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Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Representing the 30th District of TEXAS

EBJ's Bio

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is in her twelfth term in Congress representing the 30th Congressional District of Texas.

In December of 2010, Congresswoman Johnson was elected as the first African-American and the first female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. From 2000 to 2002, she was the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education. Within these roles, Congresswoman Johnson continues to emphasize the need to invest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

In addition to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, she is also a current member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She has served on this panel since being elected to Congress in 1992 making her the highest ranking Texas on the committee. She also serves on the Aviation Subcommittee, the Highways and Transit Subcommittee and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

 In 2007, Congresswoman Johnson was appointed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) to serve as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment during the 110th and 111th sessions of Congress. She was the first African-American and first female to chair the Subcommittee. While holding this position, Congresswoman Johnson co-authored and introduced the Water Resources Development Act. She successfully secured necessary votes, and led Congress in overriding President Bush’s veto of the legislation. The veto override was one of only three experienced by President Bush during the eight years of his presidency. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment has jurisdiction over water conservation, pollution control, infrastructure, and hazardous waste cleanup among other items. 

Congresswoman Johnson has previously served on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. She also served in roles as the Senior Democratic Deputy Whip; Chair of the House Metro Congestion Coalition; Co-Chair for the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness; and Co-Chair for the TEX-21 Congressional Caucus. A forum which addresses transportation needs in Texas through the reauthorization of TEA-21.

Congresswoman Johnson is the Founder and Co-Chair of the Diversity and Innovation Caucus and of the House Historical Black Colleges and Universities Caucus. She has also had the honor of serving as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 107th Congress, and currently co-chairs the Technology and Infrastructure Development Taskforce within the Congressional Black Caucus. In addition to these roles, she is a current member of the Congressional Task Force on Seniors.

Since joining Congress, Congresswoman Johnson has earned the reputation of being a stateswoman dedicated to the improvement of U.S. foreign relations and policies, working tirelessly towards improving human rights throughout the globe.  Congresswoman Johnson’s acclaimed initiative, “A World of Women for World Peace,” has won national and international recognition.

Congresswoman Johnson is widely recognized as one of the most effective legislators in Congress.  She is credited with originally authoring and co-authoring more than 150 bills that were passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the President. She also has a long-standing reputation for providing excellent constituent services to the people who elected her.

Congresswoman Johnson distinguished herself as a dynamic scholar soon after beginning her studies in nursing at Notre Dame University’s St. Mary’s College, School of Nursing. She passed the National Board Examination ahead of her scheduled graduation date and immediately started her career as a registered nurse in 1955. She later took advantage of expanded educational opportunities by enrolling in Texas Christian University, where she completed her studies for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Congresswoman Johnson went on to become the Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Dallas.  In 1972, she became the first nurse ever elected to the Texas State House; and eventually, the first nurse ever elected to the Texas State Senate and the United States Congress.

While serving in the Texas State House, Congresswoman Johnson remained committed to her educational goals and received her master’s degree in Public Administration from Southern Methodist University in 1976. Because of her commitment to public service and her passion for public health, she was appointed by President Carter to serve as the Regional Director of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. However, her commitment to the residents of Texas never wavered. In 1986, Congresswoman Johnson was elected to the Texas State Senate, becoming the first female and first African-American from North Texas to hold the office.

Congresswoman Johnson is the proud mother of one son, Kirk, and grandmother to three grandsons, Kirk Jr., David, and James.