Eddie Bernice Johnson

Current roles

• Local Democratic Party: Member
• Local US House of Representatives: US Representative

Former roles

• Local US House of Representatives: US Representative candidate

League of Women Voters 2008 candidate survey

LWV: Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

Johnson: I became the first woman in Texas history to lead a major Texas House Committee in 1972. I became the Regional Director of the Texas Department of Health and Education in 1977. In 1986, I was elected a Texas state Senator. I am in U.S. Congress serving my eighth term.

LWV: What reforms would you propose to the U.S. healthcare system to control costs, improve the quality of care and expand access to healthcare to uninsured Americans?

Johnson: Health care must be accessible and affordable for everyone. As a nurse, I am alarmed that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the nation. While I agree that a privatized system should remain in place for those who can afford it, major reforms must be made to expand and streamline programs, like Medicare and State Children’s Health Insurance, to ensure that no one goes without health care coverage.

LWV: Do you support a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq?

Johnson: I was against the war in Iraq from the beginning, and I believe we must set a safe and responsible deadline for withdrawal of our troops. More than 4,000 Americans have been killed, and thousands are coming home wounded. American taxpayers should not be paying more than $10 billion each month for this ill-advised, bloody, and seemingly endless war. To successfully change the direction of our country, we must first change our policy in Iraq.

LWV: How do you propose to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., while also meeting the increased need of American agriculture and small business for workers?

Johnson: I support a combination of enforcement and legal options that will not bring about an increase in immigration levels, but a sensible solution to replace the current illegal flow with a legal and orderly one. We will not solve the problem of illegal immigration relying solely on law enforcement and tighter borders. We must face economic reality and pragmatic solutions such as guest worker programs and legitimate paths to legal residency.

LWV: The U.S. Highway Trust Fund is expected to go into deficit next year. Congress is reluctant to raise the federal gas tax. How should America pay for its massive infrastructure needs related to roads and bridges?

Johnson: Without question our nation’s transportation infrastructure faces a dilemma. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, it is estimated that $1.6 trillion is needed to bring the nation’s infrastructure to good condition. The Highway Trust Fund can’t shoulder this extensive burden alone. In an effort to make new strategic national investments, I support funding mechanisms such as tax credit bonds, toll-financing, American-based public private partnerships and investment tax credits for freight rail capacity improvement.

LWV: What source do you think represents the greatest opportunity to achieve energy independence? How can the federal government best advance its development?

Johnson: Investment in a variety of energy sources will be the key to staving off our reliance on foreign oil. Nuclear is a clean, efficient technology that we have right now; we should use it more. Wind and solar could enable people to fuel their homes. Electric, ethanol and hydrogen are promising for tomorrow’s vehicles. Public transportation is essential. I believe that energy independence will involve a combination of sources.

LWV: What other issue do you believe will be most pressing in the next session of Congress, and what is your position on this issue?

Johnson: I am a strong advocate for taking long-term action to stabilize our economy by helping to address job insecurity, high gas prices, and the mortgage crisis. I also favor short-term solutions to economic problems, including supporting our country’s unemployment benefits and health care assistance programs. Finally, I am a vocal proponent of state and federal partnerships to help ease the financial burden the states feel as a result of balancing their budgets each year.