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Eight Texas Republicans have withdrawn their names from a measure that would rename a canal in their state after learning the waterway would bear the name of a man who has donated to the campaigns of the bill’s Democratic author. Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) introduced legislation in May to rename the Rio Grande American Canal in El Paso, Texas, as the Travis C. Johnson Canal. Johnson is a prominent Texas attorney who played a critical role in facilitating the completion of the American Canal Extension in 1994. Johnson also assisted in the settling of water-rights quarrels between the United States and Mexico. When it was introduced, the measure had broad bipartisan support from the state’s delegation. However, GOP lawmakers gave the bill a second look when it was revealed that Johnson had contributed thousands of dollars to Reyes’s campaigns. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Johnson has given $13,500 to the lawmaker’s campaigns since 1996. “Usually Texans cross party lines to do what’s right for the Lone Star State — especially when it comes to non-controversial bills like the dedication of a post office or a canal,” said Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas). “However, H.R. 6041 just doesn’t pass the smell test, so I quickly removed my name. Congress should not be naming taxpayer-owned property for big-time contributors.” Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) said that he initially approved of the bill out of respect for Johnson’s work. “As far as I am concerned, Travis C. Johnson is a reputable leader in the community,” Carter said. “However, it seems inappropriate to name anything after a political donor, and once it was discovered that Mr. Johnson was indeed a political donor, I removed my name from the bill.” In addition to Johnson and Carter, Texas Republican Reps. Pete Sessions, Kenny Marchant, Kay Granger, Mike Conaway, Kevin Brady and Ted Poe withdrew their names from the legislation. Reps. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas) remain co-sponsors. Reyes’s staff defended the bill, which is currently under consideration by the House Committee on Natural Resources. “Travis Johnson is a former county judge and a well-respected individual in the local community, particularly for his work in helping to resolve longstanding water-rights disputes between the U.S. and Mexico,” said Vincent Perez, an aide to Reyes. “There is strong support in the community for naming this canal in honor of his service to the people of El Paso.” Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) announced its opposition to the bill last week. “The problem with these kinds of bills is that [their passage] encourages other members of Congress to name structures after their contributors,” said Tom Schatz, president of CAGW. Schatz proposed that Congress establish rules for the naming of such structures, such as a rule that namesakes must be deceased or a rule that structures cannot be named after contributors. “[This bill is] a reminder of favors that members do for those individuals,” Schatz said. |
