{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=7D07DAF1-5475-4EE4-9F0E-158AF1409CCC", "e-Newsletter for the week ending December 12, 2016", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "GA", "Johnny Isakson", "I000055", "www.isakson.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\r\nBefore adjourning, the Senate passed several key pieces of legislation that are beneficial to Georgia and that I worked to advance, including:\r\nThe 21st Century Cures Act, a comprehensive medical research and innovation bill that includes these important healthcare priorities for Georgia:\r\n \r\nExtends a program to continue to spur investment in the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases,\u00a0\r\nCreates a registry at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta to help advance research on neurological diseases,\r\nProvides Medicare coverage for home infusion therapy services, and\r\nIncludes a Medicare provision that will allow the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to continue to provide world class care for patients suffering from spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.\r\n \r\nThe National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes necessary funding for our service members and other military assets in support of our national defense and includes several critical priorities for Georgia.\r\n\r\nAlso included in the funding authorization is the End Modern Slavery Initiative. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation, which will allow the U.S. Department of State to support global efforts to combat the $150 billion a year criminal industry of human trafficking.The Senate also passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. This legislation:\r\n \r\nProvides additional resources for Georgia\u2019s ports and our nation\u2019s infrastructure and commerce;\r\nInvests in the safety and reliability of our drinking water;\u00a0\r\nReturns the water project authorizing process to a two-year cycle, which will allow for better, more productive long-term planning.\r\n \r\nI am also pleased to share that both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate quickly passed the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016. This bill is a step in the right direction and will help to improve veterans' access to health care, disability benefits, education and homelessness assistance, among other important benefits.\r\nWhat's On Tap?\r\nI look forward to being back in Georgia during the state work period before the start of the 115th Congress on January 3, 2017.\r\nDuring this is a special time of year, Dianne and I hope you will join us in a prayer for our military and first responders who keep our nation safe. Also, we send our best wishes to you and your loved ones in the New Year!\r\nSincerely,   Johnny Isakson", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=7D07DAF1-5475-4EE4-9F0E-158AF1409CCC"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7506841104477644, "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"}