Johnson RSS Articles

House passes Sam Johnson measure to save $7.6 billion in taxpayer dollars

Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 5652) to replace dangerous defense cuts with common-sense spending reductions containing a provision authored by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) that would save $7.6 billion in taxpayer dollars.

The issue at hand is rampant abuse of the popular refundable child tax credit by illegal immigrants. As IRS rules currently stand, this refundable tax credit can be provided to an illegal immigrant so long as the immigrant is able to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS.

A recent investigative report by NBC’s Indianapolis WTHR uncovered a slew of illegal immigrants who claimed the tax credit for children living in Mexico. To watch the report, click here.

Johnson’s provision comes from his Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act, H.R. 1956, which would require tax filers to provide their Social Security numbers to claim the credit. Today, Johnson spoke on the House floor during debate urging Congress to take action today by closing this tax loophole in order to better protect American taxpayer dollars.

To view Johnson’s remarks, click here.

Remarks as prepared:

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, due to a loophole in the tax code, the IRS is shoveling out billions of American taxpayer dollars to those who are here illegally. The good news is this Reconciliation measure includes a common-sense solution based on legislation I’ve authored that would save $7.6 billion by putting a stop to this.

The provision would stop illegal immigrants from getting the $1,000 refundable child tax credit by simply requiring tax filers to provide their Social Security Numbers. Right now those who are here illegally can get cash from Uncle Sam by providing an IRS-provided tax payer ID number to claim this refundable credit. Illegal immigrants have gone so far as to file tax returns claiming children who do not live in America according to a recent report by NBC Indianapolis’ WTHR.

Mr. Speaker, there really shouldn’t be any controversy over this. The American people are speaking out against this. The Treasury’s Tax IG has spoken out against this. Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill has spoken out against this. Even the Administration supports the idea of preventing illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits through funding of a verification program.

Mr. Speaker this is a simple fix that by just requiring a Social Security Number will put a stop to the abuse of precious taxpayer dollars. Americans want, need and deserve better protection of their hard-earned money and we owe it to the United States of America to take action today.

I yield back.”

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House Ways and Means Committee passes Johnson’s measure to better protect the American taxpayer

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the House Ways and Means Committee passed by a vote of 22-12 a measure based on legislation authored by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) to prevent illegal immigrants from getting the refundable child tax credit.

“This is a common-sense, bipartisan measure to close a loophole that is costing American taxpayers billions of dollars,” Johnson said during today’s mark-up. “This rampant abuse of hardworking taxpayer dollars is just wrong.”

The IRS currently awards the refundable child tax credit to those who are here illegally. Because this credit is refundable, as it stands parents who owe no taxes can receive cash back from the government through the tax code.

In a report issued last year by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration entitled, Individuals Who Are Not Authorized to Work in the United States Were Paid $4.2 Billion in Refundable Credits, the IG said, “Although the law prohibits aliens residing without authorization in the United States from receiving most Federal public benefits, an increasing number of these individuals are filing tax returns claiming the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).”

“I’m glad the Committee took this important step to better protect precious taxpayer dollars. It’s time we close this tax loophole and put a stop to the child tax credit sham,” concluded Johnson.

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Sam Johnson presents Congressional Award to Drew Barry of McKinney

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) presented the Congressional Award Silver Medal to Drew Barry of McKinney.

“Drew has demonstrated an enormous commitment to improving his community, and this award is well deserved,” said Johnson.

Congress established the Congressional Award in 1979 to recognize initiative, achievement and service in young people. The non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive program is open to all 14- to 23- year olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.

“I appreciate the Congressional Award Program for challenging me in all areas, but especially volunteerism,” said Barry, an Allen High School student, who achieved the Silver Medal by completing 200 hours of community service.

In earning the award, Barry focused his efforts on his passion for lacrosse. Barry volunteered his time as an assistant to youth lacrosse coaches and players and organized an equipment drive for BRIDGE lacrosse to benefit less fortunate students in his area.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, April 19^th the staff of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will host Mobile Office Hours in Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano. No advance appointments are necessary. Times and locations are listed below.

If you, or someone you know, would like assistance with problems regarding federal issues or agencies, such as Medicare, Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service, please visit one of these locations. No advance appointments necessary.

The Congressman’s staff also can help facilitate overseas adoptions, provide information regarding trips to Washington, D.C., and process requests to have American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol building.

Anyone requesting assistance with a federal agency should bring all relevant documents and be prepared to sign a privacy disclaimer. Constituents who cannot attend the scheduled Mobile Office Hours are welcome to contact the Congressman’s Richardson office at (972) 470-0892. For more information, visit www.samjohnson.house.gov and select “Get Help with a Federal Agency.”

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

ALLEN

Senior Recreation Center

Front Conference Room

451 East Street

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

FRISCO

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Front Lobby

6101 Frisco Square Boulevard

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

MCKINNEY

Collin College Park Central Campus

Entrance Lobby Area

2200 W. University

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PLANO

Parr Library

Front Lobby

6200 Windhaven Parkway

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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Congressmen Sam Johnson and John Larson introduce legislation to assist those wrongfully convicted

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Today Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Congressman John Larson (D-CT) introduced legislation that would prohibit the IRS from taxing compensation awarded to people who have been wrongfully convicted of a crime and subsequently exonerated.

“As a former Prisoner of War in Vietnam for nearly 7 years, I know what it is like to have years of your life robbed,” said Johnson, who spent nearly half of his captivity in solitary confinement. “While we can’t return the years lost as a result of wrongful imprisonment, we can make sure that those individuals don’t suffer the additional injustice of being persecuted by the IRS for taxes they shouldn’t have to pay.” Dallas County, which includes portions of Johnson’s district, is a leader in exonerations.

Since the first DNA exoneration in 1989, the wrongfully convicted have served more than 3,809 years in prisons across 35 states before being exonerated. The nearly 300 DNA exonerees served an average of 13.5 years in prison, ranging from less than one to 35 years.

Johnson and Larson believe this bill represents a bipartisan effort in Washington to ensure that the federal government does its part for those who have been wronged by the justice system.

“In Connecticut, with the exoneration of James Tillman, we’ve seen firsthand that wrongful convictions are an unfortunate reality,” Congressman Larson added. “Though we can never give the wrongfully convicted the time back that they’ve had taken from them, they certainly shouldn’t have to pay Uncle Sam a share of any compensation they’re awarded. This bill will make sure they don’t have to suffer that insult on top of their injury.”

Specifically, the Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief Act proposes to allow exonerees to keep their awards free of tax.

Compensation awards are meant to provide exonerated prisoners with much-needed economic support. Many exonerated individuals experience severe hardship acclimating to society, finding jobs and housing and reconnecting with family. With no money, housing, transportation, health services or insurance, the punishment lingers long after the exoneration.

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AT YOUR SERVICE

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, March 22^nd the staff of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will host Mobile Office Hours in Frisco, McKinney and Richardson. No advance appointments are necessary. Times and locations are listed below.

Staff from the Congressman’s office regularly host Mobile Office Hours throughout the Third District to meet with constituents close to home at their convenience. During Mobile Office Hours, Johnson’s aides gladly assist individuals facing problems with federal programs or agencies such as Medicare, Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

FRISCO

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Front Lobby

6101 Frisco Square Boulevard

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MCKINNEY

Collin College Central Park Campus

Entrance Lobby Area

2200 W. University

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

RICHARDSON

Senior Center

Lobby Area

820 W. Arapaho Road

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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Sam Johnson announces 2012 Congressional Art Competition

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) invited high school students residing in the Third Congressional District to submit original artwork for the 2012 Congressional Art Competition. This contest is open to students enrolled in public, private or home schools, and the deadline to submit artwork is March 29^th. The winning piece will be sent to Washington, D.C., to hang in the United States Capitol for one year.

“Each year I am impressed with the wealth of artistic talent these students bring, and I look forward to seeing this year’s submissions” said Johnson.

Artwork must be submitted by March 29^th. Students may take their piece directly to the Congressman’s local office or teachers may contact Michael Wassel in the Richardson office at Michael.wassel@mail.house.gov or at 972-470-0892 to arrange for a pick-up date and time from individual schools.

In addition, the public will be invited to view all Third District artwork submissions at the Congressional Art Contest Exhibit and award ceremony in McKinney on Thursday, May 3^rd. Johnson will release more information about this event at a later date. Beginning in April, entries will be displayed on Johnson’s website for the community to participate in the annual People’s Choice award competition. The public can view and vote on their favorite piece, and the winning artist will receive the People’s Choice award.

Additional information can be found in the “Info for Students” section of the Congressman’s website at samjohnson.house.gov. Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

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Sam Johnson pushes employee tuition assistance

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) along with Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) reintroduced legislation, the Employee Educational Assistance Act of 2012, to empower workers with employer-provided education benefits

“Given today’s global competitiveness, it is vital for employers to invest in their employees with tuition assistance. They want to attract the best and brightest workforce,” said Johnson. “It’s great to know companies want to offer these benefits – it’s a win-win situation.”

Currently workers may access up to $5,250 in tax-free educational assistance from their employers for various expenses, like tuition, fees, and books. Employers do not have to provide this benefit. If they do, then they must make it available to all workers. Created in 1978, this tax benefit expires at the end of the year. Johnson’s bill would permanently extend the benefit.

According to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), almost one in five individuals using this education expense benefit is pursuing a degree in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the so called “STEM” degrees. Approximately 913,100 students received employer-provided benefits, compared to 431,500 in 1992 – showing a promising 112% increase. Thirty-six percent of these recipients are pursuing a master’s degree, as compared to 21% in 1992.

The military provides the largest amount ($2,547) of average assistance to undergraduates. Colleges and universities offer the largest average assistance ($3,277) to graduate students. During the 2007 – 2008 school year, those earning $42,711 represent the average person accepting the employer-provided assistance.

The average employer-provided education benefits received was $4,563. A 2011 Society for Human Resources Management poll reveals that 58% of companies offered undergraduate educational assistance, and 54% offered graduate educational assistance.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

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The White House vs the Catholic Church

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

When people all across the world envision the Statue of Liberty standing tall on Ellis Island, a few words come to mind: America and freedom. There are so many freedoms here we sometimes take for granted – or even forget how blessed we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Like freedom of the press. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to bear arms. The right to petition. The right to own property. The right to equal justice. In fact, our freedom is so central to our country’s DNA that our Founding Fathers permanently established that our government could not prohibit the free exercise of speech or religion, among other things.

Yet, a bold and brazen attack on our religious liberties from within has people of all faiths up in arms and rightfully so.

As you may know, the Administration recently announced a new rule as part of the sweeping government takeover of healthcare. The new policy would require faith-based employers – including Catholic charities, schools, universities, and hospitals – to provide services they believe are immoral. Sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and devices, and contraception all violate the doctrine of the Catholic faith and the Administration was about to force faith-based organizations to make an impossible choice between doing their religious duty or violating their conscience.

Finally after an uproar from people of many faiths and political persuasions, the President retreated – in theory. He announced that the government would not force religiously-affiliated institutions to directly provide birth control coverage as part of their employees' health care coverage. Instead, female employees of faith-based groups will have access to no-cost contraceptive coverage through the employee's health insurer, which the government will force to offer the coverage for free.

Since there is no such thing as a free lunch, someone will have to pay for this somehow and this so-called “compromise” is smoke and mirrors. In addition, a Catholic entrepreneur and business owner now will have to violate a core religious belief to offer employees this government-mandated benefit. That’s just not right.

Charitable religious organizations are an integral part of our society. Catholic hospitals care for millions of Americans and Catholic universities educate countless students each year. There are many other religious organizations that provide meals, daycare, housing, and numerous other services. Again, these groups act out of a religious obligation. Essentially the government will be forcing an organization to decide which commandment to follow.

While I have vehemently opposed the President’s government takeover of healthcare and continue to fight for full repeal, even supporters of the law are shocked at the rule.

Certainly, for many Americans contraception is not controversial. Here in America, it is not the government’s role to determine doctrine for a particular religion. In fact, the opposite is true. The government has a responsibility to protect minority religious views.

This is not an attack on women’s health or on contraception. The federal government already spends billions of dollars to provide free or low cost contraceptives – much to my dismay. This is a question of whether the government has the power to force people to violate their convictions.

I am working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to eliminate these rules and provide strong protection for minority religious views. Better yet, we should get rid of the President’s government-run health law all together.

This is America. There should be no such thing as a government-takeover of healthcare – or religious doctrine.

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Sam Johnson calls on IRS to increase gas mileage rate

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) took to the floor of the U.S. House to call on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to increase the 2012 standard mileage gas rates in the event gas prices hit expected all-time record highs. Johnson also advocated for a comprehensive all-of-the-above strategy that includes the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Johnson sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman this week with the mileage increase request. Last year, Johnson hounded the IRS for months before the rates were raised, providing much needed relief for businesses.

Currently the IRS mileage rate is 55.5 cents for business travel and 23 cents for medical and moving purposes. The charitable rate of 14 cents is set by law. The IRS increased the optional mileage rates due to spiking gas prices in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, and again in 2008 and 2011 to combat soaring gas prices.

To read a copy of Johnson’s letter to IRS Commissioner Shulman, visit his website at samjohnson.house.gov.

To watch Johnson’s floor speech, visit his official You Tube channel here.

Johnson’s remarks follow:

“For 21 days in a row, gas prices have risen to average $3.70 per gallon – a 30-cent increase in only one month! At this rate, Americans could be forking over four bucks for a gallon of gas in no time. That’s insane.

American families and businesses are already struggling in this economy, so I’m calling on the IRS to provide relief for businesses by increasing the standard mileage rates, like it did after Hurricane Katrina, and again in 2008 and 2011.

With gas prices rising higher and faster than ever, the Administration and Congress need to take action now – beginning with the Keystone XL Pipeline estimated to bring 830,000 barrels of oil every day to U.S. refineries – and Keystone would create nearly 20,000 new American jobs.

Let’s pursue a real ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy and give Americans the security and relief they want, need and deserve.”

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Sam Johnson says "I stand in support of freedom of speech."

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One minute on healthcare

Sam Johnson speaks up on heath care

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One minute on the House floor

Johnson denounces costly health care propsal

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson denounces costly health care propsal

Johnson denounces national energy tax

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson denounces national energy tax

Congressman Johnson talks health reform

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson talks health reform

Johnson assails Administration moving Gitmo detainee to New York City

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson assails Administration moving Gitmo detainee to New York City

Johnson calls for Social Security reform

Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson calls for Social Security reform

Johnson reintroduces worksite enforcement bill

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson reintroduces worksite enforcement bill

Congressman Johnson calls for fiscal responsibility

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson calls for fiscal responsibility

Congressman Johnson addresses the Presidents budget

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson addresses the Presidents budget