Majority Press Releases
BANKING COMMITTEE PASSES JOHNSON-SHELBY TRANSIT REFORM BILL
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee approved Chairman Tim Johnson's (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby's (R-AL) Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012. The two-year reauthorization and reform of federal public transportation programs was passed with unanimous bipartisan support, and will now move to the full Senate for consideration. "This legislation is an investment in our nation's infrastructure, and ensures our public transportation syste… Continue Reading
February 2, 2012
JOHNSON, SHELBY HAIL COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Banking Committee approved Chairman Tim Johnson's (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby's (R-AL) Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act. The bill which garnered overwhelming bipartisan support will put further economic pressure on Iran's leaders to abandon their illicit nuclear program and support for international terrorism. "With these new sanctions we are giving Iran's leaders a clear choice," said Chairman Johnson. "Iran can end its suppress… Continue Reading
January 31, 2012
JOHNSON STATEMENT AT CFPB OVERSIGHT HEARING
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held an oversight hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Committee heard from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray, and discussed the CFPB's semi-annual report to Congress. The hearing was Mr. Cordray's first appearance as CFPB director at a Senate hearing. Below is Chairman Johnson's statement as prepared for delivery: "Good morning. I call this hearing to order. "Be… Continue Reading
January 30, 2012
JOHNSON, SHELBY ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF NEW BIPARTISAN IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) announced the Committee will consider and vote on new Iran sanctions legislation Thursday. The Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act will put further economic pressure on Iran's leaders to abandon their illicit nuclear program and support for international terrorism. "A nuclear-armed Iran would represent a grave threat to regional peace and international security,… Continue Reading
January 30, 2012
JOHNSON, SHELBY RELEASE DETAILS OF BIPARTISAN TRANSIT LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby released details about the bipartisan transit legislation to be marked up Thursday at 10:00 A.M. The Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 is a two-year reauthorization and reform of federal public transportation programs. "This legislation is an investment in our nation's infrastructure, making sure our public transportation systems continue to provide safe and reliable service to … Continue Reading
January 27, 2012
JOHNSON, SHELBY ANNOUNCE MARK UP OF BIPARTISAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND IRAN SANCTIONS BILLS
WASHINGTON - Today, Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) released the following joint statement announcing the Committee's intention to mark up the public transportation portion of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill and the Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Human Rights Act of 2012. Senators Johnson and Shelby have reached an agreement on a framework for both bills and expect to release details of the proposals next week. The … Continue Reading
January 4, 2012
JOHNSON COMMENT ON RECESS APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD CORDRAY
WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement in response to the White House's announcement that President Obama will recess appoint Richard Cordray to be the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "With Richard Cordray leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Americans will finally get the consumer protections they deserve. Mr. Cordray is eminently qualified for the job, as even my Senate Republican colleague… Continue Reading
December 13, 2011
JOHNSON, REED, AND TESTER COMMEND ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT ON ELIMINATING WASTEFUL $1 COIN PRODUCTION
WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD), along with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) today commended the Administration's announcement that the Treasury will stop producing excess Presidential $1 coins. "I am glad to see the Administration make this commonsense reform to eliminate unnecessary waste of taxpayer money," said Chairman Johnson. "I welcome this development, and I look forward to monitoring the Administration's progress as it works t… Continue Reading
December 13, 2011
JOHNSON OPENING STATEMENT ON FHFA OVERSIGHT HEARING
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held an oversight hearing on the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and heard from FHFA Inspector General Steve Linick. This was the Committee's second FHFA oversight hearing this year. Below is Chairman Johnson's statement as prepared for delivery: "I would like to welcome the first Inspector General of the FHFA, Steve Linick, before the Committee today. "As we wrap up the hearings for this year, I am pleased … Continue Reading
December 8, 2011
JOHNSON STATEMENT ON SENATE REPUBLICANS’ OBSTRUCTION OF RICHARD CORDRAY’S NOMINATION TO LEAD THE CFPB
WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block Richard Cordray's nomination to be the first ever Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "I am disappointed that Senate Republicans continue to hold strong consumer protections hostage. By voting against Mr. Cordray's nomination Senate Republicans demonstrated that they care more about Wall Street than helping American consumers. "… Continue Reading
December 8, 2011
JOHNSON TAKES TO FLOOR TO URGE SENATE REPUBLICANS TO STOP BLOCKING CONSUMER PROTECTION NOMINEE
WASHINGTON - In advance of today's vote, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) took to the Senate floor this morning to urge his Senate Republican colleagues to stop blocking the nomination of Richard Cordray to be the first ever Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Below is Chairman Johnson's statement as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, two months ago the Senate Banking Committee voted along party lines to send to the full Senate the nomination of … Continue Reading
December 6, 2011
JOHNSON STATEMENT ON SCHEDULED VOTE ON CORDRAY’S NOMINATION TO LEAD THE CFPB
WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement on today's announcement that the Senate will vote Thursday to advance the nomination of Richard Cordray to be the first ever Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. On July 18th, President Obama nominated Richard Cordray to be the first Director of the CFPB. "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created to protect consumers, including military families and older Americans,… Continue Reading
December 6, 2011
JOHNSON OPENING STATEMENT AT WALL STREET REFORM OVERSIGHT HEARING
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Committee heard from representatives of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, SEC, CFTC, FDIC, and OCC. The hearing examined the regulators' progress in implementing the Wall Street Reform Act, and explored the new law's effects on improving the stability of the financial system. Below is Chairman Johnson's sta… Continue Reading
December 1, 2011
JOHNSON OPENING STATEMENT ON SPURRING JOB CREATION THROUGH ACCESS TO CAPITAL
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing on capital formation proposals to create jobs. The Committee reviewed a number of outstanding proposals and explored additional avenues to help small businesses. Below is Chairman Johnson's statement as prepared for delivery: "Our nation is facing an unemployment crisis. Nearly 14 million Americans are unable to find a job, and over 5 million have been unemployed for six months or longer. Here in Cong… Continue Reading
November 28, 2011
STATEMENT OF SENATOR TIM JOHNSON ON THE RETIREMENT OF CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) released the following statement on Congressman Barney Frank's announcement that he will not seek reelection. "The people of the Fourth Congressional district of Massachusetts and our entire nation owe Barney Frank a debt of gratitude for his decades of public service. With Barney's retirement the House of Representatives will lose one of its most dedicated and effective members, but I have no doubt that he will conti… Continue Reading
November 15, 2011
JOHNSON STATEMENT ON FHFA OVERSIGHT HEARING
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held an oversight hearing on the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Below is Chairman Johnson's statement as prepared for delivery: "I would like to thank Mr. DeMarco for being here today. As I mentioned at our hearing on November 3, we have been planning to hold an FHFA oversight hearing, and I am pleased it was able to come together so quickly. "As Ranking Member Shelby, and others, so accurately noted during … Continue Reading
November 14, 2011
JOHNSON TO HOLD HEARING ON SPURRING JOB GROWTH THROUGH CAPITAL FORMATION
WASHINGTON - Today, Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced he will hold a full committee hearing on capital formation proposals to create jobs. The committee will review a number of outstanding proposals and explore additional avenues to help small businesses. "There are a number of bipartisan proposals introduced to ensure small businesses have adequate access to capital. On December 1st, I will hold a hearing in the Banking Committee where we will take a closer look at p… Continue Reading
November 10, 2011
JOHNSON CHAIRS HEARING ON JOB CREATION IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES
WASHINGTON - Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing today to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by Native American communities around the country. The Committee discussed obstacles holding back job creation such as lack of access to capital, as well as work being done to address the problem. While progress has been made, many Native communities continue to face significant challenges, including staggering unemployment rates, inadequate health care, h… Continue Reading
November 9, 2011
JOHNSON CONTINUES STRONG OVERSIGHT OF FINANCIAL REFORM
WASHINGTON - The recent financial crisis devastated our economy: millions of Americans lost their jobs, their homes, or their savings. As a response to the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to address regulatory gaps and establish vital new safeguards for consumers, investors, and taxpayers. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) is committed to ensuring the oversi… Continue Reading
November 3, 2011
JOHNSON STATEMENT ON CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS
WASHINGTON - Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing on consumer financial protections for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. The Banking Committee heard from witnesses including Holly Petraeus, head of the new Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and discussed financial challenges facing these consumers, the importance of financial education, and the enforcement of existing consumer protection laws. Below … Continue Reading
