Bill Johnson (Ohio politician)

See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 6

In May 2010, Johnson defeated two primary opponents to win the Republican nomination. ^[9] In the general election, he defeated incumbent Charlie Wilson, 50%–45%. ^[10] He began his term in the 112th United States Congress on January 3, 2011.

2012

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 6

In November 2011, Wilson filed for a rematch in the newly redrawn 6th District, which had been made slightly friendlier to Republicans in redistricting. ^[11] Johnson defeated Wilson again in a heavily contested race, 53% to 47%, and began his second term in January 2013.^{[ citation needed ]}

2014

See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 6

In 2014, Johnson faced Democratic nominee Jennifer Garrison, a former State Representative and lawyer from Marietta, Ohio. ^[12] Johnson defeated Garrison, 58% to 39%, with Green Party candidate Dennis Lambert taking 3%. He began his third term in January 2015.^{[ citation needed ]}

2016

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 6

Johnson was reelected to a fourth term in the 2016 general election, defeating Democrat Michael Lorentz, the mayor of Belpre, Ohio, 71%–29%. ^[13]

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 6

Johnson was reelected to a fifth term, defeating Democrat Shawna Roberts, of Barnesville, Ohio, 69%–30%.

Tenure

On January 7, 2021, Johnson objected to the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in Congress. ^[14]

The House passed Johnson's World War II Memorial Prayer Act, which would require the prayer President Franklin Roosevelt gave on D-Day to be placed on the World War II memorial. ^[15]

The House also passed Johnson's Stop the War on Coal Act, which would stop the creation of any new rules that threaten mining jobs. ^[15] Both pieces of legislation have been sent to the Senate for consideration. Johnson sponsored H.R. 4036, the Pass a Budget Now Act, which would cut legislators' pay if a budget is not passed by April 15 of each year. ^[16]

Resignation and move to Youngstown State University

On November 16, 2023, the Board of Trustees at Youngstown State University offered Johnson the position of president of the university, which Johnson accepted. ^[17] His appointment was met with protests over his record as an election denier, his support for Trump's so-called "Muslim ban," and his opposition to LGBT rights, as well as the lack of transparency of the hiring process. ^[18] Johnson resigned from the House effective January 21, 2024, and assumed the presidency at Youngstown State the following day. ^{[19] [1]}

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
  • Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Committee on Science, Space and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Space

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Arts Caucus ^[20]
• Congressional Western Caucus ^[21]
• Republican Study Committee ^[22]
• Republican Main Street Partnership ^[23]
• Republican Governance Group ^[24]
• Problem Solvers Caucus ^[25]

Legislation sponsored

• Community Fire Safety Act of 2013 (H.R. 3588; 113th Congress) – Johnson introduced this bill into the House on November 21, 2013. ^[26] The bill would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring that all new fire hydrants in the United States be lead-free beginning in 2014. ^[27]

Johnson called the EPA's ruling "absurd" and said that "it is unconscionable that the EPA has put our public safety at risk because during the hot summer months sometimes, somewhere kids may play in fire hydrant water." ^[28]

• Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America (H.R. 2824; 113th Congress) – Johnson introduced this bill into the House on July 25, 2013. ^[29] If passed, the bill would have amended the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to require state programs for regulation of surface coal mining to incorporate the necessary rule concerning excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on December 12, 2008. ^[30] Supporters of the bill argued that it would be good for jobs, save the government money, and improve U.S. energy production by preventing the Obama administration from introducing more coal regulations. ^[31] Opponents described it as a bill that would require "OSM to implement the flawed 2008 Stream Buffer Zone rule and prevent the agency from improving that rule for a minimum of seven years". ^[32]
• Improving Trauma Care Act of 2014 (H.R. 3548; 113th Congress) – Johnson introduced this bill into the House on November 20, 2013. ^[33] It would amend the Public Health Service Act, with respect to trauma care and research programs, to include in the definition of "trauma" an injury resulting from extrinsic agents other than mechanical force, including those that are thermal, electrical, chemical, or radioactive. ^[33]

Political positions

During the presidency of Donald Trump, Johnson voted in line with Trump's stated position 96.8% of the time. ^[34] As of September 2021, Johnson had voted in line with President Joe Biden's stated position 13.9% of the time. ^[35]

Race relations

As protesters called for the removal of statues deemed racist, Johnson authored an opinion piece for The Washington Examiner titled "Our History Can Safeguard our Future". In his piece, Johnson opposed the toppling of statues, writing, "To really unify our country, we must pause and consider our history to provide context for our current national dialogue. We need to step out from behind our keyboards and learn more of the nuance of our shared heritage." ^[36]

Abortion

In a candidates' questionnaire in 2010, Johnson wrote, "I am pro-life, and I oppose abortion except in the case of rape, incest, and when the mother's life is in danger. Additionally, I support parental notification and a ban on partial birth abortions." During his 2010 and 2012 campaigns, Johnson was endorsed by the Ohio Right to Life PAC. ^[37]

Environmental issues

At a 2016 House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Environmental Protection Agency regulations, Johnson called the agency "un-American" and accused it of "draining the lifeblood out of our businesses". His remarks prompted criticism from Democratic members of the committee. ^[38]

Johnson was briefly criticized on an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver for asking a Department of Energy representative about the financial return on investment regarding the Clean Future Act, which host John Oliver compared to asking about the financial return on investment of a fire department. ^[39]

Gun issues

Johnson opposes further restrictions on gun ownership. The NRA Political Victory Fund endorsed him in 2012. ^[40]

Health care

Johnson opposes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and supports repealing it. ^{[41] [42]}

Immigration and refugees

From the beginning, ^[43] Johnson supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, characterizing it as necessary to prevent terrorist attacks. ^[44] After the federal courts struck down the initial executive order, Johnson supported a replacement executive order imposing a revised travel ban. ^[43]

Same-sex marriage

Johnson opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage, saying that it "undermines the integrity of the American family". ^[45]

Trump administration

On December 18, 2019, Johnson held a moment of silence to remember Trump voters during House debates on articles of impeachment, saying, "This is a sad day for America. This partisan impeachment sham seeks to disenfranchise 63 million American voters... So I want to use my time to call on this chamber, for members to rise and observe a moment of silent reflection, to give every member here the chance to pause for a moment and remember the voices of the 63 million American voters the Democrats today are wanting to silence." ^[46]

In April 2018, Johnson defended EPA head Scott Pruitt, who was embroiled in a number of investigations over ethics violations. ^[47] While Pruitt was being grilled, largely along party lines, during an April 2018 hearing about the ethics concerns, Johnson said, "I think it's shameful today that this hearing has turned into a personal attack hearing and a shameful attempt to denigrate the work that's being done at the EPA and with this administration". Public officials should have ethical standards "beyond reproach ... but so should members of Congress", he added. ^{[47] [48]}

In December 2020, Johnson was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania , a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Trump. ^[49] The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. ^{[50] [51] [52]}

Personal life

On April 30, 1975, he married Wanda Florence Porter. They had three children together.^{[ citation needed ]} Johnson is Protestant. ^{[53] [54]}

Bill Johnson
Official portrait, 2011
10th President of Youngstown State University
Incumbent
Assumed office January 22, 2024

Election results [55]
Year	Office	Election		Name	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
2010	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	103,170	50.19%		Charlie Wilson	Democratic	92,823	45.15%		Richard Cadle	Constitution	5,077	2.47%		Martin Elsass	Libertarian	4,505	2.19%
2012	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	164,536	53.25%		Charlie Wilson	Democratic	144,444	46.75%
2014	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	111,026	58.24%		Jennifer Garrison	Democratic	73,561	38.58%		Dennis Lambert	Green	6,065	3.18%
2016	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	213,975	70.68%		Mike Lorentz	Democratic	88,780	29.32%
2018	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	169,668	69.29%		Shawna Roberts	Democratic	75,196	30.71%
2020	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	249,130	74.41%		Shawna Roberts	Democratic	85,661	25.59%
2022	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bill Johnson	Republican	189,883	67.7%		Louis Lyras	Democratic	90,500	32.3%

References

1. Gerry Ricciutti, Lorie Barber (January 22, 2024). "Bill Johnson begins first day as YSU's president". WKBN. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
2. "About Bill Johnson". Bill Johnson website. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
3. "Johnson, Bill". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved January 22, 2024.
4. "Lt. Col. Bill Johnson, Ohio Congressman". American Veterans Center . Retrieved January 22, 2024.
5. Lusk, Clif (July 17, 2017). "Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson to speak at Troy". Troy Today. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
6. Skolnick, David (November 20, 2023). "U.S. Rep Bill Johnson Could Be Hired As Youngstown State President Tuesday". The Intelligencer. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
7. "Bill Johnson". Information Technology and Innovation Foundation . Retrieved January 22, 2024.
8. Skolnick, David; Logan, Richard (November 17, 2023). "Trustees seek Bill Johnson for president of YSU". The Vindicator . Retrieved January 22, 2024.
9. "Wilson, Johnson win in 6th District". Marietta Times. May 5, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
10. "The 2010 Results Maps". Politico. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
11. "Former Rep. Charlie Wilson will seek rematch in Ohio". The Hill . November 30, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
12. "WMOA News". Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
13. "Ohio U.S. House 6th District Results: Bill Johnson Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017.
14. Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
15. "Bill Johnson". United States Congress. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
16. Johnson, Bill (February 15, 2012). "Pass a Budget Now Act (2012; 112th Congress H.R. 4036)". GovTrack.us. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
17. Skolnick, David; Logan, Richard. "Youngstown State University Offers President's Job to U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson". The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register. No. 17-Nov-2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
18. Moody, Josh. "Youngstown State Taps Controversial Congressman as President". Inside HigherEd. No. 29-Nov-2023. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
19. Skolnick, David. "Bill Johnson to resign Jan. 21 from Congress, start as YSU president the next day". The Vindicator. No. 2-Jan-2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
20. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
21. "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
22. "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
23. "MEMBERS". Republican Main Street Partnership . Retrieved March 1, 2021.
24. "Congressional Tuesday Group - Summary from LegiStorm". Legistorm. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
25. "Featured Members". Problem Solvers Caucus. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
26. "H.R. 3588 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
27. Kasperowicz, Pete (December 2, 2013). "Both parties reject EPA fire hydrant rule". The Hill . Retrieved December 3, 2013.
28. Kasperowicz, Pete (November 22, 2013). "House bill warns of EPA threat to fire hydrants". The Hill . Retrieved December 3, 2013.
29. "H.R. 2824 – All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
30. "H.R. 2824 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
31. "Johnson, Lamborn Introduce Legislation To Protect Jobs, Help Stop Administration's War on Coal". Smart Energy Universe. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
32. Beans, Laura (August 8, 2013). "House Republicans Use Fear Mongering In Fight for Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining". EcoWatch. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
33. "H.R. 3548 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
34. Bycoffe, Aaron (January 30, 2017). "Tracking Bill Johnson In The Age Of Trump". FiveThirtyEight . Retrieved April 4, 2017.
35. Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight . Retrieved September 14, 2021.
36. "Our history can safeguard our future". The Washington Examiner. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
37. "Endorsements". Ohio Right to Life PAC. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
38. Devin Henry (July 6, 2016). "'Un-American' charge ignites hearing on EPA rules". The Hill .
39. The Power Grid: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) , retrieved November 10, 2021
40. "NRA-PVF | Ohio". Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
41. Jon Baker, Congress will target Obamacare, regulatory reform, Rep. Bill Johnson says, The Times-Reporter (January 24, 2017).
42. Johnson backs repeal of 'ObamaCare', (East Liverpool, Ohio) Review (January 17, 2017).
43. Why Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson Supports Trump's Revised Travel Ban, NPR, Morning Edition (March 7, 2017).
44. Blake, Aaron (January 31, 2017). "Whip Count: Here's where Republicans stand on Trump's controversial travel ban". The Washington Post .
45. "Bill Johnson: Issue Positions". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
46. Klar, Rebecca (December 18, 2019). "GOP lawmaker holds moment of silence on House floor for people who voted for Trump". The Hill . Retrieved July 31, 2020.
47. "'Embarrassment' or 'McCarthyism': Key moments as Pruitt faces lawmakers". Politico . Retrieved April 26, 2018.
48. DiChristopher, Tom (April 26, 2018). "Embattled EPA chief Scott Pruitt tells Congress ethics claims against him are lies and half-truths". CNBC . Retrieved April 30, 2018.
49. Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
50. Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
51. "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
52. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
53. "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
54. "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
55. "Election Results". Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2016.

External links

• Congressman Bill Johnson official U.S. House website
• Bill Johnson campaign website
• Bill Johnson at Curlie
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Charlie Wilson	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 6th congressional district 2011–2024	Vacant
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Bob Gibbs as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Henson Moore as Former US Representative