I’m assuming I was not alone in receiving the below e-mail this morning from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese saying that Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, voted against repealing “Don’t ask don’t tell” last month on the House floor. I’m guessing that the message went out to everyone on HRC’s e-mail list who lives in Johnson’s district. But HRC’s e-mail is wrong! Johnson didn’t vote against DADT repeal; she voted for it. You can see records of her vote by going here or here. Johnson is a longtime, staunch LGBT ally who scores a 100 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard for her support of LGBT equality. In short, there’s no way she would vote against DADT repeal. So why would HRC send out this message? I’m still trying to find out, but right now I’m guessing that it’s a computer error. There are four members of Congress with the surname Johnson, two of whom voted against DADT repeal, including Republican Sam Johnson of Texas. I’ve left messages with HRC spokesman Michael Cole, but I haven’t heard back. I’ve also called Eddie Bernice Johnson’s communications director, but was told to call back a little later as everyone was in a staff meeting. I’ll keep you posted.
UPDATE: I just received a message from HRC spokesman Fred Sainz apologizing for the error. Here’s what he said:
“Representative Johnson did in fact vote to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The email that was sent out this morning incorrectly stated her vote and was a technological glitch for which we have apologized. Our president, Joe Solmonese, has placed a call to the Congresswoman to apologize and we have been in touch with both her congressional and district office staffs to let them know that a corrected email will be going out shortly.
“Representative Johnson has consistently scored 100% on the HRC Congressional Scorecard. She has been a consistent supporter of issues important to the LGBT community and we applaud her for her vote to allow gay and lesbian servicemembers to serve openly and honorably in the United States military.”
Open your mouth. I want to see your foot.
The GLBT community indeed has no greater ally in Congress than Eddie Bernice Johnson!
The Congresswoman has originally co-sponsored H.R.1082, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would permit federal law enforcement authorities in specific circumstances to investigate and prosecute violent crimes motivated by the race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or disability of the victim.
Congresswoman Johnson voted against H.J. Res. 88, Federal Marriage Amendment which would have enshrined discrimination into the United States Constitution by defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
Congresswoman Johnson voted for H.R. 3132, the Child Safety Act which added the provisions of the HRC-supported Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act which would give the federal government jurisdiction to help local law enforcement confront hate violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability.
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 2662 the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act which would expand federal jurisdiction to reach serious, violent hate crimes perpetuated because of the “actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or “disability” of the victim.
Congresswoman Johnson is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1059, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual service people, and allow them to serve openly in the military.
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3006, the Uniting American Families Act, that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the same immigration benefits legal spouses of U.S. residents enjoy.
AND yes, Congresswoman voted FOR the repeal of Don’t ask Don’t Tell!
Here is the e-mail HRC sent when the error was discovered:
Dear John,
Due to an error in our email system, the message we sent you this morning incorrectly stated that Rep. Eddie Johnson voted not to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In fact, Rep. Johnson voted FOR equality by supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
We apologize deeply for this inexcusable error. Rep. Johnson has been a staunch and courageous ally in support of LGBT equality and should be commended for voting to allow lesbian and gay service members to serve their country openly.
The message you SHOULD have received is below. I hope you’ll read it and thank Rep. Johnson for standing up for equality. Once again, our sincere apologies for this mixup.
Dear John,
Rep. Eddie Johnson voted YES to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Thank Rep. Johnson for standing up for equality.
When the House voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Rep. Eddie Johnson was on the right side of history.
I hope you’ve got something to say about that.
Lawmakers like Rep. Johnson – who voted for repeal despite tremendous pressure from the right – need to know that you appreciate that vote.
We can use this moment to pave the way not just for the Senate’s upcoming vote on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but for our next major goal in the House: outlawing ALL workplace discrimination against LGBT Americans.
But we’ve got to seize the chance NOW to send that most powerful message in politics: we’re paying attention.
Send a quick note to thank Rep. Johnson for voting YES to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
House members can have a huge influence on their Senate colleagues. So as the Senate prepares to vote on repeal, it’s critical that Washington knows we’re watching.
But holding lawmakers accountable isn’t just about a single issue. Millions of Americans can still be fired for being LGBT, can still be denied tax and healthcare equality, simply because of who they are.
With so many discriminatory laws still on the books, we can’t afford to let the momentum from our “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” victory dissipate.
Following up with your lawmakers can be just as important as gaining their support in the first place.
Please take just a minute to send this important message.
As the fight to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” moves to the Senate, we’ll be counting on you to help us keep up the momentum for repeal.
Thank you for everything you’ve done to bring us to this moment.
Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
President
Hey HRC,
Probably good to get the facts before you send mass emails! LOL. Now, I’d better win that Mercedes. I need a new car!!!
Lil Carl I guess its funny if HRC’s email didn’t misrepresent the record of a member of Congress who has been an advocate for GLBT issues for almost two decades! These are important issues that effect peoples lives and I am proud to have a Representative who understands these issues and stands up for all of us.
@Lil Carl – HRC isn’t giving away a Mercedes, Black Tie Dinner is. They’re not the same thing.
Actually, you may be alone in still receiving emails from HRC. I gave up on that particular “advocacy” group years ago.