Washington Watch: Rep. Johnson gets attention for remarks over fake fur

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson's comments earlier this year about Guam possibly sinking resulted in worldwide ridicule and mockery, even though the Lithonia Democrat claims his remarks were made in jest.

So when Johnson recently made some unusual statements about fur coats made from dogs and cats, it wasn't surprising that he once again attracted attention.

Inside-the-Beltway newspaper The Hill ran a story reminding readers about Johnson's Guam comments and his "equally quirky" concern about dog and cat hair coats. The paper quoted him as saying on the House floor that "in Chinese factories, many domestic dogs and cats are brutally killed and sometimes even skinned alive for their fur."

It turns out that such allegations are valid, however -- and at least among members of Congress and animal rights activists, Johnson is far from alone in his concern.

Johnson's comments were made in connection with a bill sponsored by Virginia Democratic Rep. Jim Moran and California Republican Rep. Mary Bono Mack called the "The Truth in Fur Labeling Act" that's designed to stop the importation of coats trimmed with "faux" fur that's actually made from dogs, cats or wolves.

The bill attracted 170 co-sponsors from both sides of the political aisle (Johnson wasn't one of them, but Atlanta Democratic Rep. John Lewis was) and passed overwhelmingly in the House.

Andy Phelan, a spokesman for Johnson, said his boss was barely involved with the fur bill and didn't even make any remarks on the floor -- contrary to the report by The Hill. Phelan said Johnson only submitted comments in writing.

The attention the Georgia congressman got on the subject, Phelan said, was "much ado about nothing."

"He does care a lot about animals, though," Phelan added.

Sen. Isakson, other gear up for tax fight

When Congress returns to work in September, one of its first and most contentious battles will be over whether to extend George W. Bush-era tax cuts.

Sen. Johnny Isakson is already gearing up for the fight.

Always quick to point out his credentials as a small businessman, Isakson joined five other Republicans at a news conference Wednesday to discuss how increasing tax rates (Republicans refer to the Dec. 31 planned expiration of the tax break as Democratic tax hikes) might hurt small businesses.

Later, Isakson voted for legislation -- it ultimately failed -- that could have made the tax cuts from 2001 and 2003 permanent.

Isakson said like any businessman -- he owned a Cobb County real estate company -- he fears what tax increases might do to the still-staggering economy.

"There's nothing that stifles economic growth more than uncertainty about a tax bill coming from Washington," he said.

GOP buddies no more

When Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Price of Roswell put his support behind Karen Handel instead of Nathan Deal in the GOP race for governor, Deal was peeved.

Deal had been the de facto dean of Georgia's Republican congressional delegation, and every other Republican U.S. House member from Georgia except Price has put their support behind their former colleague.

Friday, in a campaign swipe at Handel, Deal extended his reach to Price. In a news release, Deal pointed out that -- like he once was -- Price is under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics, apparently for seeking campaign contributions from financial lobbyists just hours before he voted against new financial regulation. Through a spokesman, Price has denied any wrongdoing.

Deal also took a poke at Handel's most prominent supporter, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, saying she -- just as Deal was -- has been cited by the left-leaning watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) for ethics issues regarding her purchase of clothes using campaign funds.

Price is scheduled to introduce Palin on Monday at an Atlanta campaign rally for Handel -- where the three will almost certainly return the love to Deal.