignment Project and the Red and Blue Line Platform Extension Project.  His budget would also eliminate the highly-successful TIGER discretionary grant program.  This is a terrible proposal that does not reflect the needs of our nation.

The security of our nation is founded upon a strong economy and the future of our nation rests in our investments in education.The President’s budget steals billions of dollars from critical job-creating investments in infrastructure, innovation and clean energy. It features unprecedented cuts to programs designed to revitalize communities and generate broad-based prosperity.

Instead of giving public schools and our teachers the resources and professional development services they need to provide our children with excellent, high-quality education, the proposed budget would severely slash more than 22 important educational programs.

Drastic cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance, and Medicaid would undermine coverage for millions of Americans, and abandons our most vulnerable citizens including the elderly, Americans with disabilities, and our children.    

We simply cannot afford a budget that hollows out our economy, ransacks our investments in jobs, undermines basic living standards and strips funding for public education. We must continue to work together to ensure that all Americans are protected and not forgotten while we seek growth and a competitive advantage in the workforce." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Condemns Threats Made Against Congressman Al Green

Congresswoman Johnson joined members of the Texas Democratic Delegation in condemning the threats made against Representative Al Green (TX-09) after he called for the president’s impeachment:

“I stand with the entire Texas Democratic Delegation and condemn the attacks on our colleague, Congressman Al Green,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Many of these threats are racist in tone and are too disturbing to repeat. We stand with our friend and against the violent threats made against him and his family that are not just despicable –they are criminal. We hope law enforcement is able to uncover the perpetrators.”

Congresswoman Johnson Warns Department Of Energy Against Unlawful Withholding Of Funds

Congresswoman Johnson along with nearly 60 House Democrats are demanding answers from the Department of Energy about a delay in the disbursement of funds approved by Congress for cutting-edge energy technology projects that were already selected for awards.

Funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) projects was approved in previous budgets, for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The approved project grants are unrelated to President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, scheduled for release Tuesday, which is expected to include major cuts to the ARPA-E program.

“Small businesses and other grant recipients who have already moved forward with their research projects, their staffing adjustments, and their procurement decisions did so in good faith,” the House members wrote in a Tuesday letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry. “The withholding of anticipated funds will cause those companies and researchers unnecessary hardship and could inhibit their success.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), vice-ranking member of the House Science Committee, along with Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), led 57 lawmakers in pressing Perry to immediately release funds to previously approved projects at ARPA-E. They also asked Perry to clarify DOE procedures for approving and funding grants.

In late April, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), ranking member of the House Science Committee, wrote a letter to Perry asking why DOE initiated a “no contract action” order in which funds were not being disbursed for already approved grants.

In a May 4 response, Perry’s chief of staff, Brian McCormack, said that the already-approved grants were being reviewed to ensure they are consistent with fiscal year 2018 administration priorities.

But the Democrats noted that under law, appropriations for FY16 and FY17 are not retroactively reviewable “under the lens of FY 2018 priorities.” Appropriations for FY16 and FY17 were already approved by Congress and signed into law by the president, they wrote.

Once appropriations have been made, federal agencies are required by law to direct appropriations to the programs for which they are dedicated, the lawmakers explained. In fiscal years 2016 and 2017, Congress “explicitly appropriated funds to the Department of Energy to fulfill ARPA-E’s legally authorized mission,” they wrote.

The “impoundment” of appropriated funds is an act by a president of not spending money that has been appropriated by Congress. During President Richard Nixon’s second term in office, Congress believed Nixon was abusing his authority to impound the funding of programs he opposed.

Congress then passed the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which effectively removed the impoundment power of the president and required the president to obtain congressional approval to rescind specific government spending. Nixon ended up signing the act because his administration was then embroiled in the Watergate scandal and unwilling to provoke Congress.

In their Tuesday letter, the Democratic lawmakers noted that “inhibiting the flow of funds or interfering with the execution of appropriations in the manner directed by Congress is unlawful.”

Last week, DOE said it had released funding to three projects that previously were selected by ARPA-E as recipients of research money. Nonetheless, Johnson said in a statement sent to ThinkProgress that she still has “serious concerns,” given that at least 20 additional competitively selected awardees are still awaiting disbursement of their promised grant money.

Congress appropriated $291 million for ARPA-E in FY16, more than $70 million of which remains “unobligated” despite awardees already being selected. “We request that you immediately release all of these FY 2016 funds to these competitively selected project awardees,” the lawmakers said.

New administrations and agencies periodically re-evaluate programs. In his response to Johnson, McCormack noted that DOE’s Office of Management is the primary department conducting review of the awards. But the Democrats argued in the letter that this office “does not have the technical expertise to intervene in or override” a competitive grant selection process for advanced research projects.

Congresswoman Johnson Expresses Concerns Over Firing Of EPA Board Of Scientific Counselors

Congresswoman Johnson, Ranking Member of the Science, Space & Technology Committee andEnergy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt today expressing concerns and raising questions about the recent dismissal of nine members of the EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors.

The letter was signed by Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), both Committees’ Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Members Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Don Beyer (D-VA), and both Committees’ Environment Subcommittee Ranking Members Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).

The letter highlights fears, reported in the New York Times and the Washington Post, that the Board’s scientific credibility will be diluted by issue-specific industry advocates and partisan motivations.  The letter also asks Pruitt to ensure that the EPA follows proper federal law regarding advisory committees and conflicts of interest regulations when appointing new members to the Board.

“We have serious concerns about this action that has prematurely removed qualified experts from EPA’s Board and deprives EPA of critical scientific and technical expertise needed to support the Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment,” wrote the six Democratic Committee leaders.

The EPA Board of Scientific Counselors was established in 1996 to provide expert advice on EPA’s research and development work, and operates consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).  The Board comments on strategic research plans, laboratory management, and budget and staffing issues, and – pursuant to FACA – is required to select Board members that represent a balanced set of views, expertise, and other relevant factors.

“We are also seriously concerned that you now intend to fill these newly opened positions with members who will serve as advocates for specific policies rather than as unbiased experts,” the Members continued. “To maintain the scientific integrity of the Board’s work, we expect you to adhere to the requirements of FACA for transparency and balance in making new appointments to the Board. We further expect you will appoint new members as Special Government Employees who are bound by conflicts of interest regulations.”

As part of their inquiry into the dismissal of the nine Board members, the six committee leaders requested additional information, including:

1.         Provide all communications, records, and analysis related to EPA’s determination not to renew the appointments of Board members whose first terms ended on April 27, 2017.

2.         Provide the Committees a copy of the outreach plan prepared by the EPA’s Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the Board as well as the draft grid of potential nominees also prepared by the DFO.

3.         Explain what systems and processes EPA intends to implement in order to ensure that any new Board members are in compliance with all applicable ethics regulations and free of any conflicts of interest or appearances of being unable to provide impartial advice.

Congresswoman Johnson Responds To EPA Settlement Decision Regarding Proposed Pebble Mine In Bristol Bay, Alaska

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pebble Limited Partnership, the subsidiary of the foreign-owned mining company Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., reached a settlement agreement regarding the company’s litigation against the Agency. The settlement will permit the company to apply for a federal mining permit for its proposed massive open-pit gold and copper mine at the heart of Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the largest natural sockeye salmon fishery in the world.

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “I hope that this settlement will not prove to be another example of this Administration putting the interests of oil, gas and mining corporations ahead of the American people. The proposed Pebble Mine would be devastating to the environment, economy, and public health of the residents of the Bristol Bay Watershed.”

For more than one decade the Pebble Partnership has said it would be filing a mining application imminently to build their proposed Pebble Mine, but they never did and ran into financial hurdles. In 2013 and 2014 the company’s two financial partners, British mining company Anglo American and British-Australian global mining giant Rio Tinto, withdrew from the project. In 2014, after an extensive three-year environmental review, the EPA initiated the Clean Water Act’s Section 404(c) process to limit the scale and scope of the proposed mine. The 404(c) process has been used 13 times previously including eleven times by Republican Administrations and once prior to an application for a mine being filed. In 2014, soon after the company initiated litigation against EPA the court issued an injunction temporarily halting any work on the 404(c) process. The settlement now allows the mining company to move forward with its application, an ability they had prior to filing their lawsuit. The EPA also agreed to start a process to withdraw their proposed 404(c) determination, but they will be permitted to use their extensive scientific assessments of the Bristol Bay Watershed.

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, “I am disappointed to learn that Administrator Pruitt has blessed this settlement between the Pebble Limited Partnership and the EPA. The Bristol Bay Watershed is one of this country’s most treasured natural resources and home to the world’s largest natural sockeye salmon run which is an integral part of the social and cultural heritage for native Alaskan tribes. It also supports more than 10,000 American jobs and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic output.  If Administrator Pruitt is serious about environmental stewardship, as he indicated during his confirmation hearing, then EPA’s prior lawful and extensive science-based decision to limit mining activity in the Bristol Bay region should guide any future activity.”

Many of the concerns with the proposed Pebble Mine are detailed in a Democratic Staff Report,“The Pebble Promise in Bristol Bay,” released in April 2016 and available here.

Congresswoman Johnson Requests Comptroller General Examine Reports of DOE Withholding Funds From ARPA-E

 Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry requesting information on reports that ARPA-E is currently subject to a “no contract action” order which prevents the program from taking any action to distribute and manage FY2016 or prior year funds as directed by law, and that requests for routine no cost extensions of contracts are also not being considered by the agency. The Department of Energy (DOE) responded on May 4, but that response did not address whether prior year appropriated funds were being inappropriately unobligated to projects which had already been competitively selected for awards.

Today, Ranking Member Johnson sent a letter to Mr. Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States and Director of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting that he look into these allegations and take any actions he feels are necessary to ensure Executive compliance with Congressional direction.

Ranking Member Johnson said in the letter, “The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, as amended, requires Federal Agencies to devote lawfully directed appropriations to the programs to which they are dedicated. Congress specifically passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 because of frustration that President Richard Nixon had impounded congressionally appropriated funds for federal agencies. Moreover, the courts have declared that agencies may not attempt to thwart the intent of Congress by withholding or impounding funds intended for a specific purpose. If the Department of Energy has subjected ARPA-E to a ‘no contract action’ which has this effect, the Department could be in violation of the law.”

Congresswoman Johnson's Rebuttal Of Chairman Smith's Letter To Attorney General Sessions

Last week, Chairman Lamar Smith sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions referring the CEO of Platte River Networks (PRN), Treve Suazo, for prosecution. PRN is one of the companies the Chairman pursued in the course of his partisan election-year “investigation” into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s email server. Today, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Attorney General Sessions to correct several significant factual and legal deficiencies contained in Chairman Smith’s letter.

Ranking Member Johnson said in the letter, “It is extremely unfortunate that the Chairman of my once great Committee has so cavalierly referred these charges to the Justice Department for prosecution…Attorney General Sessions, you have any number of very serious law enforcement and national security items on your plate already. I am sorry that Chairman Smith has needlessly added this matter to your agenda. I hope that you’ll find my observations helpful in quickly disposing of this matter so you can get back to your job of protecting the American people.”

Congresswoman Johnson Moves To Force Vote To Launch Independent Trump-Russia Commission

Amid accelerating revelations of President Trump’s attempts to shut down the FBI’s investigation of his campaign and administration’s ties to Russia, Congresswoman Johnson today joined a discharge petition to force the House to vote on bipartisan legislation establishing an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and possible collusion to interfere in the presidential election:

Recent polling shows 78 percent of Americans want an independent investigation. “For too long, House Republicans have stood in the way of the full, independent investigation the American people deserve,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “We must have an independent, outside commission to investigate the Trump-Russia connection and the possibility of collusion to influence the presidential election without the brazen meddling of the Trump Administration.”

“If the President has nothing to hide, then he should welcome the chance to remove all doubt of a cover-up,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “It is time for House Republicans to decide which they value more: their oath to the Constitution or allegiance to a White House obstructing justice.”

The discharge petition filed by House Democrats and joined by Congresswoman Johnson will force the House to vote on H.R. 356, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, after 218 Members of Congress sign the discharge petition. Thus far, Speaker Ryan has refused to schedule a vote on the bipartisan bill, and House Republicans have voted seven times to block its consideration in the House.

In July 2016, the FBI opened an investigation into possible collusion between Trump campaign officials and the Russian government. Last week, President Trump admitted on national television that he fired FBI Director James Comey to try to stop his investigation into the Trump-Russia ties. On Monday, we learned the President compromised highly classified intelligence to the Russians and jeopardized the security of the American people – the day after he fired the FBI Director.

Congresswoman Johnson Announces Federal Grant To City Of Duncanville Fire Department

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced that the City of Duncanville was awarded $128,746 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The funds will be used toward the City's improved response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel:

“The announcement of this award is great news for the Duncanville Fire Department,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Our firefighters are on the front lines every day by risking their lives to keep us all safe, and it is important that we make every effort to support the important work and service they provide to our communities.  I am pleased that the department won this competitive grant that will be used to enhance their ability to perform their jobs safely and effectively.  I am very proud of the men and women who serve at the Duncanville Fire Department and the many firefighters throughout District 30 for their selfless service they provide.  I will continue to fight for the resources and support they need as a senior member of Congress from Texas.”

This grant was awarded as a part of FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources required to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Congresswoman Johnson has been a strong advocate for grants to local first responders in the 30th Congressional District.

Congresswoman Johnson and Congressional Black Caucus List 100 Trump Actions To The Detriment Of Black Progress

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and he Congressional Black Caucus have released a list of 100 actions taken by President Donald Trump during his first 100 days that the CBC says have been detrimental to the country – especially the Black community.

“People of all ages and races, including many young people of color, are standing up and speaking out about this Administration’s actions and how they will hurt our communities and the country,” says CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond in a statement. “President Trump says he wants to make America great again but in our view the programs and policies he’s implementing will do the opposite. We hope this list will help those who are engaged and those who aren’t stay woke because our democracy is at stake.”

“The list, titled ‘What Did Trump Do?: The First-100-Days, #StayWoke List,’ is a special edition of CBC’s ‘What Did Trump Do?’ rapid response documents and includes actions across issues areas such as education, healthcare, and justice,” says a statement. “The list is part of the CBC’s effort to listen, involve, and mobilize young leaders during the 115th Congress, an effort that began a few weeks ago with the launch of CBC’s tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, #CBCOnTheYard.”

The phrase #StayWoke or “stay awake” is often used by African-Americans in the social media arena to “remind themselves and those around them to stay focused on what’s really being said and done to their community. As a result of the election of President Trump, the phrase has taken on new meaning; people of all ages and races are using it to remind themselves and those around them to stay focused on the programs and policies being implemented by this Administration.”

The following are among the items on the list:

“After meeting with 70 HBCU presidents and the White House stating that he wanted to give HBCUs “the proper respect,” President Trump has proposed in his budget to give these institutions the same amount of money they received last year even though their operational costs are increasing. President Trump has also proposed to cut programs that support students served by HBCUs including federal work study, Pell, and campus-based aid.”

“President Trump has said many hurtful things about President Obama, including accusing the first Black president of a felony. On March 4, President Trump tweeted that President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower during the 2016 election. President Trump has provided no evidence that President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower even though he could easily provide it. In addition, on March 20, FBI Director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee during a public hearing that the agency has ‘no information’ about the alleged wiretaps.”

“After several sexual assault allegations and related legal settlements came to light about former veteran Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, President Trump defended the journalist. “I think he’s a person I know well — he is a good person,” said President Trump on April 5 during an interview with the New York Times in the Oval Office. “I think he shouldn’t have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled. Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong.” Days later Fox News canceled O’Reilly’s show and announced that he would not be returning to the network.”

“President Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency, “which funds a nationwide network of business centers to help minority-owned business stay competitive and create jobs.”

“During a White House press conference on April 11, Press Secretary Sean Spicer suggested that the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, is guilty of war crimes that are worse than those committed by Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust. Spicer said that Hitler did not use chemical weapons like al-Assad even though gas chambers were regularly used to kill Jews and others at concentration camps during the Holocaust.”

“President Trump appointed Candice E. Jackson as acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education. Ms. Jackson once said affirmative action ‘promotes racial discrimination,’ and claimed she was discriminated against for being white.”

“On February 27, after meeting with more than 70 HBCU presidents, Secretary DeVos called Historically Black Colleges and Universities “pioneers” for school choice even though these institutions were founded because white colleges and university refused to admit Black students.”

“President Trump’s proposed budget for the Department of Education hurts low-income students from pre-k through college by undermining public education through the elimination of after school and teacher support programs and diverting federal funds to private school vouchers, eliminating supports for college students, gutting federal-work study, and slashing critical funding for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Pell Grants. All of these cuts would have severe consequences for our nation’s African-American students.”

“President Trump’s proposed budget would cut Environmental Protection Agency grant programs that help states monitor public water systems, even though Flint, Michigan. is still dealing with a water crisis.”

“President Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate programs that help limit children’s exposure to lead paint. According to the CDC, African-American children are three times more likely to have elevated blood-lead levels.”

“The FBI is investigating whether President Trump and his campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election.”

“One of President Trump’s first actions was to appoint White House Adviser Steve Bannon to the National Security Council (NSC). Many politicians and pundits, including the CBC, called for Bannon to be removed not only from the NSC but from the White House entirely because of his white nationalist views. Bannon is the former chairman of the white nationalist news organization Breitbart News.”

“President Trump has said little on the threat of domestic terrorism even though religious institutions and people of color have been targeted here at home in the wake of the 2016 election. For example, in Wellsville, N.Y., someone painted “Make America White Again” on a dugout wall, a statement based on President Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again”. Source In addition, Jewish community centers and cemeteries have received threats or been vandalized. In short, the threat of domestic terrorism is real but it is not prioritized by this Administration”

“President Trump has proposed to eliminate funding for the African Development Foundation, which funds grassroots development projects in 30 African countries.”

“More than 20 million people are facing famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen and President Trump’s budget proposal would make the situation worse by cutting funding for humanitarian food aid and United Nations peacekeeping.”

“On January 25, the White House announced that it would launch a major investigation into voter fraud event though it is essentially a non-issue. The White House decided to launch the investigation in response to President Trump’s false claims that 3 to 5 million illegal voters cost him the popular vote.”

“On February 27, the Department of Justice, under the leadership of Attorney General Sessions, withdrew its longstanding claim that Texas enacted its 2011 voter ID law with the intent to discriminate. A few months later a federal judge ruled that the law was enacted with the intent to discriminate against Black and Latino voters.”

Congresswoman Johnson Calls On Trump To Explain James Comey Dismissal

“I am deeply concerned by FBI Director James Comey’s abrupt firing by President Trump. I can’t help but think the timing of this questionable decision coincides with the FBI’s full engagement in pursuing an investigation into the Russian interference of the 2016 Presidential election. I call on President Trump to explain his decision to the American people as well as provide a full accounting and justification for this decision.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces BiPartisan Suicide Prevention Legislation

Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), along with Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) introduced bi-partisan legislation to improve the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

This bill, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act, aims to designate a new national 3-digit dialing code – similar to 911 – to be used for a mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline.

While there is currently a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, 1-800-273-TALK, it can be cumbersome to remember. This bill works to simplify the hotline phone number to make it more accessible to Americans in their time of need. This is particularly timely as May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Each year, almost 35,000 Americans tragically take their own life,” said Rep. Chris Stewart. “In addition, one person attempts to commit suicide every 38 seconds. This is devastating to families and communities. The resources we currently have in place for suicide prevention and other mental health crises are simply too difficult to find during a time of need. This bill works to streamline and provide easy access to potentially life-saving resources.”

“Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States,” said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “I am proud to work with Congressman Stewart on a National Suicide Prevention Hotline which will help Americans during a time of need. While resources do currently exist for this purpose, the national phone number is challenging to recall. We must find a solution for those struggling during a mental health crisis and provide a solution during a difficult time.”

“Every 14 hours, a Utahn commits suicide, resulting in an average of 557 deaths each year,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch. “The problem is so acute that Utah now has the 5th highest suicide rate in the nation. This trend is particularly pronounced among Utah’s youth. Utah’s teenagers desperately need our help. That’s why last December I convened a roundtable discussion with community leaders, healthcare professionals, principals, and parents at East High School in Salt Lake City. There, we discussed proven methods to destigmatize mental illness and address the teen suicide crisis. In response to what I learned at our roundtable discussion, I will introduce the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act, which will make it easier for Americans to access the help and treatment they need when they consider harming themselves.”

“As we work to reduce the number of suicides in Indiana and across the country, this bill would examine if an easy-to-remember, 3-digit hotline would help save lives,” said Sen. Joe Donnelly. “I’m proud to work with Senator Hatch on this bipartisan effort, because we can all support working to improve mental health services and ending the stigma attached to mental health issues.”

Specifically, The National Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act:

Asks the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to conduct the following study:

• Recommend the best national three-digit number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.
• Examine the overall effectiveness of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Crisis Line and recommend ways to improve the current system
• Perform a cost and benefit analysis of using a three-digit dialing code for this hotline system. 

This bill is supported by:

• Utah Department of Human Services - Read their letter of support here.
• Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health – Read their letter of support here.
• University of Utah’s University Neuropsychiatric Institute – Read their letter of support here.
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

Congresswoman Johnson Awarded 2017 Legislator Award By Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) will honor an impressive group of individuals, communications professionals and innovative programs at its 2017 Annual Conference, being held in Washington, DC on June 14-16. Throughout the three days MHA will present the 2017 Legislator Award, the Clifford W. Beers Award, theInnovation in Programming Award, the Media Award, the youth-focused mPower Award, and the George Goodman and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award.

MHA’s 2017 Legislator Award goes to U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Congressman Tim Murphy, and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice-Johnson for their tireless efforts over the last two years to pass mental health reform. Last December, despite a polarizing Congress, they successfully led a bipartisan passage of the most comprehensive mental health systems reform legislation in more than fifty years.

“As a result of this legislation, we are laying a new foundation for comprehensive mental health services and supports beginning when most mental illnesses begin – during childhood – and continuing through the life span,” said Paul Gionfriddo, MHA president and CEO. “This victory could not have been possible without Senators Cassidy and Murphy and Representatives Murphy and Bernice-Johnson.”

Congresswoman Johnson Opposes Trumpcare

“Today’s vote for the Trumpcare bill is disgraceful and hurtful to the American people. This Republican-led bill did not afford the American people time to hear debate while lacking transparency,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “We also never received an official score from the Congressional Budget Office stating how many Americans would be negatively impacted and the amount of money it will cost the nation.”

“What happened today has stripped away the basic fundamental right of health care for everyone. My office received numerous calls from constituents in the 30th district, health care professionals and health care advocates opposing this bill. Additionally there seems to still be a divide because there were a number of my Republican colleagues who opposed this bill as well.”

“This bill is not perfect and it is our job as elected officials to represent the bests interests of the American people. So we should not be supporting or applauding the passage of this most recent bill when it makes coverage unaffordable to those with pre-existing conditions and imposes an age tax on seniors who are the most vulnerable.”

“Unfortunately, an opportunity was wasted to really work together to address the current issues of the Affordable Care Act, but it will be up to the Senate to take up this bill. I urge my Senate colleagues to act with humility and do their due diligence to safeguard health care affordability and coverage for everyone.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces National Nurses Week Resolution

“It is with great pride and joy that I introduce the bipartisan National Nurses Week Resolution in Congress in 2017,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Every year, I introduce a resolution to celebrate the difficult and necessary work nurses do on an everyday basis during the week of May 6 through May 12.”

The National Nurses Week Resolution was introduced with ten original cosponsors:  Reps. David McKinley (R-WV), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), David Joyce (R-OH), Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Rodney David (R-IL), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

Congresswoman Johnson added, “As a non-practicing registered nurse, I know firsthand how valuable nurses are to our nation’s healthcare system, and I know they often sacrifice without thanks or praise. The more than 3.6 million nurses in this country deserve our gratitude and our recognition.”

Congresswoman Johnson's Statement On The Shooting Of Jordan Edwards

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatal shooting of Jordan Edwards."

"I offer my thoughts and prayers to the Edwards family and to the entire community, who all have suffered a painful loss."

"I have spoken with Dallas County Sheriff, Lupe Valdez and Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson regarding this incident. Both Sheriff Valdez and Judge Johnson said they have already started to conduct separate but fair, independent and thorough investigations in their own right. I will continue to receive details as their respective investigations unfold."

"It is also imperative that we aggressively pursue these two separate investigations to preserve the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson