Congressman Johnson's Weekly Update

MARIETTA, OH — This is Congressman Johnson's weekly update. You can stay up to date with what's going on in Washington by following him on social media or signing up for his weekly email blast.

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Judge Blocks Biden Attack on Oil & Gas

The Joe Biden-Nancy Pelosi-Chuck Schumer “Green” crusade against American energy independence and jobs hit a snag this week: a federal judge stepped in to block the Biden administration’s ban on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands. This is welcome news.While Vladimir Putin is building a massive natural gas pipeline (Nord Stream 2) to Germany – the revenue from which he’ll continue to fuel his military and maintain his nukes aimed at us -- the Biden administration is doing everything it can to stop traditional, proven domestic energy development here in America. The Biden-Pelosi-Schumer plan is simple: provide massive taxpayer subsidies to blanket America’s landscape in solar panels and windmills (except where the wealthy live…because they don’t like the view) and hope for the best.The judge’s order is good news for hard-working Americans – the millions of men and women working energy jobs, and every consumer who depends on affordable, reliable energy to cook their meals and cool their homes when they want, rather than having to wait for the sun to shine or for the wind to blow.

Russia, On the March Again

President Biden met with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Geneva. It took place while the Russian military conducted what it describes as its largest military exercise in the Pacific since the Cold War, 300 miles off the coast of Hawaii. Long range Russian bombers flew close enough to American soil this week that several of our F-22s were scrambled. The meeting also occurred shortly after Joe Biden caved and dropped sanctions against the Russians building a natural gas pipeline (Nord Stream 2) to Germany to meet Europe’s energy needs. Putin will receive billions in the deal and Europe will increase its dependence on Putin and Russian energy.The last time the Democrats were in the White House, Putin invaded Ukraine despite President Obama’s pleas not to. And now, after four years of containment, Russia seems to be on the march again thanks to Joe Biden’s lack of strong leadership on the global stage.

Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Fly-In

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber held their 4th annual “fly-in” on Thursday – it was a hybrid virtual event this year. I spoke and took questions from my office in Washington due to the House being in session. We touched on a number of local issues, including the lack of high-speed broadband access. I believe last year’s FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is a tremendous opportunity for rural America and, if done correctly, has great potential to help close the urban-rural digital divide. I have worked closely with stakeholders and providers in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio during this process. Broadband access providers who bid in the auction in Mahoning Co. were awarded over $1.2M and bidders in Columbiana County were awarded almost $3M.We also talked about the important missions the men and women at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station carryout, developments in Lordstown, and the impact escalating costs on raw materials, fuel and shipping are having on business owners.

Home to Meigs County at Last

In the spring and summer of 1944, James W. White was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit - also known as Merrill’s Marauders. After a hellish 1,000 mile journey to capture a critical Japanese-held airfield in Myitkyina, Burma on May 17, his battalion was tasked with holding the airfield and taking part in the siege of Myitkyina. James was reported to have been killed during fighting in early July of 1944, but his remains were not identified until just this year through DNA testing. James and all of the Marauders gained a well-earned reputation for hard fighting and tenacity. 3,000 men volunteered for this mission, but when the airfield was finally reached, only around 200 men were capable of combat. In 2020, the Marauders were justly awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their extraordinary efforts and sacrifices in the “forgotten theater” of World War II. Last weekend, Army Pfc. James Wilmer White received the proper burial and honors he earned, as he was laid to rest in the family cemetery in Long Bottom, Meigs County. His bravery and dedication he showed to his country have not been, and will never be, forgotten.

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This news release was issued by Congressman Bill Johnson's office. Any opinions expressed within are the author's own.

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