Sam Johnson

Samuel Robert "Sam" Johnson (born October 11, 1930) is an American politician. He currently is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the third district of Texas (map).

Related Topics:
October 11 - 1930 - American politician - Republican - Member - U.S. House of Representatives - Third district - Texas

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He is best known for being a former Air Force fighter pilot with 86 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and a prisoner of war in Vietnam, including 42 months in solitary confinement.

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In the House, Johnson had the most conservative record for three consecutive years, opposing pork barrel projects of all kinds, voting for more IRAs and against extending unemployment benefits.

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On the Ways and Means Committee, he was an early advocate and, then, sponsor of the successful repeal in 2000 of the earnings limit for Social Security recipients. 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.

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Johnson ran unopposed by the Democratic Party in his district 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. Johnson garnered 86% of the vote (178,099), while Jenkins earned 8% (16,850) and Vessels 6% (13,204).

Related Topics:
Democratic Party - Paul Jenkins - Libertarian Party

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Johnson, like all House members, will be up for re-election in 2006. He has not yet announced if he will run for re-election at that time.

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