Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I support the legislation, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, we have seen this movie before, and it did not end well. On the Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Subcommittee where I am ranking member, we have discussed with real concern economic espionage and theft of trade secrets by the Government of China. While we have legitimate concerns, this bill is a foolish attempt and a damaging way to address those concerns. The Department of Justice already had a China Initiative from 2018 to 2022. It failed to achieve any convictions related to economic espionage or trade secrets, yet it did cause significant real-world harm. Many academics faced long-term personal and professional damage, and there was a chilling effect on researchers of Chinese descent. Chinese- American scientists, American citizens, mind you, reported that fear of discrimination kept them from pursuing cutting-edge research and made them avoid Federal grant applications. That chilling effect spread beyond Chinese and Chinese-American professionals. A 2021 survey of thousands of physicists found that 43 percent of early career researchers believed that the U.S. was unwelcoming for international students and scholars. America has thrived because it has been a land of innovation, and the China Initiative stifled that innovation. Wisely, DOJ canceled that program in 2022. It was a failure then and it would be a failure now. Let's leave it in the past where it belongs.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted: PRES on Roll Call No. 1; YEA on Roll Call No. 6; YEA on Roll Call No. 9; NAY on Roll Call No. 11; YEA on Roll Call No. 73; YEA on Roll Call No. 74; YEA on Roll Call No. 75; YEA on Roll Call No. 76; YEA on Roll Call No. 77; NAY on Roll Call No. 78; NAY on Roll Call No. 112; NAY on Roll Call No. 113; NAY on Roll Call No. 227; NAY on Roll Call No. 228; NAY on Roll Call No. 285; and NAY on Roll Call No. 287.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, as well as Congressman Jonathan Jackson, for convening us together tonight to host this special tribute to our dearly loved and dearly departed colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Today, I rise with a heavy heart to honor and remember my colleague, but more importantly, my friend, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The Congresswoman led an extraordinary life, and she leaves an extraordinary legacy of legislative and humanitarian service to mankind. Though short in stature, Sheila Jackson Lee stood tall, and she spoke with command and authority. Never scared, Sheila was bold and imposing. She never played herself cheap, and she certainly was not going to let anybody else do so. She was a taskmaster to all who worked for her, and that included whether or not you were paid or just volunteering. The good thing about it is that when you left her office to go to work for someone else, Madam Speaker, they knew, and it was easy for you to get a job because they knew that you had been trained by fire, you had been forged by fire, and you had been trained by the best. Like her constituents I often found myself calling her ``Congresswoman.'' I had great respect for her. She was a dear friend who inspired me and countless others with her unwavering dedication, spirit, and work ethic. I find solace in the knowledge that her spirit will live on through the lives she has touched and changed and the causes that she has championed. Her legacy will continue to guide us as we strive to build a more just and equitable society. I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and constituents. Let us honor her memory by continuing her work, lifting our voices to pursue justice, and most importantly, embodying the values she holds so dear. This is how we can truly honor her legacy. Madam Speaker, I thank her for her service.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Takano for all that he does in upholding human rights and civil rights for everyone in this country, regardless of what your sexual inclination might be. When you really stop and think about it, we should be beyond judging each other based on who we love. That is why I am so happy to say happy Pride Month to all people out there because none of us are free if any of us are not free. It heartens me this day and time, 2024, when we see a polling that shows that about 8 percent of adults in this country identify as LGBTQ. The reason why it is not more is because we have been conditioned and people are afraid to say who they are because, the older that you get, the more you have to lose by revealing who you are. I will say it is also heartening that, in 2024, among the millennial generation, 30 percent of our millennials identify as LGBTQ. What that tells you is that, first of all, the older folks have made it such that the young people feel more comfortable in identifying as who they are. They are not steeped in how much I can lose if I come out. They are young enough to not have anything to lose by coming out. It is actually so much healthier for them than it has been for the older people, who have tried to hide, who have felt the need to hide who they are and go through life unhappy and go through life miserable. People should not have to live like that. We should be free. People should be free to be who they are. That is what Pride Month is all about, is people being able to come out and say that this is who I am. I love me for being me, and I love you for being you, even though you may have a different sexual inclination than I have. When we allow license to hatred in our lives, first it starts with: I don't like the Blacks. Then it goes to: I don't like the Jews. Then I don't like people who keep their hair cut short because they look like Nazis. Then it becomes: I don't like short people. I don't like people who like dogs. The more that you allow hate and license hate in your heart, the easier it becomes for you to hate people who are different than you. What gives you the authority to judge someone? What gives you the authority to hate on someone and to act in that way? It is just not human. The more we become human, the more we begin to love people for who they are and to recognize that they, regardless of their differences from me, are equal to me. Pride Month is all about people feeling good about themselves. It is all about challenging folks who have hatred in their heart to remove that hatred, and it is all about sending the message that the march for humanity will continue regardless of whether or not you keep hating or not. I will say I am happy to stand with my LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters throughout this country and the world. I am happy to stand with you in this month, which is Pride Month. Happy Pride Month.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this contempt vote is MAGA Republicans' desperate attempt to save face following their many failed investigations, including the one about Hunter Biden's laptop. Do you all remember that? They promised Trump and the American people that they would impeach President Biden, but after spending more than $20 million investigating conspiracy theories, MAGA Republicans have nothing to show for it. This do-nothing Congress can't pass legislation to help the American people and also can't prove any wrongdoing by President Biden. They are running out of time and they are desperate. Plus, their own Presidential candidate Donald Trump just became a convicted felon according to a jury of his peers. MAGA Republicans are trying to shift the blame to someone else. Even though the Justice Department produced more than 92,000 pages of documents and made dozens of witnesses available, Republicans have made Attorney General Garland their scapegoat. This is a farce, and the American people can see right through it.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, and I commend Transportation Committee Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Subcommittee Chair Garret Graves and Ranking Member Steve Cohen, respectively, for their hard work and bipartisan effort to get us to this point. One key provision that I championed in this bill promises a more diverse aviation industry through the Willa Brown Aviation Education Program, named in honor of the first African-American woman to receive her pilot's license on American soil. This program will provide opportunities for underrepresented individuals to access jobs in the aviation industry. The legislation takes bold steps toward combating aircraft noise while promoting environmental resilience and sustainability. It will prioritize accountability and accessibility for consumers through provisions ensuring timely departures, fair treatment, and compensation. The 10 new slots at DCA airport are part of a new connectivity and economic expansion era. That is why I will be voting in favor of this legislation.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the reauthorization of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which was first passed by Congress in 2008. FISA codified what had been a secret and legally unauthorized practice of warrantless collection of phone, email, and other communications of non-U.S. persons located outside of the United States in response to the deadly 9/11 attack that killed thousands of Americans. As they planned that deadly attack, al-Qaida plotters used U.S. communications facilities, and American foreign intelligence picked up the chatter. However, the stovepipe that kept this intel from domestic law enforcement created the situation where domestic law enforcement could not protect us from the threat because they did not know of the plot before it happened. If section 702 had been in place prior to 9/ 11, the FBI could have been able to prevent the attack. Additionally, allowing section 702 to expire would expose Americans to grave danger, like the horrific massacre of Israeli Jews on October 7; the military style assaults, for example, that happened in Russia recently; and other mass-casualty events, the limits of which are only limited by the depravity of those who would plan them. Mr. Chair, that is why I rise in support of this legislation.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Daniel A. Moore, Sr. of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who passed away on March 4, 2024. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1935, Mr. Moore found his true calling in film. After moving to Atlanta in the 1970s, he quickly became a key figure in the City's burgeoning cultural scene. A tireless entrepreneur, filmmaker, producer, writer, cinematographer, editor, exhibition designer, photographer, author, and humanitarian, Mr. Moore was a man of immense talent and his renowned works in film, music, and literature helped shape our culture in Atlanta and beyond. In 1978, Mr. Moore embarked upon one of his greatest gifts when he founded the African American Panoramic Experience (APEX) Museum, where he proudly served as its President until his passing. The APEX Museum is the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta and a cultural institution. His work will live on as the museum plans APEX Phase II, a massive 90,000 square foot expansion that will provide a state-of-the- art walk-through history, from African civilizations to contemporary Black America. Among his many awards and accolades, Mr. Moore received the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award on October 21, 2023. Most recently, during Black History Month this year, I had the pleasure of recognizing Mr. Moore for his pioneering contributions to the preservation and showcasing of Black history and culture in Atlanta at a ceremony in Stonecrest. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the outstanding life and legacy that Mr. Moore leaves behind for generations to come.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Zetelda Wynter of Lithonia, Georgia, in celebration of her 100th birthday. Mrs. Wynter was born in the Parish of St. Mary, Jamaica, on February 20, 1924. After attending Carron Hall School and dressmaking school, she became a professional seamstress and opened her own clothing store. After some time, she and her family set their sights on a new beginning in the United States. In 1968, she settled in Virginia and later the greater DMV area with her family. She also had a notable career in various aspects of the hospitality industry. She became a naturalized citizen in 1986 and staunchly advocated for her children to follow in her footsteps. Mrs. Wynter's life has been about resilience, service, and determination. In the face of unspeakable tragedy when she lost her youngest son at the hands of a drunk driver, she joined the Washington, D.C. chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) where she turned her pain into purpose by working to save lives and prevent families from experiencing the same grief she had. Seeking a warmer climate and a new chapter in their lives, Mrs. Wynter and her husband, Egbert, moved to Lithonia, Georgia, in 1997. A devout Christian, she was very active in her local church and continued serving her community by visiting nursing homes. She is an inspiration to all who meet her, including the many generations of her large and loving family. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Mrs. Zetelda Wynter a very happy and blessed 100th birthday.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4250, the Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act, or the PRESS Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume in support of this bill. Introduced by my colleagues, Representatives Kevin Kiley, Darrell Issa, Harriet Hageman, Russell Fry, Jamie Raskin, and Ted Lieu, H.R. 4250 is a reporter shield law that will ensure that journalists can engage in effective journalism while reducing the risks of putting themselves, or their confidential sources upon whom they rely to bring critical stories to the public's attention, in legal jeopardy. Specifically, H.R. 4250 would create a strong but qualified Federal statutory privilege that protects journalists from being compelled by the Federal Government to reveal confidential sources and information. The bill also allows the government to defeat this privilege under certain circumstances where a court determines that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or identify any perpetrator of an act of terrorism or to prevent a threat of imminent violence, significant bodily harm or death, and then only after the journalist is provided notice and an opportunity to be heard before the court. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Federal Government from compelling an electronic service provider that stores a journalist's information to disclose that information, as well as information relating to the journalist's personal account or technology device to the government. The government can defeat this privilege only if a court determines that there is a reasonable threat of imminent violence absent the information's disclosure and subject to notice and other requirements and exceptions. Lastly, the PRESS Act contains a rule of construction that provides that the act should not be construed to apply to civil defamation, slander, libel claims, or defenses under State law. The rule of construction also makes clear that the act does not prevent the Federal Government from pursuing an investigation of a journalist or organization that is suspected of engaging in criminal or terrorist activity, is a witness to a crime unrelated to journalism, or is suspected of being an agent of a foreign power. This is necessary and long-overdue legislation. Over the past several decades, Democratic and Republican Presidential administrations have attempted to crack down on leaks of classified information to media outlets, and these investigations have included efforts to obtain journalists' records. In 2021, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and CNN reported that the Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, sought the information and records of their reporters. Previously, during the Obama administration, the Department reportedly searched FOX News reporter Jeffrey Rosen's emails and even listed him as a co-conspirator in an Espionage Act case against the source of leaked information. These and other recent episodes further illustrate the need for stronger protections for journalists and their sources. Indeed, one of the most critical roles that the free press plays in our democracy is to keep the public informed about the functioning of government and the policymaking process, including allegations of government wrongdoing or incompetence. Yet, the press' ability to carry out this role would be seriously eroded if a reporter could not obtain complete and accurate information about such wrongdoing or incompetence by assuring confidential sources their anonymity. The PRESS Act would protect a journalist's ability to bring these important stories to the public's attention, stories which almost always hinge on protecting the identity of confidential sources without unwarranted interference by the Federal Government. The lack of a Federal press shield law is quite striking given the broad and bipartisan support for such laws. Currently, over 40 States and the District of Columbia have enacted press shield laws or otherwise afford similar privileges through their State constitutions or common law. Here in Congress, there is longstanding and bipartisan support for a Federal press shield law. For example, former Vice President Mike Pence, when he was a Member of Congress back in 2005, introduced the Free Flow of Information Act, which was very similar in concept to H.R. 4250. The Free Flow of Information Act subsequently passed the House twice in the 110th and the 111th Congresses, the first time by a 398-21 vote, and the second time by voice vote under suspension of the rules. Last Congress, the House passed the PRESS Act by voice vote under suspension of the rules, as well. In this Congress, the bill passed the Judiciary Committee by a 23-0 vote, and, unfortunately, despite this history of broad bipartisan support, the Senate has never acted on any of these bills, though hope springs eternal. I am encouraged that, even as stark differences among Members of this body remain, this important legislation continues to enjoy bipartisan support. I thank Chairman Jordan for his work in helping to bring H.R. 4250 to the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I note that the PRESS Act is endorsed by a number of First Amendment and press freedom organizations, including the ACLU, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Demand Progress, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the First Amendment Coalition, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the National Association of Broadcasters, PEN America, the Protect The 1st Foundation, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4250, a necessary and long overdue Federal protection for journalists and their sources. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 3250, a bill to ensure that the victims and families of the victims of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, have remote access to the court proceedings that will finally bring one of the perpetrators of this terrorist attack to justice. Mr. Speaker, on December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 took off from London Heathrow Airport en route across the Atlantic to New York's Kennedy Airport. Thirty-eight minutes after it took off, while flying high above Lockerbie, Scotland, a bomb set off by a Libyan terrorist exploded, destroying the plane instantaneously and taking the lives of all of its passengers, as well as the lives of 11 residents of Lockerbie, who were killed by falling debris--270 people from 21 different countries, including 190 Americans, were killed in this deadly attack. For more than three decades, law enforcement officials in the United States and around the world have worked relentlessly to see that everyone responsible for the bombing is held accountable. Thanks to their hard work, one of the terrorists behind the attack will soon face trial for his actions in Federal district court. Because the victims and their families are scattered in more than a dozen countries throughout the world, and many have reached an advanced age that makes travel very difficult, it is nearly impossible to ensure these victims and family members have meaningful access to the court proceedings without some sort of remote audio or visual option. Unfortunately, the district court where the trial would take place has determined that it does not have the authority to permit such remote access--in other words, cameras in the courtroom, or at least live streaming. This legislation, therefore, would provide statutory authority and instruction to the district court in this case to order and ensure that remote video and telephonic access to the trial proceedings be made available to the victims. Now, that is not too much to ask for the victims of the Lockerbie tragedy. It is also not too much to ask on behalf of the American people who need and want to view the proceedings in U.S. v. Trump who can't get to Washington, D.C., to see it, but they would love to view it and hear it in live time, in real time. Although the Lockerbie bombing occurred many years ago, the wounds are still fresh for the grieving families left behind. This legislation would help provide some level of comfort so that they can observe one of those responsible for this deadly attack being brought to justice. I thank Senators Cornyn and Gillibrand for their efforts in bringing this important bipartisan legislation forward. I also thank my good friend, Representative Van Drew, Ranking Member Nadler, and Representative Chris Smith for leading this legislation in the House. I urge all Members to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the author of this legislation and I don't agree on much. We fight like cats and dogs, with me being the dog, but on this, we agree. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the gentlewoman for her hospitality while we were in Texas for this funeral. Today, I rise to honor the extraordinary legacy of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a trailblazer, a public servant, and a tireless advocate for her constituents. Congresswoman Johnson leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. However, for those of you who may not know, EBJ did not die of natural causes. She died of poisoning after neglect by workers at a Texas rehab facility, resulted in her lying in her own feces and urine, which resulted in infection setting up in the back-surgery incision she was recovering from. This was malpractice, but HB4, passed by the Texas legislature, limits damages in medical negligence cases to $250,000. HB4, pushed by the giant U.S. Chamber of Commerce lobby, was passed to protect corporations from so-called junk lawsuits. EBJ's life is worth more than $250,000. Her pain and suffering alone was worth more than that. Her grieving family has more than a junk lawsuit. That is why the so-called tort reform that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce lobbies for is bad for consumers and good for corporate wrongdoers who put their patients at risk by cutting costs and failing to properly staff their facilities. I thank EBJ for telling her lawyer to use her misfortune to help make things better for medical negligence victims by advocating for repeal on damage caps for wrongful death and pain and suffering. Rest in peace, EBJ.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the remarkable life of an extraordinary woman, a true Georgia treasure, First Lady Rosalynn Carter. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends. In my representation of the citizens of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, it is my honor to acknowledge the indelible impact Mrs. Carter had, not only on the State of Georgia but also on our country. From her tireless advocacy for mental health and disability rights to her dedication to humanitarian causes, Rosalynn Carter exemplified the essence of public service. A graduate of Georgia's Southwestern College in Americus, Georgia, Rosalynn Carter was an accomplished woman who graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1946. She became an accomplished businesswoman while establishing herself as an equal partner to her husband, Jimmy, who would later become President of the United States. Mrs. Carter was a devoted wife and mother, and her love and support for her husband, President Jimmy Carter, was unwavering. Her grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment to fostering a compassionate society have left an enduring legacy. In her selfless pursuit of making the world a better place, Rosalynn Carter embodied the finest qualities of leadership, even expanding the role of First Lady by attending Cabinet meetings and offering wise counsel to her husband, our President. As we celebrate the life of this consummate southern gentlewoman, let us all commit to living a life such as hers, one that has enriched the fabric of our country and serves as a guiding light for generations to come. I thank the gentleman representing Georgia's Second Congressional District (Mr. Bishop) for organizing this Special Order hour.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, I rise today to stand in solidarity with the 150,000 members of the United Auto Workers who deserve a fair shake. Something is wrong when corporate bigwigs increase their salaries by 40 percent but autoworkers get only a 6 percent increase in the last 4 years. Something is wrong when the Big Three automakers enjoy $250 billion in profits over the last 9 years, $66 billion of that going to shareholders, while autoworkers can't even afford to buy the cars that they build. Autoworkers play a huge role in this country's transition to clean energy, and they deserve to have a fair wage along with benefits and better working conditions. I stand with the autoworkers in their fight to secure the contracts that they deserve.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 109; NAY on Roll Call No. 108; YEA on Roll Call No. 140; YEA on Roll Call No. 212; NAY on Roll Call No. 231; and NAY on Roll Call No. 234.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I rise in opposition to this amendment, which requires the FAA to ensure that pilots can schedule a practical test within 14 calendar days of requesting a test. What this amendment fails to consider is that the FAA does not schedule these tests. These are independent individuals who have decided to take on this responsibility as a personal choice. They work around their own schedules--birthday parties, weddings, and doctors' appointments. This amendment would actually add additional bureaucracy and would, therefore, be counterproductive and an administrative nightmare. Moreover, the underlying bill contains several provisions to assist with expediting pilot certification. For instance, the base language already increases accountability and transparency for scheduling these tests and even includes a web-based scheduling tool to assist pilots. The committee developed a solution on a bipartisan basis to help with this specific problem of delays in pilot testing. Therefore, I oppose this counterproductive and burdensome amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I have an app on my phone and I can look out for at least 10 days and determine what the weather will be projected to be in a particular location. That technology is available to all. All should use it, particularly those who are looking to fly the public or fly themselves or their families. They are charged with personal responsibility to make sure that they schedule a test in accordance with their own particular schedule. Their schedule is up to them. We need to allow the FAA to work within its means to schedule testing on a first-come-first-served basis, and it is up to the applicant to make sure they get in where they fit in. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, for the party that eschews regulations, we now have more regulations being proposed, and these regulations are unnecessary in this case. Again, it is up to the particular applicant to schedule the test for themselves. If they delay in doing so, then, of course, why would we want to punish the Federal Government by forcing the Federal Government to offer them a test in 14 days that they could have scheduled themselves had they been more efficient with their scheduling? Let's continue to rely on personal responsibility in this regard, and let's make sure that the onus remains on the applicant to schedule the testing. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I claim time in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.