Before Texas Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced her retirement Saturday from the U.S. House where she had served for nearly 30 years, she had the praise and friendship of Oklahoma Republican Congressman Frank Lucas.
She chairs the House Committee on Science and Technology. He is the Ranking Republican and the two worked together on common goals and bills.
“I have had the honor of serving alongside Chairwoman Johnson for more than two decades in Congress. Since 2019 we have worked closely together as the Chair and Ranking Member of the Science Committee, and there is no one I would rather have as my counterpart across the aisle,” said Rep. Lucas in reaction to Johnson’s announcement.
Johnson, 85, announced she will not seek reelection next year after first being elected in 1992.
“EBJ, as I affectionately call her, is a true public servant and she cares deeply about supporting American science. While we don’t always agree on the best way to do that, we are usually able to find common ground and work together to pass strong, bipartisan policies. She’s an old-school legislator who cares more about results than headlines, and I respect that deeply,” added Rep. Lucas.
“There is a good reason I should stay: I am a personal friend to the president, I have gained some respect and influence,” Johnson said during her announcement. But she said plans to keep a promise she made after winning the Democratic primary in March that her current term would be her last.
Lucas said because of Johnson’s willingness to work across the aisle, they achieved great things together in her time as Chairwoman of the committee.
He pointed to the first major overhaul of the U.S. energy policy in more than a decade, efforts to make STEM education more inclusive and accessible and development of legislation to down double on investment in research and development in science and technology.
“I have many fond memories from our time together on the Committee, particularly of our travels together to visit critical science facilities like ITER and CERN. While I’ll miss those trips, I’ll miss having her in the chair next to mine at the Committee even more,” said Lucas.
“I wish her well in her retirement, and I congratulate her on a truly exceptional career of service.”