{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"GA\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-4764680-in-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-funds-to-help-local-airports", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $4,764,680 IN BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FUNDS TO HELP LOCAL AIRPORTS", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) applauded the recent announcement of funds to local and regional airports in Middle and Southwest Georgia made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Congressman Bishop, a strong advocate for the historic investment in America's infrastructure, voted to pass the bill last month and it was subsequently signed into law by President Biden on November 15th.\n\n\"Today, we are seeing how federal legislation can make a difference in communities across our country and across Middle and Southwest Georgia. Our regional airports and local airfields are gateways to the communities they serve, play a crucial role in their economies, and improve access to vital services,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Making robust investments in our nation's infrastructure sets us up for success in the decades to come. We delivered the bipartisan infrastructure bill through Congress last month and today we are seeing the fruits of our labor come home to Georgia.\"\n\nAltogether, 14 airports throughout Georgia's Second Congressional District received $4,764,680 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These included airports in Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, Blakely, Butler, Cairo, Camilla, Columbus, Cordele, Dawson, Donalsonville, Macon (Middle Georgia Regional and Macon Downtown airports), and Montezuma.\n\n\"We appreciate the 1.1 million dollars awarded to the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. The funds will improve infrastructure to make the airport a more safe and reliable source of transportation,\" said Albany City Manager Steven Carter. \"The award also allows us to move long-range projects to the forefront to address immediate needs such as ramp and taxiway improvements. Furthermore, the SWGA Regional Airport is a vital economic driver to the community and the southwest Georgia region. This award will assist us with being competitive in attracting the business aviation community to the area.\"\n\n\"Our airport is a growing economic engine for the entire region, and these funds will help us continue to support current tenants and attract new ones,\" said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester M. Miller.\n\n\"The Columbus Airport will receive 1.3 million dollars from the latest Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL),\" said Columbus Airport Director Amber Clark. \"These funds will allow the airport to make improvements on the airfield, and purchase capital equipment and prepare the airport for continued growth\"\n\n\"The Jimmy Carter Regional Airport plays a huge role in the economic vitality of Americus and Sumter County, as well as, other surrounding counties,\" said Americus Mayor Barry Blount. \"I'm positive that the Americus-Sumter Airport Authority will be able to provide additional enhancements and improvements to our airport, which in turn, will pay dividends in our economic development efforts. We are very appreciative of this funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.\"\n\n\"Our airport is a gateway to the City of Cairo and plays an important role in our local economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will go a long way to help make improvements that can expand the potential for economic development in our community,\" said Chris Addleton, Cairo City Manager and Airport Administrator. \"We are certainly grateful to Congressman Bishop for looking after us and ensuring that we get these funds.\"\n\n\"Local airports are just like the roads and highways that connect communities. Our airport is instrumental in supporting and growing local businesses as well as providing jobs.\" said Camilla City Manager Steve Sykes. \"These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will make a huge difference. Capital improvements \u2014 from hangers to terminals \u2014 will increase economic opportunities for Camilla and Mitchell County.\"\n\n\"We are very excited to receive Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for the Crisp County Airport. The Crisp County Airport is vital to economic growth in several south Georgia counties,\" said Crisp County Administrator Clark Harrell. \"On behalf of the Crisp County Board of Commissioners, I would like to thank Congressman Bishop for his dedication, leadership and hard work on the national level to keep funding flowing to our local community.\"\n\n\"Airports like ours allow the community to move at the speed of commerce. They open the door to people visiting us, support local business, and attract large companies beyond our county and state. Infrastructure projects often are front-loaded expenses and raising the capital needed can be a challenge for smaller communities. But even small improvements to facilities can mean a big difference to our community,\" said Dawson-Terrell County Airport Authority Chair Marl Halbrook. \"These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds coming to Dawson are great news right before the holidays and will help strengthen our area's economy in the years ahead.\"\n\n\"Our airport has a huge impact on Decatur County and the surrounding area's economy. It provides access to companies looking to call our community home and create jobs. It also welcomes thousands of people each year for seasonal events and those visitors bolster our local businesses,\" said Decatur County Commission Chair Pete Stephens. \"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will be a tremendous help as we continue to improve our airport, creating new opportunities for the people that live and work here.\"\n\n\"Our airport welcomes people to Seminole County, helps create new business opportunities, and is home to aircraft vital to the tri-state area's farming communities. Taken together, it creates several dozen jobs and has over a $5 million impact on the region's economy,\" said Donalsonville-Seminole County Airport Commission Chairman, Jerry Isler. \"The funds coming to us through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help improve facilities and support the airport's crucial role in our community.\"\n\n\"Our airport gets a great deal of use and can be the first impression people have when visiting Early County. The funds available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are coming at the right time and can help in many ways, such as expanding our facilities to host more of our residents' aircrafts. We look forward to improving our facilities to better serve our county and the surrounding area,\" said Early County Commission Chairman Hank Jester.\n\n\"This is great news for Montezuma and Macon County. The Dr. C. P. Savage Sr. Airport has been making capital improvements to the airfield, terminal, hangers, and taxiway. The newly announced funds made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us continue to expand our facilities,\" said Montezuma Mayor Larry Smith. \"The airport is part of our county's economic engine. As we improve and expand our airport, it attracts new businesses and good paying jobs to our community.\"\n\nAirports receiving awards will receive a similar tranche of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law each year for the next five years, as part of a program for airport development. The amount could vary from year to year, as the funding reflects annual enplanement totals.\n\nIn addition to these guaranteed funds, these airports can compete with other airports across the country for grants from an additional $5 billion nationally for terminal and landside improvements.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-senator-johnny-isakson", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON", "2021-12-19", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia:\n\n\"Vivian and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Johnny Isakson. I had the privilege of working with him and sharing a friendship for many years \u2014 first as colleagues in the Georgia Legislature and then in Congress during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the U.S. Senate.\n\n\"Johnny was a champion for Georgia in Washington, D.C. We stood side-by-side in support of Georgia's military bases, families, and veterans.\n\n\"Johnny knew how to work across the aisle for all Americans and our country is better today for his service. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Dianne, and his family. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-leads-tour-tout-new-infrastructure-law", "Rep. Johnson Leads Tour to Tout New Infrastructure Law", "2021-12-18", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "STONECREST, GA\u2014On Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), led a two-day tour across Georgia's Fourth Congressional District to tout the passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure law.\n\n\"This new infrastructure law will create millions of good-paying union jobs with a once-in-a-century investment in rebuilding infrastructure in Georgia: from roads and bridges, transit and rail, to wastewater systems and high-speed broadband,\" said Rep. Johnson, a Senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. \"This new law marks a generational change and renews investments in a cleaner, more sustainable future for America.\"\n\nThe two-day tour started at a Vulcan Materials Company facility in Lithonia on Dec. 16 and concluded on Dec.17 at several infrastructure projects throughout Newton County such as the Dried Indian Creek bridge, which hasn't had any significant repairs since 1959.\n\n\"The 12,000 employees that work for Vulcan across the country appreciate Congress passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The bill is all about transportation and infrastructure, and of course what we do is facilitate that by making the primary ingredients that go into construction, not only for just transportation in roads and bridges, but also for infrastructure for homes, churches, schools and libraries,\" said Jimmy Fleming, Vulcan Vice President of Permitting and External Relations. \"Congressman Johnson has his fingerprints all over this bill and we appreciate his work on this bill and his work on the T&I committee.\"\n\nNewton County Chairman Marcello Banes said the people of Newton County are thankful to have Congressman Johnson working for them and making this bill happen for Newton and the State of Georgia.\n\n\"I am grateful for the time Congressman Johnson took to ride around Newton County and see the need for improvements to our transportation infrastructure here at the local level,\" said Chairman Banes. \"This means a lot to us and we are excited about the new law and the opportunities to receive some of the federal funds and have some of them allocated to Newton County.\"\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers big for Georgia:\n\n\u2022 Georgia can expect to receive approximately $9.2 billion over five years in Federal highway formula funding for highways and bridges.\n\n\u2022 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $13 billion directly into improving roadway safety.\n\n\u2022 The law means $12 billion for partnership grants for intercity rail service, including high-speed rail. Georgia will also be eligible to compete for $5 billion for rail improvement and safety grants and $3 billion for grade crossing safety improvements.\n\n\u2022 Airports in Georgia would receive approximately $619 million for infrastructure development over five years.\n\nState Senator Tonya Anderson, who represents Newton County in the state legislature said the entire county of Newton is very excited about the new federal funding that will come down to the state of Georgia.\n\n\"When you think about better roads, better drains, anyone who works in local government should consider this an early Christmas gift, a Christmas miracle,\" said Senator Anderson who also represents portions of DeKalb and Rockdale, as well as Newton County. \"This bill proves that bipartisan work is critical for historic legislation such as this to come to fruition and I am really looking forward to the improvements for our highways, roads, bridges and most of all the broadband improvements. Broadband is critical for our schools, our businesses and economic development as a whole.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-applauds-white-house-program-following-bipartisan-call-for-increased-commercial-truck-driver-workforce", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP APPLAUDS WHITE HOUSE PROGRAM FOLLOWING BIPARTISAN CALL FOR INCREASED COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVER WORKFORCE", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) applauded yesterday's announcement by the Biden Administration to implement a pilot program that would help get more commercial truck drivers on the road to mend the country's strained supply chain. In November, Congressman Bishop joined a bipartisan letter signed by 60 Members of Congress urging the White House to hasten the process to certify new commercial driver's licenses through apprenticeship programs.\n\n\"The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on America's supply chain. A shortage of truck drivers has significantly contributed to the bottlenecks in the supply chain. I was pleased to work with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to call on the White House to take action and am glad to announce that the Biden Administration has quickly delivered,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Long haul trucks move goods across the country as well as to and from our backed up ports, like Savannah, Georgia. The program announced today builds on established apprenticeship programs to build a larger, qualified workforce. It also provides funds for states to speed up the processing of CDLs.\"\n\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation program will accelerate the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs for drivers that put more skilled, safe drivers on the road. It will also take immediate steps to address the pandemic-driven delays in getting a commercial driver's license. The program will also make additional effort to engage veterans and underrepresented communities, such as women, to pursue good driving jobs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DA3E8BDE-C0A7-4920-AD5C-BE3AAA483DA9", "Rep. McBath Announces Peachtree-DeKalb Airport to Receive $763,000 From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2014 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath announced that $763,000 in new federal funding under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is headed to Georgia to make much-needed improvements to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects.\n\n\u201cThanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new $763,000 grant will deliver new, good-paying jobs for Georgians while making sorely needed renovations to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport,\u201d said McBath. \u201cBy making these critical investments in our local airport infrastructure, we are stimulating Georgia\u2019s economy and ensuring that all travelers flying to and from our state have an easier and safer journey.\u201d\n\nEach year for the next five years, Peachtree-DeKalb Airport will receive similar funding from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of a program for airport development. In addition to these guaranteed funds, Peachtree-DeKalb Airport can compete with other airports across the country for grants from an additional $5 billion nationally for terminal and landside improvements.\n\nOn November 15th, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included $15 billion in formula funding to help redevelop airports across the country. Projects that qualify for funding include: improvements to runways and taxiways, terminal development, and noise prevention. The law also includes an additional $5 billion nationally for FAA towers and facilities funding, which the FAA will distribute among airports in need.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-more-than-6-million-to-support-rural-healthcare-and-physician-training-in-middle-and-southwest-georgia", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $6 MILLION TO SUPPORT RURAL HEALTHCARE AND PHYSICIAN TRAINING IN MIDDLE AND SOUTHWEST GEORGIA", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that CareConnect Health is receiving a $5,626,121 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Center Program to improve and expand health services across Middle and Southwest Georgia. Last month, CareConnect was also awarded $499,999 from HHS through its Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program. Over 114,000 patients are served by CareConnect Health centers, of whom nearly half live at or below the Federal Poverty Guideline.\n\n\"Rural populations face the two-fold problem of higher rates of poverty and lower access to healthcare resources. As the leader of the House Appropriations subcommittee which addresses rural development, I have worked hard with my colleagues across the aisle to make sure that quality healthcare is available \u2014 close to home \u2014 for our families in rural communities,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"These funds show that we are continuing to make robust federal investments in our rural healthcare infrastructure to improve facilities as well as encourage more physicians and nurses to work in these communities.\"\n\nThe Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program supports the development of new accredited primary care residency programs in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine-pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and geriatrics to address the physician workforce shortages and challenges faced by rural and underserved communities.\n\nCareConnect Health, Inc. was founded in 1978 in Richland, Georgia, and has since expanded to provide access to healthcare in Americus, Buena Vista, Butler, Byron, Cordele, Cusseta, Cuthbert, Dawson, Ellaville, Forsyth, Fort Valley, Georgetown, Montezuma, Moultrie, Oglethorpe, Perry, Roberta, Thomaston, Tifton, Warner Robins, and more. The HHS grant funds announced will help maintain these health centers.\n\nIn the last month, HHS also awarded $2,173,928 through the Health Resources & Services Administration's (HRSA) Health Center Cluster grant program to Valley Healthcare System, Inc. which is based in Columbus, Georgia. The purpose of this grant is to provide financial assistance to Health Centers so they can continue offering comprehensive services in underserved communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-votes-to-protect-the-full-faith-and-credit-of-the-united-states", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP VOTES TO PROTECT THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) joined Democrats and Republicans to adopt must-pass legislation that prevents the United States from defaulting on the federal debt. The legislation is not related to currently proposed spending and programs recently passed by Congress. Rather, it addresses federal debt primarily accumulated during previous presidential administrations.\n\n\"This vote protects the full faith and credit of this country. This is not about future spending but meeting the obligations we already have. This includes our obligations to the American people who rely on Social Security and our commitment to our military veterans,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Now, more than ever, Congress needs to assure fiscal stability as we recover from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.\"\n\nProtecting the full faith and credit of the United States is an imperative that is written into the Constitution: The Fourteenth Amendment, Section Four states: \"The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law\u2026 shall not be questioned.\" Congress has raised the debt limit nearly 80 times since 1960 \u2014 30 times with a Democrat in the White House and 49 times under a Republican president.\n\n\"Over the last decade, every time the debt ceiling needed to be raised in order to pay America's obligations both sides of the aisle came together to discharge this responsibility and avoid a catastrophic default. Today we do so again,\" added Congressman Bishop.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-protect-full-faith-credit-united-states-address-debt", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Protect Full Faith & Credit of United States, Address Debt Ceiling", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Henry \"Hank\" Johnson released the following statement after working to prevent a default on federal debt:\n\n\"As our economy continues to recover from the pandemic and families struggle with rising prices, we cannot further stretch families' budgets by allowing the economy to crater. That is why I voted to protect Georgians' financial future by addressing the debt ceiling.\n\nAfter Republicans added $2 trillion to the debt with their GOP tax scam for the rich, I'm proud that House Democrats' Build Back Better Act will instead reduce the deficit by more than $100 billion in the first ten years and by $2 trillion in the next decade.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-holding-telephone-town-hall-infrastructure-law", "Congressman Johnson Holding Telephone Town Hall on Infrastructure Law, Build Back Better Act & Housing Help", "2021-12-13", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "DECATUR, GA \u2013 On Monday, December 13 from 5:30-6:30, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding a telephone town hall to update Fourth District constituents on what's happening in Washington, including highlights on the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law the Build Back Better Act, and what they mean for Georgia. He will also discuss how landlords and renters can access COVID-19 relief resources.\n\nWHO:\n\nCongressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosting telephone town hall;\n\n60,000 constituents are being called to participate;\n\nAtlanta Legal Aid Attorney Lindsey Siegel to discuss housing assistance;\n\nWHEN: Monday, December 13 from 5:30-6:40 PM.\n\nWHERE: Constituents and media can also sign up here: /live, listen live or follow live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepHankJohnson/. Constituents and officials can also listen in by calling 866-654-9483 during the call;\n\nWHY: To update residents on what's happening In Washington on the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Build Back Better Act, and how they impact their lives in Georgia. COVID-19 relief resources for landlords and renters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-statement-on-storms-and-tornadoes-across-the-midwest-and-the-south", "BISHOP STATEMENT ON STORMS AND TORNADOES ACROSS THE MIDWEST AND THE SOUTH", "2021-12-12", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. - Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding Friday night's devastating storms and tornadoes across the Midwest and the South:\n\n\"My heartfelt prayers go out to all those impacted by Friday's tornadoes. I am grateful to the first responders who are working tirelessly to find the missing, clearing debris, and caring for the injured.\n\n\"At least 100 people have perished and many more have been injured. Thousands now lack power, water, telecommunications, and the tools needed to sustain their livelihoods.\n\n\"I would urge everyone who can to offer aid to those in need directly or through any appropriate relief agencies and organizations. During trying times like these, it is important that we come together as a nation to support those that have been impacted. We must be there for them in the same way that they have been there for us.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-strengthen-protect-our-democracy", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Strengthen, Protect Our Democracy", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014This week, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), voted to pass a comprehensive package of reforms to strengthen America's democratic institutions against future presidents who could seek to abuse the power of their office for corrupt purposes.\n\n\"The past four years revealed serious vulnerabilities in our democratic systems \u2013 vulnerabilities that can and will be exploited again if we don't act urgently to address them,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"The Protecting Our Democracy Act will take immediate steps to safeguard and strengthen our democracy so no future president - regardless of political party - can act as if they are above the law. And it will restore the accountability and transparency of our institutions so that the American people can have confidence in our government's ability to address the challenges they face.\"\n\nThe proposals and policies \u2013 many of which have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans in the past \u2013 will restore the government's system of checks and balances, strengthen accountability and transparency, and protect America's elections from foreign interference. Bipartisanship proposals include efforts to strengthen congressional subpoenas, protect Congress' 'power of the purse' authority, and ensure whistleblowers face no retaliation when exposing corruption or abuse.\n\nThe Protecting Our Democracy Act was first introduced during the 116th Congress and reflects Congress' determination to restore the guardrails on our democratic systems. This year, the bill also stands as the third pillar of the 117th Congress' efforts to protect, support, and restore the people's faith in America's democratic systems \u2014 complementing both H.R. 1, the For the People Act, and H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.\n\nSpecifically, the Protecting Our Democracy Act will:\n\nPrevent Presidential Abuses\n\nPrevent Abuse of the Pardon Power: Requires the Department of Justice to provide materials to Congress concerning any self-serving presidential pardon or commutation in cases involving the President or his/her relatives, contempt of Congress, or obstruction of Congress; clarifies that the President and Vice President are \"public officials\" and pardons are \"official acts\" and \"things of value\" for purposes of the federal bribery statute, and prohibits self-pardons by the President.\n\nEnsure No President is Above the Law: Suspends the statute of limitations for any federal offense committed by a sitting president or vice president, whether it was committed before or during their terms in office, to ensure that presidents and vice presidents can be held accountable for criminal conduct just like every other American and not use their offices as a shield to avoid legal consequences.\n\nEnforce the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution: Codifies the Constitution's Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses by prohibiting federal officials from accepting foreign emoluments without Congress's consent and prohibiting the President from accepting domestic emoluments; strengthens the process for civil actions brought by Congress for violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause; enhances financial disclosure requirements related to emoluments; and provides enhanced enforcement mechanisms for Congress and entities within the Executive Branch.\n\nRestore Our System of Checks and Balances, Strengthen Accountability, and Transparency\n\nEnforce Congressional Subpoenas: Strengthens Congress' tools to enforce lawfully-issued subpoenas while preserving the accommodations process; codifies a cause of action for Congress to enforce its subpoenas, including those issued to government officials; expedites the judicial process for congressional subpoena enforcement actions; empowers courts to levy fines on government officials who willfully fail to comply with congressional subpoenas; and specifies the manner in which subpoena recipients must comply.\n\nReassert Congressional Power of the Purse: Strengthens Congress' power of the purse by enhancing the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), including by adding penalties for failure to comply; increasing transparency and reporting requirements for the Executive Branch; and strengthens congressional budget oversight tools under the ICA and Antideficiency Act (ADA) to prevent federal agencies from misusing federal funds.\n\nStrengthen Congressional Oversight of Presidential Emergency Declarations: Imposes a limit on Presidential declarations of emergencies and any powers triggered by such declarations unless extended by a vote of the Congress; requires the President to provide all Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs) to Congress.\n\nProvide Security from Political Interference in Justice: In order to limit political interference in criminal and civil enforcement matters, requires the Attorney General to maintain a log of certain communications between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the White House; requires the Attorney General to provide the log to the DOJ Inspector General (DOJ IG) bi-annually, and requires the DOJ IG to report to Congress any inappropriate communications or communications evidencing improper political interference.\n\nProtect Inspector General Independence: Permits the President or the head of an agency to only remove an Inspector General (IG), including IGs of the Intelligence Community (IC), for a cause; clarifies that IGs of the IC have sole authority to determine matters of urgent concern, which include foreign interference in our elections; enhances congressional reporting requirements when an IG is removed; requires the President or an agency head to give 30 days' notice before placing an IG on administrative leave; and requires the President to provide to Congress documentation of cause before removing an IG.\n\nProtect Whistleblowers: Enhances protections for federal whistleblowers, including measures to protect the anonymity of whistleblowers; clarifies the right of government employees, including those in the IC, to provide information directly to Congress; creates a private right of action for whistleblowers who are publicly outed by government officials; and limits the conditions under which a government official or employee may disclose a whistleblower's identity or other whistleblower information, including limitations on the sharing of IC whistleblower complaints with persons named as subjects in the complaint.\n\nProvide Accountability for Acting Officials: Makes a series of changes with respect to the appointment, tenure, and qualifications of acting officials of executive agencies; limits the tenure of acting heads of agencies to no more than 120 days.\n\nStrengthen Hatch Act Enforcement and Penalties: Strengthens the Office of Special Counsel's (OSC) ability to investigate violations of the Hatch Act; clarifies that employees of the Executive Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President can be investigated and disciplined for Hatch Act violations; authorizes Merit Service Protection Board (MSPB) to issue fines for Hatch Act violations committed by senior political appointees, and increases the maximum fine for Hatch Act violations by senior political appointees to $50,000.\n\nPromoting Efficient Presidential Transitions: Promotes orderly presidential transitions by requiring that if the Administrator of General Services does not ascertain a winner in a presidential election within 5 days of the election, each eligible presidential candidate and the vice-presidential candidate shall be treated as the winner, until an ascertainment is made, or a winner is certified by Congress.\n\nPresidential and Vice-Presidential Tax Transparency: Requires the president and Vice President, or major party candidates for those offices, to provide ten years of tax returns to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), who is required to make them public. If a covered person does not provide their tax records, the Secretary of the Treasury is required to provide them to the FEC.\n\nProtect Our Elections\n\nEnsure Reporting of Foreign Interference in Elections: Requires that political committees report to the FBI and the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) certain foreign contacts; requires that each political candidate and immediate family member of a candidate notify a designated campaign committee official of certain foreign contacts; requires the FBI to report to the congressional intelligence committees any reporting received pursuant to these provisions.\n\nPrevent Foreign Interference in Elections: Clarifies that the definition of a \"thing of value\" in the Federal Election Campaign Act prohibition on foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates includes information sought or obtained for political advantage; enhances criminal penalties for violations of such prohibition; requires that political campaigns certify that they understand the prohibition. The bill would also clarify campaign finance law to extend the ban on contributions by foreign nationals to include ballot initiatives and referendums.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-bishop-levin-mcmorris-rodgers-and-hudson-introduce-bill-to-open-school-meals-program-to-military-families", "REPS. BISHOP, LEVIN, MCMORRIS RODGERS, AND HUDSON INTRODUCE BILL TO OPEN SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM TO MILITARY FAMILIES", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), and Richard Hudson (NC-08) introduced the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act to make it easier for military families to qualify for school meal programs. Nearly one in seven military families report experiencing food insecurity, but many do not qualify for programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) because service members' housing allowances are considered income and push them out of eligibility. The Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act would stop counting service members' Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) as part of their income when determining eligibility for school meal programs, which would then qualify almost all children of entry-level, active duty service members for school meals, up through ranks E-6. It would also automatically enroll children of eligible service members into school meal programs so service members are no longer required to do burdensome paperwork every time they relocate.\n\nA fact sheet on the bill is available here. Text of the legislation is available here.\n\n\"We have an obligation to our service members to ensure that their basic needs are met, which includes making sure that their families have access to the nutritious food needed to lead healthy and productive lives. When children in military families go hungry, their school success is put at risk,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"School meal programs have been an effective safety net for America's school children since the end of World War 2. I am proud to join my colleagues in assuring that school children in our military families \u2014 like those from Fort Benning, Robins Airforce Base, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany \u2014 also have access to school meal programs.\"\n\n\"The men and women who risk their lives for our country should never struggle to feed their children, and it's unacceptable that nearly one in seven military families face food insecurity,\" said Congressman Levin. \"Our bipartisan legislation will help address that injustice by taking a more accurate measurement of service members' income and automatically enrolling the children of eligible active duty service members in school meal programs. While we must do more to improve the financial security of our men and women in uniform, this is an important step towards ensuring military parents around Camp Pendleton and across the country can focus on fulfilling their mission rather than on where their kids will find their next meal.\"\n\n\"I've always said that joining the military is more than just a job \u2013 it's a family commitment to our country. That's why it's so disappointing that we find ourselves in a position where food insecurity is becoming a growing concern amongst our military families. This is not a challenge military families should be faced with, and we must do something to address it immediately,\" said Congresswoman Rodgers. \"While this bill won't fix everything, it will take an important step towards providing critical food security to military children and promote their success in the classroom, reduce financial stress for military families, and allow active duty service members at Fairchild Airforce Base and across the country to focus on serving our nation. Kids who have balanced, nutritious meals do better in school and experience better health outcomes. This is a commonsense piece of legislation, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead on it for our service members and their families.\"\n\n\"Our service members and their families have enough challenges to worry about and putting food on the table should not be one of them,\" said Congressman Hudson. \"I'm proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation that will ensure military dependents at Fort Bragg and across our nation have access to school meals. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this common sense bill that offers one more measure of support for our nation's men and women in uniform and their families.\"\n\nThe Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act has been endorsed by the National Education Association, Food Research Action Center, Blue Star Families, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, San Diego Hunger Coalition, School Nutrition Association, California Association of Food Banks, and others.\n\n\"It's important to note that, while the military's Basic Allowance for Housing is adjusted regionally to account for different housing costs, base pay is not adjusted by region,\" said San Diego Hunger Coalition President and CEO Anahid Brakke. \"In an expensive area like San Diego County, the unintended consequence is that a bigger housing allowance makes military families ineligible for nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and free and reduced-price school meals, but their base pay isn't high enough to cover their other basic expenses in such a high-cost area. I applaud Congressman Levin for responding to the nutritional needs of his district with legislative action that will support military families by allowing for military dependents to be directly certified for free and reduced-price meals at school.\"\n\n\"We are so grateful that Reps. Mike Levin, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Sanford Bishop, and Richard Hudson are taking leadership to address military hunger, which is truly an urgent matter of mission readiness, retention, recruitment, and racial justice,\" said Josh Protas, Vice President of Public Policy at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. \"As detailed in MAZON's recent report, Hungry in the Military, children from military households are more likely to enter military service than their counterparts in civilian households, but if they experience food insecurity at a young age, they are at much greater risk of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related chronic health conditions that could make them unfit to serve. By removing barriers to federal school meals programs and calling on the Department of Defense to directly certify children in military families, the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act will take important steps to ensure the health and well-being of our service members and their families.\"\n\n\"Too many children in need slip through the cracks in the complex and burdensome free and reduced-price meal application process,\" said School Nutrition Association President Beth Wallace, MBA, SNS. \"America owes it to the men and women who serve our country to ensure every eligible military dependent receives the benefits of nutritious school meals. By directly certifying eligible students for school meals, we can support the health and success of military dependents and ease burdens on our active-duty service members.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-strengthen-supply-chain-bolster-capacity-american", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Strengthen Supply Chain, Bolster Capacity for American Exports", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014This week Rep. Johnson voted to strengthen the overseas supply chain and bolster exports from American businesses with H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. This is the latest legislative action that the Democratic House is taking to fix the supply chain struggles that are impacting American consumers and businesses.\n\n\"Supply chain snags are hurting Georgia families and businesses: inflicting higher costs, added delays and more shortages,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"That is why I proudly voted for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which will help iron out bottlenecks in the shipping industry so that families can buy what they need and businesses can get their goods to market. And in doing so, we take an important step to Build Back Better a supply chain that can unleash American competitiveness for decades to come.\"\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has roiled supply chains around the world, creating bottlenecks that have added costs and delays for small businesses and consumers. In the global shipping industry, all major ocean carriers are foreign-based and have not played fair with American exporters and importers during this crisis. As a result, American families have struggled with higher prices and more shortages, while American businesses have found it difficult to get their goods to market for a fair and reasonable cost.\n\nThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act is the latest legislative action House Democrats are taking to address and remediate these supply chain snags. This bipartisan bill, which represents the first major modernization of the global ocean shipping industry since 1998, will:\n\n\u2022 Ensure fairness in ocean shipping by prohibiting ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing to transport American cargo;\n\n\u2022 Strengthen the overseas supply chain by combating unfair and disruptive business practices by shipping companies; and\n\n\u2022 Bolster the Federal Maritime Commission so that it has the resources to hold wealthy shipping companies accountable.\n\nThe National Retail Federation yesterday wrote in support of this legislation: \"While the bill cannot solve all current supply chain disruption issues, it will go a long way to address some of the core issues that existed well before the COVID-19 pandemic.\"\n\nThis vote is the latest action Democrats have taken to address and remediate supply chain problems. In November, the House passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which secured $17 billion in new funding for ports and waterways. Democrats also included an additional $5 billion in the House-passed Build Back Better Act to identify and resolve critical supply chain vulnerabilities that imperil our national and economic security.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-applauds-robust-investment-in-armed-forces-highlights-defense-bill-support-for-middle-and-southwest-georgia-bases", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP APPLAUDS ROBUST INVESTMENT IN ARMED FORCES, HIGHLIGHTS DEFENSE BILL SUPPORT FOR MIDDLE AND SOUTHWEST GEORGIA BASES", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted to adopt S.1605, Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill authorizes a range of programs related to national defense each year and touches on all aspects of military life \u2014 from service members and families to weapons, equipment, and facilities. Congressman Bishop was a strong advocate for provisions to improve the quality of life for military families and helped lead the effort to adopt the bipartisan bill by a vote of 363-70. The bill was sent to the Senate for consideration.\n\n\"The annual defense bill has once again shown that when it comes to our national security and the well-being of our military families, we can work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges we face,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"This bill helps us refocus our national defense on our adversaries like Russia and China while upholding our commitment to care for our service members and their families who are the backbone of our armed forces. I encourage the Senate to quickly pass this bill and send it to President Biden for his signature.\"\n\nAs the country deals with supply chain challenges, the bill would require the Defense Department to identify and reduce risks from foreign interference as well as prioritize domestic production of critical minerals and pharmaceutical ingredients. To meet the challenges posed by China and Russia, the bill authorizes over $7 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative \u2014 $2 billion above the President's request \u2014 and requires reporting on Russian influence operations and campaigns targeting U.S. military alliances and partnerships.\n\nCloser to home, the bill includes $6 million in military construction funding for Military Housing Privatization Initiative Restructuring at Robins Air Force Base (AFB) in Warner Robins, GA. The bill makes other military construction at Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia, including funding for a Cyber Instructional Facility at Fort Gordon and a Special Operations Battalion Headquarters at Fort Benning. The Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany will see further improvements to 5G broadband expansion, infrastructure improvements and modernization initiatives that will support Marine Corps mission readiness.\n\nThe FY22 NDAA provides a 2.7 percent pay increase for service members and establishes a $15 minimum wage for covered service and construction contracts. It also makes historic changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assault in the military, and establishes the Office of Countering Extremism.\n\nFor military families, the bill expands the pilot program providing financial assistance for in-home childcare. It also establishes an Exceptional Family Member Program Advisory Council to better support military families who have members with special needs. It authorizes $50 million to help schools in local communities that serve military family children.\n\nThe bill authorizes much-needed communication modernization upgrades to the E\u20138C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. The JSTARS program is based at Robins AFB and is a joint Air Force and Army program that provides critical airborne surveillance, intelligence, and command and control to U.S. armed forces around the world.\n\nThis bill also authorizes $203 million for continued research and development of the Air Force Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). ABMS will be hosted at Robins AFB and is a next-generation system of systems integrating battlefield surveillance information and providing commanders with better situational awareness in combat. Also included in the defense bill is $125M for Robin AFB's future squadron of E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-johnson-raskin-reintroduce-bill-hold-federal-law-enforcement", "Reps. Johnson, Raskin Reintroduce Bill to Hold Federal Law Enforcement Officers Accountable", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA) and Jamie Raskin (MD) re-introduced The Bivens Bill, legislation that allows citizens to recover damages for constitutional violations committed against them by federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal prison officials.\n\nThey first introduced the Bivens Bill in 2020. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse introduced a companion in the Senate. The Senate bill is cosponsored by Sens. Alex Padilla (CA), Ed Markey (MA), and Ron Wyden (OR).\n\nAfter the Civil War, Congress enacted 42 U.S.C. \u00a7 1983 to ensure that state and local officials could not violate individuals' federal constitutional rights with impunity. Section 1983 is designed to allow individuals to sue state and local officials to recover damages for constitutional violations. It is the primary tool victims of police brutality use to seek redress for constitutional injuries at the state and local level. But there is no comparable federal statute providing an express cause of action for victims of constitutional violations.\n\nInstead, victims of constitutional or statutory violations by federal officials have been left to implied causes of action. Since the 1970s, the U.S. Supreme Court's Bivens doctrine has recognized limited circumstances in which the Constitution itself authorizes a self-executing remedy for damages. But the Court has significantly curtailed the availability of Bivens claims in recent years. In February 2020, the Court in Hernandez v. Mesa went so far as to note that \"it is doubtful\" today's Court would have recognized Bivens claims at all.\n\n\"Victims of constitutional violations by federal officers too often have no legal recourse,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"From ICE officers who conduct illegal searches and seizures and Bureau of Land Management officials who intimidate property owners into providing easements to the peaceful protestors who were violently dispersed from Lafayette Square with teargas and rubber bullets last summer so Trump could get his Bible photo op \u2013 they are all too often immunized from damages for their constitutional wrongs\" said Johnson. \"This bill fixes the issue by increasing judicial accountability for unlawful federal government action.\"\n\n\"The Bivens Act will finally codify the people's right to seek damages from the federal government when their constitutional rights have been violated,\" said Congressman Raskin. \"Just last year, we watched then-Attorney General Barr unleash a ragtag paramilitary squad of federal law enforcement officers to deploy tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against peaceful protestors in Lafayette Square. Many of those injured that day, including several of my constituents, may find themselves without an effective legal remedy. This bill will right that wrong by allowing affected citizens to recover damages and hold federal law enforcement officials accountable for misconduct. I am proud to introduce this legislation with my friend and colleague Congressman Hank Johnson.\"\n\n\"We ought to have one set of clear, fair standards of accountability for law enforcement officers that applies across all levels of government\u2014federal, state, and local,\" said Senator Whitehouse. \"In practice, a confusing smorgasbord of judicial precedent prevents victims from holding federal law enforcement accountable for constitutional violations. The Bivens Act fixes this problem.\"\n\nCosponsors: Carson (IN), Lee (CA), Jackson Lee (TX), Jones (NY), Lieu (CA), Norton (DC), Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Scanlon (PA), Schakowsky (IL) Tlaib (MI).\n\nSupporting Groups: American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International USA, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, Border Network for Human Rights, Center for Disability Rights, Center for Victims of Torture, Central American Resource Center of Northern CA \u2013 CARACEN SF, Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, Constitutional Accountability Center, Defending Rights & Dissent, Drug Policy Alliance, Fair and Just Prosecution, Government Information Watch, Incarcerated Nation Network, Innocence Project, Institute for Justice, Just Futures Law, Justice in Motion, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), Legal Aid Justice Center, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., National Crittenton, National Immigration Project (NIPNLG), National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, National Network to End Domestic Violence, Open Society Policy Center, Project On Government Oversight, Protect Democracy, Rebuilding Independence My Style, Restore the Fourth, The Black Police Experience, The Daniel Initiative, Vday.\n\nTo read the bill, click HERE. To read the coalition letter, click HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-mourns-the-loss-of-former-senator-bob-dole", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP MOURNS THE LOSS OF FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole:\n\n\"Bob Dole embodied the Greatest Generation. He was a decorated Soldier who put his life on the line for his brothers in uniform, suffered the scars of war, and nonetheless overcame that adversity to serve the American people in Congress.\n\n\"I had the good fortune and honor to work with Senator Dole on the Eisenhower Commission and continue \u2014 to this day \u2014 to support the Dole-McGovern Food for Education Program in my role as chair of the appropriations subcommittee that funds the program.\n\n\"Though tested in the fire of combat, he was warmhearted to those around him, regardless of party affiliation. And, while we will miss Bob dearly, his humility, selflessness, and resilience should be guideposts for us all.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FDCBD880-63F5-4109-A8BA-0632CF57B300", "McBath, Merkley, Brown Introduce Legislation To Reduce Class Sizes in Schools", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) aim to address overcrowded classrooms by introducing the Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act in both the House and Senate, bold legislation that invests in smaller class sizes in public schools.\n\nStudents achieve better academic results when they have more individualized attention from instructors, especially in kindergarten through third grade, but class sizes have only continued to grow. That problem was only exacerbated during the COVID-19 global pandemic: School districts across the country transitioned to virtual learning, limiting in-person instruction and causing additional burden for hardworking teachers. As students return to the classroom, the lawmakers are making a bicameral push for better student outcomes with legislation that would reduce class sizes and allow students more one-on-one time with teachers\u2014improving the overall school experience for both students and teachers.\n\n\u201cThe role that teachers and educators play is critical in our children\u2019s lives, and we must support our teachers so that students can receive an education that will set them up for future success. That includes more one-on-one time with their teachers, more tailored instruction opportunities, and more investment in developing the meaningful connection to instill a deep love of learning,\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cI thank Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Brown for their work and support on this important piece of legislation. It is efforts like these that will help us provide a brighter future for every American child.\u201d\n\n\u201cI attended Oregon public schools as a child, and I remember having around 20 children in my first grade class. When I dropped my son off for his first day of school, his class had 34 children, and I wondered how his teacher could organize and teach such a large group,\u201d said Senator Merkley. \u201cToday, after a year and a half in which our students have been mostly in virtual school rooms, students have faced more challenges than ever, and too often they are unable to access the attention they need to excel in the classroom and recover from the learning losses of COVID-19. As the wealthiest nation on earth, we must ensure our children are able to succeed in academics, and that can\u2019t happen in overstuffed classrooms. We can afford to do better, and it\u2019s time to invest in the high-quality public education every American student deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery child in America deserves the best education we can provide, yet chronic underinvestment in public schools has led to swelling class sizes in school districts in Ohio and across the country,\u201d said Rep. Brown. \u201cWe know that smaller class sizes help our students succeed. As we emerge from the pandemic, we must ensure teachers have the support they need to do their jobs effectively and students receive the individualized attention they deserve. I am proud to join Congresswoman McBath and Senator Merkley in introducing this legislation that invests in reducing class sizes, especially in the low-income districts most in need.\u201d\n\nThe Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act would:\n\n\u2022 Establish a $2 billion competitive grant program for school districts to reduce class sizes in K-3 grades to not more than 18 students per class.\n\n\u2022 Enable school districts to apply for grant funding to reduce class sizes, which the Secretary of Education will award based on the schools with the greatest need\n\n\u2022 Ensure that grant funding is used to recruit, hire, and train qualified teachers in K-3 grades.\n\n\u2022 Enable school districts that have achieved class size recommendations in K-3 grades to obtain additional space or renovate existing school buildings in order to provide more classroom space and for the professional development of teachers in K-3 grades.\n\n\u2022 Prioritize schools that serve the highest percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line, and then schools with the highest average class sizes in K-3 grades.\n\nThis bill is supported by the American Federation of Teachers, First Focus Campaign for Children, and the National Education Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-new-report-says-build-back-better-will-save-georgia", "Rep. Johnson: New Report Says Build Back Better Will Save Georgia Families Thousands of Dollars in Lower Costs, Cut Taxes", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) highlighted a new report showing that Democrats' Build Back Better Act would meaningfully lower costs and cut taxes for Georgia families, saving them thousands of dollars each year. According to the report, just four cost-cutting provisions of this landmark legislation alone will save the median Georgia family with two parents and two children at least $3,750 each year and save the median single-parent family with two children at least $16,450.\n\n\"Build Back Better, which I proudly voted for last month, will be transformative for nearly every family: lowering costs, cutting taxes and fighting harmful inflation,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"With more cash in hand and more breathing room in their budget, Georgians will have the financial security they need to get back to work, care for their loved ones and reach their full potential.\"\n\nInspired by President Biden's vision, the House-passed Build Back Better Act will lower the burdensome costs that families face every day, from childcare to health care to family care and more, while also delivering the largest middle-class tax cut in a generation. This new report, assembled by Third Way, shows how the Biden Child Tax Credit, child care cost caps, capping Affordable Care Act's insurance premium costs, and expanding the ACA to close the Medicaid coverage gap will put more money in the pockets of Georgia families.\n\nA family with two working parents and two young children earning half of the state's median income would see $11,300 in new cost savings per year.\n\nA family with two working parents and two young children earning the state's median income would see $3,750 in new cost savings per year.\n\nA family with two working parents and two young children earning 150 percent of the state's median income would see $3,000 in new cost savings per year.\n\nA single-parent family with two young children earning half of the state's median income would see $17,550 in new cost savings per year.\n\nA single-parent family with two young children earning the state's median income would see $16,450 in new cost savings per year.\n\nA single-parent family with two young children earning 150 percent of the state's median income would see $11,450 in new cost savings per year.\n\nAccording to Third Way, the \"historic and groundbreaking middle-class tax cuts and cost protections for families\" in the Build Back Better Act \"will have an outsized effect on working and middle-income families with children.\"\n\nResearchers also said that these savings do not include additional benefits that families can expect to receive under Build Back Better: \"Not included in this calculation are the benefits families could receive such as universal Pre-K if they had a 3- or 4-year-old child, new housing subsidies, or SNAP benefits, among many others. Also not included in our analysis is that workers with no children may also benefit from a higher Earned Income Tax Credit.\"\n\n\"During the pandemic \u2013 but even long before \u2013 Georgia families have been held back by the soaring everyday costs they face,\" Rep. Johnson continued. \"This report is the latest proof that Democrats' Build Back Better will be life-changing: meeting Georgians' urgent needs and building a foundation on which they can succeed.\"\n\nThe Democratic House passed the Build Back Better Act on November 19th.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EC8ABB54-5190-4BC4-9059-63499223C198", "\"Do you have the courage to do what is right?\" McBath Delivers Remarks Urging Action on Gun Violence", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Following the tragic shooting in Michigan yesterday, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) delivered powerful remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and urged action from both chambers on the continued threat of gun violence to our children and to our nation.\n\nHer remarks are available for download here and a transcript is below:\n\n\u201cEnough is enough. Enough gun violence in our schools. Enough children hiding in fear. Enough parents trembling in terror as they search for any news of their own kids.\n\nThere were 100 calls made to 9-1-1 in Oxford yesterday. Hundreds of children stuck in their classrooms, crying out for help. Hundreds of kids scared to death that this would be their last day of school.\n\nWe have our young people learning how best to survive a shooter in between math and science class. 6-year olds asked to figure out for themselves whether they have a better chance to survive if they hide in a closet, or if they should rush the gunmen.\n\nAnd then, on days like yesterday. Days that repeat with the same frequency as this body\u2019s failure to respond, we hear the stories of teenagers texting their parents from behind a desk saying things like \u2018Mom, if I don\u2019t make it, I love you, and I appreciate everything you\u2019ve done for me.\u2019\n\nParents begging their children to \u2018barricade yourselves behind doors, to hide in classrooms, and to please, hold your tears, you cannot make a sound.\u2019\n\nThis chamber has heard much about God since men first stood within these hallowed halls.\n\nThis chamber has heard much about the God given rights our Creator inalienably endowed.\n\nSo I ask, then, what rights has God given our children?\n\nDo they enjoy the God given right to exist in their schools without fear of death or gun violence?\n\nDo American parents have the God given right to drop their child off at school and expect to see them home that night?\n\nParents from Columbine to Sandy Hook to Parkland have had to bury their babies. And the children who survived have had to live with the trauma that only stepping over a friend painted in blood could ever bring.\n\nDo we, as a nation, have the God given right to live free from this epidemic of violence, of senseless loss, of unimaginable pain?\n\nI ask all of you here today, to put yourselves in the shoes of those parents. Put yourselves in the shoes of the mother\u2019s and father\u2019s who have gasped for air when desperation would not let them breathe. Put yourself in the shoes of all those who have sunk to their knees when the agony would not let them stand.\n\nDo you have the courage to do that? To feel what it might like to bury your own child? To suffer with your God day after day to make sense of the senseless?...Do you have the courage?\n\nDo you have the courage to do what is right? To save our children and protect our families.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-surpasses-70-million-mark-constituent-services", "Rep. Johnson surpasses $70 million mark in constituent services", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "LITHONIA, GA \u2013 Since taking office in 2007, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has worked to help secure more than $70 million for constituents seeking help with federal agencies from his offices in Georgia's 4th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County.\n\n\"Helping constituents solve seemingly intractable problems is what my district office does every day. I'm proud that my staff has been able to help so many constituents receive the money and benefits due them from the federal government. Taking care of home first is my number one priority.\"\n\nJohnson, whose Washington, D.C. and district offices have a strong reputation throughout Georgia and the nation for strong constituent services, said he will continue to put constituents first.\n\nIn 2018, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) celebrated and recognized his staff \u2013 both in Washington, D.C. and the District \u2013 for being named finalist for the first-ever Democracy Awards, the Congressional Management Foundation's new award recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices.\n\nThroughout the COVID-19 panemic in 2020-2021, the Congressman's offices remained open -- continuing to help constituents with cases with federal agencies.\n\nThe following are some success stories:\n\nVeterans Affairs: A U.S. military veteran from Snellville, Ga., received $100,000 back pay and a $3,300 monthly benefit following an inquiry and update request from Rep. Johnson's office. The veteran is a Vietnam Agent Orange victim who suffers from PTSD and severe heart condition. Along with this monetary benefit, the veteran will also be receiving additional care at the VAMC.\n\nA U.S. military veteran received $30,000 back pay and an $810 monthly benefit following an inquiry and update request from Rep. Johnson's office. The veteran suffers from PTSD and depression, and the office also followed up to ensure he was getting the proper care needed from his doctors.\n\nSocial Security: A constituent was denied twice for disability benefits and requested assistance from Rep. Johnson's office because his medical condition was dire. The office worked with the constituent to ensure that the Social Security Administration had the medical evidence needed for a favorable decision by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Within three months of the inquiry, the man's claim was granted, earning him $31,000 in back pay and monthly benefits.\n\nInternal Revenue Service: Recently, Congressman Johnson cleared up an IRS issue for a constituent. She left the following message on Rep. Johnson's Facebook page: \"Congressman, I just wanted to thank you and especially (your constituent services representative) Shy Armstrong! Two weeks after submitting my problem with the IRS, the problem was SOLVED!!!! I owe a debt of gratitude to my congressman. Often we hear all the negatives and low approval ratings of the U.S. House of Representatives. Well, MY congressman truly worked on my behalf, and a 3 month problem was solved within 2 weeks! Thank you so much, Congressman Johnson. You're a man who is FOR the people!!\"\n\nHousing: Since 2009, Johnson's office has helped nearly 1,700 residents deal with pending foreclosures of their homes. Since 2011, more than 800 homeowners in the Fourth District have been approved for HomeSafe Georgia \u2013 which helps homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own with up to 18 months of mortgage payments \u2013 resulting in nearly $27 million in relief, more than any other district in Georgia. Rep. Johnson's office has worked with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to get the word out about HomeSafe at two events \u2013 and helped get DCA's Fourth District outreach off the ground.\n\nExample of helping save a home: A constituent contacted the office seeking help with postponement of a foreclosure. Her lender wouldn't reconsider and told her that foreclosure would proceed. She had been previously denied because she had no income but by the time she asked Rep. Johnson's office for help, she was working. Rep. Johnson's office sent an inquiry to her mortgage company asking for reconsideration since she was now working, and requesting postponement of foreclosure to give the lender time to verify her employment. On the day before the scheduled foreclosure, she was notified that foreclosure would be postponed and that she would be approved for a loan modification (she also later learned that she was approved for the HomeSafe Georgia program.)\n\nOnline Office: Rep. Johnson's staff stands ready to assist residents of Georgia 4th Congressional District with their federal agency problems. For a full list of services, visit Johnson's constituent service section of his Web site: /.\n\nJohnson's website is a one-stop shop for news updates, e-newsletters, speeches, legislation, constituent services, videos, photos and place where constituents can e-mail their representative directly. Rep. Johnson's office has addressed more than 200,000 constituent e-mails and letters since 2007.\n\n\u25ba Town Halls: Since taking office in 2007, Johnson has held hundreds of meetings and participated in a host of community events to hear directly from constituents. In August 2009, Johnson held a town hall on health care reform that was a model for the nation. More than 3,000 people attended. In 2009-10, Johnson held three jobs fairs in the span of 13 months that served more than 2,000 constituents, with some receiving job offers on the spot. In August 2011, Johnson co-hosted a jobs fair with Congressman John Lewis. More than 5,000 people attended. Johnson has held five \"telephone town halls\" with more than 100,000 residents since 2009.\n\nIn 2013-14, Rep. Johnson's office closed nearly 2,000 constituents cases. In 2015, Congressman Johnson held four town halls in a row in every county he represents: DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwinnett and Newton counties. In 2015, Rep. Johnson held town halls in every county he represents. In 2019, the Congressman reached more than 220,000 constituents by holding in-person town halls in every county he represents, four telephone town halls and three Twitter town halls. He also held a ground-breaking event in 2020 called The Restoration Resources Fair to help the previously incarcerated get back on their feet and intergrate into society.\n\nDespite the difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic, the Congressman held dozens of virtual events including telephone and Zoom town halls to keep his constituents informed about resources available to them from the federal government -- relief checks, rent assistance, small business grants and Child Tax Credits -- to help them weather the global pandemic.\n\n\u25ba Pandemic Resources: Congressman Johnson held five COVID-19 related telephone town halls and webinars in 2020-21 and has a comprehensive Fourth District COVID Resources page.\n\n\u25ba Senior Meet & Greets: From 2007-2020, Rep. Johnson has held a dozen senior citizens meet & greets throughout the Fourth District at senior centers in DeKalb, Rockdale, Gwinnett and Newton counties.\n\n\u25ba Academy Nominations: Each year Congressman Johnson has the privilege of nominating a limited number of students to four of the five service academies. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Since 2007, Rep. Johnson has nominated more than 180 Fourth District students to attend the military academies with 102 receiving appointments: /serving-you/military-academy-nominations. These appointments are worth more than $37 million collectively.\n\n\u25ba Arts Competition: Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the 4th District. The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. /serving-you/art-competition. To date, these scholarships have been worth more than $500,000.\n\n\u25ba AppChallenge: Officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, this nationwide effort allows students to compete against their peers by creating and an application or \"app,\" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. The Challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in coding and computer science. For more, click HERE.\n\n\u25ba E-Newsletter: Congressman Johnson sends regular updates to more than 17,600 constituents from his office for subscribers of his e-newsletter: /media-center/e-newsletters.\n\n\u25ba Social Media: Congressman Johnson can also be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.\n\n\u25ba Offices: For face-to-face meetings and help with federal agencies, Congressman Johnson and his staff are available in Georgia and in Washington, D.C., Rayburn Building 2240. Rep. Johnson's main district office is located at 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive Suite 140 in Lithonia 30035. In Georgia, call 770-987-2291 and in Washington, call 202-225-1605. Please call ahead or for an appointment or request a meeting online at /contact-me/request-appearance.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=549FBE16-0730-407B-9692-07F75B75A340", "Rep. Lucy McBath Statement on School Shooting in Oxford, Michigan", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 \u201cEnough is enough. Enough gun violence in our schools. Enough children hiding in fear. Enough parents with pits in their stomach when they can\u2019t reach their kids. There were 100 calls made to 9-1-1 today. Hundreds of children stuck in their classrooms, crying out for help.\n\n\u201cOur young people texting their parents from behind a desk saying things like \u2018Mom, if I don\u2019t make it, I love you, and I appreciate everything you\u2019ve done for me.\u2019 Parents begging their children to \u2018barricade yourselves behind doors, to hide in classrooms, and to please, hold your tears, you cannot make a sound.\u2019\n\n\u201cI hear from families across America who do not have the confidence that we, Congress, will do what is needed to keep them safe. They ask me, \u2018what are we waiting for?\u2019 \u2018What are we doing to protect our children?\u2019\n\n\u201cWe need to stand up to save American lives. We must have the courage\u2014right now\u2014to do what is right for the American people. It is time for us to act\u2014it is long past time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A5DD4FAA-E0C5-4177-965B-2CFC40C815DB", "Rep. Lucy McBath Honors Vietnam War Veterans During 50th Commemoration Pinning Ceremony", "2021-11-29", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2014 This afternoon, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) honored 17 veterans of the Vietnam War and one family of a deceased Vietnam veteran from Georgia\u2019s Sixth Congressional District in a 50th Commemoration Pinning Ceremony. Those recognized during the ceremony served in the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force. This was the fifth 50th Commemoration Pinning Ceremony McBath has held for veterans of the Vietnam War since taking office in 2019.\n\n\u201cI was so grateful for another chance to honor so many of our Vietnam veterans today in this long overdue public recognition of thanks and gratitude,\u201d McBath said. \u201cOur country cannot stop at just gratitude, however. We must continue the hard work to make sure that promises made to veterans are fulfilled, and that the benefits our veterans earned are received.\u201d\n\nParticipating veterans were honored with a commemorative lapel pin and a certificate of special recognition. In order to safely convene a virtual gathering, McBath\u2019s office mailed pins and certificates to all participating veterans ahead of Monday\u2019s ceremony. Lieutenant Colonel Cary King, retired United States Army, participated as a guest speaker.\n\nEstablished in 2008, the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors veterans of the Vietnam War for their heroic service and pays tribute to their selfless contributions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-secures-historic-investment-in-american-families-and-communities", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP SECURES HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) made a commitment to a historic investment in American families by helping secure passage of H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The bill addresses housing, healthcare, and education and provides investments in our national security, veterans, and our rural communities. The bill was designed to help working families meet the challenges they face every day \u2014 by creating more affordable child care, Pre-K, and housing as well as providing clean water and lowering prescription drug prices. The bill was adopted by 220-213 vote and now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.\n\nThe bill authorizes $1.7 trillion in programs over a 10-year period. According to the lead rating agencies, including Moody's Analytics and Fitch Ratings, this bill will not add to current inflationary pressures and is expected to add to America's labor supply.\n\n\"Earlier this week, our monumental commitment to repair and modernize our physical infrastructure became law. Today it is matched by our historic investment in America's families,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"The Build Back Better Act addresses the challenges that families face today \u2014 from soaring prescription drug costs to needing child care as more and more families have all parents working to put food on the table. This bill bolsters programs that train and bring more physicians and nurses to our rural communities so families can get the care they need closer to home.\"\n\n\"The Build Back Better Act supports crucial national security and scientific research programs to maintain our dominance on the world stage in the face of challenges from Russia and China. It also honors the debt we owe to our veterans by committing more resources to fix and improve our aging Veterans Administration hospitals,\" the Congressman added.\n\nThe bill is paid for by having big multinational corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share as well as closing tax loopholes they can exploit. The bill was designed so that no one making under $400,000 will pay more in taxes and provides tax breaks for middle-class Americans.\n\nLike the American Rescue Plan \u2014 which Congress passed in March of this year and has already provided Georgia with billions of dollars to help residents recover from COVID-19 \u2014 many of the programs authorized by the Build Back Better Act will provide funds to Georgia's state departments and agencies in order so that it can better meet families' needs. Local governments, nonprofit organizations, business owners, and families can directly apply to the federal government for other programs included in the bill.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act helps America's families by improving:\n\nHealthcare \u2014 by closing the Medicaid coverage gap to help millions of people across the country get healthcare insurance, including 269,000 Georgians; directing Medicare to cover the costs of hearing aids for our seniors; and reducing the cost of prescription drugs, like insulin, by letting Medicare negotiate better prices. Nearly 1.8 million Georgians are enrolled in Medicare. As part of the bill, insulin costs would be capped at $35 a month helping reduce costs for the 1 in 10 adults in Georgia who have diabetes. For the first time ever, this bill will cap out-of-pocket spending of prescription drugs at $2,000 per year for seniors that use Medicare Part D. The CBO estimates that the prescription drug prices provisions will save the federal government $297 billion over 10 years.\n\nChildcare and Education \u2014 by providing roughly $390 billion to lower the cost of child care and provide universal Pre-K for three- and four-year old children and ensuring that a majority of Americans will not pay more than 7% of their income on child care. In Georgia, that can help over 190,000 children access free, high-quality Pre-K education and provide child care to more than 665,000 children. Also, $10 billion is allocated for child nutrition programs that will provide school meals to 9 million students.\n\nHigher Education \u2014 by increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $550 per student, which will help more than 195,000 students in Georgia who rely on Pell grants; and providing $1 billion for Minority-Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving institutions of which there are 38 in Georgia.\n\nHousing \u2014 by providing $25 billion to construct, purchase, and rehabilitate homes for low-income families as well as $500 million, each, to develop supportive housing for the elderly and those with disabilities. Also, it injects $3.05 billion into Community Development Block Grant funding for affordable housing and community infrastructure upgrades as well as $100 million for rural rental assistance. These and other housing programs in the bill can help the more than 650,000 renters in Georgia who spend more than 30% of their income on rent as well as help make home ownership more achievable.\n\nWater Quality & Energy Grid \u2014 by providing $2.125 billion for sewer and wastewater projects as well as to improve home water systems. Also, it commits $16 billion to rural communities to modernize their energy and water systems \u2014 including lead pipe removal and remedies.\n\nAccess to Capital for Small Business and Rural Entrepreneurs \u2014 by providing almost $2 billion for a Small Business Administration direct loan program for the smallest businesses as well as $275.9 million for the Community Advantage Loan program, which particularly supports small businesses in underserved markets. Also, the bill creates a $1 billion Rural Partnership Program for flexible grant funding for job growth and economic resilience in communities impacted by climate change as well as provides $10 million for Rural Small Business Conferences.\n\nVeterans Facilities and Services \u2014 by providing $2.3 billion to help the Veterans Administration (VA) update its clinics and medical facilities. There are over 35 VA facilities in Georgia, including over a half dozen facilities in Middle and Southwest Georgia that can be helped by these funds. Also, $268 million to train physicians and healthcare professionals to serve in VA facilities and $150 million to speed up scanning of backlogged veteran records.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-pass-historic-build-back-better-act-lower-everyday", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Pass Historic Build Back Better Act, Lower Everyday Costs for Georgia Families", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted for the Build Back Better Act, which delivers once-in-a-generation action to bring down the everyday costs that burden Georgia families. This landmark legislation creates good paying jobs, cuts middle class taxes and lowers the costs of health care, childcare and family care. Importantly, this legislation is fully paid-for by asking the wealthiest few and biggest corporations pay their fair share, and so the Build Back Better Act will both grow the economy and fight inflation.\n\nRep. Johnson also announced that his and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff's Public Transportation Expansion Act passed in the bill, which for the first time will fund construction of public transportation specifically connecting affordable housing with transit networks in order to serve riders and commuters in low-income communities. The Build Back Better Act included $10 billion for this innovative new program.\n\n\"When we understand that mobility is essential to freedom \u2013 to control your own destiny \u2013 we understand that investing in transit in places that have historically been underserved is an investment in people,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"I'm pleased the Public Transportation Expansion Act passed within the Build Back Better Act so we can invest in a new, one-of-a-kind program that will connect affordable housing with transit options so people can access health care, education and employment opportunities.\"\n\n\"The Build Back Better Act meets the needs of Georgia families, now and for generations to come,\" continued Rep. Johnson. \"From prescription drugs to childcare to family care, our bill lowers the kitchen table costs that are holding back working parents \u2013 while also delivering a major middle class tax cut and historic action on the climate crisis. Today, I proudly voted for this landmark legislation, which will make a lasting difference for Georgia families.\"\n\nThe Build Back Better Act:\n\n\u2022 Lowers Health Care Costs:\n\no Empowers Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs for seniors and halts Big Pharma's outrageous price hikes above inflation for all Americans.\n\no Ensures Americans with diabetes don't pay more than $35 per month for their insulin.\n\no Creates a new, out-of-pocket cap of $2,000 on what seniors pay for their drugs in Medicare Part D.\n\no Lowers premiums dramatically for those who buy insurance on their own through the Affordable Care Act.\n\no Extends affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act to millions of Americans in states that have refused to expand Medicaid.\n\no Expands Medicare to make hearing care more affordable for seniors.\n\n\u2022 Lowers Child Care & Family Care Costs:\n\no Saves most families more than half their current spending on childcare, ensuring the vast majority of families will have to pay no more than 7 percent of their income for childcare.\n\no Expands the basic promise of free schooling in America for the first time in 100 years with universal pre-school for all 3- and 4-year-olds.\n\no Establishes a universal and permanent paid family and medical leave program, providing four weeks of paid parental, family caregiving, and medical leave.\n\no Gives more than 35 million families a major tax cut by extending the Biden Child Tax Credit.\n\no Expands access to high-quality home care for older adults and people with disabilities.\n\no Cuts the cost of postsecondary education, with such steps as increasing the maximum Pell Grant.\n\no Reduces families' housing costs and expands housing options.\n\n\u2022 Makes the most consequential investment to combat the climate crisis in U.S. history:\n\no Invests $555 billion over 10 years in historic clean energy and climate investments.\n\no Creates green tax credits that will save the average American family hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs.\n\no Ensures clean energy technology will be built in the United States, creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs here at home.\n\nAs 17 Nobel Prize-winning economists recently wrote in support of this legislation: \"Because this agenda invests in long-term economic capacity and will enhance the ability of more Americans to participate productively in the economy, it will ease longer-term inflationary pressures.\" In fact, according to the estimates of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. Treasury, the Build Back Better Act even reduces the deficit by more than $100 billion over the first ten years.\n\n\"Because it is fully paid for, our Build Back Better Act will also help fight inflation as our economy recovers, empowering more parents to return to the workforce and lowering the everyday expenses that weigh heaviest on working families,\" Rep. Johnson concluded.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A07D16C5-F228-4BD6-A172-9F214A9F8ABD", "McBath Votes to Pass Historic Build Back Better Package", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 This morning, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. This historic agreement will create millions of good-paying jobs, get Americans back to work, enable more Americans to join and remain in the labor force, spur long-term economic growth, reduce price pressures, and set the United States on course to meet its clean energy ambitions.\n\n\u201cOur nation has weathered unbelievable challenges in the past two years, navigating a global pandemic which upended our economy,\u201d McBath said. \u201cThe Build Back Better Act will set us on a course to create millions of jobs, get Americans back to work, lower health care costs, and provide tax cuts to hard-working families. This historic investment will help put America on the path back to normal, and I am proud to support this package to help meet the needs of our communities.\u201d\n\nThe Build Back Better package will be transformative for nearly every family in Georgia, deliver historic investments to meet their needs in the wake of the pandemic, and ensure that all can share in the benefits of a growing economy now and for generations to come by addressing:\n\nPrescription Drugs: The cost of medicine is too high for many American families, and this legislation lowers the cost of prescription drugs for families, capping insulin at $35 a month, and ensuring that no senior will pay more than $2,000 a year in out-of-pocket drug costs.\n\nChild Care: The average annual cost for child care in Georgia is $7,500. The Build Back Better Act will expand access for 665,172 young Georgians and ensure that no family pays more than seven percent of their income on child care.\n\nEarly Education: Only 29% percent of the 271,000 three-year-olds and four-year-olds in Georgia have access to publicly funded pre-kindergarten, while the average cost of private pre-kindergarten in the state is $8,600. The Build Back Better Act will expand access to free, high-quality pre-kindergarten to 193,000 young Georgians \u2013 setting children up for lifelong success and saving their parents thousands of dollars.\n\nHealth Care: By closing the Medicaid gap, expanding Medicare to include hearing care, and extending relief for insurance purchased through the ACA, the Build Back Better Act will help 548,000 Georgia families gain coverage and 262,000 Georgia families save hundreds on health costs each year \u2013 while also making home health care for elderly parents or loved ones with disabilities more affordable and accessible.\n\n9/11 Health: This bill also provides billions in funding to support health programs for 9/11 survivors and their families\n\nPandemic Preparedness: Invests billions in pandemic preparedness to help improve public health systems and prevent future health crises.\n\nCommunity Violence: Funds violence intervention initiatives to reduce violence in our communities and keep our families safe.\n\nLower Taxes: Before the Child Tax Credit was expanded in the American Rescue Plan, fifteen percent of Georgia children lived in poverty. The Build Back Better Act extends this life-changing tax cut for middle-class families and furthers historic progress toward reducing child poverty.\n\nSmall Businesses: Provides billions for small businesses to spur the economy, support entrepreneurs, and drive innovation.\n\nClimate Disasters: Georgia has experienced 46 extreme weather events over the last decade, which has cost the state more than $20 billion. By reducing carbon pollution, bolstering community resilience and strengthening the American clean energy economy, the Build Back Better Act will create good-paying union jobs, advance environmental justice and save Georgia families the steep costs of recovery.\n\nWorkforce Development: Create paid job training opportunities, helping get Americans get back to work, providing employers with the talent they need to grow, and giving young people the opportunity to chase the careers that are right for them.\n\nThe Build Back Better Act also makes generational investments in higher education, workforce training, affordable housing, and nutrition assistance.\n\nThe full fact sheet for Georgia is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-bishop-and-cardenas-call-on-hhs-secretary-to-preserve-nonemergency-medical-transportation-for-communities-in-need", "REPRESENTATIVES BISHOP AND C\u00c1RDENAS CALL ON HHS SECRETARY TO PRESERVE NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION FOR COMMUNITIES IN NEED", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), along with five Members from the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations, Energy & Commerce, and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra urging him to postpone the expansion of a program that will undermine low-income individuals' access to transportation for nonemergency medical treatment.\n\nThe Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) are implementing an initiative to restrict the access of Medicare beneficiaries to ambulance rides to transport them to and from dialysis centers and wound care clinics in nine states. The initiative is called Repetitive Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) and is scheduled to go into effect on December 1.\n\nCurrently, Medicare does cover nonemergency medical transportation by ambulance but only if the beneficiary is too frail or ill to travel by other means. Medicaid, on the other hand, also covers non-emergency medical transportation by other means such as taxi, rideshare, or public transportation.\n\nIf RSNAT is implemented and ambulance services are restricted, many Medicare patients in need of dialysis and wound care treatment would be left without alternative transportation, especially in rural areas. The impact would fall especially hard on African Americans and Latinos whose communities have disproportionately high rates of diabetes and kidney disease.\n\nAlmost 60 advocacy organizations have petitioned HHS to delay this policy until they supplement it with nonemergency medical transportation options for the beneficiaries who lose their rides.\n\nThe text of the Members' letter follows:\n\nDear Mr. Secretary:\n\nWe are writing to seek your assistance to help avoid possible unintended consequences that could occur when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation's (CMMI) Repetitive Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) model is expanded nationwide on December 1st, 2021 \u2013 just a few weeks away. The RSNAT model is an important program integrity initiative that saves the Medicare Trust Fund money by using prior authorization to deny ambulance services to beneficiaries that do not meet Medicare's qualifying criteria. Without modifications, however, it has the potential to leave vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries without access to lower cost nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) to dialysis and wound care services.\n\nSince 2015, there has been a demonstration of the RSNAT model in nine states along the East Coast. Currently, half of Medicare ambulance rides are nonemergency to dialysis or wound care services ostensibly because patients are too ill or too frail to travel by means other than NEMT. The patients also are using ambulances because there is no lower cost and more clinically appropriate Medicare NEMT benefit available. While we agree that ambulances are an expensive and inappropriate mode of transport to dialysis and wound care for almost all Medicare patients, it also is the case that RSNAT has highlighted the need for another transportation option for these vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries.\n\nAt least half of the Medicare beneficiaries who lose ambulance service are low-income, disabled or elderly. They face many barriers related to these social determinants of health. In CMMI's own RSNAT evaluation, beneficiaries reported having to often choose between medical transportation and rent or food.\n\nTo date, RSNAT has resulted in a shifting of transport service to Medicaid NEMT for full dual eligibles. In fact, data from the demonstration states show increased spending for Medicaid stretcher and wheelchair van transports immediately following the implementation of RSNAT. Medicaid NEMT, however, is only available to full dual eligible beneficiaries; it is not available to partial dual eligible beneficiaries. While NEMT can fill in gaps for full dual eligibles as RSNAT is implemented, other highly vulnerable beneficiaries are still in need of transportation. These include the partial dual eligibles who make up almost 20% of the target population and who have incomes either below 135% of the federal poverty level or less than $24,000 annually for a two-person household.\n\nIn order to address the potential access issues this demonstration could create, we believe CMMI should consider a low-cost NEMT benefit that can be added to the RSNAT model prior to its national implementation to fill \"gaps\" when beneficiaries lack other means of transportation. Under CMMI authority, CMS could test whether this additional service could improve or maintain quality and produce savings for Medicare by improving access to important, lower-cost transportation services. Most NEMT rides cost less than $40, a fraction of the cost of the ambulance trips they would replace. Several studies document that NEMT is a net cost-saver to Medicaid for certain beneficiaries, especially those with ESRD.\n\nIn addition, since NEMT is now a statutorily required Medicaid benefit, the infrastructure already exists to deliver it in every state. Almost all state Medicaid NEMT programs have prior authorization processes in place to ensure that NEMT is only provided to individuals who lack transportation to medically necessary services. Approximately 5% of Medicaid beneficiaries require NEMT, and dialysis facilities are among the most common destinations. The majority of Medicaid programs hire benefits managers or brokers to ensure that NEMT is provided in the most cost-efficient manner. As a result, Medicaid NEMT is well-suited as a comprehensive benefit for the population left with no transportation to vital health services by RSNAT.\n\nWe greatly appreciate your attention to our concerns. We strongly urge that HHS address the potential gaps the RSNAT model could create prior to any national expansion,\n\nSincerely,\n\nSanford D. Bishop, Jr\n\nTony C\u00e1rdenas\n\nG.K. Butterfield\n\nSteve Cohen\n\nSalud Carbajal\n\nBarbara Lee\n\nDonald Payne, Jr.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DD15AE20-E2D3-40C9-BEB6-29422D6A66E8", "McBath, Keller Introduce Bill to Reform Federal Prison Camera Usage", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Rep. Fred Keller (PA-12) introduced the Prison Camera Reform Act, which would address critical deficiencies in the surveillance and communication equipment used in federal prisons.\n\nThis legislation follows the findings of a report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) outlining the extent to which outdated and inadequate equipment (including security cameras, radios, and public address devices) jeopardize the safety of the nation\u2019s correctional officers and inmates and make it more difficult for investigators to substantiate incidents of misconduct.\n\nThe Prison Camera Reform Actwould direct the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to evaluate the condition of its security and communications equipment and implement a plan to address any deficiencies discovered during the evaluation. The BOP would then have three years to fully implement these improvements.\n\n\u201cWe cannot allow broken security systems in our prisons to put our corrections officers, public safety, or civil rights at risk,\u201d said McBath. \u201cWe have seen, time and again, issues with inmates in camera blind spots, lost footage of incidents, or equipment failures that led to violence or civil rights abuses. We must do more to ensure safety and security, defend civil rights, and demand accountability in our prison systems.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe outstanding men and women who work in our nation\u2019s correctional facilities deal with dangerous situations every single day; they deserve access to the resources necessary to keep themselves and the inmates whom they protect safe,\u201d said Keller. \u201cThank you to Congresswoman McBath for her leadership on this issue as we work to overhaul the BOP\u2019s outdated equipment and equip corrections officers with the proper tools needed to perform their jobs effectively.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-hosts-virtual-town-hall-to-highlight-usda-rd-programs-for-ag-producers-businesses-local-governments", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HOSTS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL TO HIGHLIGHT USDA RD PROGRAMS FOR AG PRODUCERS, BUSINESSES & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 This week, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) hosted a virtual town hall event to promote awareness of and participation in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) programs. Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, Justin Maxson, joined the Congressman and introduced the audience to USDA RD. Additional presentations highlighted funding opportunities available to agricultural producers, businesses, and local governments. The Congressman also invited local success stories to share their experiences applying for and working with USDA RD.\n\nYou can watch the event and learn more about the USDA RD programs that were discussed by visiting https://bishop.house.gov/TownHall/2021-11-09/USDA-RD-Programs.\n\n\"Our rural communities face unique challenges but their well-being affects every American, regardless of where they live. In Congress, I have worked with my colleagues to create and robustly fund USDA Rural Development programs that can help build and improve water and water treatment facilities, rehabilitate community facilities including rural health clinics, expand markets for our agricultural producers, and so much more,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"When our towns and residents successfully participate in these programs, it can mean improved utility services, cleaner water, new jobs, and having healthcare that is closer to home. This town hall event helps connect them with USDA Rural Development so that our communities can benefit from these opportunities.\"\n\n\"If individuals or local government leaders have a question about these programs or how to get in contact with USDA Rural Development, then I encourage them to call my office,\" Congressman Bishop added.\n\n\"The people of Rural America are critically important to the success of our entire country. When rural Americans reach their full potential, all of America benefits,\" said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson. \"Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Bishop, and under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, at USDA Rural Development, we are championing rural people to elevate progress for all. Our role and purpose is as an investor, an ally, and an advocate for rural people. USDA aims to make rural communities great places to live and work for everyone.\"\n\nIn addition to Deputy Under Secretary Maxson, Steffanie Bezruki (Chief of Staff of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service), Caryn Compton (Chief of Staff of the Rural Utilities Service), and Jamal Habibi (Chief of Staff for the Rural Housing Service) provided information to attendees about several USDA RD programs \u2014 including how the funds could be used and who is eligible to apply.\n\nMayor Kevin Brown of Buena Vista as well as Executive Director Robert Cooke of Southwest Georgia United shared their experiences working with USDA RD and how its programs affected their communities.\n\nThe event is the latest town hall hosted by Congressman Bishop. In September, he hosted a virtual town hall with guests from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Urban League of Greater Columbus, and the Georgia Apartment Association to help landlords and tenants better understand the COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program.\n\nYou can also view that event on the Congressman's website at https://bishop.house.gov/covid-19-response-emergency-rental-assistance-program.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-biden-signs-bishop-and-ferguson-bill-into-law-naming-columbus-va-clinic-for-colonel-bob-poydasheff", "PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS BISHOP AND FERGUSON BILL INTO LAW NAMING COLUMBUS VA CLINIC FOR COLONEL BOB POYDASHEFF", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, President Biden signed H.R. 3475 into law. It is a bill that was introduced by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) along with Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) and which names the new Department of Veterans Affairs' community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia in honor of Colonel Robert \"Bob\" S. Poydasheff. The Congressmen led the effort to pass the bill in the House in September and it was passed by the Senate by unanimous consent this week.\n\n\"Robert \u2018Bob' Poydasheff was a decorated service member, champion of veterans, and steadfast public servant. He was also a husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend. He was beloved by the people of Columbus and the military veteran community of Georgia. He touched the lives of so many and we have missed him dearly since his passing in September of last year,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"It was my honor to introduce this bill with Congressman Ferguson. By signing our bipartisan bill into law as we commemorate another Veterans Day, the President and Congress have now bestowed a fitting and timely tribute to Mayor Poydasheff's legacy of selfless service by naming the new VA Clinic in Columbus after him.\"\n\n\"I'm thrilled that our bipartisan legislation to rename the Columbus VA clinic in honor of former mayor Colonel (Retired) Bob Poydasheff is now law,\" said Congressman Ferguson. \"Colonel Poydasheff was a staple of the Columbus community and a strong advocate for America's veterans. This recognition pays well-deserved homage to a hometown hero.\"\n\nRobert S. Poydasheff served honorably in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years and retired at the rank of Colonel. He began his military career as an Infantry Officer before transferring to the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was a decorated soldier and elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame located at Ft. Benning in Georgia.\n\nFollowing his retirement he made Columbus his home where was elected to the City Council and served as the Mayor of Columbus. He advocated for disadvantaged veterans and supported the location of the new VA clinic in Columbus which the bill will name in his honor.\n\nThe bill was cosponsored by every member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation and enjoyed the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans organizations.\n\nThe clinic, which is now under construction and expected to be open by March of 2022, is located at 6910 River Road, in Columbus, Georgia.\n\nThe new clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility and will provide a wide range of medical services to veterans in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley area in conjunction with existing facilities located at Fort Benning and in Midtown Columbus near the Piedmont Regional Hospital campus.\n\nWhen the bill was being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives in September, Congressman Bishop spoke on the House Floor to urge his colleagues to support the bill. You can view his remarks by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=61AC95C5-13EE-4B89-B617-4ABEDB68349D", "McBath Announces Historic Investments in Clean Drinking Water, Protecting Georgians from Climate Change, Weatherization, and Cyberattacks", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 On the last day of \u201cInfrastructure Week,\u201d Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) is highlighting historic investments in infrastructure to provide clean drinking water and help protect Georgia and the nation from the impacts of climate change, the dangers of cyberattacks, and damage from extreme weather events.\n\n\u201cAcross our country, Americans are in need of clean drinking water, resilient infrastructure, and the peace of mind that our economy is safe from cyberattacks\u201d said McBath. \u201cWith these tools from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we can reinforce and secure the vital resources necessary for everyday life. These investments will set us on a path of sustainability that will benefit Georgians for generations to come.\u201d\n\nGeorgia can expect to receive $46 million over five years to protect against floods, wildfires, and cyberattacks as well as a $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This investment will work to keep energy costs low and keep Georgians safe both physically and digitally.\n\nUp to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and childcare centers lack access to safe drinking water. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Georgia will expect to receive $913 million to improve its water infrastructure. This will ensure that communities in need have lead pipe drinking water systems replaced and secure full access to safe drinking water. This bill also includes over $12 billion dedicated to coastal resilience, which will improve upon Georgia\u2019s need for investments in flood and storm water resilience by supporting water recycling.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E4889047-8F8A-45FC-9F37-B109BD148F10", "McBath Touts Critical Investments to Strengthen Supply Chain, Improve Airports, And Upgrade Seaports and Waterways", "2021-11-11", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 On the fourth day of \u201cInfrastructure Week\u201d, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) is touting the generational investment in Georgia airports and seaports. Thanks to the historic passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more than $600 million will be set aside for travel and trade in the state. These long-term investments will help deliver goods more efficiently and safely, providing the necessary tools to address congestion in waterways and airways in order to make travel and trade easier for Georgians.\n\n\u201cThis bill provides much-needed funding for our bustling airports, seaports, and waterways,\u201d said McBath. \u201cFunding that strengthens and improves our supply chain, funding that makes our airports more secure and efficient, and funding that modernizes waterways to ship our goods quickly and safely.\u201d\n\nGeorgia is home to 109 public airports and 4 ports, including Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the Port of Savannah, both mainstays in the local and national economy. Additional funding will buttress construction and existing infrastructure, creating more jobs, stimulating the economy, and streamlining traffic through these critical access points in our country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-chairs-urge-judiciary-investigate-hiring-law-clerk-history-racist", "House Chairs Urge Judiciary to Investigate Hiring of Law Clerk with History of Racist, Bigoted Conduct by Two Federal Judges", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chair Hank Johnson (D-GA) led a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts and Circuit Judge Charles Wilson urging an investigation into the conduct of two federal judges for their hiring of a law clerk with a history of nakedly racist and hateful conduct. Chief Judge William Pryor of the Eleventh Circuit Court and Judge Corey Maze of the Northern District of Alabama, who hired the individual even in the face of wide reporting on the individual's history of making discriminatory and bigoted remarks, have made no public statements explaining their hiring decisions and have refused requests for comments from multiple outlets. The Members have also requested a briefing on the results of the investigation by December 1st.\n\nIn their letter, the Members wrote, \"Accordingly, as the facts now stand, these two federal judges hired an individual with a widely reported pattern of racist and bigoted conduct. In the eyes of the public, she will be one of these judges' closest advisors with special access to the judicial decision-making process. In the eyes of the law, her work will be treated 'as one' with their own. That these judges hired her therefore creates both the appearance of and risk of actual bias in their chambers and their decisions as well as other potential problems...\"\n\nThe letter was also signed by Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Chair Steve Cohen (D-TN), Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Chair Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Chair David N. Cicilline (D-RI), Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations Chair Gerry Connolly (D-VA).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found below and here:\n\nNovember 10, 2021\n\nThe Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.\n\nChief Justice\n\nSupreme Court of the United States\n\n1 First Street NE\n\nWashington, D.C. 20543\n\nThe Honorable Charles Wilson\n\nCircuit Judge\n\nUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit\n\n56 Forsyth Street NW\n\nAtlanta, Georgia 30303\n\nDear Chief Justice Roberts and Judge Wilson:\n\nWe write with grave concern regarding the news that Judge William Pryor, Chief Judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge Corey Maze of the Northern District of Alabama have hired an individual with a history of nakedly racist and hateful conduct as a future law clerk in their chambers. Placing an individual with this history in such close proximity to judicial decision-making threatens to seriously undermine the public's faith in the federal judiciary. No litigant or lawyer who is part of a racial, national, or religious minority can trust that they will receive equal justice before these judges. No one bringing a case involving claims of discrimination or civil rights violations can assume that these judges' rulings will be free from invidious bias. This is simply unacceptable. We urge you, as the presiding member of the Judicial Conference of the United States and the most senior active member of the Eleventh Circuit, to address and rectify the impacts of these recent hiring decisions and assure the public that racism and bigotry have no place in the federal judiciary.\n\nThe facts surrounding this hire's past conduct are alarming. During the period that she worked as national field director for Turning Point USA:\n\n\u2022 She sent a text message to a colleague stating \"I HATE BLACK PEOPLE. Like f[---] them all . . . I hate blacks. End of story.\"\n\n\u2022 She would \"exchange racist remarks regularly\" with her coworkers.\n\n\u2022 She sent a photo to at least two coworkers of a man with brown skin with the caption, \"[j]ust thinking about ways to do another 9/11.\"\n\n\u2022 She and her coworkers \"would often send similar anti-Muslim messages that included remarks like \u2018a bacon a day keeps the Islams away' and \u2018Ramadan bombathon,' as well as tak[e] pictures of their heads wrapped in towels to mock head coverings commonly worn by Arabs, according to sources who received the messages.\"\n\n\u2022 She fired her organization's only Black employee on Martin Luther King Day. That employee later stated that Turning Point USA was a \"racist\" workplace and that she felt \"very uncomfortable working there because I was black.\"\n\nWhen asked by a reporter about these statements and actions as they were first reported in 2017, this individual made no apology for her history of racist and bigoted conduct. Instead, she claimed that she \"had no recollection\" of what she had done.\n\nWhile the above actions are worrying in the extreme, we want to make clear that the focus of this letter is not the individual who was hired but, rather, the members of the federal judiciary who chose to hire her. This past conduct was clearly publicly available by the time of these judges' hiring decisions. If the judges were not aware of their law clerk's widely reported record, their negligent hiring practices present their own set of problems with the judiciary and the judges' abilities to discharge their administrative responsibilities competently. In any event, to our knowledge, these judges have taken no remedial action since these facts were widely reported yet again during recent weeks.\n\nWhat makes Chief Judge Pryor's and Judge Maze's decisions so singularly problematic is the proximity law clerks have to judicial decision-making. Law clerks are unlike any other judicial employee due to the \"confidential and close nature of the relationship between the clerk and the judge.\" They are \"privy to the judge's thoughts in a way that neither parties to the lawsuit nor his most intimate family members may be.\" Law clerks are frequently responsible for writing the questions a judge will ask at oral argument and even \"writing a first draft of the [judge's] opinion in a case.\" As one court has explained:\n\nIn contrast to court clerks, who frequently perform ministerial functions, a law clerk generally performs discretionary acts of a judicial nature. Indeed, a law clerk is probably the one participant in the judicial process whose duties and responsibilities are most intimately connected with the judge's own exercise of the judicial function.\n\nThe relationship between a judge and a law clerk is so close that they are even treated \"as one\" for purposes of judicial immunity.\n\nAccordingly, as the facts now stand, these two federal judges hired an individual with a widely reported pattern of racist and bigoted conduct. In the eyes of the public, she will be one of these judges' closest advisors with special access to the judicial decision-making process. In the eyes of the law, her work will be treated \"as one\" with their own. That these judges hired her therefore creates both the appearance of and risk of actual bias in their chambers and their decisions as well as other potential problems, including:\n\n\u2022 Whether these judges' hiring decisions warrant their recusal from specific matters likely to come before them. The specters of bias\u2014both actual and apparent\u2014are unmistakable. To put it mildly, it would be reasonable to question these judges' impartiality in cases where race, religion, or national origin plays a role, which is the statutory standard for disqualification.\n\n\u2022 Whether the judges' conduct also implicates the judicial misconduct statute as conduct that is prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of justice. If Judges Pryor and Maze were aware of their law clerk's record when they hired her, their hiring decisions could be taken as \"knowing approval of invidious discrimination,\" which violates the Code of Conduct for United States Judges because it \"gives the appearance of impropriety\" and \"diminishes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.\" To the extent the judges were not aware of these statements and conduct, it calls into question their hiring practices, as discussed above.\n\n\u2022 Whether the judges' hiring decisions could have a deleterious effect on the practice of law in the Northern District of Alabama and the Eleventh Circuit. The fear of invidious bias could motivate parties to accept less favorable settlements to avoid coming before these judges. Law firms might be reluctant to staff minority lawyers on cases before these judges and might be less receptive to taking cases with minority clients or claims involving, for example, racial or religious discrimination.\n\n\u2022 Whether the judges' hiring decisions\u2014and the judiciary's failure to address them\u2014send a chilling message to judicial-branch employees as well as their fellow judges. We note that judicial-branch employees are not protected by the foundational civil rights statutes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, and religion, that apply to most Americans, including most federal employees. In light of this shameful incident, we hope that that the Judicial Conference will reconsider its decades-long opposition to extending these basic antidiscrimination laws to its own employees.\n\nTo date, the news of these judges' hiring decisions has been met with uniform silence by the judges themselves, the courts on which they sit, and the Judicial Conference. The American public and the litigants and attorneys with cases before Chief Judge Pryor and Judge Maze are thus left wondering how the judiciary will address specific problems like those outlined above and are left with the impression that the judiciary is comfortable turning a blind eye to the hiring of an individual with a pattern of making racist and discriminatory remarks in precisely the forum\u2014the federal courts\u2014where there is supposed to be justice for the victims of such discrimination.\n\nWe ask that you promptly investigate this matter and take whatever action by the United States Judicial Conference or the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Council is necessary to preserve the public and litigants' trust in the integrity and impartiality of the federal judiciary, protect judicial branch employees, and prevent invidious bias from further tainting the business of the Eleventh Circuit and the Northern District of Alabama. We request a briefing on the results of your investigation no later than December 1, 2021.\n\nThank you for addressing this matter with the urgency and concern it demands.\n\nSincerely,\n\nMembers of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=88362690-0382-4917-85E5-C16310C6D039", "McBath, Sec. Raimondo Spotlight Critical Investment in Secure, Reliable, and Affordable Broadband", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 Today, on the third day of \u201cInfrastructure Week,\u201d Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) is spotlighting the historic investments in broadband access for Georgians passed last week in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.\n\n\u201cFamilies across Georgia rely on access to broadband for their jobs, their schoolwork, and keeping in touch with loved ones,\u201d McBath emphasized. \u201cExpanding our state\u2019s access to broadband is critical for the economic success of our small businesses, the educational future of our children, and the pursuit of equity in our communities.\u201d\n\nU.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo applauded the upcoming support, \u201cI want to thank Representative McBath for her hard work passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For too long we\u2019ve neglected investments in critical areas that directly impact American workers, American businesses and American families. One of the many historic investments in this bill is the effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure all Americans have access to reliable, affordable broadband. Broadband is not a luxury, it\u2019s a necessity. Thanks to President Biden\u2019s vision and the Congresswoman\u2019s tireless effort to get this passed, we can now bring affordable broadband to every community in Georgia.\u201d\n\nThis landmark $100 million investment in Georgia will establish the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, helping more than three million low-income Georgians gain access to reliable internet. Expanding access to broadband will have major positive impacts on the state\u2019s economy and uplift millions of families from rural and urban communities alike.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-senator-max-cleland", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR MAX CLELAND", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement in response to the passing of former U.S. Senator Max Cleland:\n\n\"Today, America lost a selfless public servant, Georgia lost a dedicated leader, and I lost a friend.\n\n\"Max Cleland was a son of Georgia who served America through one of our toughest military conflicts. He returned from that war bearing its scars \u2014 both visible and invisible. Yet, through his suffering, Max Cleland found purpose in public service.\n\n\"Whether it was through the state legislature, leading what is now the Veterans Administration, serving as Georgia's Secretary of State, or representing us in the U.S. Senate, Max Cleland was a dedicated leader who sought to improve the lives of those he served, especially his fellow veterans.\n\n\"I had the good fortune to work with Max as Georgia's Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission ensuring the memory of our fallen \u2014 across the globe \u2014 were remembered and honored.\n\n\"Though he may have passed in body, the legacy of Senator Cleland's indomitable spirit will live on in the lives of those he inspired and helped.\n\n\"We will miss him dearly but always feel his presence. God bless him and his family.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-passing-former-us-senator-max-cleland", "Rep. Johnson on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator Max Cleland", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "DECATUR, GA \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today released the following statement on the passing of former VA Administrator and Georgia U.S. Senator Max Cleland:\n\n\"The indefatigable Senator Max Cleland of Lithonia, Georgia, was a giant of a human being who, in overcoming all adversity, showed us how to build a winning life. Although our paths did not cross frequently, often when we saw each other Max would grab me and bestow a big hug, and I would hug him right back. Highly accomplished, Max also exuded warmth and positivity, and treated all with kindness. I salute Max for a life well lived, and we will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his entire family.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B7C49EA6-FFF4-4E2C-BB73-D5D3C40486E4", "McBath Highlights Investments in Sustainable, Reliable Public Transit and Electric Vehicles", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 On the second day of \u201cInfrastructure Week\u201d following last week\u2019s passage of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) is highlighting investments the legislation makes in sustainable, reliable public transit and electric vehicles right here in Georgia. For decades, infrastructure in Georgia has suffered from a lack of investment, but will now receive $1.4 billion to improve public transportation options and at least $135 million to support the expansion of an EV charging network. The infrastructure funding spotlights the importance of investing in the everyday lives of Georgia\u2019s families.\n\n\u201cEvery resident of metro Atlanta has a right to high-quality, regular, and dependable transportation options, and we must continue to make it easier, safer, and more sustainable to travel across our state,\u201d said McBath. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation helps us improve critical transportation for underserved residential areas, getting Americans back to work, connecting employees with employers, and ensuring our small businesses have access to the customers they need to grow and thrive.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D6F773C5-044B-4142-A14E-4DBABDCD5F61", "McBath Announces \u201cInfrastructure Week,\u201d Highlights Historic Investments in Safe Roads and Bridges for Georgia Families", "2021-11-08", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) is announcing the start of \u201cInfrastructure Week\u201d following the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. Every day this week, McBath will highlight the impact this bill will have on the lives of hard-working Georgia families. Among the historic investments coming to the state, the infrastructure package includes $8.9 billion for highway programs receiving federal aid and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs in Georgia.\n\n\u201cThis monumental bill invests in one of the things families in the metro-Atlanta area need most: roads that make it quicker and safer to get to work,\u201d said McBath. \u201cWe know how long overdue these improvements are\u2014that\u2019s part of why I was so proud to vote for the passage of this historic bill. We\u2019ve made infrastructure one of our top priorities because it\u2019s about safety, it\u2019s about efficiency, and it\u2019s about providing Americans with roadways and highways that connect them to their everyday lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-votes-to-pass-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-that-will-bring-over-105-billion-to-georgia", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP VOTES TO PASS BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WILL BRING OVER $10.5 BILLION TO GEORGIA", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) helped secure $550 billion in new federal investment in surface infrastructure, high-speed internet, and the environment by sending H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to President Biden for his signature. It will set the tone for the country's investment in roads, bridges, rail, airports, and ports. It also addresses key environmental needs including climate change, clean drinking water, replacing lead service lines, and wastewater as well as environmental remediation, resilience, and justice. It modernizes America's energy infrastructure and supports programs that connect rural communities with high-speed internet.\n\nIn addition to creating millions of jobs that will help drive the economy, the bill is financed by several means, including redirecting certain unspent emergency relief funds and concluding tax credits meant to address challenges faced in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, targeted corporate user fees, strengthening tax enforcement of cryptocurrency, requiring rebates from manufacturers of certain drugs administered under Medicare Part B, and other bipartisan measures.\n\nThe Senate voted 69-30 to approve the bill in August. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a bipartisan vote of 228-206.\n\n\"Congress is making the largest federal investment in our vital infrastructure that we have ever seen which presents many opportunities for Georgians. This includes expanding the Interstate 14 designation through Columbus to Augusta, supporting new intercity passenger rail routes which can connect communities along the Interstate 75 corridor, increasing our commitment to rural broadband, and making smart investments in clean energy that will create more good-paying manufacturing jobs,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"These are just a few ways that every community across Middle and Southwest Georgia can benefit from this bill. We also worked tirelessly to make sure that the jobs created by this bill will be for hardworking Americans by including significant Buy American protections.\"\n\nThe bill expands the Interstate Highway 14 designation as a high priority corridor, which currently only runs for 25 miles near Fort Hood, Texas. The expanded highway would create a new 1,300 mile corridor running from Texas \u2014 through Columbus \u2014 all the way to Augusta, Georgia. The proposed route would upgrade existing roads between Interstate Highways 10 and 20, connecting military facilities and promoting new economic opportunities for Georgia.\n\nOther programs supported by the bill include:\n\n$40 billion for a new Bridge Investment Program that can help repair and improve the nearly 400 bridges that are rated to be in fair or poor condition across Georgia\n\n$15 billion for the Airport Improvement Program which can be used to repair and expand regional airports that are transportation hubs through which thousands of people and goods from across Georgia flow\n\n$14.6 billion as part of reauthorizing the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants program which can assist cities and towns across the district with their storm and wastewater systems which would help keep utility rates lower for residents\n\n$5 billion for a new grant program to help improve the resiliency and reliability of electrical grid infrastructure against disruption caused by natural disasters, like hurricanes which have caused hundreds of millions of damage to Georgia in recent years\n\n$2 billion for broadband improvements to provide high-speed internet connections for students, educators, small businesses, and families in rural communities\n\n$500 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that will help families with utilities costs and weatherization improvements to reduce those costs\n\n$200 million to eliminate non-native plants and animals as well as pests that harm properties, farms, and other businesses across the region\n\n$30 million that can provide assistance to local governments that need updated emergency communications equipment\n\nTransformative investments to combat climate change, including creating a new program for local schools to purchase electric school buses so that our children have a healthy environment on their commute to the classrooms\n\nBefore voting on the bill, the House also voted to begin consideration of the Build Back Better Act, a once-in-a-generation bill intended to help lower everyday costs \u2014 from child care to healthcare \u2014 while also providing a tax cut for hard-working Americans.\n\n\"In Middle and Southwest Georgia, provisions of the bill would help improve VA facilities, help address the physician and nurse shortage in rural hospitals and clinics, and caps the price of certain prescription drugs, including insulin at no more than $35 for a 30 day supply,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"I look forward to reviewing the Congressional Budget Office official score of the Build Back Better Act so that we can pass this bill that will help our communities in so many ways.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-create-millions-new-jobs-rebuild-america-bipartisan", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Create Millions of New Jobs, Rebuild America with Bipartisan Infrastructure Package", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted to create millions of good-paying union jobs with a once-in-a-century investment in rebuilding infrastructure in Georgia, including roads and bridges, transit, rail, clean drinking water and wastewater systems and high-speed broadband networks.\n\nThe bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will repair and modernize crumbling and outdated infrastructure across the nation, ensuring all American communities have the infrastructure to succeed in the 21st Century economy and ending bottlenecks that add needless delays and costs for businesses bringing products to market and families traveling to school or work.\n\n\"Our nation's crumbling and outdated infrastructure weakens our economy, hurts families, and causes added costs and delays for American businesses bringing their goods to market,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"Democrats are delivering a transformational and bipartisan infrastructure bill that will create good-paying jobs here in Georgia, strengthen our economy, secure cleaner air and water, and make our communities a better place to live and work by bringing our infrastructure into the 21st century.\n\nTogether, the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better Act are estimated to create an average of 2 million jobs each year over the next decade.\n\nIn the wake of the pandemic, poor infrastructure has struggled to keep up with a sharp increase in consumer demand \u2013 resulting in added costs for businesses and delays for consumers. The United States ranks 13th globally in terms of the quality of our infrastructure, and the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the condition of our infrastructure a C-. As the economy continues its strong recovery, President Biden and the Congress are seizing this historic moment to Build Back Better: improving infrastructure in every state in the union, growing the economy and helping Americans get back to work, while advancing justice and opportunity for all.\n\nThis Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will:\n\n\u2022 Rebuild roads and bridges nationwide, including the largest bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system seven decades ago;\n\n\u2022 Deliver clean drinking water to ten million families and more than 400,000 schools and childcare facilities nationwide with the largest-ever investment in American water infrastructure to replace lead pipes and service lines across the nation;\n\n\u2022 Help clean up legacy pollution, which is an important step in advancing environmental justice;\n\n\u2022 Expand access to reliable high-speed internet to help more families get online to work and learn;\n\n\u2022 Make historic improvements to public transit, with the largest federal investment in American history and the largest federal investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak; and\n\n\u2022 Support action to address the climate crisis, making down-payments on clean energy transmission, a clean and resilient electric grid, electric vehicle infrastructure and more.\n\n\"If we want to build a stronger economy for working families and the middle class, we can't just go back to how things were before the pandemic,\" Rep. Johnson continued. \"That is why President Biden and Democrats in Congress remain committed to Building Back Better with a stronger, fairer, more competitive and more sustainable economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is a crucial down-payment on this vision by getting millions of American workers back on the job \u2013 and alongside the Build Back Better Act, we are forging once-in-a-generation progress for nearly every Georgia family.\"\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now goes to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CFBE859B-BE36-4C43-BBB9-012C8234C806", "McBath Votes to Pass Historic Investment in Infrastructure, Package Passes House With Bipartisan Support", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Last night, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and the House of Representatives passed H.R.3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a historic and landmark bill to invest in America\u2019s infrastructure, fix the nation\u2019s crumbling roads and bridges, and improve safety for families and communities across the country. The package is the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century and passed with bipartisan support on a vote of 228-206. The funding will help build back a better America, put Americans back to work, and get this nation on its way back to normal.\n\n\u201cWe have an opportunity to invest in American infrastructure that will bolster our communities for generations to come: roads that make it quicker and safer to get to work; walkways that make it safer for pedestrians and cars alike; and access to transportation that makes it easier and more equitable for everyone to get where they need to go.\u201dsaid McBath. \u201cTransportation and infrastructure have long been a central part of what makes our community run, and this bill represents a vital step as we work put Americans back to work, to ensure our local businesses have the access to the materials and talent they need to grow, to make transportation safer and faster, and to make our infrastructure systems more equitable for every American. At its very core, these projects are about safety, about efficiency, and about connectivity\u2014connecting the people and places we love, connecting companies and consumers, and connecting Americans to America.\u201d\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act injects funds into projects including roads, bridges, and other needed infrastructure fixes across America. Among its key provisions, the bill:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A02AFFB7-B06C-4406-8654-2BB1C7AE2AC9", "McBath, Bonamici, Wild Introduce Protections for Student Loan Borrowers", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), Suzanne?Bonamici?(D-OR), and Susan Wild (D-PA) introduced legislation to provide a safety net for student loan borrowers who are about to enter repayment.\n\nThe Department of Education\u2019s COVID-19 pause on student loan repayment is scheduled to end on Feb. 1, 2022, after lasting nearly two years. The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act of 2021 would help borrowers during the transition period by requiring increased outreach from lenders, providing protection for borrowers who miss payments, and making it easier for borrowers to get into income-driven repayment plans.\n\n\u201cStudents in Georgia and across our country have endured unimaginable difficulty over the last few years, and the student loan repayment pause served as needed relief in these difficult times,\u201d said McBath. \u201cAs these payments come due once again, our work in Congress should support those seeking educational success. Our bill is an important step in protecting our student borrowers and helping safeguard their financial futures. I\u2019m proud to lead this bill with my colleague Congresswoman Bonamici, helping to ensure America\u2019s college students and graduates secure their financial health.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe pause on student loan repayment for the COVID-19 pandemic has been a lifeline for borrowers in Oregon and across the country,\u201d said Bonamici. \u201cAs the pause ends and payments resume, borrowers should be protected from the worst effects of missing payments, whether unintentionally or because of financial distress. The Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act will provide borrowers with the help they need in this time of transition.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudents across the country deserve support and clarity about their student loan payments, especially as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic,\u201d said Wild. \u201cI am proud to support this legislation to ensure that borrowers have the best information possible about their debt obligations, and to help prevent Americans from defaulting on their loans.\u201d\n\nThe legislation is supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, New America, and The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).\n\n\u201cMany borrowers will need help when they\u2019re required to begin repaying their student loans in February; in fact, when Pew surveyed borrowers this year, two-thirds (67%) said affording payments would be difficult if they resumed paying the following month,\u201d said Regan Fitzgerald, manager of The Pew Charitable Trusts\u2019 project on student borrower success. \u201cThe Student Loan Borrower Safety Net Act would provide evidence-based policies to support borrowers\u2014especially those most at risk of delinquency and default\u2014as they prepare to resume repayment. These include easier access to affordable payment plans, a grace period to allow borrowers who can\u2019t afford monthly payments to get back into repayment in good standing, and targeted outreach about the resumption of payments.\u201d\n\n\"If payments are to restart in February, easier access to low and $0 payments will be important protections for all borrowers, but especially those hit hardest by the pandemic,\u201d said Sarah Sattelmeyer, Project Director for Education, Opportunity, and Mobility at New America.\n\n\u201cIf the Education Department resumes federal student loan payments as planned, it is imperative that borrowers be protected from financial harm and have easy access to clear information and affordable repayment options,\u201d said Sameer Gadkaree, President, TICAS. \u201cWe applaud Reps. Bonamici, McBath, and Wild for introducing this important legislation to create key safety nets for millions of borrowers.\u201d\n\nThis bill will protect borrowers with Federal student loans during the transition period following the end of the COVID-19 student loan repayment pause by:\n\nProviding earlier and more frequent outreach to borrowers that their payments are to resume;\n\nMaking it easier for borrowers to get into income-driven repayment plans;\n\nMaking it easier to access economic hardship support; and\n\nExtending the time period for servicers to contact borrowers who miss a payment.\n\nA summary of the legislation can be found here. The full text can be found here.\n\nIt is co-sponsored by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Danny Davis (IL-07), and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-reintroduces-bipartisan-bill-modernizing-federal-court", "Rep. Johnson Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Modernizing Federal Court Records System to Make It More Accessible, Transparent", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, today announced he introduced The Open Courts Act of 2021, which would modernize and secure the federal judiciary's court records system (called CM/ECF) and make federal court records freely available to the public.\n\nThe new system will provide a centralized, user-oriented, and easily searchable site to file and read court records and monitor docket activity. The bill includes a process to cover the costs of these long-overdue reforms without requiring new appropriations while also eliminating a paywall that has long shielded federal court filings from public view (PACER). Currently, the judiciary charges users 10 cents for every search of its online record repository and another 10 cents per page to download any court records once they have been located, resulting in over $145 million in annual costs to PACER users.\n\nRep. Darrell Issa (CA-50) co-introduced the bill, which is companion legislation to a bill introduced in the Senate by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) earlier this year.\n\n\"Modernizing and streamlining the federal courts' records system and eliminating the PACER paywall is long overdue,\" said Congressman Johnson. \"The Open Courts Act levels the playing field for the public and the press by making court records as widely available as possible. How much money you have should not dictate your access to justice. This bill is bipartisan, bicameral, commonsense good government at its best.\"\n\n\"Public court records belong to the public \u2013 and finding and acquiring them should be both easy and affordable,\" said Congressman Issa. \"The truth is, the PACER system is outdated and impractical, and it creates unjustified burdens for too many Americans. Reform is long overdue.\"\n\nThe Open Courts Act would:\n\n\u2022 Require United States Courts to consolidate all federal court records into one integrated system for all 94 district courts and 13 circuit courts of appeals.\n\n\u2022 Provide for the creation of a modernized, user-oriented, secure, and flexible court-record system responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.\n\n\u2022 Make court records freely available to the public by eliminating the PACER paywall and ensure the public can easily search for, access, and download court records through a streamlined, updated user interface.\n\n\u2022 Provide funding for making PACER free of charge without new appropriations.\n\nA section-by-section analysis of the bill can be found HERE.\n\nThe bill can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnsons-statement-republican-filibuster-john-r-lewis-voting-rights", "Rep. Johnson's Statement on Republican Filibuster of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Hank Johnson, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act from advancing in the Senate:\n\n\"Nothing is more fundamental in our democracy than the right to vote. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act protects that precious right to vote for all Americans. Once again it appears Senate Republicans -- and their statehouse counterparts -- continue to play Russian roulette with our democracy by blocking this critical legislation and enacting some of the most restrictive voting laws around the country.\n\n\"My friend, colleague and mentor Congressman Lewis bled for our right to vote. But with an activist Supreme Court's decisions in Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. DNC and the perpetuation of Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression laws across the nation, we find ourselves on the precipice of becoming a democracy in name only.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-scott-urge-fema-to-make-emergency-rural-telecom-equipment-eligible-for-hazard-mitigation-funds", "BISHOP, SCOTT URGE FEMA TO MAKE EMERGENCY RURAL TELECOM EQUIPMENT ELIGIBLE FOR HAZARD MITIGATION FUNDS", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Representatives Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02) sent a letter to Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging the agency to allow rural communities to utilize FEMA hazard mitigation grants to upgrade telecommunications equipment that is crucial for public safety efforts during and after natural disasters.\n\n\"Representing rural counties across South and Middle Georgia, we have seen a great need for communities to upgrade their communication systems,\" wrote the Members. \"There has been a vital communication gap in multiple natural disasters over the last several years as our first responders struggle to communicate with other responders in their county and surrounding counties to better serve those in harm's way. Several of these disasters have in fact had loss of life, in part due to lack of communication ability.\"\n\nHazard mitigation is critical for rural communities to reduce the impact of disasters in the future but upgrading equipment \u2013 like sirens and radios \u2013 can be extremely expensive and difficult for rural communities. Currently, FEMA does not consider these types of equipment upgrades eligible for their hazard mitigation assistance (HMA) funding.\n\nIn their letter, the Members ask for Administrator Criswell to remove \"preparedness measures and response equipment\" from the list of ineligible activities for HMA funding and include such costs as an eligible activity. This would allow rural communities to utilize existing grant programs to upgrade their telecommunications equipment and bolster their ability to provide live-saving communications during and after natural disasters\n\nA copy of the letter can be found by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnsons-bipartisan-fair-act-ends-forced-arbitration-restores", "Rep. Johnson\u2019s Bipartisan FAIR Act That Ends Forced Arbitration & Restores Accountability, Passes Judiciary Committee", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson's (GA-04) bipartisan Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act \u2014 H.R. 963 \u2014 that re-establishes everyday Americans' 7th Amendment right to seek justice and accountability through the court system, passed the House Judiciary Committee.\n\n\"My bill would restore fairness to the American justice system by reasserting individuals' right to access the court system,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"The FAIR Act would ensure that men and women contracting with more powerful entities aren't forced into private arbitration, where the bigger party often has the advantage of choosing the arbitrator in an unappealable decision.\"\n\nThe House bill would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, and civil rights cases, and allow consumers and workers to agree to arbitration after a dispute occurs. The bill was marked up and voted out of committee. The House bill has more than 200 cosponsors.\n\n\"Arbitration clauses have permeated American life in recent decades,\" continued Rep. Johnson. \"They've seeped into our cell phone contracts, our medical paperwork and our employee handbooks with opaque language, written by well-paid corporate attorneys. The clauses are hidden in updated terms and conditions, incorporated into mid-year employee reviews, and implicit in purchase contracts. And they all prevent us from having our day in court. It is time for this to change. I'm in Congress to stand up for the voiceless and the powerless, and this bill, the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act, or the FAIR Act, is a testament to that. I appreciate my colleagues' support as this bill moves to the full House for a vote.\"\n\nRep. Matt Gaetz (FL-01) is the Republican lead on the legislation.\n\n\"The Powerful in America shouldn't be able to escape taxpayer-funded justice in Article III courts,\" said Rep. Gaetz. \"They shouldn't be able to force workers into private-sector dispute resolution slanted in their favor. Most importantly, sexual harassers shouldn't be able to pick their juries in advance. I'm proud to be the Republican lead on the FAIR Act to ensure equal justice for all.\"\n\nSen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.\n\nFor the Congressman's full remarks, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/johnson-and-meng-issue-joint-statement-upcoming-vote-recommend", "Johnson and Meng Issue Joint Statement on Upcoming Vote to Recommend Hepatitis B Vaccines for Adults", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Grace Meng (D-NY), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, issued the following statement on the vote to recommend hepatitis B vaccines for all adults, which is set to be held tomorrow by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices:\n\n\"Tomorrow, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will vote on a recommendation to allow hepatitis B vaccinations for all adults in the United States. As co-chairs of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, we cannot overstate the importance of this vote.Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can cause cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death in extreme cases. But these are preventable with the vaccine. Up to 2.4 million Americans are currently living with hepatitis B and 65-75% remain undiagnosed.\n\nScience and experience demonstrate vaccines to be a crucial step in complete eradication of certain viruses. Eliminating hepatitis B for the millions of people who suffer and contract it every year would be monumental for our country. Current guidelines state that only people who are at high risk are eligible for the hepatitis B vaccine. However, it is critical for all adults to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.\n\nOur resolution to recognize April 30 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day underscores our dedication to the elimination of hepatitis B.\n\nThe U.S. is on the path to eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. Achieving universal adult hepatitis B vaccinations is a significant step toward reducing health disparities, reducing new infections, and working toward complete elimination of hepatis B.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-joins-men-cbc-american-cancer-society-prostate-cancer", "Rep. Johnson Joins Men of CBC, American Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "MEN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS PARTNER WITH THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY FOR THE \"GROW IT OUT\" CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR PROSTATE CANCER AMONG BLACK MEN\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Male members of the Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement announcing a partnership with the American Cancer Society for a month-long campaign to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer in Black men.\n\n\"Black men are nearly two times more likely to be diagnosed with\u2014and more than twice as likely to die from \u2013 prostate cancer than white men. As a Black man and Member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I'm proud to work alongside the American Cancer Society to raise awareness of this deadly disease and its disproportionate impact,\" said Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04)\n\nBlack men are 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with\u2014and 2.2 times more likely to die from\u2014Prostate Cancer than white men. Black men are also slightly more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced disease. In fact, one in seven Black men will develop Prostate Cancer in their lifetime. Black men may also be harmed by racial bias in preventive care, as they are less likely than white men to be offered the option of having a PSA test, and are more likely than white men to be told that the benefits of the PSA test are uncertain. Additionally, a recent study found that Black men diagnosed with early-stage Prostate Cancer were less likely than white men to receive any type of treatment for that cancer.\n\nThese sobering realizations spurred the Male members of the CBC into action, to grow their beards out for the month of November and to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer.\n\n\"As Congress works to improve health equity, I'm proud to join my brothers in the Congressional Black Caucus to raise awareness about the disproportionate toll of prostate cancer on Black men,\" said Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04). \"Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer, but less likely to receive the screenings and treatment we need to stay healthy. I encourage all men to talk to their doctor and make a joint decision on when prostate cancer screening will make sense for them. Early detection and treatment save lives.\"\n\n\"Prostate cancer steals far too many lives every year, killing Black men at more than twice the rate of our white counterparts,\" said Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17). \"Ending this crisis starts with raising awareness, which is why, this November, I'm joining my CBC colleagues in urging Black men to talk to their doctors about prostate cancer screening. Together, we are raising awareness and helping ensure everyone has the resources and information they need to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.\"\n\n\"Prostate cancer has devastated so many families, and it's a public health inequity that Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with or die from this disease than white counterparts,\" said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02) \"I am proud to join my CBC colleagues this month to participate in the \u2018Grow it Out' and \u2018I pledge' campaigns to help raise awareness for screenings, prevention and research.\"\n\n\"Black Americans face implicit racial bias in our health care system - from diagnosis to treatment and medical outcomes. Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with, and die from prostate cancer but less likely to be tested. We can change this,\" said Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04). \"By raising awareness for routine Prostate Cancer checks and treatment as part of a healthy life and through targeted investments and health care resources to minority communities we can begin to tear down these barriers and save lives.\"\n\n\"Prostate cancer is not only a health issue but also a race issue. Black men are more likely to be diagnosed and more likely to die from prostate cancer than our white counterparts. I urge my brothers to make sure they get screened for prostate cancer this month \u2013 early detection is key,\" said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05).\n\n\"Prostate cancer has been a silent killer of Black men for far too long. Black men are dying from prostate cancer at higher rates, which means we have to be proactive, instead of reactive, when combatting this disease,\" said Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06). \"Cancer doesn't discriminate, and neither should our health care system. We cannot allow race to continue to be a barrier disproportionately keeping one group of people from receiving the information and support needed to receive preventative care. I applaud my colleagues of the CBC for taking action and raising awareness of such an unyielding disease that has put our fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and communities at risk.\"\n\n\"Prostate Cancer death rates in Black men are double those of every other racial/ethnic group, and those higher incidence and mortality rates are exceptionally concerning. Black men should consult their provider to make an informed decision about designing the screening plan that is right for them, which should include consideration of family history and any known genetic risk of cancer,\" said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. \"Additional research, including clinical trials on the risk, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Prostate Cancer must be more inclusive of Black men to reduce these disparities. We are grateful to the Congressional Black Caucus for shining a light on this important issue and raising funds for the American Cancer Society so critical work to address disparities in the Black community can continue.\"\n\n\"I am proud the men of our caucus have taken this opportunity to share critical information and raise awareness for this deadly disease. Black men are more likely to develop Prostate Cancer than men from any other racial group. They are also more likely to develop aggressive forms of Prostate Cancer and die from this disease. Prostate Cancer can remain symptomless for a long time, so campaigns to raise awareness and encourage early screening are vital. Early detection is critical to surviving Prostate Cancer,\" said Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty. \"Our Caucus continues to feel the loss of Congressmen Alcee Hastings, John Lewis due to the prevalence of Cancer. In fact, 45.2 percent of the men of the Congressional Black Caucus fall between 55 and 69, making them the target demographic for Prostate Cancer screening. I support the #GrowItOut Campaign and look forward to the lives we will save and the beards that will grow.\"\n\nTake the pledge.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=47E95C95-140D-43D0-B8EB-E8172B70950D", "Rep. Lucy McBath Cosponsors VICTIM Act", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) signed on as an original cosponsor to the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act , a bill introduced today by Rep. Val Demings (FL-10), a former 27-year police officer and Chief of the Orlando Police Department. The legislation would establish a Department of Justice grant program to hire, train, and retain detectives and victim services personnel to investigate shootings and support victims. The legislation has strong support from professional law enforcement researchers and organizations (see quotes below). Joining McBath as original co-sponsors are Reps. Dwight Evans (PA-03), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Cindy Axne (IA-03).\n\n\u201cWe must ensure our law enforcement have the tools they need to solve violent crime,\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cI am proud to join Rep. Demings to introduce a bill that will help hire detectives, train personnel, and address the needs of victims and family members as we continue our work to keep communities safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cReal life isn\u2019t like CSI: Miami. I saw as a law enforcement officer, detective, and chief of police that gun crimes are oftentimes difficult to investigate and solve,\u201d said Rep. Demings. \u201cSimply put, many agencies lack the resources they need to bring justice to these cases and closure for families. Half of gun murders in the United States go unsolved, and victims are often left with no justice and little support. This legislation would inject critical new funding into America\u2019s law enforcement agencies to hire and train detectives and specialists specifically committed to investigate unsolved crimes, comfort victims, and bring the guilty to justice.\n\n\u201cI vividly recall as a law enforcement officer standing over the bodies of young Floridians who had been victims of gun crimes, knowing that their families would soon receive devastating news. Today, the murder rate is rising, and more and more cases go unsolved. Unsolved gun crimes are unacceptable for the victims and their families, and leaving violent criminals on the streets is unacceptable for the communities we are trying to protect. We can do better, and this legislation will give our law enforcement agencies the resources they need to track down violent criminals and keep Floridians safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cHelping our state and local police solve more fatal and non-fatal shooting cases would be a huge win for public safety in Philadelphia and across the country \u2013 district attorneys can\u2019t bring cases that don\u2019t reach them, so this would help make our neighborhoods safer,\u201d said Rep. Evans. \u201cAs someone who has pushed for help for victims of gun violence, I\u2019m also very pleased that this bill would provide victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, wage, and relocation costs. I\u2019m proud to co-lead this much-needed legislation with Rep. Demings \u2013 her long experience in law enforcement has been so vital in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a young officer working in Chicago, I had to knock on the doors of too many mothers and tell them their child had been lost to an act of senseless violence,\u201d said Rep. O\u2019Halleran. \u201cThrough targeted funding increases for our hardworking local and tribal police departments, this bill will help to hire, train, and keep good detectives and victim services workers to better provide the needed resources to catch criminals. In short, our legislation will help bring closure to families and justice to courtrooms.\u201d\n\n\u201cGun violence and homicide rates are on the rise, but the percentage of cases solved by law enforcement agencies is falling,\u201d said Rep. Kelly. \u201cCommunities of color are disproportionately represented in cases that go unsolved, which is unjust and diminishes trust between communities of color and the police. We must ensure that law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to solve crimes and bring justice to victims and their families. Additionally, we need to do more to support victims and their families as they rebuild their lives after being impacted by gun violence. The VICTIM Act will do just that by providing victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, lost wages and relocation costs. I am proud to be introducing this legislation with Rep. Demings, a former police chief, to help law enforcement solve crimes and improve outcomes for victims.\u201d\n\n\u201cLast year, we saw an increase in homicides and gun-related crime all across the U.S. \u2013 including in Iowa,\u201d said Rep. Axne. \u201cIn fact, Iowa saw an 80% jump in homicides in 2020 \u2013 a statistic that should frankly stop any Iowan in their tracks. I know our police departments are working around the clock to solve these crimes, and it\u2019s critical that they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe and support the families affected. Our legislation, the VICTIM Act, would directly help our law enforcement improve public safety while also helping victims and their families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe VICTIM Act is an example of criminal justice reform that should appeal to people all over the political spectrum,\u201d said Greg Newburn, Director of Criminal Justice for the Niskanen Center. \u201cThe VICTIM Act will help law enforcement deliver justice, and help victims rebuild their lives after tragedy. We are excited to see a common-sense response to the entrenched violence that threatens so many American communities. The VICTIM Act is a smart and reasonable solution to this difficult problem, and will help to make our communities more safe through important investments in law enforcement, and we're proud to work with Rep. Demings on this important investment in safety.\"\n\n\u201cThis bill provides crucial support for law enforcement efforts to provide justice for victims and solve unclosed cases,\u201d said Jim Burch, President of the National Police Foundation. \u201cRep. Demings\u2019 legislation is supported by science and best practice. The National Police Foundation applauds Congresswoman Demings\u2019 leadership and support for evidence-based best practices that will keep the public safe and reduce crime.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) applauds the continued efforts of Congresswoman Val Demings in supporting and strengthening the law enforcement profession,\u201d said Frederick L. Thomas, National President of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. \u201cIt is our opinion that this legislation will help increase the clearance rates of cases throughout the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cNearly every major city in America is experiencing a rise in violent crime,\u201d said Chief Jeri Williams, President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. \u201cThe VICTIM Act will help law enforcement agencies address staffing challenges, enhance investigative and evidence processing capabilities and technology, and provide services to victims and their families. The MCCA is proud to support this bill and thanks Rep. Demings for her continued leadership and support for our brave law enforcement officers.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s cities and communities are experiencing a historic rise in violent crime, \u201csaid Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations. \u201cMurders and non-fatal shootings are going unresolved at higher rates as law enforcement agencies do not have the officers and resources to dedicate to improving clearance rates for these horrendous crimes. The VICTIM Act will help address this issue by supplying much needed grant funding to agencies to fill, replenish, and train their detective and homicide personnel. Through this legislation, law enforcement will be able to focus on solving these violent crimes that have such a detrimental impact on our communities and improve the services that they render to victims. We support the VICTIM Act and thank Congresswoman Demings for her leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cFBI statistics show that in 2020, violent crime clearance rates, particularly for fatal and nonfatal shootings, fell to historic lows,\u201d said Thomas Abt, Chair of its Violent Crime Working Group for the Council on Criminal Justice. \u201cThe human, social, and economic toll of these unsolved crimes is devastating. We must increase clearance rates to build public trust in law enforcement and bring justice to families and communities.\u201d\n\nIn 2020, the United States saw the biggest rise in murder since the start of national record-keeping in 1960. 21,570 people were murdered in the United States in 2020\u2014the most since 1995\u2014a 29.4% increase over 2019. Additionally, the FBI estimates that 77% of all murders in the United States in 2020 were via firearms. That is the highest share on record and the most of any year on record except 1993. At the same time that the murder rate rose, the clearance rate for murders fell significantly, from 61.4% in 2019, to 54.4% in 2020. In cities with a population above 250,000, the rate was even more dramatic, falling from 57.6% in 2019 to 47.3% in 2020.\n\nThe VICTIM Act would establish a grant program at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide resources to State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies to assist them improve their clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings. Specifically, the grants provided by the VICTIM Act would be used to:\n\nhire and retain detectives to investigate homicide and non-fatal shootings;\n\nacquire resources for processing evidence, including the hiring of additional personnel;\n\nhire personnel trained to analyze criminal intelligence and crime trends;\n\ntrain detectives and evidence processing personnel in effective procedures and techniques; and\n\nensure victim services are sufficiently staffed, funded, and trained.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=53A6B24C-1DD2-4EBD-9203-8B4085802239", "Legislation Led by McBath to Enact Federal \u201cRed Flag\u201d Laws Passes House Committee", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) and the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 2377, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. McBath is the lead sponsor of the bill, which would allow family members and law enforcement to obtain an extreme risk protection order to temporarily remove access to firearms for those who are deemed a danger to themselves or to others by a federal court. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia currently have extreme risk protection orders in place, and this legislation would set a national standard to save lives. McBath delivered remarks in favor of her bill at the start of the hearing.\n\n\u201cNearly nine years ago, I lost my son Jordan to gun violence. He was just 17 years old. I dreamed of one day seeing him walk across the stage at his high school graduation, or walk down the aisle at his wedding,\u201d said McBath. \u201cI received the call that far too many families in our nation receive, and every day have felt a pain that will never fade. Far too many parents know exactly that pain. I turned that pain into action, calling for change to prevent another parent from losing their child to gun violence. It is our responsibility to prevent this suffering, to bring an end to this constant heartbreak. With this bill and its passage today, we act to help those in crisis. We act to empower law enforcement. We act to prevent the vigils for the loved ones we\u2019ve lost.\u201d\n\nExtreme risk laws empower loved ones or law enforcement to intervene and temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms. These laws, sometimes referred to as \u201cred flag\u201d laws, can help de-escalate emergency situations. They are a proven way to intervene before an incident of gun violence\u2014such as a firearm suicide or mass shooting\u2014occurs and takes more lives.\n\nAccording to an Everytown report, in 51 percent of mass shootings from 2009 to 2017, the attacker exhibited warning signs before the shooting. For example, before killing six people in Isla Vista, California in May 2014, the shooter made homicidal and suicidal threats, and his parents alerted law enforcement. But there was nothing they could legally do to remove his firearms. On suicide prevention, research shows that access to a firearm triples one\u2019s risk of death by suicide. Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, 4 percent result in death. But for gun suicide, those statistics are flipped: Approximately 90 percent of gun suicide attempts end in death. The vast majority of survivors of a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide.\n\nIn April of this year, McBath stood with President Joe Biden at a Rose Garden announcement about red flag laws. Immediately following the White House event, McBath introduced H.R. 2377.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-american-rescue-plan-funds-for-albany-museum", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS FOR ALBANY MUSEUM", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced a $10,695 grant award through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the Albany Museum of Art (AMA). The grant is made possible by the American Rescue Plan as part of its effort to support the role of museums and libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The funds will support an exhibit focusing on art and medicine with the goal of improving patient care.\n\n\"Our communities have felt the strain of COVID-19 and many are part of our road to recovery. In passing the American Rescue Plan, Congress recognized that we are still in the middle of our fight against this pandemic. This emergency assistance is vital to community centers which have made great sacrifices in the interest of public safety,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Time and again we see how the American Rescue Plan has supported individuals and institutions in creating opportunities for community groups to find innovative solutions to this public health crisis.\"\n\n\"The AMA is grateful for this meaningful support from the IMLS that enables us to launch the Art of Medicine program collaboration with Phoebe Putney Health System. We are looking forward to providing scenarios in which doctors and other health professionals can engage the arts and explore new and creative ways to communicate on deeper levels with their patients. This is another example of how art and medical science can be allies to enhance the quality of patient care,\" said Albany Museum of Art Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D.\n\nIn March, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan. The funds have helped individuals, community organizations, and local governments across the country and their positive impact has been frequently touted by Republican Members of Congress, though none voted for the bill.\n\nThe Albany Museum of Art in Georgia will host programming to help physicians understand alternative viewpoints and engage in deeper emotional processing to improve patient care. Based on another program in which physician participants reported improved insight, empathy, and ability to reflect in their clinical work, this initiative combines the Balint method of \"doctor-patient relationship groups\" with an art analysis technique called Visual Thinking Strategies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-highlights-more-than-1-million-in-federal-funds-to-help-columbus-area-youth", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HIGHLIGHTS MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP COLUMBUS AREA YOUTH", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce a grant awarded to Beginning New Outreach, a Columbus, Georgia non-profit, to help provide mentoring for youth affected by the opioid crisis and drug abuse. The $622,903 grant is being awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice's Mentoring for Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction program, which serves to reduce substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and other negative outcomes for young people. Beginning New Outreach also was awarded a $421,145 grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the end of September for sexual risk avoidance education (SRAE).\n\n\"Our children face many obstacles as they navigate their youth into adulthood. Having strong community support programs helps ensure they have the information and resources needed to make healthy choices and increase their likelihood for success into adulthood,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"These federal funds are an important investment in the well-being of our communities, which is why it is important that Congress continues to robustly fund them in the annual appropriations process.\"\n\n\"Beginning New Outreach is excited about the opportunity to serve the youth and families in this community! We greatly appreciate all of the support and assistance that has been provided to us and this district by Congressman Sanford Bishop,\" said TreNise Holloway, CEO of Beginning New Outreach.\n\nThe Mentoring Opioid Affected Youth Grant will help Beginning New Outreach provide ongoing mentoring for approximately 200 youth annually. They will target youth, ages 11-17, who are currently abusing or addicted to drugs, at risk for abusing, or have family members who abuse drugs. With the support of this grant, Beginning New Outreach will provide Substance Abuse Prevention Program curriculum paired with Positive Youth Development and mentor relationships. The program will help participants voluntarily refrain from use of illegal substances (specifically opioid related substances), as well as promote emotional well-being and healthy transitions to adulthood.\n\nBeginning New Outreach is using the SRAE Grant to target at-risk youth, ages 10 -18, living in Muscogee, Talbot and Quitman Counties. The project will deliver evidence-based sexual risk avoidance education curriculum as well as positive youth development topics to help participants voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity, prevent teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections, and make healthy transitions to adulthood.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-johnsons-statement-kathi-vidals-uspto-director-nomination", "Chairman Johnson\u2019s Statement on Kathi Vidal\u2019s USPTO Director Nomination", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual property & the Internet, released the following statement on President Joe Biden nominating Kathi Vidal as Undersecretary for Intellectual Property & Director of the U.S. Patent & Trade Office:\n\n\"I want to congratulate Kathi Vidal for her nomination to Undersecretary for Intellectual Property & Director of U.S. Patent & Trade Office. With a background in mathematical physics, programming and a degree in electrical engineering \u2014 and careers in engineering and patent litigation \u2014 Kathi will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to this critical position. Congratulations to President Biden for nominating such an accomplished, experienced, and well-balanced professional to this key post, and I look forward to working with her to ensure a strong United States patent system that promotes job creation, economic competitiveness and protects national security.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6A63F649-BCF3-4550-A493-0AC93B843828", "Bipartisan Family Violence Prevention Bill, Led by McBath, Passes House of Representatives", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), led by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), passed the House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill reauthorizes and expands funding for programs focused on protecting survivors and preventing family and domestic violence. It is the only federal funding source under the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to providing domestic violence prevention services.\n\nMcBath spoke on the House floor in support of her bill, originally cosponsored by Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Don Young (R-AK-At Large), and John Katko (R-NY-24). It passed with bipartisan support.\n\n\u201cThe anguish of far too many survivors of domestic violence during this pandemic has been a painful and unshakeable reminder of our fundamental need to put an end to it,\u201d said McBath. \u201cI am proud we were able to pass legislation that funds shelters, state domestic violence coalitions, a national domestic violence hotline, and national resource centers\u2014 this bill helps provide survivors a way up, a way out, and a way forward.\u201d\n\nThe Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, H.R. 2119, expands resources for survivors and initiatives to end domestic violence by:\n\nIncreasing the funding authorization level to $270 million to respond to very low per-program funding levels and provide access to FVPSA funds for programs not currently funded.\n\nExpanding support for and access to culturally-specific programs.\n\nCulturally-specific organizations are better equipped to address the complex, multi-layered challenges facing victims from racial and ethnic minority populations as they seek services and protections from abuse.\n\nCulturally-specific programs often have challenges accessing FVPSA funding at the state and local levels due to the limited funding available and robust competition. This bill authorizes a new culturally-specific program to address these needs and incorporates related funding into the formula itself.\n\nStrengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic violence in their communities and authorizes funding for tribal coalitions and the Alaska Native Women\u2019s Resource Center.\n\nMeaningfully investing in prevention. Brings evidence-informed, community-based prevention initiatives to more communities.\n\nStrengthening and updating the National Domestic Violence Hotline and hotline services for underrepresented populations, including American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Deaf victims of domestic and dating violence.\n\nCreating a new underserved populations grant program.\n\nThe lack of resources and severity of violence is often heightened for survivors living at the margins, such as those living in rural communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, those identifying with faith-based communities, youth and others. These underserved populations are often reluctant to seek assistance, and when they do, they frequently look for services and support in their immediate communities. This bill creates a grant program for family centers, youth centers, senior centers, community-based organizations or vocational organizations to meet the needs of these survivors.\n\nContinuing to support national technical assistance (TA) centers, including the Alaskan Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and their work to develop effective policy, practice, research and cross-system collaborations.\n\nUpdating provisions and definitions to ensure access to services for all survivors, better align with related programs and reflect evolving practices in order to provide uniform guidance to those working to end domestic violence.\n\nUpdates language to reflect current practices and provide a reference to other statutes to ensure common understanding across different federal programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=05A67763-88EB-46CA-9B7B-D5643DBB9F49", "McBath, Raskin, Upton, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Incentivize Pet Food Donation, Support Animal Shelters", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08), a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, and Representatives Fred Upton (MI-06) and Young Kim (CA-39) to introduce the bipartisan Bring Animals Relief and Kibble (BARK) Act, to provide liability protections for pet suppliers donating food and supplies to animal shelters. By eliminating a current donation deterrent, the BARK Act would help recover millions of pounds of food waste for animal shelters in need.\n\n\u201cWhile the last year and half saw increased pet adoption activity nationwide, it also revealed a critical need to bolster pet food supplies for these animal shelters,\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cIn the face of COVID-related challenges, the BARK Act will eliminate barriers, mitigate waste, and direct surplus pet food to shelters in need. I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that will nurture America\u2019s shelter animals as they await adoption to their forever homes.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo shelter pet should go hungry, especially not when pet stores nationwide are throwing away surplus food,\u201d said Rep. Raskin. \u201cWe can empower pet stores to instead donate to animal shelters by removing bureaucratic disincentives. The BARK Act will give pet stores the same protections that grocery stores and markets already have when donating to food banks. This is a commonsense, bipartisan way to increase efficiency, reduce waste and promote charity for animals. I\u2019m thankful to Reps. Upton, McBath and Kim for joining me in this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnimal shelters are a real lifeline for the tens of thousands of dogs, cats, birds, and other pets that would otherwise have no home,\u201d said Rep. Upton. \u201cDuring the COVID pandemic, these shelters faced major food shortages \u2013 particularly as donations plummeted due to virus-related restrictions \u2013 but other reforms must be made to shore up pet food supplies. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will lessen restrictions on crucial donations, easily allow folks to deliver pet food to shelters, and benefit animals nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cNearly 8 million animals currently in shelters are struggling due to increased food shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, millions of pounds of useable pet supplies are wasted each year that could be going to animals in need,\u201d said Rep. Kim. \u201cI\u2019m glad to help lead this commonsense, bipartisan effort to reduce waste in landfills and support animal shelters in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, there is a tremendous need for innovative, flexible and resilient supply chains. For community animal shelters and rescues located across the country, that includes critical resources like pet food,\u201d said Katie Kraska, director of federal legislation for the ASPCA. \u201cThe ASPCA applauds Rep. Jamie Raskin and the bipartisan leadership team for introducing the BARK Act to create more options for commercial pet food donations for agencies that care for dogs, cats, and other vulnerable animals in need.\u201d\n\n\u201cSome animal shelters are juggling finances to ensure rescued cats and dogs have all they need to thrive and find their permanent homes. We applaud Representatives Raskin, Kim, McBath and Upton for sponsoring the BARK Act to encourage pet stores to donate food and supplies to shelters to help those animals to be adopted,\u201d said Sara Amundson, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. \u201cAmericans love their pets and this will help all of them to have a fighting chance at a forever family.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Animal Welfare Institute is grateful to Reps. Raskin, Kim, McBath, and Upton for acting so quickly to respond to a genuine crisis for animal shelters,\u201d said Nancy Blaney, Director of Government Affairs at the Animal Welfare Institute. \u201cBy removing a barrier to donations of surplus pet supplies from pet stores, the BARK Act will make it easier for shelters to continue their important work of caring for animals and helping them to find their forever homes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you, Representatives Raskin, Kim, McBath and Upton for sponsoring the much-needed BARK Act, encouraging pet stores to donate food and supplies to shelters in need,\u201d said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. \u201cThis infusion of resources means budget strapped shelters can divert those dollars to other critical lifesaving programs. Every animal deserves a second chance at life when entering a shelter, and the BARK Act will make that dream a closer reality.\"\n\nEvery year, pet stores throw away tons of expired pet food instead of donating to animal shelters out of fear that they can be held legally liable by the shelters. And in recent months, animal shelters around the country have reported overcrowding, concerns about running low on pet food and a drop-off in charitable donations during the pandemic. The BARK Act would help mitigate the food shortages facing shelters, while also helping to reduce the millions of pounds of pet food that end up wasted in landfills each year.\n\nThe BARK Act amends the bipartisan Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act of 1996 (Emerson Act), which provides criminal and civil liability protections to people and businesses that make good faith donations of food to nonprofits serving needy individuals, to include donations of pet food and supplies to animal shelters.\n\nThe BARK Act has the support of 20 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and has been endorsed by the Animal Welfare Institute, the ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DE9EE22D-09F2-4345-9FE9-A8613F0ED620", "Federal Funding Will Support Increased Access to Childcare for Georgia Families", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 This week, it was announced that the state of Georgia will use funding from the American Rescue Plan to expand the Childcare and Parent Services program through September of 2024. The Childcare and Parent Services program currently subsidizes childcare costs for about 50,000 Georgia families. The expanded funding will open access to this program to another 10,000 families by raising the income threshold from families with incomes at 50% of the state median to 85% of the median starting next month.\n\n\u201cGeorgia families are still reeling from the pain of the COVID-19 pandemic, and childcare costs are a huge part of families\u2019 financial burdens,\u201d McBath said. \u201cI am so pleased that the state of Georgia is putting the federal dollars that my colleagues and I voted to send to Georgia earlier this year to good use. This will truly be a lifeline to families who are in critical need of childcare services.\u201d\n\nIn addition to expanded access for Georgia families, the changes announced by the state of Georgia and the Department of Early Care and Learning will also go toward paying higher quality childcare providers more money. Providers that have earned a \u201cQuality Rated\u201d designation based on state standards will see payment increases of 10% to 55% depending on their rating.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-justice-department-287195-grants-to-albany-americus-columbus-and-macon", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT $287,195 GRANTS TO ALBANY, AMERICUS, COLUMBUS, AND MACON", "2021-10-19", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is awarding $287,195 in funds to Albany, Americus, Columbus, and Macon, Georgia through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions.\n\n\"We all want to make our communities safer through law enforcement and crime prevention programs as well as a justice system that is fair and aims to uplift our communities. Making sure our communities are engaging in smart policing and have the tools as well as facilities to serve their communities is vital,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"That is why I pushed for robust funding of these programs through the U.S. House Appropriations Committee so that grant awards like this help Albany, Americus, Columbus, and Macon create local solutions to meet their unique needs.\"\n\nThrough the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the following cities will be awarded funds:\n\nThe City of Albany will receive $83,805.\n\nThe City of Americus will receive $12,155.\n\nThe City of Columbus will receive $104,731.\n\nThe City of Macon will receive $87,224.\n\n\"We are grateful to Congressman Bishop for working to secure the Edward Byrne JAG grant for our community. This grant aids in protecting and providing for our public safety officers and the citizens they serve,\" said Columbus Mayor B. H. \"Skip\" Henderson, III. \"The grants will go towards body cameras, intelligence led policing, and upgrading our emergency operations center. These investments help to ensure that all interactions between our first responders and the public result in positive outcomes.\"\n\n\"We are continually looking for ways to increase the safety of our officers as well as our citizens. This funding will support youth engagement, use of force de-escalation, and recruitment/retention efforts within the department,\" said Chief Michael Persley of the Albany Police Department. \"We are thankful to our national elected officials for their continued pursuit of ensuring law enforcement agencies provide professional and quality services to the citizens they serve.\"\n\nJAG Program funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation) and 8) mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-military-family-caucus-hosts-annual-summit-tackles-challenges-faced-by-military-families", "CONGRESSIONAL MILITARY FAMILY CAUCUS HOSTS ANNUAL SUMMIT TACKLES CHALLENGES FACED BY MILITARY FAMILIES", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last Thursday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, hosted a summit to address the current challenges faced by America's military families. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event was hosted virtually and shared via livestream on the caucus Facebook Page. The daylong event commenced with welcome remarks by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, and Major General Patrick Donahoe, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Maneuver School of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia.\n\nOver the course of the day, subject area experts, military family members as well as organization leaders, and public officials led panel presentations discussing the needs of Modern Military Families including Education, Child Care, Spouse Employment, Healthcare/Exceptional Family Member Program (EMFP), Mental Health, Financial Readiness, Food Insecurity, and Housing. Attendees viewed the event from across the country and were able to share their comments and ask questions of the panelists.\n\nIn speaking to the military family summit attendees,Congressman Bishop said that, \"Events like today provide our caucus with the real-life perspective we need to educate our colleagues in Congress so we can build a stronger coalition to address the challenges you face. I look forward to continuing the good work of the Military Family Caucus with Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and the 68 other Members of Congress who make up this Caucus. I would also ask everyone who joined us today to continue your dialogue with Congress. Your stories are inspiring, your experience is instructive, and your voices are powerful.\"\n\nCongresswoman McMorris Rodgers welcomed the event's participants and highlighted her efforts to tackle some of the most urgent challenges military families face \u2014 including reducing barriers to military spouse employment by streamlining licensing requirements between states and improving the exceptional family program across the services by establishing an advisory council in the U.S. Department of Defense.\n\nThe Congresswoman highlighted the challenges military families face when it comes to education, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic.Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers noted that, \"this year, we have the coronavirus disrupting our schools and routines for the second year in a row. And while most schools remain open, they still are facing immense challenges in this new world. It's very hard. The bottom line is that wherever your service takes you or whatever challenges your family is facing, you should be able to trust that your children's education will stay on track.\"\n\nCongressman Bishop was also a speaker on the military family food insecurity panel. Last month, Congressman Bishop introduced H.R. 5346, the bipartisan Equal Access to the Right Nutrition for Military Families Act, or EARN Act, which would increase access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for military families.\n\nYou can learn more about the event by visiting the summit webpage at https://bishop.house.gov/CMFC-Summit-2021. The webpage includes links to speaker biographies as well as the recorded video for the event.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-mourns-the-passing-of-trailblazing-leader-colin-powell", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP MOURNS THE PASSING OF TRAILBLAZING LEADER COLIN POWELL", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement on the passing of former Joint Chiefs Chair and Secretary of State, Colin Powell:\n\n\"America has lost an extraordinary leader. He was a trailblazer, most notably the first African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.\n\n\"He was a battle-hardened warrior who knew the value of leading with diplomacy. He was an inspiration and beacon of hope to generations of service members who followed him \u2014 especially Black Soldiers who saw in him the possibility of their own potential.\n\n\"I was blessed to know and work with him and hear his reflections on his time at Fort Benning. I will always remember the joy with which he joined us in 2009 to open the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia.\n\n\"Though his accomplishments were stellar \u2014 twice receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom \u2014 Colin Powell continually demonstrated class and dignity, always putting patriotism over partisanship.\n\n\"The world is a better place because of his leadership.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-introduces-resolution-designate-national-vitiligo-awareness", "Rep. Johnson Introduces Resolution to Designate National Vitiligo Awareness Day", "2021-10-17", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) re-introduced legislation this week to recognize Oct. 17th as \"National Vitiligo Awareness Day.\" The resolution honors courageous children and adults, who live with the autoimmune condition and often must overcome harassment and bullying.\n\nVitiligo is a long-term, chronic medical condition that results in loss of pigmentation in patches on the skin, hair, eyes, and inside of the mouth. In the United States, around two to five million people are affected by vitiligo. Approximately half of the cases were diagnosed during childhood, thus requiring lifetime treatment.\n\n\"With suicide rates amongst bullied children found to be two to nine times higher for children living with this condition, a vitiligo diagnosis can have life-threatening consequences,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"By supporting this resolution, we will name October 17th as National Vitiligo Awareness Day. This resolution will show our support for the millions of men, women, and children suffering from vitiligo and highlight the importance of providing comprehensive medical and mental health support to Americans with chronic conditions.\"\n\nThe American Academy of Dermatology refers to vitiligo as a life-altering disorder that can result in low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. This is especially prevalent when children are diagnosed. Children with vitiligo are have been found to be disproportionately bullied. They have a harder time making friends and are more likely to perform poorly at school.\n\n\"As a mother and educator this resolution not only will be another tool for planting seeds of hope but will positively impact children living with vitiligo, said Vitiligo Bond CEO Natasha Pierre McCarthy. \"Educators and parents nationally can use this day to talk about the importance of not bullying and respecting people's differences. Awareness is the key,\" \"With the right support and nurturing a child with vitiligo can thrive. But without that support vitiligo can damage the human spirit.\"\n\nRead the resolution HERE.\n\nRead the AADA Letter of Support", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=022B0B42-A116-4956-973F-21F2306E6488", "McBath, Cumberland CID, Georgia DOT, and Officials Break Ground on New Akers Mill Road Access Ramp", "2021-10-16", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2014 This week, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) joined the Cumberland Community Improvement District (Cumberland CID), the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), and state and local leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony of a new access point to the popular Northwest Corridor Express Lanes at Akers Mill Road. McBath helped secure $5 million for the project in 2019.\n\n\u201cWhen I travel across our community, improving our transportation and infrastructure remains a topic of conversation at every kitchen table. Transportation has long been a central part of what makes this community run. I was proud to help secure $5 million for the Akers Mill Ramp Project and join our partners today at the groundbreaking,\u201d said McBath. \u201cThese are investments that make it quicker and safer to get to work and ensure our local businesses have access to the materials and talent they need to grow and thrive. Like any good investment, this bipartisan funding will pay long-term dividends for our communities. With projects like this, we are reinvigorating the infrastructure of America, better connecting our country, and helping our community chart a course toward an effective and efficient future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-senator-markey-chairman-nadler-rep-jones-statement", "Congressman Johnson, Senator Markey, Chairman Nadler & Rep. Jones Statement on White House Supreme Court Commission Draft Materials", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington (October 14, 2021) \u2013 Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Hank Johnson (GA-04), and Representative Mondaire Jones (NY-17) released the following statement after the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States released its initial draft materials today.\n\n\"The White House Commission on the Supreme Court \u2018draft' misses the mark. After years of Republicans upending precedent, breaking their own rules, and stealing seats on the Supreme Court, we must restore legitimacy and integrity to the Court and undo the damage Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have inflicted on our democracy,\" said the lawmakers in a joint statement. \"The GOP's rigged bench is contorting our laws and issuing decisions that do not reflect, understand, or serve the people the Court is meant to represent. Voting rights, abortion rights, immigration rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's rights are all at stake. We need more than the Commission's report. We must pass legislation to expand the Supreme Court.\"\n\nSenator Markey and Reps. Johnson, Nadler, and Jones introduced the Judiciary Act of 2021 in April to expand the United States Supreme Court by adding four seats, creating a 13-justice Supreme Court. This bill would restore balance to the nation's highest court after four years of norm-breaking actions by Republicans led to its current composition and greatly damaged the Court's standing in the eyes of the American people.\n\nIn 2016, then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republican Senate refused to consider the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the high court, citing their opposition to consideration of Supreme Court nominations in an election year. Yet, a few years later in 2020, Senate Republicans broke their own rule in order to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett while Americans had already begun casting their votes in the presidential election. Republican appointees represent a 6-3 supermajority, and Republicans have appointed 15 of the last 19 justices to the bench.\n\nThe number of justices that sit on the Supreme Court is set by a simple act of Congress, and it can be changed the same way, without requiring a constitutional amendment. Congress has adjusted the size of the court seven times throughout its history, ranging from six to ten justices and establishing a substantial historical precedent for the legislation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-introduces-legislation-secure-cybersecurity-grants-funding", "Rep. Johnson Introduces Legislation to Secure Cybersecurity Grants Funding for HBCUs", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, introduced the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act to fund a cybersecurity grant education program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions.\n\nThe Cybersecurity Opportunity Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to award at least 50 percent of existing cybersecurity grants to HBCUs for five years for increasing research, education, technical, partnership, and innovation capacity.\n\nThis legislation would help strengthen cybersecurity and contribute to a more diverse workplace by giving the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) authority to make grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to promote cybersecurity education and research.\n\n\"Recent, unprecedented cyberattacks like the SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline breaches demonstrate the urgency of solving the national cybersecurity workforce and funding shortages,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"And it's not just enough to throw more money and workers at the problem. We must include more women and minorities, so we are maximizing all the tech talent our country has to offer.\"\n\nU.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA) introduced the companion in the Senate this summer.\n\n\"This legislation will expand America's cybersecurity workforce to protect our nation from hackers and support diversity and equality of opportunity in the cybersecurity profession by expanding training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities,\" said Sen. Ossoff. \"I thank Congressman Hank Johnson for his co-authorship of this bill and his ongoing effort to secure House passage of the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act.\"\n\nCybersecurity Opportunity Act will create the \"Dr. David Satcher Cybersecurity Education Grant Program,\" named after the former U.S. Surgeon General and Morehouse School of Medicine Dean.\n\nThe Satcher Grants will expand cybersecurity training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other colleges and universities that serve a high proportion of Pell Grant recipients in Georgia and nationwide.\n\nIn addition to directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to award at least 50 percent of existing cybersecurity grants to HBCUs for five years, the Cybersecurity Opportunity Act would increase research, education, technical, partnership, and innovation capacity, including:\n\nBuilding and upgrading institutional capacity to better support new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities.\n\nBuilding and upgrading institutional capacity to provide hands-on research and training experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.\n\nOutreach and recruitment to ensure students are aware of such new or existing cybersecurity programs, including cybersecurity partnerships with public and private entities.\n\n\"Rapid upskilling in cybersecurity with in-demand employable and entrepreneurial technical, software engineering and sales skills for all Americans, including Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities, is a matter of our collective national security, upward mobility and path to multi-generational wealth in the fourth industrial revolution.\" said Rodney Sampson, Executive Chairman & CEO, Opportunity Hub and Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution. \"OHUB and our aggregate of distributed and decentralized partnering bootcamps are supportive of Congressman Johnson's Cybersecurity Opportunity Act and remain committed to increasing our partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions, including our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to deliver these industry specific skills to complement their pedagogical innovation to ensure their service to minority communities in America and beyond.\"\n\n\"This legislation would also provide the impetus for our cybersecurity workforce to expand and become more diverse while supporting institutions on their path to producing qualified entrants in the cybersecurity workforce and becoming a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"We're engaged in a cyber war and we need all hands-on deck \u2013 HBCUs are doing some of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced work in our nation and we need to tap into and fully support those institutions to help us win this cyber war.\"\n\nCurrent Co-Sponsors (40): Reps. Sanford Bishop, Karen Bass, Deborah K. Ross, Ritchie Torres, Dina Titus, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Pete Aguilar, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Yvette D. Clarke Sheila Jackson Lee, David N. Cicilline, Val Butler Demings, Kweisi Mfume, Gwen Moore, Bonnie Watson Coleman, William R. Keating, Nikema Williams, Alma S. Adams, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Jim Costa, Marc A. Veasey, Steven Horsford, Robin L. Kelly, Ruben Gallego, Barbara Lee, Bennie Thompson, Frederica S. Wilson, Al Lawson, Lucy McBath, Marilyn Strickland, Emanuel Cleaver, Dwight Evans, Steve Cohen, G.K. Butterfield, Mike Quigley, Joseph D. Morelle, Colin Allred, Al Green, Ro Khanna.\n\nEndorsing Organizations: Morehouse College, Paine College, Fort Valley State University, Savannah State University, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, Opportunity Hub.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-urges-biden-administration-hit-reset-button-us-brazil", "Rep. Johnson Urges Biden Administration To Hit Reset Button on U.S.-Brazil Relations", "2021-10-14", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "63 Colleagues Join Congressman Johnson on Letter to POTUS Expressing Concerns Over Brazil, Bolsonaro\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with more than 60 of his colleagues, sent a letter to President Biden today urging the administration to leverage its influence to address Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's effort to erode his nation's democratic institutions, human and civil rights, Amazon rainforest deforestation, election tampering and pervasive corruption.\n\nSpecifically, Congressman Johnson and his House colleagues request that Brazil should not be designated as a Non-NATO Major Ally given the democratic backsliding that has occurred in Brazil under President Bolsonaro's leadership as well as his continued push for increased deforestation and environmental degradation of the Amazon. The Brazilian president has been accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).\n\nThe members also stress the importance of appointing a U.S. Ambassador to Brazil that reflects the American values of respect for democracy, human rights, and the environment to prevent Brazil's democratic backsliding under Bolsonaro that threatens democratization in South America.\n\nThe full letter in English below. Or click HERE to read the letter.\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write to express our deep concern over President Jair Bolsonaro's pursuit of policies in Brazil that threaten democratic rule, human rights, public health, and the environment in the largest country in South America and the sixth-most populous nation in the world. We believe that it is critically important that cooperation between the U.S. and Brazil is based on a shared commitment to respect democratic values and human rights, and to take action to address the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. We urge you to send a clear message to the Bolsonaro Administration that if President Bolsonaro's attacks on the Brazilian election process continue, then U.S.-Brazil relations will be severely compromised.\n\nBolsonaro's tenure has been marked by anti-democratic policies from the outset. He is among the leading examples of the global trend toward illiberal and authoritarian politics. His campaign was marked by hateful insults hurled against Afro-Brazilians, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, labor unions, and praise for the brutal military dictatorship that ruled in Brazil from 1964 to 1985. Once in power, Bolsonaro proceeded to enact a wide range of policies that have endangered vulnerable minority groups, created historically high unemployment rates, harmed the environment, threatened Brazil's relatively young democracy, and led to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands from Covid-19.\n\nBolsonaro has stated that he will not accept the next election results under the current Brazilian voting system. We find this particularly troubling because Bolsonaro has brought more military officials into his administration than any other president since Brazil's democracy was reestablished in 1988, creating conflicts between governmental institutions and the armed forces. Bolsonaro backed Trump's false claims of election fraud and was one of the last global leaders to recognize your electoral victory, facts that also cast doubt on his willingness to accept the results of Brazil's 2022 election. His son \u2014 a prominent Brazilian Congressman \u2014 personally attended \"Stop the Steal\" activities on January 6 in Washington, which prompted Senator Bob Menendez to issue a letter demanding that Bolsonaro condemn the attacks on our democracy.\n\nWe are also deeply troubled by Bolsonaro's hardline, militarized approach to law enforcement, which has resulted in massive human rights violations, as illustrated by the Jacarezinho operation last May \u2014 the deadliest police raid in Rio de Janeiro's history \u2014 which resulted in the death of 28 people. Alarmingly, the number of killings by police in Brazil in 2019 reached its highest level since 2013 with more than 6,000 killings of mostly poor and black people. These police killings are largely a result of the excessive use of force encouraged by Bolsonaro.\n\nBolsonaro has also gravely endangered the bio-diverse Amazon rainforest by dismantling environmental agencies and weakening enforcement mechanisms. These actions have led to an increase in violations of Indigenous peoples' rights and enabled the invasion of constitutionally protected territories by illegal loggers, miners and ranchers. Bolsonaro has militarized parts of the Amazon region, substituting environmental specialists with untrained military officials who have failed to prevent illegal deforestation, mining and land grabs. Following an 80 percent decrease in deforestation from 2004-2012, Bolsonaro has unapologetically overseen record-high deforestation rates since taking office in 2019. Given these facts, the U.S. government should reject any environmental deal with Bolsonaro that is not conditioned on tangible results, as 15 U.S. senators, celebrities, and over 200 organizations recently urged.\n\nAnother area of concern is Bolsonaro's refusal to implement critical policies recommended by experts to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of adopting recommended preventive measures, the Brazilian government bought millions of excess doses of hydroxychloroquine that were produced after former President Trump misleadingly touted its benefits and despite studies confirming a higher percentage of deaths associated with the medicine. Largely as a result of these irresponsible policies, more than 600,000 Brazilians have died from Covid-19, the second highest rate of Covid deaths in the world. Bolsonaro's policies threaten the world by enabling the spread of new and more dangerous variants of the virus, and he is now under investigation in the Brazilian Congress over Covid-19 vaccine deals.\n\nBolsonaro's deplorable record in office calls for an urgent review of U.S.-Brazil relations with a focus on identifying potential adjustments to the relationship that could provide leverage to incentivize less harmful behavior. This review should include bilateral cooperation on counter-narcotics and counterterrorism, and most notably, the offer made to Brazil to become a NATO global partner. In 2019, Brazil was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), and Bolsonaro used this designation for his political benefit, citing it as a major accomplishment and a stamp of approval from the U.S. government. Offering the government of Brazil the opportunity to become a NATO partner would signal that the U.S. has no serious issue with the human rights, democratic, and environmental violations taking place in Brazil.\n\nTherefore, we respectfully call on you to at a minimum return U.S.-Brazil relations to the pre-Trump status quo, at least until a new leader, more aligned with democratic and human rights values, is elected in Brazil. This should include cancelling the MNNA designation, withdrawing the offer made to Brazil to become a NATO partner, and other forms of harmful cooperation established during the Trump-Bolsonaro period.\n\nTroubling actions by the previous U.S. administration towards Brazil should also be reviewed, including the Trump Administration directly lobbying Brazil to reject desperately needed vaccines for geopolitical reasons and the potential role of the U.S. Department of Justice in advising the investigation that led to the unjust disqualification of Bolsonaro's primary electoral opponent \u2014 a decision that was recently overturned by Brazil's highest court because of alleged political bias.\n\nThe recent retirement of former ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman, represents an important opportunity to put our relationship with Brazil back on the right track. Ambassador Chapman maintained a problematic personal friendship with Bolsonaro and refused to publicly encourage Bolsonaro to protect the environment, human rights, and democracy in his nation. Filling this vacancy with an ambassador that will remain politically neutral while firmly standing up for fundamental U.S. values and interests would represent an important step forward.\n\nWe appreciated the actions taken by the Obama-Biden administration in support of human rights in Brazil, including your personal support to the country's Truth Commission that you demonstrated by hand delivering classified documents related to Brazil's military dictatorship to then President Dilma Rousseff. It is important to note that Rousseff's removal from office was marked by misogynistic narratives in which Jair Bolsonaro, then a congressman, honored Dilma's torturer \u2014 identified by the Truth Commission as one of the worst human rights abusers during the dictatorship \u2014 while voting for her impeachment.\n\nThank you kindly for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nHenry C. \"Hank\" Johnson Jr.\n\nMEMBER OF CONGRESS\n\nCurrent Cosigners (63): Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Karen Bass, Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda, Eleanor Holmes Norton, David N. Cicilline, Alan Lowenthal, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Mark Pocan, Susan Wild, Jim Costa, Maxine Waters, Adriano Espaillat, Raul M. Grijalva, Jan Schakowsky, Cori Bush, Zoe Lofgren, Sylvia R. Garcia, Juan Vargas, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Tony C\u00e1rdenas, Pramila Jayapal, Mondaire Jones, Brenda L. Lawrence, Jamaal Bowman, Ro Khanna, Veronica Escobar, James P. McGovern, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Steve Cohen, Yvette D. Clarke, Daniel T. Kildee, David Trone, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Joaquin Castro, Anna G. Eshoo, Andy Levin, Nydia M. Velazquez, Rosa L. DeLauro, Katherine M. Clark, Peter Welch, Jimmy Gomez, Linda T. S\u00e1nchez, Frank Pallone, Jr., Jerrold Nadler, Danny K. Davis, Jared Huffman, Jamie Raskin, Earl Blumenauer, Grace F. Napolitano, Suzanne Bonamici, Bobby L. Rush, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Peter A. DeFazio, Dwight Evans, James R. Langevin, Barbara Lee, Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n, Lloyd Doggett, Jerry McNerney, Debbie Dingell.\n\nEndorsing Organizations: AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Amazon Watch, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Greenpeace USA, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), Just Foreign Policy (JFP), U.S Network for Democracy in Brazil, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-applauds-georgia-distribution-of-more-than-10-million-in-american-rescue-plan-funds-to-help-improve-rural-education", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP APPLAUDS GEORGIA DISTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO HELP IMPROVE RURAL EDUCATION", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "COLUMBUS, GA \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) applauded last week's announcement by the Georgia Department of Education's (GaDOE) Office of Rural Education & Innovation that it will be distributing funds from the American Rescue Plan to support rural schools and districts by including funding to expand internet connectivity and promote workforce development throughout the State and in Georgia's Second Congressional District. Altogether, over 80 schools and 10 counties are being awarded funds in the district.\n\n\"The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly strained our education system. It highlighted the need for better broadband connectivity in our rural communities so that children can remain connected to their teachers,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Reopening \u2014 and keeping our schools open \u2014 safely as well as closing the \u2018homework gap' by expanding broadband internet access have been challenges for schools across the country. Earlier this year, I fought in Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan to meet these challenges and today these funds can be used to improve the lives of thousands of students across middle and southwest Georgia.\"\n\nTo increase connectivity throughout the state and in rural areas, six counties in Georgia's Second Congressional District will receive grant reimbursements of $40,000 each from the GaDOE's Office of Rural Education & Innovation and GaDOE's Office of Technology. This will be used to help them upgrade their current equipment to handle increased capacity and allow them to fully utilize expanded internet bandwidth.\n\nThese funds were made available through additional funds to the U.S. Department of Education's Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund made possible by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021. Congressman Bishop helped craft and lead the effort to pass this emergency funding by this past December. 39 counties and 4 cities across Georgia are able to improve their internet connectivity through these federal funds.\n\nThe $40,000 (per county) grant reimbursement will be divided by:\n\nFive schools in Crisp County;\n\nSeven schools in Grady County;\n\nEight schools in Lee County;\n\nFifty-three schools in Muscogee County;\n\nSix schools in Peach County; and\n\nSeven schools in Sumter County.\n\nIn conjunction with GaDOE Office of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, GaDOE's Office of Rural Education & Innovation awarded eleven school districts a total of $9,952,853 to equip middle and southwest Georgia middle and high schools with the tools they need to safely open and stay open so that students receive hands-on, industry-standard instruction in career pathways. The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program.\n\nIronically, no Republicans in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate voted to pass the American Rescue Plan which made these much needed funds possible to 7 cities and 50 counties across the state.\n\nThe allocations are as follows:\n\nColquitt County was awarded $38,960.\n\nDecatur County was awarded $98,750.\n\nEarly County was awarded $100,000.\n\nLee County was awarded $47,195.\n\nMiller County was awarded $99,956.\n\nMitchell County was awarded $100,000.\n\nRandolph County was awarded $100,000.\n\nSchley County was awarded $90,986.\n\nSeminole County was awarded $100,000.\n\nTerrell County was awarded $77,006.\n\nThe City of Pelham was awarded $100,000.\n\nFor more information on GaDOE's Office of Rural Education & Innovation, visit the Georgia Department of Education's website, https://www.gadoe.org/rural/Pages/default.aspx.\n\nFor more information about the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage for the program, https://oese.ed.gov/offices/education-stabilization-fund/governors-emergency-education-relief-fund/.\n\nFor more information about the American Rescue Plan, you can visit Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/), where the ESSER program is included in Title II, Subtitle A, Part 1.\n\nFor more information about ESSER, visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage for the program, https://oese.ed.gov/offices/american-rescue-plan/american-rescue-plan-elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-votes-to-prevent-catastrophic-national-debt-default-pay-nation-s-existing-bills", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP VOTES TO PREVENT CATASTROPHIC NATIONAL DEBT DEFAULT, PAY NATION\u2019S EXISTING BILLS", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted for must-pass legislation to prevent a first-ever default on the federal debt, which would result in economic catastrophe for nearly every American family. This crucial bill \u2013 which Senate Democrats passed on October 7th, with all Senate Republicans present voting against \u2013 will keep the United States under the debt limit through at least December 3rd.\n\n\"Democrats have worked hard to avoid an unprecedented debt default, which would devastate the financial future of our country. Addressing the debt limit has traditionally been a bipartisan effort,\"said Congressman Sanford Bishop. \"While Congressional Democrats passed a short-term measure today to avoid immediate disaster, Senate Republicans are recklessly refusing to help us find a long-term solution that would pay off America's debt, a significant portion of which was incurred because they voted for under the former president. Experts agree that a first-ever default would devastate America's economy, causing Georgia's families to greatly suffer. Congress is responsible for safeguarding our nation's full faith and credit and protecting families from financial ruin.\"\n\nWith this legislation, which President Biden will soon sign into law, the federal government will be able to continue meeting financial obligations for another two months. This action only addresses previously approved spending, including bipartisan COVID relief, payments to Social Security recipients, payments of veterans' benefits and paychecks for members of the military \u2013 and does not authorize future spending.\n\nSenate Republicans continue to block action on a House-passed bill that addresses the debt ceiling through 2022 \u2013 risking a cataclysmic default that would trigger a global economic collapse and devastate the financial security of nearly every American family. A recent study by Moody's showed that a debt default would:\n\nWipe out $15 trillion in household wealth;\n\nErase up to six million jobs; and\n\nDouble the unemployment rate, surging up to nine percent.\n\nOver the last decade, every time the debt limit has needed to be addressed, Congress has acted on a bipartisan basis \u2013 including three times under President Trump. Despite Republicans adding $7.8 trillion to the federal debt over the last four years \u2013 including a $2 trillion tax scam benefiting the rich \u2013 Democrats still helped Republicans address the debt ceiling, because the full faith and credit of the United States must never come under threat.\n\nNow, under President Biden, Senate Minority Leader McConnell and others refuse to join Democrats to address the debt limit \u2013 despite the fact that only 3 percent of the current debt was accumulated under President Biden, and more than 27 percent was incurred under President Trump. This is blatantly hypocritical: just two years ago, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellagreed that \"America can't default\" because \"that would be a disaster.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-announces-federal-grants-boost-community-policing", "Rep. Johnson Announces Federal Grants To Boost Community Policing", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "CONYERS, GA \u2013 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), announced that the Conyers Police Department and the Rockdale County Sheriff's Department are receiving federal grants to help boost their community policing efforts.\n\nThe Conyers Police Department is receiving $132,000 and the Rockdale Sheriff's Department is receiving $125,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services or COPS.\n\nThe Conyers PD will use the grant funds to help establish crisis intervention teams, while the Rockdale Sheriff's Department will use their funds for microgrants to promote positive interactions and outcomes for youth via the department's Youth Engagement Program.\n\n\"I am grateful that the USDOJ/COPS - Youth Engagement grant was awarded to Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. This is timely because I have recently formed a Sheriff's Activities League (SAL),\" said Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett. \"Grant funding will assist with SAL programs, Rockdale School Resource Officer (SRO) programs, along with other youth focused training and community-oriented policing (COPS) initiatives. In addition, grant funded programs will enable the RCSO with continuing to build trust between deputies and youth.\"\n\nDuring his tenure in Congress, Rep. Johnson has worked in a bipartisan way to prevent massive cuts to the COPS Hiring Program (CHP), which is designed to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct support to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide.\n\nSince 1995, the COPS program has invested more than $258.6 million in Georgia law enforcement agencies, which was used to hire more than 3,000 officers and provide more than $50 million in technology upgrades.\n\n\"One thing many of us can agree on is that the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve is broken, said Rep. Johnson. \"The COPS Grant Program is a cornerstone of the federal effort to repair that divide. I'm pleased that the Conyers PD and Rockdale Sheriff's Office are receiving these grants for this purpose.\"\n\nThis funding is part of 185 awards distributed throughout the nation totaling more than $33 million in funding to advance the practice of community policing in law enforcement.\n\nThe DOJ's Community Policing Development (CPD) program funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.\n\nFor more, visit the Department of Justice COPS website.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-address-debt-ceiling-prevent-catastrophic-default-0", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Address Debt Ceiling, Prevent Catastrophic Default", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted for must-pass legislation to prevent a first-ever default on the federal debt, which would result in economic catastrophe for nearly every American family. This crucial bill \u2013 which Senate Democrats passed on October 7th, with all Senate Republicans present voting against \u2013 will keep the United States under the debt limit through at least December 3rd.\n\n\"Democrats are hard at work to avoid a catastrophic and unprecedented debt default, which would devastate the financial future of Georgia families,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"Addressing the debt ceiling has long been a bipartisan obligation \u2013 but now, Senate Republicans are recklessly refusing to help us to pay off America's credit card for spending many of them voted for under the former president. While today the Democratic Congress averted a disastrous default with a short-term measure, it is shameful and irresponsible that Senate Republicans will not join us in finding a longer-term solution.\"\n\nWith this legislation, which President Biden will soon sign into law, the federal government will be able to continue meeting financial obligations for another two months. This action only addresses previously approved spending, including bipartisan COVID relief, payments to Social Security recipients, payments of veterans' benefits and paychecks for members of the military \u2013 and does not authorize future spending.\n\nSenate Republicans continue to block action on a House-passed bill that addresses the debt ceiling through 2022 \u2013 risking a cataclysmic default that would trigger a global economic collapse and devastate the financial security of nearly every American family. A recent study by Moody's showed that a debt default would:\n\n\u2022 Wipe out $15 trillion in household wealth;\n\n\u2022 Erase up to six million jobs; and\n\n\u2022 Double the unemployment rate, surging up to nine percent.\n\nOver the last decade, every time the debt limit has needed to be addressed, Congress has acted on a bipartisan basis \u2013 including three times under President Trump. Despite Republicans adding $7.8 trillion to the federal debt over the last four years \u2013 including a $2 trillion tax scam benefiting the rich \u2013 Democrats still helped Republicans address the debt ceiling, because the full faith and credit of the United States must never come under threat.\n\nNow, under President Biden, McConnell and many Republicans refuse to join Democrats to address the debt limit \u2013 despite the fact that only 3 percent of the current debt was accumulated under President Biden, and more than 27 percent was incurred under President Trump. This is blatantly hypocritical: just two years ago, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed that \"America can't default\" because \"that would be a disaster.\"\n\n\"By refusing to allow our nation to pay for spending the Congress has already authorized, Republicans are playing a cynical game of Russian Roulette with our economy and our children's future,\" Rep. Johnson continued. \"Experts agree that a first-ever default would bring unthinkable economic suffering to American families. As lawmakers, it is our responsibility to safeguard America's full faith and credit and to protect families from financial ruin \u2013 and I call on my Republican colleagues to join us in honoring this solemn duty.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1C013EB8-1727-4B2F-BBFC-EDA7324282B6", "McBath Announces Over $1 Million in Constituent Savings Through Constituent Services Program", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 Today, Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) highlighted the success of her office\u2019s constituent services program in its mission to provide federal casework assistance to the people of Georgia\u2019s Sixth District. Since the beginning of this year, the congresswoman\u2019s office has worked with more than 3,000 residents who have contacted her office to request assistance through this program. In addition, these services have resulted in savings of more than one million dollars in recovered federal benefits for residents.\n\n\u201cI am so proud to represent the people of the Sixth District and provide tangible relief to members of our community,\u201d McBath said. \u201cSince taking office, my staff and I have worked hard to help thousands of constituents navigate federal casework issues and secure their well-earned benefits. Every dollar recovered through our casework program is a dollar back in the pocket of a hard-working Georgian.\u201d\n\nMcBath\u2019s Sandy Springs District Office continues to build off of its success and advocate on behalf of constituents involving matters of the federal government, including the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Internal Revenue Service. Here are some success stories from constituents who shared feedback about their experience with McBath\u2019s office.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-1-million-epa-award-to-ga-tech-to-protect-children-from-wildland-burn-emissions-in-columbus-and-albany", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION EPA AWARD TO GA TECH TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM WILDLAND BURN EMISSIONS IN COLUMBUS AND ALBANY", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1 million to Georgia Tech's College of Engineering to develop tactics to protect children from harmful emissions from controlled wildland burns. The project would provide equipment and new communications approaches to middle and high schools in Albany and Columbus.\n\n\"This project will have broad implications on the air quality in the greater Columbus and Albany areas and can help improve the lives of tens of thousands of residents in middle and southwest Georgia,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"I am pleased to see the EPA and Georgia Tech working with our schools in Albany and Columbus to help track, raise awareness about, and protect our children from the harmful effects of air pollution that can lead to health problems and undermine their academic performance.\"\n\nFor the next year, the researchers will deliver daily fire impact forecasts to each school, while also installing air purifiers and low-cost air quality monitors. Data from those monitors will be broadcast in real-time inside and outside classrooms. The Georgia Tech team will also create new curricula for teachers and students that increase understanding of air pollutants, their sources, and mitigation measures.\n\nThe program is focusing on Albany and Columbus, Georgia as well as Phenix City, Alabama due to their close proximity to regular controlled burns as well as the socioeconomics of the impacted communities. In the past, the EPA has cited Columbus for high levels of air pollutants.\n\nWith the increased frequency of wildfires due to the impact of climate change, communities are increasingly using prescribed fires to help prevent larger and more disastrous wildfires. Both types of fire are a source of air pollutants. The highest levels of these emissions occur during school hours, when burns are most active, and these levels remain high well into evening hours.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-45-million-from-federal-communications-commission-for-school-broadband-connectivity-in-bibb-calhoun-muscogee-taylor-and-webster-counties", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $4.5 MILLION FROM FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FOR SCHOOL BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN BIBB, CALHOUN, MUSCOGEE, TAYLOR, AND WEBSTER COUNTIES", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is awarding over $4.5 million to the Bibb, Calhoun, Muscogee, Taylor, and Webster County school districts through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. This will help provide connected devices and better broadband connectivity for students and educators.\n\n\"Ensuring that our students have access to broadband and connected devices helps close the \u2018homework gap' by connecting students to our schools and teachers. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this need in communities across the country,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"This is a huge federal investment in our communities and I encourage other schools and libraries across middle and southwest Georgia to apply for these funds.\"\n\nAcross the country, this first wave of funding will support 3,081,131 devices and 774,115 broadband connections and help connect over 3.6 million students who, according to their schools, would otherwise lack devices, broadband access, or both.\n\nA second application filing window opened on September 28 and closes on October 13 that will provide funding for eligible equipment and services received or delivered between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.\n\nThe funding is available for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons in need, and is available to support off-campus learning, such as homework and virtual learning as schools continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nYou can learn more about the program and apply by visiting https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-520131-us-department-of-education-award-to-lower-muskogee-creek-tribe", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $520,131 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARD TO LOWER MUSKOGEE CREEK TRIBE", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Education has granted $520,131 to the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe through its American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.\n\n\"I am happy to support this investment by the Department of Education in our Native American community in southwest Georgia,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Because of this grant, the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe's counselors will be able to build on their twenty successful years of administering this program to help Native Americans with disabilities better understand their disabilities and connect them with services they need to pursue and achieve gainful employment.\"\n\nThe program provides grants to states, public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and institutions of higher education to increase their capacity to provide vocational rehabilitation services, in a culturally relevant manner, to tribal members with disabilities. The goal of the program is to help these individuals prepare for and engage in high-quality employment to increase their opportunity for economic self-sufficiency.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-over-2-million-in-grant-awards-to-higher-education-institutions-in-middle-and-southwest-georgia", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES OVER $2 MILLION IN GRANT AWARDS TO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MIDDLE AND SOUTHWEST GEORGIA", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce four grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to higher education institutions across middle and southwest Georgia to help improve the educational outcomes of Black and minority communities.\n\n\"By investing in these colleges and programs, the Department of Education is helping teachers and administrators strengthen programs and improve minority student outcomes,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"These colleges are preparing tomorrow's scientists and engineers as well as training students for a range of jobs. The health of our local economy as well as America's competitiveness on the world stage, depends on developing all the potential our community has to offer.\"\n\nThe U.S. Department of Education awarded a Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) Grant of $245,598 for Albany State University.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Education awarded a Predominantly Black Institutions Grant of $599,637 to Central Georgia Technical College.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Education awarded a Predominantly Black Institutions Grant of $563,307 to Albany Technical College.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Education awarded a Predominantly Black Institutions Grant of $600,000 to South Georgia Technical College.\n\nAlbany State University is receiving funds through the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) to enhance its science and engineering programs. MSEIP is designed to encourage careers in science and technology for minorities, and especially women.\n\nCentral Georgia Technical College, Albany Technical College, and South Georgia Technical College are receiving funds through the Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Competitive Grant Program which supports the creation and improvement of programs in STEM, Health, Globalization, and Teacher Preparation as well as seeks to improve educational outcomes among African-American males.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-leads-effort-to-keep-federal-government-open-and-serving-the-people", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP LEADS EFFORT TO KEEP FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPEN AND SERVING THE PEOPLE", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Last week, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, led the U.S. House of Representatives in adopting a funding bill that keeps the federal government open and serving the people. The funding bill was adopted by a bipartisan vote of 254-175 and was signed by President Biden, thus averting a shutdown of the federal government.\n\n\"We have to keep the government open so that it can continue to serve the American people,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Federal departments and agencies help improve the lives of every American from child care and education, nutrition assistance programs, health care programs, and social security to housing, job training, and infrastructure projects. It also ensures the smooth, continued operation of our national defense and upholds our commitments to our veterans.\"\n\nDuring debate on the bill, Congressman Bishop highlighted provisions that address food insecurity and provide $28.6 billion to extend emergency disaster funding to help Americans recover from recent hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, winter storms, and other major disasters declared in 2021 and prior years.\n\nClick here to view his remarks from the House Floor in support of the funding bill.\n\nThe bill also provides $6.3 billion to support Afghan evacuees, including funding to temporarily house evacuees at American facilities and in foreign countries, providing necessary security screenings, and ultimately resettling eligible evacuees in the United States. The legislation also includes funding to provide humanitarian assistance for Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-hosting-free-rockdale-vaccination-event", "Congressman Johnson Hosting Free Rockdale Vaccination Event", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "ROCKDALE, GA \u2013 On Saturday, October 23 from 10 AM to 2 PM, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting a free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination event with the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners and the Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale Health Department.\n\n| Visit Facebook to let us know you or a family member are coming|\n\nThe free event will be held at 1733 Lake Rockaway Rd., Conyers, GA 30012. *Enter 2442 Lake Rockaway Rd. for your GPS. The Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale County Board of Health will administer 100 Pfizer vaccines. Rockdale County will give $50 gift cards to the first 100 vaccine recipients. The shots and gift cards are on a first-come, first-serve basis.\n\nWHO:\n\nCongressman Hank Johnson;\n\nRockdale County Board of Commissioners;\n\nGwinnett, Newton, Rockdale County Board of Health;\n\nConstituents receiving vaccinations;\n\nWHEN: Saturday, October 23 from 10 AM to 2 PM.\n\nWHERE:1733 Lake Rockaway Rd., Conyers, GA 30012. *Enter 2442 Lake Rockaway Rd. for your GPS.\n\nWHY: To continue urging the community to get vaccinated \u2013 \"Don't Wait, Vaccinate.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-more-than-49-million-in-american-rescue-plan-funds-to-help-local-health-centers", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $4.9 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO HELP LOCAL HEALTH CENTERS", "2021-10-05", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that health centers across middle and southwest Georgia will be receiving over $4.9 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the American Rescue Plan to help modernize and improve facilities. Grant awardees in middle and southwest Georgia include First Choice Primary Care in Macon, the Georgia Department of Community Health in Cordele, Albany Area Primary Health Care in Albany, Primary Care of Southwest Georgia in Blakely, CareConnect Health in Richland, and Valley Healthcare System in Columbus. These health centers have been on the forefront of testing, treating, and vaccinating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"The COVID-19 pandemic has strained our health centers, yet they remain a lifeline for our communities,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"I am pleased to see HHS making these crucial investments in our local health care providers. These funds will help them improve facilities and provide more equitable, high-quality primary care for our family, our friends, and our neighbors.\"\n\nThe funds are being awarded to health centers that serve medically underserved and other vulnerable populations and communities, which are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other health conditions. More than 91 percent of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and nearly 63 percent are racial/ethnic minorities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E8791380-7F1D-45A2-BC06-1EAD28D34BA5", "McBath, Joined by Colleagues, Introduces New Law to Study America\u2019s School Shootings", "2021-10-04", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Lucy McBath (GA-06), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) announced that the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act has been filed, legislation that will allow the public and policy makers to more accurately assess gun violence on school campuses and work toward solutions to keep children safe.\n\nCrucially, this law would create a definition for \u2018school shooting,\u2019 which does not exist in federal law. Currently, policy makers rely on media reports of \u2018school shootings,\u2019 which can vary widely. With a standard definition, lawmakers would have a reliable way to measure incidents, trends, and the impact of reforms and strategies designed to save lives.\n\n\u201cSchool shootings and mass shootings have become far too common in our country,\u201d said McBath. \u201cThere is not currently a federal definition for a \u2018school shooting,\u2019 yet far too many of our young people have witnessed one firsthand. We must understand the extent of this heartbreaking tragedy before we can find the solutions necessary to solve it, and I thank all those who continue to stand with us in the fight to end gun violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe will never loosen the chokehold opponents of gun safety have on solving this public health crisis until we fully understand the carnage that firearms inflict on Americans, especially on our school campuses,\u201d said Wasserman Schultz. \u201cThe more we know about the dangers that guns pose to our classrooms, the more likely we are to prevent the next Marjorie Stoneman Douglas or Sandy Hook massacre. Protecting students and teachers, and understanding the real dangers they face from firearms, is yet one more political space where all sides can agree that we need to make swift, substantial progress. We just need the data to help identify trends and gaps, and then we can work toward solving it. This legislation would build a sturdy foundation to make schools safer.\u201d\n\n\u201cGun violence prevention is a top concern for me, and my constituents. Every day we continue to see these tragedies occur impacting the safety of our schools. In 2018 and 2019, there were 24 and 25 school shootings respectively. The School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act is a key prevention measure providing the framework to obtain the data needed to be pro-active,\u201d said Hayes. \u201cBy analyzing the history of school shootings, we can identify shooting and fatality statistics; shooter and victim demographics, shooter motivations; the firearms and ammunition acquired and used; and maintain a database, so we can attempt to get to the core of why this phenomenon continues to occur.\u201d\n\nVarious gun safety and education groups are also backing this critical legislation:\n\n\u201cCongress must take a comprehensive and holistic approach to keep youth safe from gun violence. Ensuring we have the best data possible on violence in schools is necessary to save lives,\u201d said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. \u201cWe applaud Reps. Hayes, Wasserman Schultz and McBath for introducing this critical legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act is a step in the right direction as the first piece of federal legislation to define and produce data on school shootings,\u201d said Elizabeth Brown, principal of Forest High School in Ocala, FL, and a member of the NASSP Principal Recovery Network. \u201cI know from firsthand experience how devastating these school shootings can be \u2014 their reverberations impact not only students, staff and educators, but entire communities. As school leaders, it\u2019s critical that we have up to date information that will allow us to make the best decisions to ensure our schools are the safe and welcoming places they need to be.\u201d\n\n\u201cSchool shootings are not an inevitable part of American life. In fact, they are avoidable tragedies. Instead of traumatizing our children with active shooter drills, we should find solutions to prevent gun violence in our nation\u2019s schools,\u201d said Adzi Vokhiwa, Giffords\u2019 Federal Affairs Director. \u201cThe School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act would help do just that by creating the federal framework for collecting and sharing data about school shootings, including establishing a federal definition for school shootings and ensuring regular reporting on these incidents. We thank Congresswomen Wasserman Schultz, McBath, and Hayes for their leadership in introducing this bill and working to keep our students, educators, and communities safe from gun violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cKeeping our children and educators safe from gun violence in schools requires comprehensive solutions, which must be bolstered by additional data and analysis from the federal government,\u201d said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. \u201cMoms Demand Action and our grassroots army of volunteers is proud to support this common sense legislation and grateful for the continued leadership by gun sense champions Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lucy McBath, and Jahana Hayes.\u201d\n\n\u201cI will never forget the strange feeling of my first school shooter drill my senior year of high school in Pembroke Pines, FL, and how it felt to think about preventing my own murder. It was only the day before the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting 23 miles away,\u201d said Bella D\u2019Alacio, policy associate at March For Our Lives. \u201cWhen we talk about common sense gun violence prevention, bills like this are exactly what we mean. Defining \u2018school shootings\u2019 should be a no brainer \u2013 to ensure our government is empowered and resourced in order to prevent horrific shootings and generations of trauma. I am grateful to Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Hayes and McBath for their leadership and hope Congress will not hesitate to pass this legislation.\u201d\n\nThis bill also directs the Department of Education to consult with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to produce comprehensive annual reports on school safety indicators, such as shooting and fatality statistics, shooter and victim demographics, shooter motivations, the types of firearms and ammunition acquired and used, and more. It would also track prevention efforts, such as building designs, and communication and response plans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-11-million-in-grant-awards-to-macon-and-albany-to-support-educational-achievement", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $1.1 MILLION IN GRANT AWARDS TO MACON AND ALBANY TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce four grants awarded to three community organizations and higher education institutions across middle and southwest Georgia through the U.S. Department of Education's Talent Search Program. The program is designed to help make postsecondary education accessible to qualified youths.\n\nBoys & Girls Club of Central Georgia received a grant of $277,375\n\nEpsilon Beta Lambda Foundation received two $277,375 grants\n\nAlbany State University received a grant of $277,375.\n\n\"Through tutorial services, college and career exploration, as well as counseling and mentoring programs, these funds will help provide support and guidance to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can share in the success that comes from highschool and post-high school education,\" said Congressman Bishop.\n\nThe Talent Search Program provides funding to organizations to help identify promising candidates for postsecondary education and assist those candidates achieve success by completing their secondary educational studies and go on to postsecondary endeavors. The Program also works to increase awareness of financial aid for postsecondary programs and encourage candidates to enter or reenter such programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-announces-425-million-loan-award-to-improve-electric-service-to-bibb-crawford-dooly-and-macon-counties", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ANNOUNCES $42.5 MILLION LOAN AWARD TO IMPROVE ELECTRIC SERVICE TO BIBB, CRAWFORD, DOOLY, AND MACON COUNTIES", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced a $10 million loan award to Middle Georgia EMC and a $32.5 million loan award to Southern Rivers Energy from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Electric Loan Program which helps modernize and improve the reliability of rural electric grids.\n\n\"Ensuring that families, farmers, and businesses have dependable access to electricity and a modern electrical grid is vital to maintain the economic well-being and quality of life in our rural communities,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"This loan will help these power providers build and improve nearly over 700 miles of electric line, connect over 3000 electric consumers, and invest in \u2018Smart Grid' technology as they serve customers in Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, and Macon Counties.\"\n\nThe Electric Loan Program loans and loan guarantees finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand side management, energy efficiency and conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems.\n\nLoans are made to cooperatives as well as to corporations, states, territories and subdivisions and agencies such as municipalities, people's utility districts, and nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that provide retail electric service needs to rural areas or supply the power needs of distribution borrowers in rural areas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-applauds-199850-hhs-grant-to-help-homeless-youth-in-albany", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP APPLAUDS $199,850 HHS GRANT TO HELP HOMELESS YOUTH IN ALBANY", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding $199,850 to Open Arms, Inc. in Albany, Georgia through the department's Transitional Living Program. The program supports projects that provide long-term residential services to homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 22. Open Arms, Inc. is an umbrella organization which oversees 4 sheltering programs including The Bridge, The Maternity Group Home, Scattered-Site Apartments, and the Transitional Living Program Shelter.\n\n\"Across America, about 30% of people experiencing homelessness are under the age of 24. Those experiencing homelessness have a harder time finding employment and are at greater risk of experiencing physical and mental health problems as well as engaging with gangs or being the victims of violence themselves,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"These HHS funds support vital programs that help avoid the destructive consequences of homelessness and provide a safer, better future for our youth and our communities.\"\n\nIn addition to supporting living accommodations such as host-family homes, group homes, and supervised apartments, the program also offers or refers for mental health care services, and physical health services, basic life skill building services, and education opportunities as well as job attainment services.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-fights-lower-drug-prices-protect-consumers-online", "Congressman Johnson Fights to Lower Drug Prices, Protect Consumers Online", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, had two bipartisan bills pass out of the Judiciary Committee today \u2013 The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act, H.R. 2884, and The SHOP SAFE Act, H.R. 5374.\n\nTHE AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PATIENTS THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO PATENT LITIGATION ACT\n\nIntroduced by Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chairman Johnson (D-GA), Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA), and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX), the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act helps simplify the process of bringing generic versions of a particularly high-cost class of drug called biologics to the marketplace, which should result in lower prices for consumers.\n\nThe bill now goes to the full House for passage.\n\n\"One of the top issues I hear from my constituents in Georgia's Fourth District is that prescription drugs are too expensive,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"This bill's name may be long, but its purpose is simple: it seeks to bring down medical costs by streamlining the pathway for alternatives to expensive, brand-name biological drugs, known as biologics, to get to consumers.\"\n\nChairman Johnson's opening statement can be found here.\n\nTHE SHOP SAFE ACT\n\nThe House Judiciary Committee also marked up and voted out of committee the Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-commerce (SHOP SAFE) Act that protects consumers by stopping the online sale of harmful counterfeit products. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is co-lead of the bill and held a hearing on the issue in May of 2021. The bill is led by Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) who is the original sponsor, and other co-leads include Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Representative Ben Cline (R-VA).\n\nThe bill now goes to the full House for passage.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans spent $791.7 billion on e-commerce in 2020, up over 30% from 2019. As more consumers opt to shop online, they are increasingly vulnerable to the rising number of counterfeit goods sold on e-commerce platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated this potential harm as the amount of time consumers spend online and the types of high-risk counterfeits available on these platforms have risen. The SHOP SAFE Act reduces the availability of harmful counterfeit products online by incentivizing platforms to engage in best practices for vetting sellers and goods, addressing repeat counterfeiter sellers, and ensuring consumers have access to relevant information at the time of purchase.\n\n\"We are no longer in the era of fake watches and handbags being sold out of car trunks. As consumers have moved online, counterfeiters have embraced the Internet, too. But shopping on an online marketplace should come with the same customer trust and confidence as a brick-and-mortar store \u2013 today it does not. The SHOP SAFE Act is a good first step to countering this troubling trend and protecting American consumers.\"\n\nThe SHOP SAFE Act will:\n\nEstablish trademark liability for online marketplace platforms when a third-party sells a counterfeit product that poses a risk to consumer health or safety and that platform does not follow certain best practices;\n\nIncentivize online platforms to establish best practices such as vetting sellers to ensure their legitimacy, removing counterfeit listings, and removing sellers who repeatedly sell counterfeits; and\n\nCall for online marketplaces to take steps necessary to prevent the continued sale of counterfeits by the third-party seller or face contributory liability for their actions.\n\nA copy of the full bill text can be found here.\n\nA one-pager on the bill can be found here.\n\nA section-by-section analysis of the bill can be found here.\n\nChairman Johnson's opening statement can be found here", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-address-debt-ceiling-prevent-catastrophic-default", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Address Debt Ceiling, Prevent Catastrophic Default", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 This week, Rep. Johnson voted for must-pass legislation to prevent a first-ever default on the federal debt, which would result in economic catastrophe for nearly every American family. This crucial bill comes after Senate Republicans voted unanimously on Monday to recklessly endanger the American economy by blocking action to address the debt ceiling.\n\n\"Threatening the full faith and credit of the United States puts at risk the financial security of millions of hard-working Americans,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"While Democrats are working hard to avoid a catastrophic debt default, Republicans have chosen to hold the American economy hostage. I proudly voted to protect Georgia families from the certain financial ruin of default, and I call on my colleagues across the aisle in the Senate to do the same.\"\n\nThis crucial legislation suspends the debt ceiling through December 2022, so that the federal government can continue to meet the financial obligations it has already made. This includes the bipartisan December COVID relief legislation, as well as Social Security and Medicare benefits, services for veterans and paychecks for members of the military.\n\nFailing to address the debt ceiling would put at risk the financial futures of nearly every American family. A recent study by Moody's showed that a debt default:\n\nWould cost the U.S. economy up to 6 million jobs;\n\nWipe out potentially $15 trillion in household wealth;\n\nSend borrowing rates skyrocketing; and\n\nDouble the unemployment rate, surging up to nine percent.\n\nOver the last decade, every time the debt limit has needed to be addressed, Congress has come together and acted on a bipartisan basis. Over his four-year term, President Trump incurred $7.8 trillion in debt, and during those four years, Democrats worked with Republicans to increase or suspend the debt limit three separate times. Even as Republicans added $2 trillion to the debt with a GOP tax scam for the rich, passed on a party line vote, Democrats helped Republicans address the debt ceiling \u2013 firmly believing that protecting the full faith and credit of the United States is beyond question. Just two years ago, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed: acknowledging that \"America can't default. That would be a disaster\" and supporting the suspension of the debt limit as necessary because it \"secures our nation's full-faith and credit and ensures that Congress will not throw this kind of unnecessary wrench into the gear of our job growth and thriving economy.\"\n\nNow, under President Biden, McConnell and many Republicans have hypocritically reversed their position and refuse to join Democrats in addressing the debt limit \u2013 despite the fact that only 3 percent of the current debt was accumulated under President Biden, whereas more than 27 percent was incurred under President Trump.\n\n\"Failing to address the debt limit is like racking up charges on a credit card and refusing to pay the bill,\" Rep. Johnson continued. \"Right now, America's credit card bill includes payments for veterans, Social Security beneficiaries and our troops \u2013 as well as trillions in spending by President Trump and Republicans in Congress. Still, Democrats are addressing the debt because we believe both parties share the obligation to safeguard America's full faith and credit, and we call on Republicans to join us in this solemn duty.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-keep-government-open-prevent-devastating-shutdown", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Keep Government Open, Prevent Devastating Shutdown", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted again to keep the federal government open and protect the American economy and families from a devastating shutdown. This legislation extends government funding through December 3rd, while also delivering billions in desperately needed disaster relief and helping resettle Afghan refugees fleeing persecution.\n\n\"Today, I proudly voted to keep the federal government open and protect Georgia families from a devastating government shutdown,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"Our nation is rebounding from the pandemic, and we cannot afford to cut families off from the essential government services we depend on every day. By keeping the government's lights on, the Democratic Congress is ensuring that our nation stays on track to Build Back Better.\"\n\nThis government funding bill, which now goes to the President to be signed into law, ensures the uninterrupted operations of government services for two more months \u2013 allowing Democrats and Republicans to continue to advance appropriations priorities through the regular order process for Fiscal Year 2022. It also delivers emergency funding for urgent priorities, including relief funding for communities devastated by this summer's record-breaking natural disasters and funding to resettle Afghan refugees after the historic evacuation effort in August.\n\nImportantly, this legislation prevents a destructive government shutdown, which would:\n\n\u2022 Devastate workers: at the beginning of the Trump Shutdown in 2018-2019 \u2013 which was only a partial shutdown \u2013 800,000 workers were either furloughed or denied pay while being required to report to work.\n\n\u2022 Freeze key government services: including services that veterans and seniors rely on, as well as nutrition assistance for hungry families, government operations relating to national security, mortgage application approval, environmental and food inspections and other life-and-death services.\n\n\u2022 Ravage the economy: according to the nonpartisan CBO, the Trump Shutdown slashed GDP by $11 billion \u2013 including $3 billion that will never be recovered.\n\nLast week, House Democrats passed similar legislation to fund the government, which also included a suspension of the debt ceiling through December 2022. This action ensured that the federal government could continue to meet the financial obligations it has already made, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, services for veterans and paychecks for members of the military. However, on Monday, Senate Republicans put at risk the financial future of American families and the American economy by blocking this bill. A recent study by Moody's showed that a debt default \u2013 which Republicans voted for \u2013 would cost the economy up to six million jobs and wipe out potentially $15 trillion in household wealth.\n\n\"It's disgraceful that Republicans have chosen to play political games with the financial security of American families rather than work with us to strengthen the economy,\" continued Rep. Johnson. \"While Republicans are being reckless and indifferent to the middle class, Democrats are For The People \u2013 fighting for the health, financial security and well-being of American families.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-meet-needs-servicemembers-and-military-families", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Meet the Needs of Servicemembers and Military Families, Strengthen National Security", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2013 Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that makes key investments to improve the lives of Servicemembers and military families, while also strengthening our national security.\n\n\"As Members of Congress, we have no greater responsibility than to ensure the security of our nation \u2013 and that starts with supporting our men and women in uniform,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"With this year's defense funding bill, Democrats secured crucial benefits and protections for our Servicemembers that will make our nation safer and stronger, while also making strong investments in our national defense and in our security interests. I was proud to vote for this bill, which honors the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families.\"\n\nThis legislation includes a number of important priorities that Democrats fought for and secured, including:\n\n\u2022 Vital benefits for Servicemembers and their families, including a 2.7 percent pay increase, expanded parental leave, improved mental health care services and a new basic needs allowance for lower-income Servicemembers.\n\n\u2022 Combating sexual assault in the military by creating an Office of Special Victim Prosecutor to prosecute these crimes, removing the commanding officer from these decisions and finally criminalizing sexual harassment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.\n\n\u2022 Significant investments in emerging technologies to modernize institutions of national security, including a 36 percent increase in defense-wide research and development, as well as new funding to improve DOD research labs.\n\n\u2022 Action on the climate crisis by removing barriers to improving the extreme weather resilience of critical defense infrastructure and requiring the DOD to consider climate risks in its strategic planning.\n\n\u2022 Addressing strategic and security challenges, ranging from competition with China, to the risks posed by violent extremism and white nationalism, to strengthening our cybersecurity infrastructure, to strengthening the provisions providing for the needs of our Afghan partners with Special Immigrant Visas.\n\n\u2022 Recruiting a stronger, fairer, more diverse Armed Services by promoting academic partnerships with minority-serving colleges and universities, rooting out extremism among Servicemembers and establishing a $15 minimum wage for covered DOD service and construction contracts.\n\nRep. Johnson continued: \"From a much-deserved pay raise to a long-overdue transformation of how we combat the scourge of sexual assault in the military to investments in cutting-edge and life-saving technologies, Democrats have delivered a funding bill that meets the needs of our Servicemembers and strengthens our national security. As we continue to confront the complex challenges our nation faces, I will keep fighting to honor our sacred commitment to our troops and ensure the safety of Georgia families.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3CAF7930-0A63-4390-AF41-3CAAD9173885", "McBath Votes to Defend Reproductive Health Care Rights Against Dangerous Assaults", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Marietta) voted to defend women\u2019s right to reproductive health care with H.R. 3755, the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act. Amid attempts to strip away basic health freedoms for millions of Americans, this landmark legislation protects against assaults on reproductive care and enshrines into law the vital protections of Roe v. Wade. Her remarks from the House floor can be found here.\n\n\u201cGenerations of women fought for the freedom to make our own decisions about our bodies, and we cannot allow their work to be undone,\u201d said McBath. \u201cFor decades, women have fought for a seat in the university classroom, a seat in the boardroom, and a seat in our government. Now, in the face of extraordinary assaults on a woman\u2019s right to reproductive health care and bodily autonomy, I am proud to fight for legislation that secures basic health freedoms for women across America.\u201d\n\nFor years, state legislatures have waged an all-out assault on women\u2019s reproductive rights. 2021 is on track to be the worst legislative year for women\u2019s health rights ever, with 90 measures restricting reproductive rights enacted since July \u2013 more than in any year since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. On May 19th, Texas enacted SB 8, which is now the most extreme abortion law in effect in the United States. This legislation outlaws nearly all abortions after six weeks, with no exceptions for rape and incest, while also creating a bounty system that deputizes private citizens to sue health care providers or anyone else they believe has helped a woman get an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.\n\nThe Supreme Court has voted to permit this law to go into effect, despite its flagrant violation of the Constitution, by effectively denying Texas women the ability to exercise their constitutional rights guaranteed by Roe. The Supreme Court could take further action to gut Roe\u2019s essential protections when it considers Mississippi\u2019s 15-week abortion ban in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization on December 1st.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-bishop-and-fortenberry-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-access-to-nutrition-assistance-for-military-families", "CONGRESSMEN BISHOP AND FORTENBERRY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) introduced the bipartisan Equal Access to the Right Nutrition for Military Families Act (EARN Act). The EARN Act addresses food insecurity experienced by military families by increasing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for military families.\n\n\"Sadly, food pantries and food banks are operating on or near every military base in the United States helping feed military families \u2014 a problem made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our service members make a commitment to defend our country abroad and should not have to worry whether or not there will be food on their table at home,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"The EARN Act proves that bipartisanship is still alive in Congress. While partisan bickering has dominated the headlines in recent weeks, Mr. Fortenberry and I have been working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address this long-standing issue.\"\n\n\"The men and women who protect our security abroad should not have to face food insecurity at home. I am proud to join my colleague Sanford Bishop in sponsoring the Equal Access to the Right Nutrition for Military Families Act (EARN Act) to streamline military family access to essential food and nutrition programs,\" said Congressman Fortenberry.\n\nThe EARN Act has received broad bipartisan support, with 23 original cosponsors including Republicans Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Democrats Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Betty McCollum (MN-04). The bill has been referred to the Nutrition Oversight and Department Operations (NODO) subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee. Congressman Bishop is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and is the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration.\n\nThe bill addresses longstanding barriers to military family participation in SNAP with innovative solutions. It removes variability in state administered SNAP programs by establishing a federally administered SNAP benefit program for military families with streamlined national eligibility requirements for military households. It encourages participation in SNAP by requiring the U.S. Defense Department to notify qualifying military families of their eligibility and to automatically enroll families in the program unless they decide to opt out. Finally, it eases the transition back to civilian life by establishing a transitional, temporary SNAP benefit for those leaving service.\n\nThe EARN Act is supported by several leading military and anti-hunger community groups. These groups have been instrumental in collecting data on military family food insecurity, raising awareness about this problem, and urging Congress to take action to address it.\n\n\"The Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) has been tracking the issue of food insecurity since 2017. In our most recent national survey, one in five military family respondents were food insecure. Our work is informed by the stories and lived experiences of the modern military family. It is our mission to elevate the voices of those we serve, and we applaud this legislative response to combating military hunger,\" said Military Family Advisory Network President and Executive Director Shannon Razasdin.\n\n\"It is unconscionable that military families continue to struggle with food insecurity and must turn in desperation to food pantries that operate on or near every single military base in the country,\" said Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. \"Since becoming aware of this issue nearly 10 years ago, we at MAZON have worked to remove the barriers to assistance facing military families and advance strategic, long-term policy solutions. We are grateful to Chairman Bishop for introducing the EARN Act, which would take important steps to ensure that military families can access vital nutrition programs like SNAP, and to ensure that no one who makes great sacrifices in service to our country has to worry about being able to feed their family. MAZON is hopeful that this legislation will call more public attention to the long-overlooked issue of military hunger and help build momentum for addressing it through the National Defense Authorization Act and other legislative and administrative policies.\"\n\n\"In our 2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, 14% of enlisted active-duty family respondents (across all ranks) reported low or very low food security in the previous year,\" said Kathy Roth Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. \"This is an unacceptable reality that has serious implications for military families and our Armed Forces' readiness. Service members preoccupied with financial and food security concerns are less able to focus on their mission. Blue Star Families therefore supports this bipartisan effort, led by Congressmen Bishop and Fortenberry, to mitigate the statutory barriers military families face to accessing quality nutrition.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-votes-keep-government-open-deliver-emergency-relief-prevent", "Rep. Johnson Votes to Keep the Government Open, Deliver Emergency Relief, Prevent Default", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted for critical legislation that would keep the federal government open, secure emergency funding to help communities devastated by natural disasters and help resettle Afghan refugees fleeing persecution and prevent a devastating debt default.\n\nThis bill is essential to ensuring that the government can continue to deliver essential services that families depend on, while also preventing a first-ever default on the federal debt that would have a catastrophic impact on the American economy.\n\n\"I proudly voted to keep the federal government open so that Congress can continue our work For The People,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"As our economy continues to rebound from the COVID crisis, we cannot afford to derail our economic growth and put at risk the livelihoods of American families. That is why Democrats have acted swiftly to keep the lights on so the government can continue to deliver essential services that so many families depend on, as well as acted swiftly to prevent the utter catastrophe of an unprecedented debt default.\"\n\nThis legislation:\n\nSecures government funding through December of this year, ensuring the uninterrupted operations of essential government services and allowing for Democrats and Republicans in Congress to continue to advance appropriations priorities through the regular order process for Fiscal Year 2022.\n\nDelivers emergency funding for urgent priorities, including relief funding for communities devastated by this summer's record-breaking natural disasters and funding to resettle Afghan refugees after the historic evacuation effort in August.\n\nSuspends the debt ceiling through December 2022, so that the federal government can continue to meet the financial obligations it has already made, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, services for veterans and paychecks for members of the military.\n\nAddressing the debt limit is a bipartisan responsibility. Over the last decade, every time the debt limit has needed to be addressed, Congress has come together and acted on a bipartisan basis. Over his four-year term, President Trump incurred $7.8 trillion in debt \u2013 and during those four years, Republicans and Democrats worked together to increase or suspend the debt limit three separate times. Now, under President Biden, many Republicans refuse to join Democrats in addressing the debt limit. This is blatantly hypocritical, given that only 3 percent of the current debt was accumulated under President Biden and more than 27 percent was incurred under President Trump.\n\nJust two years ago, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: \"America can't default. That would be a disaster\" and supported suspending the debt limit as necessary because it \"ensures our federal government will not approach any sort of short-term debt crisis in the coming weeks or months. It secures our nation's full-faith and credit and ensures that Congress will not throw this kind of unnecessary wrench into the gear of our job growth and thriving economy.\" Yet, now, Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans are trying to force the first-ever default of the United States, which would devastate the economic well-being of American families.\n\n\"The full faith and credit of the United States should never come under threat,\" continued Rep. Johnson. \"It's shameful that Republicans have chosen to play political games with the economic health and security of millions of hard-working Americans. Senate Republicans need to quit holding the American economy hostage and join us to swiftly pass this bill so we can get back to work Building Back Better.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-ag-committee-advances-resolution-by-congressmen-bishop-upton-to-designate-national-blueberry-month", "HOUSE AG COMMITTEE ADVANCES RESOLUTION BY CONGRESSMEN BISHOP & UPTON TO DESIGNATE NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led the U.S. House Agriculture Committee in adopting a bipartisan resolution designating July as National Blueberry Month. It was approved by a bipartisan, voice vote. The resolution was co-led with Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06).\n\n\"The United States is the world's largest producer of blueberries, accounting for over half of the global production, and Georgia is one of the top 5 blueberry states. Growers of U.S. highbush blueberries have a $4.7 billion annual impact on our country's economy,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"I am glad to lead this bipartisan effort with my colleague, Fred Upton, which recognizes our blueberry farmers. As this year's blueberry harvest season comes to a close, it is a great time to acknowledge the important role that blueberries play in the health, cuisine, and economy of our nation.\"\n\n\"Southwest Michigan is home to many family-owned-and-operated blueberry farms that produce the best and sweetest blueberries in the world,\" said Congressman Upton. \"From Michigan to Georgia, agriculture plays an important role in the American economy, and thanks to the hard work and real commitment of our growers back home, Southwest Michigan is the top blueberry-producing district in the country. I'm proud to work across the aisle with my colleague Sanford Bishop to formally designate the month of July as National Blueberry Month beginning in 2022 and recognize all of our top-notch blueberry farmers nationwide.\"\n\nBlueberries are often labeled a \"superfood,\" because they are full of antioxidants, and are known as juicy fruits, which are great for weight loss or maintenance because they contain mostly water. Research also suggests the compounds found in blueberries may delay the effects of vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease.\n\nGeorgia is #3 in blueberry acreage, and we are #4 in blueberry production and sales.\n\nYou can watch Congressman Bishop's remarks in support of the resolution during today's U.S. House Agriculture Committee meeting by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-bishop-ferguson-bill-to-name-columbus-va-clinic-in-honor-of-robert-s-poydasheff", "HOUSE APPROVES BISHOP & FERGUSON BILL TO NAME COLUMBUS VA CLINIC IN HONOR OF ROBERT S. POYDASHEFF", "2021-09-20", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led the House in adopting H.R. 3475, a bill he introduced with Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) that will name the new Department of Veterans Affairs' community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia in honor of Colonel Robert \"Bob\" S. Poydasheff. The bill now proceeds to the U.S. Senate for consideration.\n\nRobert S. Poydasheff served honorably in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years and retired at the rank of Colonel. He began his military career as an Infantry Officer before transferring to the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was a decorated soldier and elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame located at Ft. Benning in Georgia.\n\nFollowing his retirement he made Columbus his home where was elected to the City Council and served as the Mayor of Columbus. He advocated for disadvantaged veterans and supported the location of the new VA clinic in Columbus which the bill will name in his honor.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by every member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation and has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans organizations.\n\n\"By adopting this bill, the U.S. House of Representatives is paying tribute to a husband, father, grandfather, soldier, champion of veterans, public servant, and a dear friend. Mayor Poydasheff was beloved by the people of Columbus and the military veteran community of Georgia,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"Bob never stopped serving and advocating for what was right. He helped others with an abiding sense of friendship and brotherhood. Naming this VA clinic in his honor is a testament to that legacy.\"\n\n\"I'm pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives passed our legislation to honor the former mayor of Columbus, Colonel (Retired) Robert Stephen \u2018Bob' Poydasheff, a staple of the community and a strong advocate for America's veterans,\" Congressman Ferguson said. \"The renaming of this Columbus VA clinic reflects long overdue gratitude for the work Bob accomplished throughout his life, and I'm glad to see my colleagues strongly support the effort to recognize the significant contributions of Colonel Poydasheff. I encourage the Senate to quickly pass this legislation to honor the life of a remarkable Georgian.\"\n\nThe clinic, which is now under construction and expected to be open by March of 2022, is located at 6910 River Road, in Columbus, Georgia.\n\nThe new clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility and will provide a wide range of medical services to veterans in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley area in conjunction with existing facilities located at Fort Benning and in Midtown Columbus near the Piedmont Regional Hospital campus.\n\nYou can view Congressman Bishop's remarks to the U.S. House of Representatives today in support of the bill by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-testifying-rules-committee-stop-militarizing-police", "Congressman Johnson Testifying Before Rules Committee to Stop Militarizing Police", "2021-09-20", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) provided the following statement before the House Rules Committee today offering an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to reform the Pentagon's 1033 Program, which sends local law enforcement agencies free military weapons and equipment straight from battlefields aboard to the streets, colleges and universities throughout the United States:\n\nWATCH VIDEO HERE\n\n\"Mr. Chairman. Thank you for allowing me to testify in front of your committee today. These days, there is not much that Democrats and Republicans see eye to eye on. But there is one thing upon which I think we can all agree. That is, that community confidence in law-enforcement, is probably at an all-time low right now.\n\n\"A huge factor in the loss of confidence in law enforcement has been the militarization of police departments across the land.\n\n\"The creeping militarization of police departments has been exacerbated by the 1033 program, that sets up a pipeline to transfer surplus military equipment, from war zones to domestic law enforcement agencies. Law-enforcement agencies, without consent of civilian authorities, have been able to obtain surplus military grade weaponry, directly from the department of defense under the 1033 program. It is civilian authorities who should decide whether such equipment is needed, not the law enforcement agencies themselves. The approval of city councils, county commissions, and other civilian authorities is bypassed under the 1033 program.\n\n\"Police agencies have often acquired this military grade weaponry when they have not needed it. Nor have they been trained as to how and when, to use the equipment. But a requirement under the 1033 program, that any acquired equipment be placed into use within 12 months of acquisition, has resulted in the misuse of the equipment, and the abuse of the civilian population against whom it has been used. The result has been communities alienated, and a loss of confidence in law-enforcement.\n\n\"For years, momentum has been building towards reform of the 1033 program. Over the last several decades, the 1033 program has transferred more than $7.4 billion dollars in surplus military equipment to over 8,000 federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the nation.\n\n\"In 2014, when I first introduced the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, bipartisan legislation to reform this program, it was characterized as \"too progressive\" or \"too liberal\". But I pressed forward. In fact, I have continued to offer this language each and every Congress because reform of the 1033 program is vital. I especially want to thank my colleague from California, Mr. McClintock for cosponsoring this amendment and joining me in this bipartisan effort. Rep. McClintock recognizes the danger of law enforcement agencies avoiding civilian oversight and acquiring military grade weaponry without the support of the citizenry. We must seize this opportunity to enact much-needed reform.\n\n\"My bipartisan amendment is the kind of change our country needs and supports. Public polling indicates that a majority of Americans favor reform, and over 90 non-governmental organizations across the political spectrum supported this amendment when it was offered in the House Armed Services Committee earlier this month. This text has passed the House twice in the last year alone. My commonsense amendment goes only after items that endanger and divide communities, while allowing the transfer of non-lethal supplies and equipment, such as tents, computers and desk chairs, etc., to continue.\n\n\"American communities are not \u2013 and should not be - turned into battlefields, and people in our communities should not be looked at as enemy combatants. And yet, decades of militarization of our nation's law enforcement have transformed many police departments from a community-based regulatory arm to an occupying army that undermines the nature and character of our state and local governments. The lines between the law enforcement ethos, which is to protect and serve, and the military mindset of kill, destroy and occupy, has been blurred.\n\n\"Last year, we witnessed the response by law enforcement to civil rights demonstrations. We saw images of local police in military vehicles, with military-grade weaponry trained on citizens who were simply exercising their constitutional right to peacefully protest. Time and again, we have seen irrefutable proof that this program must be reformed. Our current system goes against everything we stand for as Americans. The time for reform is now. It's time to heal our communities and restore trust and confidence in law enforcement.\n\n\"The ending of the war in Afghanistan makes it even more important than ever that we close down this pipeline of military grade weapons from foreign war zones to the streets of our nation. Over 17,000 pieces of military equipment have been declared excess, or surplus, and sent to the Defense Logistics Agency for distribution onto our streets. The time to act is now!\n\nI was disappointed when my 1033 amendment was not made in order last year, but enough is enough. This should not be a difficult vote. With American lives at stake, we must not delay. Mr. Chair, this bipartisan amendment must be made in order.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-and-usda-announce-8582m-investment-to-improve-wastewater-infrastructure-in-buena-vista", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP AND USDA ANNOUNCE $8.582M INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN BUENA VISTA", "2021-09-16", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "BUENA VISTA, GA \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development, Justin Maxson, City of Buena Vista Mayor Kevin Brown, and Georgia Rural Water Association Executive Director Jimmy Matthews met at Buena Vista City Hall to announce an $8.582 million funding award to the city to address urgent, major wastewater collection and treatment system repairs and improvements. This infrastructure investment will improve the lives of the 2,173 residents of Buena Vista \u2014 protecting their health and the local environment.\n\n\"Today is a great example of the success we have in serving rural Georgians when local, state, and federal leaders work together to tackle the challenges facing our communities. As a leader on the House Appropriations Committee, it is wonderful to see the programs for which I fought to obtain funding be invested in the project we are announcing here today,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"I am glad to have worked with Mayor Brown and Executive Director Matthews over the past several months on this important endeavor. Deputy Undersecretary Maxson joining us today to announce this monumental investment is a testament to the Biden Administration's commitment to improving the lives of rural Americans.\"\n\n\"For decades, our country's infrastructure hasn't received the attention it needed. The consequences of this disinvestment have fallen hardest on communities of color and rural towns and cities where residents face the harshest economic realities,\" said USDA Deputy Undersecretary Maxson. \"Livable communities \u2013 communities with a growing economy, effective community services like health care, and affordable housing \u2013 need modern and reliable water and sewer infrastructure. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is investing in communities and people who need it the most: to help them build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before.\"\n\n\"The leadership and citizens of Buena Vista are grateful for the swift assistance provided by Congressman Bishop as we were faced with an extreme financial challenge. Congressman Bishop worked tirelessly to ensure that we had access to opportunities for grant assistance in this endeavor,\" said Mayor Brown. \"Our citizens, who are already faced with financial burdens after the loss of Tyson and are currently experiencing numerous challenges due to COVID-19, will not have to experience extreme water rate increases to pay for the new wastewater facility. Now, thanks to his efforts, the citizens will have a manageable water/sewage bill and will have a new facility that will effectively protect our environment.\"\n\n\"The City of Buena Vista exemplifies rural America, and this wastewater upgrade project is exactly what the USDA infrastructure funding programs are designed to do. This investment in Buena Vista's wastewater treatment facility will allow businesses to grow and create economic opportunities which will provide a return on this investment,\" said Georgia Rural Water Association Executive Director Matthews. \"Without adequate water and wastewater infrastructure in place for rural communities, these opportunities would not be possible. We are fortunate to have Congressman Sanford Bishop who understands the needs of rural Georgia and the impact that investments in rural infrastructure have on our quality of life. This is the model for investing in rural America!\"\n\nIn 2016 Tyson Foods, one of the City of Buena Vista's largest employers, closed its plant, leaving over 300 citizens out of work. The city saw its median household income drop from over $32,000 to $18,750. It also saw the revenue in its water and sewer enterprise fund drop by one-third.\n\nThe city's wastewater treatment plant was last upgraded in 1985. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division recently reduced the city's discharge limit for ammonia to a level that the current plant cannot consistently achieve. This would expose the city to fines, creating additional financial strain and undermining its ability to address the problem.\n\nUSDA is funding this project through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program which provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.\n\nToday's announced award, which consists of a $2.543 million loan and $6.039 million grant, will finance the construction of a replacement treatment plant that will reduce sewage spills and backups and increase system efficiency.\n\n###\n\nThe referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.\n\nCongressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA02) with leaders from the USDA and City of Buena Vista announce an $8.582M grant and loan award to repair and improve the city's wastewater treatment system", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-hosts-virtual-town-hall-to-highlight-emergency-rental-assistance-program", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HOSTS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL TO HIGHLIGHT EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM", "2021-09-14", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday evening, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) hosted a virtual town hall meeting to help raise awareness about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program which is made possible by federal funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and administered through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Representatives from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as well as the Georgia Apartment Association and the Urban League of Greater Columbus participated as panelists. Following a discussion about the program and how tenants as well as landlords could benefit from it, the panelists answered questions from the audience.\n\n\"While an eviction moratorium helped protect folks from being forced out onto the streets in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was only part of the solution to the problem. Congress provided emergency rental assistance \u2014 most recently as part of the American Rescue Plan in March \u2014 to help landlords and tenants cover lost rent and help keep people in their homes,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"It is crucial that residents of middle and southwest Georgia know that these funds are available to them, how to access them, and to whom they can go for assistance. Having peace of mind about the roof over your head helps make it easier to stay healthy, get back to work, and economically recover from this pandemic.\"\n\nDuring the event, Daphne Walker, Division Director for DCA's Housing Assistance Division, provided an overview of how the program was set up in Georgia and noted that the program does not cap the amount of funds it can provide, but that it is limited to 18 months of funding.\n\n\"And so, what this allows for the average citizen is the opportunity for you to have your rental arrears paid from the time of March 2020 to the present, if you have been unable to do so as a result of the pandemic. We also have partnered with Georgia Power and other utilities to make sure that not only is that rental assistance paid, but that your utilities are paid as well,\" said Walker.\n\nSpeaking about the evening's event, Tracey R. Mosley, Urban League of Greater Columbus Interim President & CEO said, \"It is vital that our community is well informed about the emergency rental assistance program made possible by funds that Congressman Bishop and the Federal Government have made available to Georgia.\"\n\n\"Emergency Rental Assistance is critical to residents and property owners across Georgia, and I am thankful that Congressman Sanford Bishop hosted last night's webinar to assist those in need apply for and obtain financial assistance,\" said Stephen Davis, Georgia Apartment Association Director of Government Affairs. \"Georgia Apartment Association members are working closely with the Department of Community Affairs to get as much rental assistance as possible out to their residents that have experienced a pandemic related hardship.\"\n\nThis past December, Congressman Bishop helped craft and pass the 2020 consolidated appropriations act, part of which provided funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. That bill provided an initial $25 billion for the program for this year. In March 2021, the Congressman fought for passage of the American Rescue Plan which allocated an additional $21.55 billion to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. These funds were then distributed to the U.S. states and territories, including Georgia, where state agencies are responsible for administering the program at the local level.\n\nThe State of Georgia received $552 million in federal funds to provide relief to individuals, families, and landlords whose finances have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program provides eligible applicants with up to 12 months of rent payment relief. Landlords that elect to participate in the program will have funds deposited directly into their bank account.\n\nThe Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Georgia is overseen by the Department of Community Affairs. Applications and more about the program can be viewed on the DCA's website for the program, https://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov/.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=66A24E6D-5663-4FE0-B56F-FAA856A8DEDD", "McBath Holds Town Hall, Recaps Community Casework and Legislative Successes for Georgia\u2019s Sixth District", "2021-09-14", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2014 This evening, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Marietta) held a Town Hall for residents of Georgia\u2019s Sixth Congressional District. The second-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives highlighted her office\u2019s work during her first three years in Congress, including her six bills signed into law. Rep. McBath also emphasized her community assistance program which has helped thousands of community members with their federal cases and secured millions of dollars for the hard-working families and communities of Georgia\u2019s Sixth District.\n\n\u201cEach and every day we are called upon to serve our communities in Congress - that is what this work is about. Our neighbors are trusting us to do everything we can to advocate and legislate on their behalf,\u201d said McBath. \u201cOur work is about serving our community in Congress. I am so proud of the work we did\u2014and continue to do\u2014to return millions of hard-earned dollars to constituents throughout the district and put common-sense, bipartisan legislation into law that will help the families we serve.\u201d\n\nAny constituent in need of additional resources or assistance with any federal agency is encouraged to contact Rep. McBath\u2019s Sandy Springs District Office by calling (470) 773-6330 or emailing casework.mcbath@mail.house.gov.\n\nBACKGROUND", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-statement-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-911-terrorist-attacks-on-america", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS ON AMERICA", "2021-09-11", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States:\n\n\"Today, we remember the horrific, terrorist attacks that struck our country 20 years ago on September 11, 2001. As we somberly reflect on that day and its impact on the years that have followed, we recall the bravery of our first responders, the heroism of those on Flight 93 who helped avert a greater disaster, and the countless Americans who helped us recover in the immediate aftermath of that day. We came together, a nation injured but unbroken, with newfound resolve to protect and uplift what the terrorists sought to destroy.\n\n\"Our thoughts and prayers must turn to the victims who lost their lives on that day and the sacrifices of a multitude of servicemembers who sought to punish those who attacked us in the years that followed.\n\n\"The 9/11 terrorist attacks were an expression of the worst of humanity that, nonetheless, reminded us of what is best about our country \u2013 liberty, equality, and fraternity. In these trying times \u2013 no matter what our differences may be \u2013 those ideals bind us together, make us stronger, and are the best way in which we can honor those who perished.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-johnsons-statement-epic-games-v-apple-ruling", "Chairman Johnson's Statement on Epic Games v. Apple Ruling", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "ATLANTA, GA -- Today, House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet Chairman Hank Johnson (GA-04) issued the following statement after a federal judge found that Apple had engaged in anticompetitive conduct but did not violate the federal antitrust laws:\n\n\"The Court's decision today, while a good first step for developers' rights, still falls short,\" said Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. \"It underscores why we must pass the Open App Markets Act, which I introduced last month with my colleague Ken Buck. This bill is crucial to holding big tech accountable and level the playing field for small businesses and app developers, and today's ruling does not preclude the need for it to become law.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-johnson-williams-bourdeaux-garcia-introduce-historic-transit", "Reps. Johnson, Williams, Bourdeaux & Garcia Introduce Historic Transit Expansion Legislation As Congress Drafts Reconciliation Measure", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Johnson pushing for inclusion of \"Public Transportation Expansion Act\" in reconciliation bill\n\nATLANTA, GA \u2014 Following his push to create dedicated federal funding for transit with his Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act (H.R. 3744) this summer, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), senior member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, today introduced the Public Transportation Expansion Act alongside Reps. Nikema Williams (GA-05), Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) and Jes\u00fas \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda (IL-04).\n\nBill text HERE.\n\nThe House companion to the Senate bill being introduced by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), would for the first time fund construction of public transportation specifically connecting affordable housing with transit networks in order to serve riders and commuters in low-income communities.\n\nThe Public Transportation Expansion Act will create a Federal grant program to fund public transportation expansion to serve low-income communities and connect affordable housing with transit networks.\n\n\"When we understand that mobility is essential to freedom \u2013 to control your own destiny \u2013 we understand that investing in transit in places that have historically been underserved is an investment in people,\" said Rep. Johnson. \"I'm pleased to introduce the companion legislation of the Public Transportation Expansion Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to invest in a new, one-of-a-kind program that will connect affordable housing with transit options so people can access health care, education and employment opportunities. I thank Sens. Ossoff, Warnock and Cortez-Masto and Reps. Garcia, Williams and Bourdeaux for their leadership in understanding mobility is essential for opportunity, health, and quality of life for all our constituents.\"\n\n\"Connected communities are thriving communities,\" said Rep. Nikema Williams. \"For too long, Black, Brown, and low-income communities have been left behind in transit expansion. I'm fighting for these historic, intentional investments because it's more than a bus route or train. This legislation is a direct line to economic opportunity for everyone, no matter your ZIP Code or your bank account.\"\n\nRep. Bourdeaux said: \"Inadequate public transportation hurts communities and hurts our economy. As our cities grow and congestion increases, it is more critical than ever to have public transportation alternatives that work for everyone. I am proud to join Senator Ossoff in introducing this legislation. Strengthening our economy, addressing climate change, and futurefitting our communities depend on making historic investments like this in our nation's transit infrastructure.\"\n\n\"Diverse, working class communities like those I represent on the Southwest and Northwest sides of Chicago, need bold investments in equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) to connect people via public transit to affordable housing, jobs, and other essential services like health care and school,\" said Rep. Garc\u00eda. \"We must bring America's transportation and housing infrastructure into the 21st century to break down the physical barriers separating affordable housing options from good paying jobs, and undo decades of disinvestment in communities of color. Our legislation is a crucial first step\".", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-calls-on-congress-to-build-back-better-invest-in-jobs-that-protect-children-and-the-environment", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP CALLS ON CONGRESS TO BUILD BACK BETTER, INVEST IN JOBS THAT PROTECT CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FORT VALLEY, GA \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) spoke at a local event highlighting the Build Back Better Budget. He noted that federal investments that promote manufacturing and buying electric vehicles can create good jobs as well as protect children and the environment from air pollution. Also speaking at the event were Peach County Commissioner Shanita Bryant, Fort Valley City Councilman Fred Van Hartesveldt, Andy Moore, a program director at the Blue Bird Corporation, and representatives of U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. The Congressman was invited to speak by the Climate Action Campaign and Moms Clean Air Force.\n\n\"Millions of children ride the bus to school every day, and if they are riding in fossil fuel buses, they can be exposed to more concentrated levels of air pollution which harms their health and hurts their grades,\" said Congressman Sanford Bishop. \"Electric school buses do not expose our children to these toxins. An electric school bus also can save our schools, on average, $2,000 in fuel costs and $4,400 in maintenance costs each year. As Congress works on its Build Back Better Budget, the inclusion of investments in clean transportation technology, like electric school buses, will reap benefits for the environment, our children, and the economy.\"\n\nThe transportation sector is a large source of carbon pollution and living with air pollution has been linked to greater public health problems. The inside of a fossil fuel school bus can be 5 to 10 times as polluted as the air right outside of it, exposing children to harmful nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Air pollution exposure in communities can lead to higher rates of lung disease like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as greater hospitalizations due to pneumonia. According to a 2020 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annualized total medical expenditures, in 2017 dollars, were $7 billion for asthma and $5 billion for COPD.\n\nIn July, Congressman Bishop toured the Blue Bird Corporation facilities in Fort Valley. The company is an industry leader and is now a pioneer in producing electric buses. The Congressman learned more about the manufacturing processes they use to build electric school buses and discussed how federal investments in clean technology, like electric school buses, would help reduce air pollution while creating good jobs for Georgians.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-johnson-joins-house-judiciary-democrats-urge-ag-garland-use-full", "Rep. Johnson Joins House Judiciary Democrats to Urge AG Garland to Use Full Force of DOJ to Combat Texas Abortion Ban", "2021-09-07", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "September 7, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nAttorney General\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Attorney General Garland:\n\nWe write to ask you to use the full power of the Department of Justice to defend a woman's constitutional right to choose an abortion, a right now under assault by Texas Senate Bill 8 (\"SB 8\"). Because the Department cannot permit the second largest state in the Nation to deprive women of their constitutional rights by outsourcing the enforcement of SB 8 to private individuals, we urge you to take legal action up to and including the criminal prosecution of would-be vigilantes attempting to use the private right of action established by that blatantly unconstitutional law.\n\nAs you know, SB 8 effectively bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, well before many women know that they are pregnant. This ban is a clear violation of a woman's right to choose an abortion prior to fetal viability established nearly fifty years ago under Roe v. Wade. SB 8 also creates a private right of action that allows an individual to sue not only reproductive healthcare providers that violate this statutory ban, but any individual who \"aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion\" in violation of the ban\u2014all while specifically prohibiting state officials from enforcing the statute.\n\nThis private right of action is the law's most insidious feature. It represents an effort by the State of Texas to evade judicial scrutiny long enough for a clearly unconstitutional law to take effect. Indeed, in an unsigned \"shadow docket\" ruling issued late Wednesday, the Supreme Court refused even to hold a hearing on the issues presented by this private right of action. Instead, over the dissent of four justices, including Chief Justice Roberts, the Court denied an application for emergency injunctive relief, specifically citing the plaintiffs' failure to carry their burden on the \"complex and novel antecedent procedural questions\" presented by SB 8.\n\nBy accepting the State of Texas's legal gambit, the Court thrust the citizens of Texas into a regime that is as unsettling as it is unconstitutional. SB 8 awards a bounty\u2014a minimum of $10,000 and legal fees\u2014to any individual who successfully brings a suit under the law. In Texas, women may now be reluctant to confide the fact of a complicated pregnancy in once-trusted neighbors, coworkers, and family members, any of whom might simply want a payday under SB 8. This perverse system has not only a chilling effect on a deeply private decision-making process that is essential to a woman's personal autonomy, but is also just plain chilling. And our fears are hardly theoretical. Anti-abortion groups in Texas have already begun setting up anonymous tip lines to allow individuals to report on their fellow citizens. Other states are preparing to enact similarly dangerous laws.\n\nAs Justice Sotomayor wrote in her dissent to the Court's ruling, \"[i]t cannot be the case that a State can evade federal judicial scrutiny by outsourcing the enforcement of unconstitutional laws to its citizenry.\" Similarly, the Department of Justice cannot permit private individuals seeking to deprive women of the constitutional right to choose an abortion to escape scrutiny under existing federal law simply because they attempt to do so under the color of state law. Indeed, the Department is fully empowered to prosecute any individual who attempts, \"under color of any law,\" to deprive a United States citizen of \"any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution.\"\n\nWe were encouraged by your recent statement that the Department \"is deeply concerned about Texas SB 8\" and that it is \"evaluating all options to protect the constitutional rights of women, including access to an abortion.\" Two generations of women have come to rely on the right to choose an abortion. That choice is deeply private and should not in any way be intruded upon by any third party, let alone a vigilante seeking a payday from the state.\n\nWe urge you to act to protect the right to choose without delay.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-statement-scotus-shadow-docket-ruling-texas-law-sb8", "Congressman Johnson Statement on SCOTUS Shadow Docket Ruling on Texas Law SB8", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "ATLANTA, GA \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to leave Texas Law SB8 in place:\n\n\"The Supreme Court's decision to allow Texas's draconian anti-abortion law to go into effect is a profound assault on a woman's fundamental right to choose. Functionally speaking, this decision overrules Roe v. Wade for the state of Texas for the time being \u2014 a clear threat to women's health and right to control their own bodies. It's striking that four of the five justices in support of this decision are male. Shockingly, neither the law nor the decision makes any exception for incest or rape.\n\n\"Moreover, this decision issued in the dead of night on the Supreme Court's \"shadow docket\"\u2014meaning that the usual rigorous briefing, oral arguments, and public attention to the Court's cases were short circuited in favor of bare-bones legal arguments made on a rushed schedule. The resulting one-paragraph, unsigned opinion is not appropriate for a wholesale change in the constitutional rights enjoyed by Texans, which might be followed by similar attempts in other states.\n\n\"As with the Supreme Court's other recent notable shadow docket decisions over the past weeks \u2014forcing the Biden Administration to continue a likely illegal Trump-era immigration policy and reversing the Biden Administration's continuation of the eviction moratorium \u2014 the majority are able to avoid explaining, for example, why the Court routinely overturned nationwide injunctions for the Trump Administration but are doing the opposite now. By abandoning its normal decision-making process and foregoing detailed, well-reasoned opinions, the Supreme Court makes itself look less like a court and more like a rubber stamp, a dangerous development that threatens the Court's very legitimacy.\n\n\"In this case, abuse of the emergency-order docket goes beyond the Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals engaged in highly irregular motions practice of its own to fast-track this case to the Supreme Court while denying the trial court its usual ability to hold a hearing and build a record on whether to preserve the status quo while courts sort out legal arguments. It's as if this midnight shadow docket decision was the end result of a carefully orchestrated scheme to overturn Roe v. Wade.\n\n\"These recent shadow docket practices are a clear threat to the rule of law and our democracy. As Chair of the House Courts Subcommittee, this only leads me to double-down on my oversight work by examining the use of the shadow docket and formulating a Congressional response.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-statement-voting-favor-oversight-committee-mark", "Congressman Johnson Statement on Voting in Favor of Oversight Committee Mark Up: Build Back Better Act", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "ATLANTA, GA \u2014 Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), member of the House Committee on Oversight & Reform, released the following statement Thursday, Sept. 2 after voting in favor of the Committee's portion of the Build Back Better Act, which provides $7 billion for electrifying Postal Services vehicles and $5 billion to electrify Government Services Vehicles (GSA), among many other priorities:\n\n\"Today was a historic and first vote on key elements of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda, particularly around fighting climate change and improving our economy by making critical investments to transition thousands of polluting vehicles to clean, zero emission, electric vehicles. This will respond to the urgent threat of climate change while also eliminating the harmful emissions that harm public health, disproportionately harming communities of color and frontline communities. With New York and the New England under water, fires raging out west, Louisiana battered by a category 4 hurricane and the fact that this past July was the hottest month on record, it's none too soon for this committee to act. The Build Back Better effort will deliver more jobs, cut taxes and lower costs by making the wealthiest and big corporations pay their fair share. I'm proud to cast my vote to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, transition to clean energy and begin building the fleet of the future, making the U.S government a world leader on fighting climate change.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CE72E28C-55BE-460E-887C-ADD27E81EACB", "McBath Announces More Than $375,000 for DeKalb County Fire Department to Support Operations and Safety", "2021-09-03", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Marietta, GA \u2014 Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) announced that the DeKalb County Fire Department will receive a $398,225 regional grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. 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