Congressman Hank Johnson has represented Georgia’s 4th Congressional District since 2007, serving parts of DeKalb, Newton, Rockdale, and Gwinnett counties. As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, Johnson has established himself as an effective lawmaker and a prominent national progressive voice.
Hank Johnson’s Career Path to Congress:
- Grew up in Washington, D.C., where his father worked for the Bureau of Prisons.
- Received his B.A. from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in 1976.
- Earned his J.D. from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1979.
- Practiced law in Decatur, Georgia, for over 25 years.
- Served as an associate judge of the DeKalb County magistrate’s court from 1989 to 2001.
- Elected to the DeKalb County Commission in 2000 and served from 2001 to 2006.
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007, currently serving his ninth term.
Sponsored Legislation
- Introduced the FAIR Act (Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act) to restore Americans’ 7th Amendment right to seek justice through the court system.
- Co-sponsored the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act (SMLEA), which is part of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
- Introduced legislation in October 2021 to secure cybersecurity grant funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- Authored a letter to the State Department calling for an investigation into the misuse of U.S. weapons by Israel in extrajudicial executions of Palestinian youth.
Votes and Stances on Social Issues
- A strong supporter of gun reform legislation.
- Voted in favor of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, which requires the U.S. to remain in the Paris Climate Accord.
- Received a 100% rating for his environmental voting record in 2018 and 2019.
- Co-sponsored H.R. 7120, the Justice in Policing Act, aimed at addressing systemic racism and police brutality.
- Supports immigrant rights and is recognized as an ally and champion of the immigrant community.
Votes and Stances on Economic Issues
- Voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package to create jobs and rebuild America.
- Advocates for the protection of Social Security and opposes large cuts intended to balance the budget.
- Supports consumer protection and has introduced legislation to level the playing field for everyday Americans.
Votes and Stances on National Defense, NDAA, and DARPA
- Formerly served on the House Armed Services Committee.
- Voted to address the needs of servicemembers and military families, strengthening national security in 2021.
- Supports honoring and rewarding U.S. military personnel while ensuring they are not neglected.
Demographics of Georgia’s 4th Congressional District
As of the most recent data, Georgia’s 4th Congressional District covers parts of DeKalb and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County. However, specific demographic data for adults in the district is not provided.
Controversial Statements and Actions
- In 2010, Johnson expressed concern that the island of Guam might “capsize” due to overpopulation, a statement that attracted widespread attention and criticism.
- In 2016, he faced controversy for comparing Jewish Israeli settlers to “termites” during an event hosted by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation and Jewish Voice for Peace. He later clarified his comments, indicating he was referring to settlement policies that undermined Palestinian land claims rather than comparing people to insects.
- In January 2023, Johnson garnered headlines for suggesting that classified documents found in President Biden’s possession might have been “planted.”
Throughout his career, Congressman Hank Johnson has been a vocal advocate for civil liberties, environmental protection, and social justice. His legislative efforts have focused on police reform, consumer protection, and digital inclusion. As one of only four Buddhists to have served in the United States Congress, Johnson brings a unique perspective to his role as a representative. Despite occasional controversies, he continues to be an active voice for his constituents and a proponent of progressive policies in the House of Representatives.
Citations:
[1] https://hankjohnson.house.gov/about/biography
[2] https://hankforcongress.com/rep-johnson-co-sponsors-george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act/
[3] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/guam-capsizing-planted-docs-termite-jewish-settlers-hank-johnsons-wildest-statements
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Johnson
[5] https://hankjohnson.house.gov
[6] https://hankjohnson.house.gov/issues
[7] https://adc.org/take-action-thank-congressman-johnson-for-supporting-palestinian-rights/
[8] https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/68070/hank-johnson-jr
[9] https://www.congress.gov/member/henry-johnson/J000288
[10] https://cssbmb.gov/commissioner/henry-hank-johnson/
[11] https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnsons-statement-supreme-court-ruling-against-affirmative-action
[12] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hank-johnson-worries-guam-could-capsize-after-marine-buildup/
