Sam Johnson files for re-election

Friends of Sam Johnson
December 3, 2009
Contact: 972-424-9573

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) filed official paperwork in Austin to run for re-election to represent the Third Congressional District.

“I plan to run a positive campaign that focuses on job creation, lower taxes, and limited government,” said Johnson, a former Prisoner of War in Vietnam for nearly seven years, more than half of that time in solitary confinement.

In his quest for re-election, Johnson will tout his accomplishments on behalf of the Third Congressional District and champion economic renewal while opposing the burdensome, expansionist policies of the current Administration.

Johnson has used his tenure in Congress to secure a federal Courthouse in Plano, co-author the initial legislation to repeal the Wright Amendment, craft the first pension reform in a generation in the wake of the Enron scandal, resurrect the state sales tax deduction for Texans, wrote the measure to end the so-called earnings limit on seniors who wanted to work past retirement, and create the popular Congressional Youth Advisory Council to civically engage high school students, among other things. Johnson also has aggressively sought federal funding to improve local transportation projects to improve people’s daily lives.

During the last year, Johnson has used his plum assignment on the prestigious tax-writing Ways and Means Committee to inject common-sense measures into the most divisive and comprehensive health reform since the creation of Medicare. For example, Johnson proposed amendments that would deny taxpayer-funded health insurance benefits to illegal immigrants as well as prohibit any public health plan from using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions. Johnson firmly believes that taxpayer funded abortion is not healthcare reform.

Johnson also championed a measure that says a Member of Congress who votes for a government-forced health plan must be among the first to enroll in that plan. “Members of Congress should stop asking the American people to make sacrifices they are not willing to make themselves.” Committee Democrats voted down each of Johnson’s efforts.

Johnson supports making health insurance more affordable, accessible and available with fiscally responsible, tested and proven reforms. Recently, Republican leaders included Johnson’s small business health plans legislation (H.R. 2607, the Small Business Health Fairness Act) as part of the alternative proposal aimed at replacing the $1.2 trillion, 20 pound, 2,000 page forced-government takeover of health insurance that sends Americans who refuse to buy “proper” health insurance to jail.

Numerous groups have commended Johnson for his thoughtful voting record in Congress, including the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, the Texas Eagle Forum, and the Club for Growth, among others.

Johnson also will continue to stand strong for America’s men and women in uniform. This fall, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society presented Johnson with the esteemed group’s highest civilian accolade, The National Patriot Award, for his steadfast commitment to freedom and Johnson’s protectionist stance for our troops and veterans.

A decorated fighter pilot who devoted 29 years to the United States Air Force, Johnson earned two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals and Three Outstanding Unit Awards.

Johnson, a native Texan, graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Southern Methodist University, the National War College and earned a M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University. Johnson flew with the Air Force’s legendary precision flight team, the Thunderbirds, and served as the Director of the renowned Fighter Weapons School, the Air Force’s Top Gun.

After retiring from the United States Air Force in Texas, Johnson started a homebuilding business in the Dallas area. Johnson served in the Texas State House from 1984 until 1991 before winning a special election to Congress. A lifelong patriot with strong relationships on both sides of the aisle who is not afraid to get things done behind the scenes in Washington, Johnson serves in leadership as a Deputy Whip.

The Third Congressional District includes portions of Dallas and Collin Counties. To learn more about Johnson’s campaign efforts, go to www.SamJohnsonforCongress.com.

# # #