Issues

• Three Great Ideas

  As a freshman member of the House of Representatives, one of the best things I will have the chance to do is to work hard to advance existing legislation.  Below are three bills (and links to more detailed information about them) currently in the House or Senate, that I think are most deserving of my efforts, and most indicative of my priorities (jobs, veterans care, and election reform).
  

• Small business tax credits for new hiring (H.R. 4056), introduced by Rep. Joe Sestak (D – PA 7)

  Legislation designed to encourage small businesses to speed up hiring by offering a tax credit for jobs added.  Obviously businesses hire based on market conditions, and no amount of tax credits can substitute for an improvement in consumer demand.  However, a tax credit can encourage a company to “take the plunge” and make some hires based on anticipated increases in short term demand.  We need jobs now!
  

• Rural provision of Veterans Administration services (S. 2383), introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)

  This bill provides for a pilot program to provide VA services in rural areas.  We must fix the problem of lack of access to services in rural areas faced by veterans nationwide, and here in Michigan's 2nd Congressional District.  I will introduce companion legislation in the House and work tirelessly to secure co-sponsors and passage of this critical reform of our VA system.  Our veterans should be able to access VA services wherever they live!
  

• Fair Elections Now Act (FENA), (H.R. 1826), Co-introduced by Rep. Jon Larson (D – Conn.) and Rep. Walter Jones (R – N. Carolina)

  This legislation is the most important item under consideration in Washington, and a great example of the possibilities when working in a bi-partisan manner.  It provides for public financing of all federal election campaigns (House & Senate - President already publicly funded).  The purpose of this bill is to completely remove special interest money from election campaigns, by providing for a fair level of public financing of campaigns.  After the fiasco of the health insurance reform debate, is there any remaining question about the negative role of special interest money in our politics?   And, to those who question the spending of public money to fund campaigns, I have one simple question:  How much do you think lobbyists are costing us?  We must remove special interest money from our campaign system in order to successfully address the vital issues confronting the nation!  Watch video here
  

  Here's an interesting  op-ed by former Republican Senator Warren Rudman, on the need to pass the Fair Elections Now Act.

• I believe these are 3 Great Ideas, which we should be pursuing right away.

  My hope is that these bills give you a sense of the kinds of priorities I will follow as your Representative in Washington.  I hope you will follow the links provided, to learn more about these bills.  Also, please let me know what you think about these bills, and any other issue of concern to you.  We have a blog which I hope you'll participate in, and you can also email me at fred@fredjohnsonforcongress.com.  I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail.