{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=66646C7D-A5D5-488F-AE20-3EE20DF91E11", "McBath Releases Year in Review, Delivered $40 Million to Georgia Families", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Lucy McBath", "M001208", "mcbath.house.gov", "mcbath", "https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cAs we reflect on a difficult year for our country, it\u2019s important as ever to me that I continue to bring back as many federal resources to Georgia as possible and push forward policies that support America\u2019s families. During a year when we saw attack after attack on programs that millions count on, I thank my constituents for continuing to voice their concerns and stay up to date with my office,\u201d said Rep. Lucy McBath. \u201cAs always, when I\u2019m working on behalf of Georgia in Congress, my neighbors are top of mind. None of this could be possible without their engagement, so I extend my gratitude to all for being a part of our mission as we work for safe, healthy communities.\u201d\n\nMcBath has earned a reputation as one of the mosteffective lawmakers in Congress and one of themost important voices in the House Democratic Caucus. Her legislation to support veterans was deemed the \u201cbiggest bill\u201d passed by a first term member. During the first session of the 119th Congress, McBath\u2019s legislative accomplishments continued.\n\nRecognized as One of the Most Effective Lawmakers in Congress\n\nMcBath was named one of the most effective Democratic lawmakers in Congress and the #1 most effective House Democrat for Education policy based on legislative effectiveness in areport released May 2025.\n\nLed Successful Push to Release $7 Billion in Withheld Federal Education Funding\n\nMcBath led a coalition of 150 House Democrats in pressuring the Trump Administration to release nearly $7 billion in illegally withheld K-12 education funding, helping to protect school programs, teacher training, and adult education funds. She spoke on the House Floor ahead of the decision.\n\nPrevented New Tax on Scholarships Circulated in Leaked National Republican Memo\n\nRep. Lucy McBath sounded the alarm when a leaked Republican budget document circulated in Congress included a proposal to impose a new tax on scholarship dollars, potentially making funds like Georgia\u2019s HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships taxable income. Her outspoken opposition helped rally fellow lawmakers and community voices against the provision, contributing to its removal from the final legislative package so the new tax on scholarships did not move forward.\n\nSuccessfully Supported and Spotlighted Threatened Head Start Programs\n\nMcBath raised the alarm in the Spring when budget proposals threatened to eliminate federal support for the Head Start program, publicly touring Atlanta-area Head Start sites to highlight the impact on families and urge action to protect the essential early-education services. As the Republican-led shutdown loomed in October, her advocacy helped focus attention on keeping the programs running and visits to local sites helped prevent a pause in services for children and parents reliant on Head Start.\n\nDemanded Answers from Education Department Secretary About Cancelling of Student Support Program\n\nMcBath introduced legislation protecting special education programs from improper restructuring after families were abruptly notified of the ending of an adult support program for students with disabilities. When Education Secretary Linda McMahon testified before Rep. McBath in the House Education Committee, the Secretary seemed to have no knowledge of the program or its cancellation.\n\nSpearheaded Bipartisan, Common-Sense Solutions to End Gun Violence\n\nMcBath has been the lead sponsor of the three biggest gun safety bills in Congress. The Assault Weapons Ban, which she has led since 2023, currently has 182 cosponsors and demonstrates McBath\u2019s commitment to the issue in the name of her slain son, Jordan Davis. Video\n\nCelebrated House Passage of Bipartisan Criminal Code Reform Bill\n\nIn December 2025, Rep. McBath joined Representatives Roy, Biggs, and Cohen in celebrating the House passage of their bipartisan legislation to simplify the federal criminal code, the Count the Crimes to Cut Act.\n\nLed Bipartisan House Bill to Protect America\u2019s Judges and Court System\n\nIn response to the dramatic rise in threats and violence against judges, McBath led the bipartisan Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act in the House. It passed the United States Senate unanimously, emphasizing that no person should fear for their safety while doing their job.\n\nPushed Trump Administration to Restore Community Violence Prevention Funding\n\nMcBath led a group of House Democrats in a letter pushing the White House to restore funding for gun violence prevention programs that had been cut. The community grants were central to helping cities keep people safe and prevent violence.\n\nAdvocated for Workforce Reentry Opportunities\n\nDuring Second Chance Month, Rep. McBath led the Clean Slate Act, a bill that will provide a true second chance to those who have repaid their debt to society for low-level offenses. A step that will not only support our economy, but also give people a chance to live a positive life.\n\nHighlighted Devastating Health Care Impacts During Unprecedented Republican-Led Shutdown\n\nFor 47 days, Speaker Mike Johnson kept members out of Washington and refused to extend health savings for millions of Americans. During the shutdown, McBath publicly called on House leadership to return to Washington, DC, and negotiate rather than prolong the shutdown. Alongside state and federal lawmakers, McBath argued that without extending these tax credits, millions of Americans would face higher insurance costs and even forgo their insurance coverage altogether.\n\nLed Expansion Legislation of $35 Insulin Cap\n\nThe bill would extend the $35 insulin cap for seniors on Medicare to include people who get their health insurance through their workplace. The $35 Medicare insulin cap, also led by McBath, was passed into law through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As the Education and Workforce Committee lead of this legislation, McBath continues to stand up for America\u2019s families so they can live full, healthy lives.\n\nProtected Patients from Dangerous Drug Alternatives\n\nAfter McBath hosted a bipartisan briefing on Capitol Hill to educate on the dangers of \u201cAlternative Funding Programs,\u201d a CNBC investigation uncovered that some AFPs, which are tied to employer health plans, steer patients towards the illegal importation of life-saving drugs, raising serious safety and legal concerns because the drugs may not be approved or properly vetted.\n\nChampioned Rare Disease Treatment Coverage\n\nIn a strong show of bipartisan support, McBath co-led a bipartisan letter to the FDA with members of Georgia\u2019s congressional delegation, urging the agency to extend access to an experimental treatment for a 4-year-old girl with a rare mitochondrial disease, publicly spotlighting the need for flexibility in rare-disease drug approvals.\n\nDuring 2025, McBath personally advocated for roughly $30 million in local grants for Georgia and her award-winning casework program was responsible for returning nearly $10 million dollars in federal benefits to the district. The office resolved over 1,400 federal casework inquiries. Here\u2019s what constituents had to say about their experience with her office:\n\n\u201cWithout the help I received from you all I would've never been able to get my federal refund resolved. I received no answers about anything for months but you all helped me and I'm so grateful.\u201d - Sukari from Atlanta\n\n\u201cYour office helped me retrieve my husband's Social Security payments after his checking account was compromised. You got me in touch with the correct people at Social Security when I was unable to get anyone to speak to me. I couldn't have achieved my desired results without your office.\u201d - Carolyn from Atlanta\n\n\u201cFor nearly a year my case remained inactive at the U.S. Embassy. It was your intervention that finally moved things forward. Your office helped us receive clear guidance from the Embassy on what they expected next, and you continued to follow up for updates. Your persistence and dedication made a tremendous difference. Through your assistance, I received my immigrant visa just days before its expiration. I flew to the United States that same day. My family and I are truly grateful for your commitment and support.\u201d - Samuel from Fairburn\n\nAny constituent who is in need of federal casework assistance is encouraged to contact McBath\u2019s district office by calling (470) 773-6330 or by visiting mcbath.house.gov/help.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcbath.house.gov/press-releases?ID=66646C7D-A5D5-488F-AE20-3EE20DF91E11"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.7160560712218285, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}