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Tax Reform Town Hall in New Philadelphia With Special Guest Bill Johnson

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) announces that he will participate in the following public event in Tuscarawas County on Monday, June 24:

7 – 8:30 pm: Bill Johnson will be the special guest at the “Tax Reform Town Hall: Where the Fair Tax and Flat Tax Will be Debated,” on June 24, 2013, in New Philadelphia. Johnson will be joined by panelists Steven L. Custis, State Director of Ohio FairTax, and Curtis Dubay, Senior Policy Analyst at The Heritage Foundation. The panel will discuss the advantages and differences of these two tax code reform ideas, and take questions from those in attendance. Johnson will be on hand to offer his perspective on the need and prospects for overhauling the tax code during this session of Congress. Johnson represents 18 counties in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, including the southern portion of Tuscarawas County. The event starts at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:15pm.

LOCATION: McDonald / Marlite Conference Center, 143 McDonald Drive, New Philadelphia

If you have any questions, please call the Marietta District Office at 740-376-0868.

Bill Johnson Statement on the 69th Anniversary of D-Day

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) issued the following statement today on the 69^th Anniversary of D-Day:

Today marks the 69^th anniversary of D-Day, an unforgettable event in world history, when America's brave young men joined with our allies to storm the shores of Normandy to liberate Europe. Thousands of our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice that momentous day, for a cause that was just – saving the world from Hitler's oppressive tyranny. These heroes, both those who came home, and those who did not, truly represent the Greatest Generation. Today, we honor their service and sacrifice to the United States, and to all mankind.

I have reintroduced the World War II Memorial Prayer Act to pay tribute to their bravery and valor. Specifically, this legislation would direct the Secretary of the Interior to install a plaque or inscription on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with the inspiring words President Franklin Roosevelt prayed with our nation on the morning of June 6, 1944. His prayer, read in part:

"With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace, a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And, a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God."

This is a fitting tribute to those who served America, and the rest of the world, on that historic day and throughout the entire conflict. Likewise, it will ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Bill Johnson Statement on Memorial Day

Mon, 27 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

I am humbled and honored to be speaking later today in Gallia and Jefferson Counties to pay tribute to those who gave all to preserve our freedom.

As we gather with our families, loved ones, and friends, let us take time to remember and reflect that the rights and freedoms we enjoy everyday have come at a great cost and sacrifice by our fallen heroes and their families; they are the reason we live in the greatest country the Earth has ever known. We are eternally grateful for their service, and their legacy will forever remain in our memories – and our hearts.

And, as we remember our veterans, let’s also remember, and pray for, our current men and women who are stationed today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world in harm’s way on this Memorial Day.

Bill Johnson Statement on Today’s IRS Hearings

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6) issued the following statement in response to a top IRS official invoking her Fifth Amendment privilege in a hearing today:

"Ms. Lerner took the Fifth earlier today, while she and her agency take a third – as much as a third -- of the income of hard-working Americans every year. It seems hypocritical that Ms. Lerner has asked to remove herself from Congressional hearings, while millions of Americans do not get the choice to remove themselves from the heavy-handed treatment, and possibly criminal actions, of this rogue agency."

Give working parents a choice (op-ed)

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Every working parent has gotten that phone call at work, the one that seems to come at the worst time. Your son or daughter is sick at school and needs to be picked up, or an accident has happened and one of your family members is in the emergency room. For many working moms and dads, this means they must forfeit their pay or use valuable vacation time to take care of their family. For the last 30 years public sector employees have had another option, they've been allowed to use earned compensation (comp) time instead of vacation time and still get paid.

Did you know that it is currently illegal for the private sector to even offer their employees the same opportunity to earn and use comp time? Well it is, and last week in the House of Representatives I was proud to vote to change this law. The Working Families Flexibility Act would allow workers to earn paid comp time instead of paid overtime, and they can use it for any purpose they want, including family emergences like a sick child.

Now, some in the labor community have raised legitimate concerns about this legislation. They are concerned that, without safeguards, management will force workers to take comp time instead of taking overtime pay. Furthermore, they argue that once they have earned the comp time and that dreaded phone call comes from their child's school, that their supervisors won't let them use the comp time they have earned. I, too, was concerned about this. That's why I sought the counsel of some of our nation's labor leaders prior to deciding my vote, and some of them expressed their support.

So, I want to clear the air on some of the misconceptions about this legislation, and I want to address my labor friends' concerns.

Because, while these concerns are legitimate, they are adequately addressed in the legislation I voted for and are actually embodied in current law.

First and foremost, the Working Families Flexibility Act would not, and let me repeat that for clarification, would not, replace or override any current or future Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). That means if the local United Steel Workers, for example, don't want comp time as an option in their CBA, then it won't be and they can't be forced to. End of story.

Also, let's assume, for example, that the local USW decides to go forward with including comp time in their CBA. Once this happens, each individual worker is still protected, because each individual worker still gets to decide if they want to earn overtime pay or comp time. And, if workers are forced into taking comp time against their will, or if they are stopped from taking comp time once they have earned it, under the law they have at least two ways to remedy the situation.

First, if management is breaking the law and forcing people to take comp time or not allowing workers to use their earned comp time, they can bring a case to the National Labor Relations Board. Second, if a worker decides, after they elect to take comp time, that they want the overtime pay instead, management has to pay the employees their overtime pay within 30 days of receiving notice.

The Working Families Flexibility Act is the first in a series of measures that the Republican-led House of Representatives will consider this summer to ensure that hard working families (both union and non-union) in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio have the tools they need to meet the demands of their job responsibilities at work and raise a family at the same time.

I am honored and humbled that you have chosen me to be your voice in Washington, D.C., and I will continue being your champion for economic development, supporting hard working families, and building a strong middle class.

U.S. House of Representative Bill Johnson represents Ohio's 6th Congressional District.

Bill Johnson Statement Concerning the IRS Targeting Conservative Groups

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) released the following statement today regarding the Internal Revenue Service targeting conservative groups through audits:

"Americans deserve an accountable, responsible federal government - one which exhibits honesty, integrity, and trust. Evidence that the IRS specifically targeted conservative groups is shocking, and quite simply un-American. Such politically motivated actions by a government agency, or its employees, to target any individual or organization is absolutely unacceptable. No American should ever be targeted or harassed for their political beliefs, especially by their own government. I will be demanding a full investigation in order to find out exactly what happened, and to hold those accountable who were behind these egregious acts."

Bill Johnson Statement on Kermit Gosnell Verdicts

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Bill Johnson issued the following statement regarding the conviction of Philadelphia late-term abortionist Kermit Gosnell on three counts of first-degree murder:

“The Kermit Gosnell trial provided a gruesome and graphic insight into the abortion industry, and the violent taking of innocent human life,” Johnson said. “While Gosnell was found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder for his horrific actions on babies who survived abortions and those who were born alive, similar deadly actions are taken against the over 1.2 million unborn children who die from abortions every year in the United States. The tragic reality is that no judicial punishment can fit Gosnell’s crimes, because no sentence the jury hands down can restore the lives that Gosnell ended. Today’s guilty verdicts are important for the women Gosnell abused, and serve as reaffirmation of the most basic values that most Americans hold dear: human life should be protected, not destroyed.

Bill Johnson added, “I am hopeful that the shocking details that came to light through news reports, albeit limited ones, will raise awareness of the horrors being committed by some on children who survive botched abortions. This is not a trial we should just put behind us; it is one we need to learn from.”

Mahoning Co. High School Sophomore Wins 6th Congressional District Art Competition

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) announced today that Nagmita Shrestha, a sophomore at Canfield High School in Mahoning County, will represent his office in the United States Capitol as a winner of the 2013 Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery.

“Thank you to all of the students who participated in this year’s art competition, and congratulations to Nagmita Shrestha, our winner from Ohio’s Sixth Congressional District,” Johnson said. “It is an honor for me to showcase the artistic talents of Eastern and Southeastern Ohio students. I was once again amazed by the quality and creativity of the art we received, and it is truly a credit to the art teachers and programs at our local high schools. I look forward to seeing Miss Shrestha’s artwork hanging in the U.S. Capitol alongside the other winners from around the United States.”

Miss Shrestha’s artwork, titled “Self-Portrait,” was done with charcoal. As a district winner, Miss Shrestha is invited to participate in a ceremony next month in Washington D.C., along with the other winners from around the country. Southwest Airlines graciously donated two tickets to each district winner for travel to and from the ceremony with a parent or guardian. Residents of Eastern and Southeastern Ohio will be able to view Miss Shrestha’s work while on guided tours of the Capitol building. The artwork of other finalists will be displayed in Representative Johnson’s Ohio offices in Marietta, Salem, Cambridge, and Ironton, and in his Washington D.C. office.

The students’ artwork was judged by a panel of district art experts the week of April 30.

Other finalists of the 6th Congressional District art competition are:

Runner-Up: A oil pasted piece titled "Barnesville House of God" by junior Anna Frazier of Union Local High School in Belmont.
Finalist: A colored pencil piece submitted by junior Maggie Chwalek of Marietta High School. The work is titled “Twiggy.”
Finalist: An acrylic work by junior Haley Holt of Canfield High School. The piece is titled “Life in Color.”
Finalist: An acrylic piece titled "We’re All in This Together" by senior Forrest Patterson of Carrollton High School.
Finalist: A pencil work by senior Ethan Bloomingdale of Marietta High School titled “Sun Catcher.”
Finalist: A computer generated piece submitted by David Miller, a senior at the Collins Career Center in Chesapeake. His work is titled “Waterfall Memories.”

NOTE: Artwork may be viewed here: http://billjohnson.house.gov/photos/#id=332922&num=1

Bill Johnson Statement on Federal Appeals Court Arch Coal Ruling

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency can revoke the permit for a mountaintop mine in West Virginia:

"I was extremely disappointed and troubled by yesterday's federal appeals court ruling, which overturned the decision of a lower court that found that the EPA does not have the power to retroactively veto permits. I am also very concerned that this ruling may set a precedent with a very slippery slope, one that allows the EPA to revoke any permit that was thoroughly reviewed and properly issued by another authorized federal agency. I hope this important case ends up before the Supreme Court, and that they recognize how the EPA grossly overstepped its authority," said Bill Johnson.

Bill Johnson added, "The Obama Administration and the EPA continually push their detrimental War on Coal on the American people, and this permit revocation is just another in a long line of examples. Instead of constantly throwing up roadblocks, I call on the administration to work with those who support domestic energy development (which brings much needed jobs), and also help lower the rising utility prices being forced on the hardworking people I represent in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio."

Bill Johnson Votes for Energy Development and Jobs

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) issued the following statement regarding the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s approval, through a bipartisan vote, to authorize construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

"The Keystone XL Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3) is common sense legislation that will create thousands of much needed jobs, lower energy prices, and make America more energy independent. This bill, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support yesterday, eliminates the need for a Presidential Permit, and states that the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State in August of 2011 satisfies necessary requirements to move forward," Bill Johnson said.

Bill Johnson added, "The American people have waited far too long for this pipeline to be approved. In the meantime, they have been asking 'Where are the jobs?', and have been paying higher prices for fuel under this administration. It has been over four and a half years now; study after study, delay after delay, and it is time to move forward. I am confident this bipartisan legislation will be passed by the full House, and am hopeful that the Senate will follow suit."