Johnson entered the U.S. Air Force in 1973, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished military career of more than 26 years. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy University in Troy, Alabama in 1979, and he earned his Master’s Degree from Georgia Tech in 1984. During his tenure in the U.S. Air Force, Johnson was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Squadron Officers School, and Air Command & Staff College. Bill is also a proud recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. As Director of the Air Force’s Chief Information Officer Staff at U.S. Special Operations Command, Johnson worked directly with senior congressional and Secretary of Defense representatives, as well as top leaders within the various U.S. intelligence communities, to ensure America’s Special Operations forces were adequately equipped to carry out critical national security missions.
One of the biggest threats to our nation’s economic security is our ballooning national debt – a figure that will only climb higher as a result of the necessary, but expensive, legislative responses to the coronavirus.
As a former small business owner, and the Vice-Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, I understand the importance of having a budget. Families have them. Businesses have them. Washington should have one too. But Congress hasn’t approved a budget in years, and the appropriations process is broken, largely relying on “continuing resolutions” to fund another year of spending. This is no way to govern, and it must change.
I strongly support legislation that would force Congress to balance the budget within a reasonable time frame. Many states are required by law to balance their budgets. Washington should be no different. I also support a thorough review of the budgeting and appropriating processes, and enacting reforms that will make Washington more fiscally responsible and accountable. One potential reform is moving toward biennial budgeting as a means to get the budgeting and appropriations process back on track.