Ron Johnson

Johnson Statement on Passage of Opioid Package

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said this after the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to help combat the opioid epidemic:

“Communities across our state have been devastated by the scourge of opioid addiction. I’m pleased that the Senate came together in a bipartisan fashion to pass this important bill to combat the opioid epidemic on multiple fronts. To improve upon the work of the Senate, I will continue to work with my colleagues on the SOFA Act – supported by the Attorneys General of all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico – to give law enforcement additional tools to curb the supply of illicit fentanyl.”

Sen. Johnson introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act, or SOFA Act, to close a loophole in current law by immediately scheduling particular fentanyl analogues known in our communities under Schedule I, and provide the Drug Enforcement Agency with additional tools to quickly schedule other dangerous fentanyl analogues as they are identified. In August, attorneys general from all 50 states, Washington, D.C and Puerto Rico sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging swift passage of the SOFA Act.

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Johnson Discusses Sen. John McCain’s Legacy, Trump Administration Accomplishments and Supreme Court Hearings

Sun, 02 Sep 2018 12:00:00 EST

OSHKOSH — In an appearance on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, discussed the late Sen. John McCain’s legacy, accomplishments of the Trump administration and Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s upcoming confirmation hearings.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below, and video can be found here.

On Sen. McCain’s legacy

“John McCain was an extraordinary individual. He is irreplaceable in the United States Senate because of what his history was, what his background was, what he focused on.”

“That's what John focused on – the areas of agreement. Don't insist on getting everything your way. In the very end, the areas of disagreement, that’s where you have to start compromising. But if you concentrate on the areas of agreement, the goals, the purpose, the greatness of this country, that's how you accomplish things.”

On Trump administration accomplishments

“I think we should point out the reality of all the good things this administration has done. We stopped adding to the regulatory burden. We have a more competitive tax system. In just the first six quarters of this administration, business investment has increased 7.3 percent on average. The last two years under Obama, it only increased 0.6 percent. It's that business investment that will, I think, lay the foundation for strong economic progress, more prosperity, better opportunities for every American.”

On Judge Kavanaugh

“Brett Kavanaugh, an extraordinary judge. A long record – 12 years on the D.C. Circuit Court bench. Over 300 decisions. The Democrats have more than enough information to understand that this is a highly qualified jurist that should be the next Supreme Court justice.”

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Johnson Discusses John McCain on CNN

Fri, 31 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, made the following comments about the late Sen. John McCain during an interview on CNN Friday morning. Video of Sen. Johnson’s comments can be found here.

“John obviously was a larger-than-life figure, and if there is one word that I think symbolizes John, in the end it was healing. He was a feisty guy. You could get in an argument with him pretty fast, but then he was really one of the first people to stand up and say ‘Okay, let's figure out how we can come together.’ And he's obviously associated with the phrase ‘serving a cause greater than one's self.’

“But take a look at his history. Being held in a cage in Vietnam and yet so many years later he almost single-handedly made that move to improve relationships, to establish diplomatic relationships with Vietnam. He healed the situation. And so I think, yes, it’s a very sad moment right now, it’s a sad week. But it can also be very uplifting if you really take a look at what John stood for. He revered this country, he was a patriot, he loved this nation. He realized how important American leadership was in the world, he promoted it tirelessly. I don't think people realize how hard John worked traveling around the world, how well he's respected not only here in the Senate, but worldwide. He was not only a national hero here in America, he was a national hero to so many people that were trapped in tyranny, that were seeking freedom, for example, from the Soviet Union.

“I had the pleasure of traveling with him four times over into eastern Europe and he was just a hero in places like Ukraine. People could not get enough of him. They wanted to shake his hand, they wanted to get photos with him. They shouted out ‘John McCain!’ ceaselessly. Again, just a larger-than-life figure. This is the time to reflect, to celebrate a life really well lived.”

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Johnson Discusses Importance of North American Trade

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke about the importance of trade with Mexico and Canada for Wisconsin during an interview on Bloomberg TV this afternoon.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below and video can be found here.

“Wisconsin has a trade surplus with both Canada and Mexico. Mexico is our largest market for Wisconsin cheese. I was glad the administration has come to terms with Mexico on a trade deal. I hope that Canada can also come to an agreement, because we really do want that North American market.”

“I wish this agreement would have been made months ago because we’ve just had this uncertainty hanging over our economy. You can see how the stock market stalled and how the stock market took off once this deal was done, so I hope the administration is paying attention to that.”

“We really do need to conclude NAFTA [and] trade negotiations with Europe so that a united front of the rest of the trading world really goes to China and demands that they follow the rules. … It’s going to take a united front with the rest of the trading world to really make sure that China behaves.”

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Johnson Statement on Passing of Senator John McCain

Sat, 25 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) issued the following statement after learning of the passing of U.S. Sen. John McCain:

“My sincere condolences go out to the entire McCain family. John was a true American hero. He will be missed.”

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Johnson Discusses Security Clearances on ‘Fox News Sunday’

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, appeared on “Fox News Sunday” this morning to discuss how to handle the security clearances of former administration officials.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below and video can be found here.

“First of all, I don't want to see this become routine. I don't want to see it be politicized. The reason you don't want to pull a security clearance is exactly what Admiral Mullen is talking about: being able to provide access to those individuals you want to consult with.”

“You gain access when you have a need to know, and if you're not going to be consulted you just don't have the need to know.”

“When people retire honorably, I think let them keep their security clearances in place and if you don't want to consult with them, just don't give them access to classified material. That's the best way of handling it. Just don't give them access to the material.”

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Johnson Meets With Supreme Court Nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) met with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to join the Supreme Court, Wednesday to discuss his nomination and judicial philosophy. A photo from the meeting is attached and below.

“Judge Kavanaugh’s impressive legal background combined with his compelling personal history makes his nomination an easy one to support. Most importantly, as I have reviewed his judicial record I am confident of his intent to apply the law as a judge, not alter it as a super-legislator. I look forward to voting to confirm his nomination to the Supreme Court once the Senate has thoroughly but expeditiously completed the confirmation process.”

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Johnson Comments on Administration Rule to Restore Individual Choice in Health Care

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said the following after Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar issued a final rule on short-term limited duration health insurance plans consistent with what the senator has advocated:

“I appreciate the Trump administration providing relief to the forgotten men and women harmed by Obamacare. The final rule expands options for consumers and provides additional flexibility for market-based consumer protections in the short-term market, like guaranteed renewability, that the Obama administration made illegal. Today’s action is a significant step in restoring personal freedom and individual choice in health care.”

Under Obamacare, premiums in the individual market have doubled and tripled in Wisconsin in some cases, and have more than doubled nationally. Senator Johnson has been an outspoken advocate of increasing access to short-term limited duration (STLD) plans to improve consumer choice and help reduce health care costs.

Senator Johnson led an effort in June 2017 when he and 13 senators wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services urging then-Secretary Tom Price to reverse an Obama-era regulation that reduced STLD plans from a maximum of 364 days to just 90 days in length. This past June Senator Johnson led a letter signed by 35 senators pressing Secretary Alex Azar to do the same, and provide additional flexibility by allowing renewal guarantees.

Background on Senator Johnson’s work on STLD plans

June 8, 2017: Senator Johnson’s letter to Secretary Price can be found here.

Aug. 14, 2017: The Wall Street Journal editorial on Senator Johnson’s 2017 letter can be found here.

June 8, 2018: Sen. Johnson’s letter to secretaries Mnuchin, Azar and Acosta can be found here.

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Johnson Discusses Trade, Economic Growth on ‘Face the Nation’

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — In an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and a member of the Commerce Committee, discussed his concern with the possibility of a trade war undermining recent economic growth.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below, and video can be found here.

“My concern about the trade wars and tariffs is it puts all that potentially at risk. But again, I was very encouraged president called the truce with [European Commission President Juncker] in terms of a truce on the trade war. Let's start negotiating that deal. That would certainly provide a united front against China, which is the main problem when it comes to trade.”

“My hope is that by calling a truce, by moving forward to completing these deals, we never even have to try to implement that $12 million program. Because that would be a mess.”

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Johnson Introduces Retired Wisconsin Teamster at Pension Reform Hearing

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced Kenny Stribling, a retired Teamster and co-chair of the Wisconsin Committee to Protect Pensions, at a Senate Select Committee on Multiemployer Pension Reform hearing Wednesday. Kenny is a participant in the troubled Central States Pension Fund, and he is one of about 25,000 Wisconsinites who stand to have their retirements affected by the fund’s poor financial health.

An excerpt of Sen. Johnson’s introduction are below and video can be found here.

“I want to emphasize the importance of this committee. I’ve met with and heard from many of my constituents who are deeply concerned about the dismal state of the multiemployer pension system. Like Kenny, they’ve traveled around Wisconsin, to Washington, D.C., and recently to Ohio for hearings and meetings to make their concerns known. They’re asking for a transparent process and a fair outcome. I sincerely hope this committee can work effectively together to achieve those goals.”

Sen. Johnson has worked on the issue for years, including setting up a meeting for Wisconsin retirees with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, calling for hearings to be held on the issue, and engaging senators across the aisle to address the situation.

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Johnson Statement on U.S., EU Trade Announcement

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and member of the Commerce Committee, said this after President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced an agreement to work toward eliminating existing tariffs:

“I appreciate the progress that has been made in trade negotiations with Europe. I encourage the administration to build on this success and restore stability to our economy by swiftly reaching agreements on other trade deals.

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Johnson Statement on Aid for Farmers Harmed by Tariffs

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and member of the Commerce Committee, said the following regarding reports the Trump administration plans to offer $12 billion in aid to farmers negatively affected by tariffs:

“Time and time again I’ve heard from farmers that they want trade, not aid. Instead of throwing money at a problem we’ve helped create, the better option is to take action to make it easier for our farmers — and manufacturers — to sell their goods at fair prices to consumers around the world. I support President Trump’s call for reciprocal trade and his effort to stop China’s theft of American intellectual property. But we should stop self-inflicting permanent damage to America’s economy through tariffs and a trade war.”

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Johnson Ensures Continuation of Wisconsin’s Key Role in National Security

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — Two Wisconsin-based national programs championed for years by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are included in the final text of the report from the Senate and House conference on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2019 (FY19), released today.

The conference report calls for three littoral combat ships (LCS), an increase from one in the version the Senate passed earlier this year. The report also includes more funding for the Army’s Humvee replacement, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Throughout the NDAA process, Sen. Johnson pushed for amendments and met with conferees in order to secure authorization levels of the LCS and JLTV that were consistent with the Trump Administration’s defense strategy and requests. Wisconsin-based manufacturers will play important roles in the construction of both the LCS and the JLTV.

“I’m pleased that the NDAA conferees recognized the key role that the littoral combat ship program and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program play in keeping our nation — and the finest among us — safe,” Sen. Johnson said. “I’m proud that Wisconsin will continue to be a leader in producing the ships and vehicles that are so critical for our nation’s security.”

Authorization of three LCS for FY19 will bring the Navy closer to its target fleet size of 355 ships, and the conference report funding for the Army’s JLTV is more in line with President Trump’s requested levels.

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On CNBC, Johnson Discusses Effects of Tariffs on Wisconsin Businesses

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — In an appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” Thursday afternoon, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and member of the Commerce Committee, discussed the letter the senator sent to President Trump sharing the concerns of Wisconsin businesses affected by tariffs.

Excerpts from Senator Johnson’s appearance are below, and video can be found here.

“We've got to bring these negotiations to a conclusion to return the certainty that, let's face it, President Trump should take a great deal of credit for: the fact that he stopped adding to the regulatory burden, reduced it, and made our tax system more competitive. The trade war is undermining, potentially, all that positive gain.”

“I think the president has to listen to the pleas of small, medium and large businesses that are being harmed by these policies.”

“President Trump is right: China is the bad actor here. He also has to realize it's not just short term pain. Some of this is irreversible, it’s permanent damage. Hopefully the pleas of these small and medium businesses that participated in this [roundtable], their real life stories will have some impact.”

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Johnson Shares Wisconsin Tariff Stories with President Trump

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter Wednesday to President Donald Trump detailing concerns the senator heard from Wisconsin businesses at a trade and tariffs roundtable earlier this week.

“A sad fact repeatedly reported at the roundtable was that the primary beneficiaries of the trade war are these Wisconsin businesses’ global competitors, including those competitors located in China,” Senator Johnson wrote.

“I urge you and your trade representatives to understand the plight of businesses struggling during this period of extreme uncertainty, and do everything in your power to return certainty and stability to global markets.”

The full text of the letter is below, and can be found here.

July 18, 2018

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

On Monday, I held a roundtable discussion in Milwaukee on trade and tariffs. Fifteen Wisconsin businesses attended representing a broad range of sectors including farming, food processing, and small, medium and large manufacturing. I have enclosed a one page synopsis that each business prepared prior to the roundtable.

I truly hope you and your trade negotiators will take a few minutes to read these brief descriptions of how the trade war and tariffs are negatively affecting their efforts to maintain markets, prevent layoffs, and in some cases, survive.

In summary, these businesses report price increases ranging between 30-40 percent on the steel and aluminum they use. Because their global competitors are not experiencing these cost increases, they are losing both export and domestic orders and market share. Some have either cancelled or put on hold planned capital expenditures. Others are considering moving operations abroad.

Most of these businesses have always tried (and generally succeeded) to source a majority of their steel and aluminum from domestic suppliers. However, some of their material requirements simply are not available domestically, and the prospects of sourcing them domestically any time soon (if ever) are remote. Ultimately, the tariffs on imports and increased manufacturing costs will increase prices for American consumers and stifle economic activity.

In farming and food processing, the retaliatory actions to U.S. tariffs will have a profoundly negative effect. Global markets that have taken decades to develop are drying up, and the damage could be permanent. Without overseas markets, supply will significantly exceed domestic demand causing prices to plummet and farmers to go bankrupt. Many participants at the roundtable underscored those hardships. The president of owner-operated food processor, Chippewa Valley Bean Company, stated that she is the seventh generation in her family business, and “in that 160 years there has been no government action that has left us in such terrible shape as what this has.”

My 33 years in business and manufacturing taught me that orders can be lost for a fraction of a percentage, and even the most loyal customer must respond to economic reality. There is already permanent damage being done to U.S. and Wisconsin businesses because of the trade war. The longer the negotiations last, the more irreparable harm will be done.

A sad fact repeatedly reported at the roundtable was that the primary beneficiaries of the trade war are these Wisconsin businesses’ global competitors, including those competitors located in China. In addition to the obvious cost advantage, those global competitors are also raising prices to increase profits. This will provide those competitors additional funds for capital investment to expand capacity and capabilities, making them even more competitive.

China is the primary abuser of the global trading system. China’s theft of industrial and military secrets has cost America and our allies hundreds of billions of dollars. But the best way to obtain China’s compliance with world trading rules is by presenting a united front with our allies demanding full compliance.

I urge you and your trade representatives to understand the plight of businesses struggling during this period of extreme uncertainty, and do everything in your power to return certainty and stability to global markets.

Respectfully,

Ron Johnson

Chairman

Enclosure

cc: The Honorable Claire McCaskill

Ranking Member

The Honorable Wilbur Ross

U.S. Department of Commerce

The Honorable Robert Lighthizer

United States Trade Representative

The Honorable Kevin Hassett, PhD

Council of Economic Advisers

Dr. Peter Navarro

Director, National Trade Council

Mr. Lawrence Kudlow

Director, National Economic Council

Background on Sen. Johnson’s engagement on tariffs

March 8, 2018: Chairman Johnson’s letter to the Commerce Department can be found here.

April 9, 2018: The Commerce Department’s response to Chairman Johnson can be found here.

May 3, 2018: Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member McCaskill’s letter to the Commerce Department can be found here.

May 17, 2018: The Commerce Department’s response to Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member McCaskill can be found here.

June 13, 2018: Chairman Johnson’s and Ranking Member McCaskill’s letter to the Council of Economic Advisers can be found here.

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Johnson Statement on U.S.-Russia Relationship

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this regarding the relationship between the United States and Russia:

“Our deteriorating relationship with Russia has but one cause: Russia’s bad behavior. The list is long: the invasion of Georgia and eastern Ukraine, the illegal ‘annexation’ of Crimea, political assassinations, the downing of MH17, Russia’s complicity in the slaughter in Syria, and Russian meddling in our elections and the politics of other nations, to name just a few. As much as I would prefer a better relationship with Russia, it can only happen as the result of improved Russian behavior. U.S. foreign policy should be uniformly directed to achieve that objective. I urge President Trump to forcefully and repeatedly demand that the Putin regime dramatically improve its behavior.”

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Johnson Statement on Indictment of Russian Intelligence Officers

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced indictments against Russian intelligence officers related to the 2016 presidential election:

"While Congress was assured by the Obama administration that safeguards were in place to protect our elections from Russian election meddling, any foreign interference in our elections is unacceptable. During my recent trip to Moscow, this issue was raised repeatedly and Russia was warned that any future attempts would further harm our already stressed relationship.”

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Johnson Statement on Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this Monday regarding President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh:

“A Supreme Court justice ought to be a judge, not a superlegislator – applying the Constitution as written, not altering it to reach a result. President Trump nominated a person who fit that description in Justice Neil Gorsuch last year, and to my understanding Judge Brett Kavanaugh fits it as well. I look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh and the Senate moving expeditiously through the confirmation process.”

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Johnson Statement on Farm Bill

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement regarding his vote on the Senate farm bill:

"While the bill voted on today included many worthy provisions, it failed to take even small steps to reform runaway government spending on programs that have little if anything to do with Wisconsin's farm families. I hope to be able to support a final, improved version that includes sufficient, lasting reforms. In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for Wisconsin's agriculture community and do whatever I can to make sure Wisconsin farmers have the opportunity to sell their goods at fair prices around the world."

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Johnson Statement on Foxconn Groundbreaking

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this after the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Foxconn Technology Group facility in Mount Pleasant, Wis.

“Today’s groundbreaking is the start of an exciting chapter for southeastern Wisconsin. Not only will our state benefit from the jobs created directly at Foxconn, but also indirectly throughout the economy. I want to congratulate President Trump, Gov. Walker and Speaker Ryan for the commitment and vision to make this possible.”

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