Samuel Johnson

Samuel Robert "Sam" Johnson, a Republican, has represented the Third Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1991.

Iraq War
Johnson voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

During the debate in mid-February 2007 of a nonbinding resolution opposing President Bush's troop "surge" in Iraq, Rep. Johnson, who opposed the measure, referenced the loss of U.S. confidence in the military action in Vietnam during the early 1970s, stating "words can't fully describe the unspeakable damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground."

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Johnson was born October 11, 1930. He was an Air Force fighter pilot and flew 86 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was a prisoner of war for seven years in Vietnam, including 42 months in solitary confinement.

He was an early advocate and sponsor of the successful repeal of the earnings limit for Social Security recipients in 2000. He proposed the Good Samaritan Tax Act to permit corporations to take a tax deduction for charitable giving of food. He chairs the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, where he has encouraged small business owners to expand their pensionand   health benefits for employees.

Johnson ran unopposed by the Democratic Party in the 2004 election. Paul Jenkins, an Independent, and James Vessels, a member of the Libertarian Party ran against Johnson. Johnson won overwhelmingly in a highly Republican district with 86% of the vote.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Daniel A. Dodd to face Johnson in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

The Libertarian Party nominated Christopher Clayton for the 2006 election. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Johnson retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Social Security - Ranking Member

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness
 * Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations - Chair
 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Oversight
 * Subcommittee on Social Security
 * On the board of reagents for the Smithsonian Institution

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * USA Today Profile
 * The Smithsonian Institute's Tribute to Sam Johnson
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Shailagh Murray and Jonathan Weisman, "Four Clear Voices Rise Above the Din on Iraq," Washington Post, April 23, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Burnt Orange Report