Sign up to receive email updates.
All fields required.
Full Biography
In his fourth term as U.S. Representative for Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes parts of DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwinnett and Newton counties, Congressman Hank Johnson has distinguished himself as a substantive, hard-working legislator who delivers results.
A champion of fairness for working American families, he has introduced, co-sponsored and passed legislation to level the playing field and create opportunity. He has consistently supported legislation to ensure that all Americans have access to employment opportunities and affordable health care. He has championed consumer protection, education, civil liberties and support for public safety.
Congressman Johnson is a member of the House Armed Services and Judiciary committees. He is the ranking member of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, which addresses bankruptcy and commercial law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law, independent counsel, state taxation affecting interstate commerce, interstate compacts and antitrust matters.
His work on behalf of veterans includes job fairs, veterans’ benefits town halls, legislation to address post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and soldier suicides and maintaining veteran education benefits.
Congressman Johnson believes in a more humane immigration policy and is committed to helping create a pathway to citizenship for outstanding young people, law-abiding immigrants and the next generation of innovators and job creators.
One of the earliest congressional supporters of Barack Obama, he served as co-Chair of the Obama Presidential Campaign in Georgia in 2008.
In 2009, he was honored by his colleagues on Judiciary when he was elected Chair of the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, an unusual achievement for a sophomore legislator. His subcommittee oversaw policy related to administration of the Federal courts and anti-trust. In the 111th Congress, he also served as Regional Whip on the House Leadership team. He was elected Whip of the Progressive Caucus in the 112th Congress.
Prior to his election as District 4 representative, he served twelve (12) years as a DeKalb County magistrate judge, five (5) years as a county commissioner and three (3) years as chair of the DeKalb budget committee. As a commissioner, his first official act in 2001 was to address the issue of predatory lending and foreclosures.
With a heavy emphasis on quality constituent services, in addition to his Washington office, he has established a district office in Lithonia where he has secured more than $25 million for constituents seeking help with federal agencies. His district staff handles thousands of cases annually helping citizens to navigate the federal bureaucracy.
Rep. Johnson practiced civil and criminal law in DeKalb County for twenty-seven (27) years. A staunch supporter of public education, he is a graduate of the District of Columbia Public Schools, Clark College and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Rep. Johnson is married to Attorney Mereda Davis Johnson and has two adult children.
###
