url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-2019-in-review,Senator David Perdue: 2019 In Review,2019-12-31,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-12302019,District Connection - 12/30/19,2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"GEORGIA ADVOCATE TESTIFIES HOW CONGRESS CAN BETTER COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Earlier this month, the House Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process held a hearing about how federal, state, local, and community organizations can work together to combat the scourge of human trafficking, and I'm proud to say that the 7th District of Georgia was well represented in the conversation. .
The United States has one of the highest rates of human trafficking in the world, which increases in local communities that are home to major tourist events and heavily marketed attractions. With less than two months before the Super Bowl, my colleagues and I wanted to hear from local experts about how the federal government can partner with state and local law enforcement to raise awareness and potentially save lives.
Bob Rodgers, the President and CEO of Street Grace, a faith-based organization in Georgia which is committed to ending the sexual trafficking of children throughout our nation, testified before our subcommittee where he called for comprehensive solutions. Click on the image below to watch his opening remarks.
I can't thank Mr. Rodgers and his team at Street Grace enough for their willingness to travel to Washington, D.C., and share their expertise with everyone on the subcommittee. From Pennsylvania to Florida and from Massachusetts to Texas, every member of our committee was moved by the testimony of Mr. Rodgers and his fellow witnesses. Our children cannot be allowed to be used as pawns for sex or labor trafficking, and I know everyone in American is willing to do all that we can to put an end to this disgusting crime.

GEORGIA BECOMES SECOND STATE TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FOR COAL ASH PERMIT PROGRAM
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a streamlined federal permitting program for the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) in surface impoundments and landfills, and it approved Georgia's permit. This makes Georgia the second state in the nation  following Oklahoma  with an authorized coal ash permit program. This is great news for Georgia, and the talented folks at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, because the EPA's coal ash permit program is practical, cost effective, and returns environmental protection regulation to the states  instead of a one-size fits all approach.
The State of Georgia is a shining example of how partnerships between local leaders and the federal government can deliver vital results for the American people. I look forward to monitoring Georgia's successes under the leadership of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Governor Brian Kemp in managing and properly disposing of coal ash under the permit program, and I am optimistic that the state will continue to pursue innovative solutions to recycling coal ash and limiting waste.

IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM OPIOID ADDICTION, YOU ARE NOT ALONE
The holidays are a time to spend time with loved ones and celebrate everything we are grateful for. But for many, the holidays are a more difficult time where friends and family suffer from addiction.
More than half of all Americans know someone affected by the opioid crisis. Our families, neighbors, and friends are facing this struggle right here in Georgia.
Together, in a unified push, we can help the millions of Americans affected by the opioid crisis seek proper treatment and begin recovery.
For more information, click on the image below or visit: stopopioidsilence.org

GWINNETT RESIDENT HONORED WITH GEORGIA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION'S HOSPITAL HERO AWARD 
Northside-Duluth Clinical Nurse Manager Jenine Morgan has been in the nursing profession for nearly 22 years. Two years ago, one of Morgan's co-workers wasn't feeling well. Morgan insisted the co-worker receive immediate medical treatment, but the co-worker refused at first. It turned out, had it not been for Morgan's persistence, the co-worker would have died from her mini-stroke.
Earlier this month, Morgan was named one of the Georgia Hospital Association's Hospital Hero Award recipients for her dedication to saving lives. Congratulations, Jenine! Our community would not be as strong as it is today without you.

LOCAL RESTAURANT PREPARES FOOD FOR ELDERLY AND IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORS
One of the best things about representing the Seventh District in Congress is being able to share all the incredible stories I hear about how our community goes above and beyond to help others who are struggling.
Each year, Brian and Kelly Tam, the owners of Tam's BackStage, organize a holiday feast for local senior citizens and those in need. Their restaurant served lunch to about 100 seniors and dinner to more than 250 people from various nonprofit organizations like Abba House, Bald Ridge Lodge, and The Place of Forsyth County.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Helpings of Hope event!

HAPPY NEW YEAR
With 2019 coming to a close and the new decade beginning in just a few days, we all naturally take time to reflect and to set new goals for the future.
While it's easy to look at the glass half empty and be pessimistic about the realities of getting things done in a divided Congress, I opt to look at the glass half full. Every man and woman who I serve with in the U.S. House of Representatives believes in making America better tomorrow than she is today through reforming our nation's outdated infrastructure, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and bolstering manufacturing and trade for U.S. businesses. I know that this will be hard work, but as Americans - not as Democrats or Republicans - we can set an example for our children and grandchildren and bring about that positive future.
As we turn the page to 2020, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year!
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall
	Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-122419,Washington Watch - 12/24/19,2019-12-24,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"HOUSE IMPEACHES A PRESIDENT FOR THE THIRD TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY
A sad mark in history was made on Wednesday, December 18th, as the House of Representatives approved two Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump, making him the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. The vote  which I did not support  added our President to the list with President Andrew Johnson and President Bill Clinton. As I have said many times before, impeaching a duly elected president is a serious undertaking that demands fairness, careful examination, and bipartisan support. Speaker Pelosi has said as much many times but changed her mind this Fall as the House violated each of these principles and made a mockery of our Constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight. In the end, the only thing bipartisan about the impeachment was the opposition to it.
As you may have read in previous newsletters, like you, I do not believe that the President's words on his July phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky were perfect, but in the end, while pursuing a confusing and at times counterproductive foreign policy with respect to Ukraine was not in our nation's best interest, I also do not believe that it rose to the level of impeachment or of tearing our nation apart for the sake of politics.
And now, having put America through impeachment in the House, for reasons I cannot explain Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is now refusing to name House managers and refusing to send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. Instead of sending the Articles to the Senate immediately, as Republicans did in 1998 and as the Founding Fathers clearly intended, House Democrats have chosen to drag-out this process further and to inject even more political poison into it. We can do better, and I hope that after a holiday spent with constituents that my colleagues will return to the House in January in full agreement with me that we must.

HOUSE PASSES USMCA IMPLEMENTING BILL; LANDMARK TRADE DEAL HEADS TO SENATE
Last Thursday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5430, the implementing legislation for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). I have long been a supporter of free trade, and I have repeatedly expressed confidence in the United States Trade Representative's ability to modernize the more than two-decade old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) without doing harm to U.S. industries, workers, and consumers who rely on these agreements. The landmark USMCA does just that, and I was thrilled to finally cast a vote in favor of the trade deal. The International Trade Commission estimates that this trade deal, once fully phased in, will generate over $68 billion in new economic activity and more than 170,000 new jobs here in America. As such, it is my sincere hope the Senate will take up the agreement and pass it without delay so that communities across the nation can begin to reap the deal's benefits.

CONGRESS PASSES AND PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS FY20 SENDING BILLS TO AVERT SHUTDOWN
As Capitol Hill faced another funding deadline last week, Congress and the Administration crafted an agreement to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020.
Some of the biggest wins for Georgia incorporated in these spending agreements include $130 million for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP), funds that will see this critical infrastructure project remains on schedule to completion, and nearly $1.8 billion shared among eight states to go towards helping communities rebuild in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Michael. Other successes in the FY20 spending bills include $1.2 billion for the Department of Education's Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program, $425 million for the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and $41.6 billion to the National Institutes of Health to fund critical biomedical research programs, just to name a few notable provisions that stand to benefit students, companies, and workers across the country.
Lastly, I'll note that the spending agreement delivers some of the biggest legislative changes to America's retirement system in more than a decade. That's because it incorporated the SECURE Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill that allows families and individuals the opportunity to save more of their hard-earned dollars to prepare for retirement and to cover life's big events. Specifically, the provision would make it easier for small businesses to join together to offer retirement plans for their workers by authorizing multiple employer plans, allow Americans to save longer by repealing the maximum age (70) for contributions to a traditional IRA, and allow the portability of lifetime income, just to name a few. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that would allow families to make penalty-free withdrawals from their retirement accounts for the birth or adoption of a child.
As we now turn to funding for FY2021, it is my sincere hope that lawmakers in both chambers will begin working together in examining each federal program and agency in the name of reducing unnecessary and duplicative discretionary spending.

MODERNIZING CONGRESS TO WORK BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
With each passing year, Congress continues to spend more money than it brings in, misses key budget deadlines, and lacks a coherent vision for addressing our growing debt. Each year, hundreds of bills passed by the House  regardless of the party in power  are left at the doorstep of our colleagues in the Senate, never to be taken up. Increased partisanship and a breakdown in civility have slowly engulfed the most important deliberative body in the world. Members are continually admonished on the House floor for violating rules of decorum, and committee hearings seem more focused on soundbites for social media than thoughtful public policy. All the while, constituents struggle to navigate the legislative process and are often unable to find clarity on the issues most important to them.
The frustration with Congress is palatable both for those on the outside and those from within the institution itself. That is why, amidst the government shutdown in the first days of the 116th Congress, Republicans and Democrats came together to form the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, a Committee made up of an equal number of Members from both parties dedicated to addressing Congress' outdated practices and norms.
Since then, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress has held 14 hearings ranging from congressional reform efforts of the past to cultivating diversity today to improving constituent engagement tomorrow. The Committee has become the first of its kind to issue rolling recommendations  45 in fact including those passed during last week's business meeting  all of which were voted unanimously out of Committee.
Among the most important recommendations are those that increase Congress' transparency with the American people. We are proposing a substantial expansion of Congress' website to make it easier to track legislation, see the impact on current law, and learn how your member voted. We are also working to add transparency with a feature for people to find out who is lobbying Congress and for what.
The first round of these recommendations were written into H.Res. 756, the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations towards Modernization, or MODCOM, and I expect these on the House floor soon.
Congress recently reauthorized the Modernization Committee through next year, showing confidence and allowing us time to delve deeper into Congress' more complex issues and devise new solutions to modernize and strengthen our Article I authority. Common knowledge would have you believe the inefficiencies of Congress are inherent to our republic. I reject that interpretation entirely. Through the hard work of the Modernization Committee and the enthusiasm of my colleagues, Congress can be brought into the 21st Century and restructured to better serve the American people.

BIPARTISAN GROUP IN HOUSE TIRES TO LEGISLATE EVEN DURING IMPEACHMENT THEATRICS
While a majority of the time on the House floor was taken up by partisan posturing last week, the House still found time to pass eighteen bipartisan and commonsense bills. Those bills included some relatively simple pieces of legislation including technical fixes like H.R. 4920, the Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act, which corrected conflicting preferences for the VA to award contracts to veteran small businesses and those with disabilities, or H.R. 722, the Miracle Mountain Designation Act, which was named a mountain near Elk Ridge, Utah. There were also more substantial bills like H.R. 3530, the Improving Confidence in Veterans' Care Act, which will make sure medical staff and health care professionals at the VA have current and up to date credentials.
All hope is never lost in the people's house, no matter how divisive it may appear, and it is my hope that we continue to do the people's business as we begin the second session of this Congress.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: FURTHERING OUR HEALTH PRIORITIES IN THIS YEAR'S APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGES
As I mentioned earlier, this past week Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, two appropriations packages to fund the government through the end of the next fiscal year in September 2020. As that process moved forward, I heard from many of you about the importance of furthering our nation's health and related interests. Here are just a few of the messages I received:
Victoria from Cumming:
As a constituent and parent of a child affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), I urge you to finalize full-year funding increases for the NIH and FDA before funding expires on December 20. These institutions are vital to continued progress in research, development, and approval of treatments for CF. When stopgap measures are used to appropriate funds, it creates inefficiencies and uncertainty for the NIH and FDA that can slow research and development. I urge Congress to finalize appropriations for FY2020 before the deadline and to enact full year-increases for both agencies.
Richard from Buford:
I am writing to urge you to vote yes for the year end spending deal that includes a full repeal of the Cadillac/excise tax and the health insurance tax.
Like Victoria, I agree that the cutting-edge scientific research undertaken at our federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is worth a significant financial investment. That is precisely why earlier this year I joined my colleagues in Congress in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies requesting that they provide ample funding to the agency so that we can ensure they are best equipped to combat a number of diseases and disorders. I know Victoria and others will be pleased to learn that our collective call-to-action was heeded, and the final bill provided roughly $41.7 billion to the NIH (a $2 billion increase from Fiscal Year 2019), $8 billion to the CDC, including its public health programs and activities, and $5.7 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including increases for food safety activities. Additionally, the package extends funding for the Special Diabetes Program, the Community Health Centers Fund, the National Health Services Corps Fund, and Graduate Medical Education programs.
Further, Richard will be glad to hear that the final enacted legislation permanently repeals three taxes levied under the Affordable Care Act (ACA): the medical device tax, the Cadillac tax, and the health insurance tax. These taxes were originally implemented as pay-for-mechanisms to fund the costly mandates created by the ACA, but these taxes always stood to be passed on to employers and consumers in the form of increased costs of healthcare services and insurance. After years of Congress working together to delay these taxes, I am pleased that my Democratic colleagues recognized the dangers of these taxes and worked with Republicans to repeal those once and for all.
While I am glad to share that this year's appropriations packages included several of these important public health victories for the American public, I hope that Congress can get back to regular order and pass all 12 annual appropriations bills individually. In a divided government, consensus may be more difficult to achieve, but it is not out of reach; it demands that we take a serious look at our priorities and work to achieve bipartisan solutions.

GWINNETT POLICE OFFICERS PURCHASE HOLIDAY GIFTS WITH CHILDREN
It is always special to see how the holiday season brings our community closer together every year.Last week, about 80 police officers gathered at the Hamilton Mill Walmart for the Fraternal Order of Police Gravitt Everett Davis Lodge 66's annual Cops and Kids Christmas event. Officers were paired up with financially disadvantaged children to help them shop for Christmas. Children under 4 got to purchase gifts up to $75, and others aged 4-15 got up to $125. In the end, more than 58 families were helped by the program.
I would like to thank all these officers for their continued effort to help our community. Not only do they keep our community safe during crisis, but they also make kind-hearted gestures to help those in need and bring us closer together.

THOUSANDS OF TOYS COLLECTED IN FORSYTH TOY DRIVE
There was plenty more holiday cheer to go around the 7th District last week. In Forsyth County, the seventh annual Lily's Toy Drive was held at Vickery Village where an estimated 8,000 gifts were collected for patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. This event commemorates 11-year-old Lily Anderson who passed away from cancer on Dec. 15, 2012. Her family started this toy drive to benefit other children battling medical issues. At the end of this year's event, it took two 24-foot trailers to collect toys and bring them to storage. This year's 8,000 toys are the most that has ever been collected.
I hope you will all join me in recognizing the effort undergone to organize this wonderful event. Through this act of kindness, this will be a special holiday for hundreds of children here in Georgia.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH
This week, billions of people around the world will gather with their families and friends to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, and it is my hope that all of them will be filled with love and laughter. I know that after a very long year in Washington, D.C., I am very grateful to spend time with my family. As Americans, we need to remember that there is much more that unites us than divides us  and I'm sure you feel the same. We should take a moment to reflect on how truly blessed we are to be living in the greatest country on Earth where we are free to express ourselves, free to worship, and free to commemorate our holidays in whatever way we wish. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall   Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A4D08BA5-5F8D-4E4C-BA50-B8E6FB92BB69,Isakson Reflects on Senate Veterans Committee Accomplishments,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today reflected on the committee's accomplishments over the past five years while he has served as chairman. A video was released last month featuring Isakson's colleagues discussing his efforts to improve the lives of veterans across the country through his tireless efforts to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
It has been an honor of a lifetime to represent our veterans in the United States Senate over the past five years, said Isakson. During this time, we have fundamentally changed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be more responsive to the veterans it serves. I am proud of how far we have come, and I hope the committee will continue this progress to ensure veterans continue to receive the care and benefits they deserve.
Since 2015, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has passed 63 pieces of legislation to improve accountability at the VA, expand VA education benefits, modernize the process for veterans' appeals of benefit determinations, and overhaul the VA's community care programs. Of these measures, 57 have been signed into law. The most significant reforms include the:
 
The VA MISSION Act  Isakson's landmark legislation to dramatically improve the way the VA delivers health care, signed into law in 2018. Since its enactment, the choice of care has been put in the hands of veterans and their doctors instead of bureaucrats.
 
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act  to improve accountability and significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to remove, demote or suspend VA employees at all levels based on performance or misconduct, signed into law in 2017. VA medical center directors are now able to improve the quality of care they provide veterans through transparency and accountability.
 
 
The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act  to update the benefits claims appeals process for the first time in more than 20 years, signed into law in 2017. Since its implementation, this reform has already reduced the backlog of pending appeals cases by roughly 175,000 cases as of July 31.
 

In addition to legislation, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs also:
 
Held 85 hearings, including oversight hearings on topics such as VA MISSION Act implementation, veteran suicide prevention and modernizing information technology at the VA;
 
 
Held 25 joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to hear from veterans service organizations;
 
 
Conducted more than 83 oversight visits to VA health care facilities, VA regional offices, VA construction sites, homeless program facilities, educational institutions, military facilities, employment program facilities and other entities that coordinate with the VA in serving veterans;
 
 
Confirmed 22 presidential nominations to various positions at the VA, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Department of Labor.
 
While my time in the Senate is coming to a close, I want to thank every single one of my colleagues on the VA Committee for working together in a bipartisan manner to ensure veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve. I hope the committee will carry on this tradition of bipartisanship to continue transforming the VA into a department worthy of our veterans.
For a full list of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee accomplishments during Isakson's time as chairman, click here.
###
The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 116th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself  having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972  and has been a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson's home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the armed services as well as nearly 700,000 veterans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=63D51E8B-47D3-4B33-BEC0-3B52A8BF761C,Isaksons Health Care Efforts have Touched Millions of Lives,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  In a new video released today, colleagues of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., praise his efforts to seek common ground and improve the health of Americans and people throughout the world. Isakson's efforts come amid his own challenges with Parkinson's disease  a diagnosis that has not slowed down his commitment to helping others.
Isakson serves on two committees with jurisdiction over Americans' health care: the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. During his Senate career, Isakson has worked tirelessly on bipartisan legislation to improve health care for veterans and for seniors with chronic conditions, fund research for rare diseases and combat the opioid epidemic - all while fighting his own battle with Parkinson's disease.
Isakson's family was affected by the opioid crisis in 2015 when his grandson, Charley, tragically died from an overdose. Through sharing his family's experience with the affliction, Isakson helped shepherd through expansive legislation to combat the nationwide opioid epidemic and prevent addiction among veterans and vulnerable populations.
Awareness is critical, said Isakson. Looking the other way is a disaster. Focusing on your family to make sure your kids can always talk to you [is key].
I want to thank you for sharing in public the experience of your family in the loss of your grandson from an opioid overdose, said Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. You should know what a difference your public discussion of that tragedy made and continues to make as we deal with erasing the stigma that comes with addiction.
We had senators like Johnny Isakson and Patty Murray and Republicans and Democrats working to pass what I call the opioid response act, said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee. President Trump said it was the single most important piece of legislation response to human epidemic that the country had ever done, and Johnny Isakson had a major role in that.
In 2015, Isakson revealed he was living with Parkinson's disease, a neurological condition that causes chronic movement disorder. In announcing his diagnosis, Isakson again used his own experience to encourage others and advocate for research and treatment for chronic neurological diseases.
He saw the Parkinson's as an opportunity to demonstrate the dignity and equanimity of temperament that can be there even for someone who is having some difficult challenges, said U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black. I think he's just been marvelous  a marvelous example of what I would call a profile in courage.
I've got chronic conditions, you know. I've got Parkinson's, said Isakson. Discovery and solving medical problems is not easy, but if it was easy, everybody'd do it. It's not easy at all, and it's also very expensive.
Isakson has repeatedly fought to ensure the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the resources needed to fulfill its mission of protecting Americans from dangerous diseases.
Of course the CDC is in everybody's backyard. It's America's health center, said Isakson. There's only one CDC in the world, and it's in Atlanta, Georgia.
I'm pleased we worked together with giving CDC, the Center for Disease Control, more initiatives and more resources to do a very important and very difficult job, said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.
We spent a lot of time at the CDC, and an issue with the CDC not being in Washington but being a government entity is they can sometimes feel neglected or that they are not at the front of minds of Washington legislators, said Jordan Dawson, former Isakson aide. They had a champion in Johnny.
Isakson's health care legacy includes championing legislation to help children with rare pediatric diseases obtain access to treatments more quickly. He passed major bills to create a neurological disease registry and to help seniors living with multiple chronic condition have better, more coordinated health care. He's taken steps to invest in medical research priorities such as the cancer moonshot, streamlining the FDA approval process for new medications and improving our country's mental health system.
Johnny Isakson not only cares, but he gives a damn about those who don't have power, said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
I want to take a moment to step back and thank Senator Isakson, too -- his name is on most of these bipartisan bills  for all of his work over the years to work with people and find common goals and to find solutions, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. It's truly been an honor to work with you. As you end your days here in the Senate, I know we will all remember the legacy that you have brought to all of us in how we can listen to each other and find solutions and work our way forward. So thank you.
To view the video, which was produced by the Senate Republican Conference and is the latest in a series focusing on Isakson's career as he prepares to leave the Senate on Dec. 31, click here. For a full list of Isakson's health care-related accomplishments, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/georgia-congressional-delegation-introduces-bill-to-establish-jimmy-carter-national-historical-park,Georgia Congressional Delegation Introduces Bill To Establish Jimmy Carter National Historical Park,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-perdue-smith-lead-bipartisan-action-to-support-youth-development,"Senators Perdue, Smith Lead Bipartisan Action To Support Youth Development",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4289,Rep. Allen: USMCA Is Long Overdue Win,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Allen: USMCA Is Long Overdue Win 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 19, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      

    
        
            
            
            WASHINGTON -Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) today released the following statement after voting in support of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which passed the House of Representatives 385 to 41:President Trump made a promise to the American people to renegotiate a trade deal that modernizes our trade policies, levels the playing field for our farmers and ranchers, and puts America first. Last year, he made good on that promise through the USMCA. It was then on Congress to ratify this vital trade deal, but like most things in Washington, it turned political. Unfortunately, Democrats delayed passage and tried to add billions in wasteful spending to benefit special interests  all while using impeachment as a distraction. But President Trump and Republican leadership kept fighting.Under this new deal, we are expected to see a major boost to our economy including over $68 billion in new economic activity, 176,000 new American jobs and over $2 billion in agriculture exports with our North American neighbors.For the past year we have warned House Democrats of the urgency of getting this done and while I am disappointed it took so long, I am proud that today we were finally able to deliver this long overdue win for the American people. Key impacts of the USMCA on the state of Georgia:
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                            Georgia poultry producers will have access to new chicken and egg exports
                            Georgia dairy farmers will gain more export opportunities to Canada
                            Labor standards in Mexico will be more enforceable, which will level the playing field for Georgia manufacturing
                            Preserves Georgia's $10.2 billion annual exports to Canada and Mexico
                        
                        
                    
                
            
            
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      e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-statement-usmca-deal,USMCA Passes House with Rep. Austin Scotts Support,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, today released the below statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
I congratulate President Trump on this important trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, which passed the House of Representatives with my support. This agreement with Georgia's top export markets is critical to ensuring the success of our businesses, farmers, and manufacturers,"" said Rep. Austin Scott. ""Although a provision which would protect our fruit and vegetable growers from unfair trade practices was not part of the final agreement, I am thankful that Ambassador Robert Lighthizer has committed to addressing my concerns, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to ensure American businesses and farmers receive a square deal in all trade agreements.""
Included in the trade deal are the following top provisions important to Georgia:
 
AGRICULTURE: Implements improvements to secure greater market access for America's farmers, including new access for chicken and egg exports and expanded access for turkey exports.
	
LABOR: Makes new enforceable labor standards a core part of the agreement, helping to level the playing field for American workers and improve wages and labor conditions across North America.
	
RULES OF ORIGIN: Innovates rules of origin provisions to encourage more goods and materials to be manufactured in the United States and ensure the benefits of USMCA flow to North American workers.
	
SMALL BUSINESS: Cuts customs and trade red tape to make it easier for small businesses to tap into foreign markets and participate in cross-border trade.
 

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6DD6897D-253F-4E77-8618-C9DBE7D82B15,USMCA Passes House with Rep. Austin Scott’s Support,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, today released the below statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

“I congratulate President Trump on this important trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, which passed the House of Representatives with my support. This agreement with Georgia’s top export markets is critical to ensuring the success of our businesses, farmers, and manufacturers,"" said Rep. Austin Scott. ""Although a provision which would protect our fruit and vegetable growers from unfair trade practices was not part of the final agreement, I am thankful that Ambassador Robert Lighthizer has committed to addressing my concerns, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to ensure American businesses and farmers receive a square deal in all trade agreements.""

Included in the trade deal are the following top provisions important to Georgia:

AGRICULTURE: Implements improvements to secure greater market access for America’s farmers, including new access for chicken and egg exports and expanded access for turkey exports.

LABOR: Makes new enforceable labor standards a core part of the agreement, helping to level the playing field for American workers and improve wages and labor conditions across North America.

RULES OF ORIGIN: Innovates “rules of origin” provisions to encourage more goods and materials to be manufactured in the United States and ensure the benefits of USMCA flow to North American workers.

SMALL BUSINESS: Cuts customs and trade red tape to make it easier for small businesses to tap into foreign markets and participate in cross-border trade.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-applauds-house-passage-usmca,Collins Applauds House Passage of USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after the House passed the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement.
This trade deal is a win for American workers and a win for Northeast Georgians. By expanding Americans' access to Canadian and Mexican markets, USMCA will fuel innovation, create more jobs for hardworking Americans, and enable greater global competitiveness. For Northeast Georgians, this agreement will strengthen the poultry industry, opening the door to new markets and hundreds of millions of dollars in added revenue.
Since President Trump first took office, he has fought to strengthen manufacturing, create new jobs, and boost our economy. This deal is yet another major step forward for American families, and I commend the president and his administration for their hard work and leadership in negotiating this historic agreement.
While it's ridiculous Democrats waited this long to bring USMCA to the floor, today's vote is a great example of what can be accomplished when the majority chooses to put the American worker above their liberal base. Now that impeachment is behind us, my hope is that today's victory is simply step one in working across the aisle to do what we were sent to Washington to accomplish: Improving the lives of the American people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401237,Select Committee Unanimously Approves Third Round of Recommendations,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Select Committee Unanimously Approves Third Round of Recommendations
                      
                    
                        
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 19, 2019-
                         Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (Select Committee) passed its third round of bipartisan recommendations aimed to make Congress work better for the American people. The recommendations were crafted to boost civility and bipartisanship in the House, save taxpayer dollars and increase the quality of constituent communication. The recommendations, 16 in total, passed unanimously.
Since this committee was created, our mission has been to craft bipartisan solutions to make Congress work better for the people we serve. After today, we have a total of 45 bipartisan ideas that would improve the functions of the House, help Members better communicate with their constituents, encourage civility and bipartisanship throughout the House, and save taxpayer dollars, among other critical improvements that could be made to the People's House, said Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA). We are grateful for the continued support this committee has received throughout the year and are ready to hit the ground running in 2020 to turn our recommendations into results.
The approved recommendations can be seen below:
Encouraging Civility and Bipartisanship in Congress
 
    Create a bipartisan Members-only space in the Capitol to encourage more collaboration across party lines.
    Institute biennial bipartisan retreats for Members and their families at the start of each Congress.
    Update committee policies to increase bipartisan learning opportunities for staff.
    Establish bipartisan committee staff briefings and agenda-setting retreats to encourage better policy making and collaboration among Members.
 
Streamlining Processes and Saving Taxpayer Dollars
 
    Update House procedures to allow members to electronically add or remove their name as a bill cosponsor.
    Require Members to undergo emergency preparedness training to ensure our government is fully prepared in the event of a crisis.
    Identify ways the House and Senate can streamline purchases and save taxpayer dollars.
    Encourage House-wide bulk purchasing of goods and services to cut back on waste and inefficiency.
    Update travel expenditure policies to improve efficiencies, and boost accountability and transparency.
 
Increasing the quality of constituent communication
 
    Consolidate the regulations governing Member office communications, including digital communications, into one easy to find place.
    Rename the House Commission on Mailing Standards, also known as the Franking Commission, the House Communications Standards Commission to reflect 21st Century communications.
    Increase opportunities for constituents to communicate with their Representatives.
    Increase accountability and tracking for all Member-sponsored communications mail.
    Allow for faster correspondence between Representatives and their constituents. 
    Update House social media rules to allow for better communication online between Members of Congress and their followers. 
    Allow the public to better access and view the types of communication sent by Members of Congress to their constituents. 
 
Last week, the Select Committee introduced legislation (H.Res. 756) to implement the 29 bipartisan recommendations that passed out of the Select Committee earlier this year. The text specifically addresses five sections of reform which include: Streamlining And Reorganizing Human Resources, Improving Orientation for Members-Elect and Providing Improved Continuing Education Opportunities For Members, Modernizing and Revitalizing Technology, Making the House Accessible to All, and Improving Access to Documents and Publications. The Select Committee does not have legislative authority, but each committee member co-sponsored this legislative text, led by Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA), to signal their strong support for delivering real reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Select Committee will work with the Committee on House Administration and other relevant committees of jurisdiction to see these recommendations implemented once the legislation passes the House.
About the Select Committee 
Created by an overwhelming bipartisan vote at the beginning of the 116th Congress, the Select Committee was tasked to produce recommendations on rules to promote a more modern and efficient Congress; procedures, including the schedule and calendar; policies to develop the next generation of leaders; staff recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits; administrative efficiencies, including purchasing, travel, outside services, and shared administrative staff; technology and innovation; and the work of the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
Since March the Select Committee has held 14 hearings and numerous Member and staff-level briefings and listening sessions to solicit ideas and recommendations for reforming the legislative branch. On a rolling basis throughout the year, the Select Committee issued recommendations and shared ideas for reform on a bipartisan basis. Last month, after widespread bipartisan support throughout Capitol Hill, the Select Committee and its work was extended through the end of the 116th Congress. The rule that created the Select Committee originally had it set to expire on February 1, 2020. The extension allows the Select Committee to continue its work proposing bipartisan reforms to make Congress work better for the American people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/woodall-supports-trade-deal-will-bring-back-jobs-and-bolster-american,Woodall Supports Trade Deal that will Bring Back Jobs and Bolster the American Worker,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Representative Rob Woodall joined his colleagues and voted in favor of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which passed the House in a vote of 385 to 41. The USMCA updates the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the more than two decade old trade deal that allows for duty free trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
21st Century farmers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs need a modern trade deal that addresses the realities of a 21st Century economy, said Congressman Woodall. USMCA is the best trade deal I've seen in my adult lifetime. Today, it passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. It is my sincere hope that the Senate will swiftly take up and consider the agreement so that Congress can deliver on President Trump's promise to reinvigorate local economies and bring back jobs to the hardworking men and women who embody the very best of our nation's values.
Congressman Woodall represents the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia, which includes significant portions of Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. He currently serves on the Rules Committee, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and the Budget Committee. 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=752A5F34-D3B2-4613-B266-FA9B8B179E31,Isakson Celebrates Georgia Priorities Passed in Government Funding Legislation,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today celebrated the Senate passage of two bills packaging together the 12 full-year appropriations measures to fund the U.S. government during fiscal year 2020. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1158 and H.R.1865 on Tuesday, and the Senate passed these measures, which include priorities for Georgia today. The legislation now moves to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.
From full funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, to the Feed the Future Innovation Labs at Fort Valley State University, to funding for critical research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to the permanent repeal of Obamacare's taxes on medical devices and health insurance, I'm pleased that the final bills we pass during my time in the U.S. Senate include so much good news for Georgia and the United States, said Isakson. These provisions will help secure a bright future for America.
A number of Isakson-supported provisions are included in the final measure, including:
 
Full funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project for fiscal year 2020 of $130.28 million to keep Georgia's number one economic development project on track.
The Hurricanes Florence and Michael and California Wildfire Tax Relief Act, to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters from 2018.
The Preserving America's Battlefields Act to help ensure our nation's living memorials honoring those who fought for our freedoms are protected for current and future generations.
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, called the SECURE Act, to improve retirement preparations, encourage saving for retirement and help ensure hardworking Americans can plan in advance so they do not outlive their retirement savings.
Funding for new resources to modernize public health data collection at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and across the country.
Funding for a new building, thereby saving taxpayer dollars by avoiding a long-term lease, as well as for enhanced research collaboration at the CDC.
The permanent repeal of Obamacare's taxes on medical devices and health insurance, protecting consumers from the cost of these taxes and removing a burden on innovators and American manufacturers in the life sciences sector.
Funding for $90 million for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment State Grants, which is an increase of $5 million over fiscal year 2019 appropriations, and $56 million for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants, which is an increase of $16 million over 2019 funding.
Funding for three Feed the Future Innovation Labs at $55 million. Two labs are located at the University of Georgia in Athens, and a collaborating lab is located at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley.
The Kay Hagan Tick Act to improve research, prevention, diagnostics and treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Former U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., recently passed away after succumbing to complications of the tick-borne Powassan virus. Isakson's older sister died at a very young age from the fatal results of a tick bite.
Increased access to pro-bono legal services for underserved and low-income veterans who face barriers to obtaining and keeping their benefits, a service in development through the University of Georgia.
Funding for border security and border wall construction and technology, and no reduction in the number of detention beds available for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Funding for priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to strengthen national security in the face of evolving global threats.
A 3.1% pay raise for our nation's service members.
 
Related:Isakson, Perdue, Carter Secure Full Funding for Savannah Harbor DeepeningSenators Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Preserve America's BattlefieldsIsakson, Murphy Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Americans Prepare for RetirementIsakson Applauds Administration's Rule to Expand Access to Retirement SavingsIsakson, Jones Introduce Legislation to Protect Vulnerable ChildrenIsakson Applauds Senate Passage of Measure to Strengthen National Defense, Support Service Members, Families
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-announces-updated-committee-assignments,Senator David Perdue Announces Updated Committee Assignments,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-hbcu-funding-signed-into-law,Senator David Perdue: HBCU Funding Signed Into Law,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-on-fully-funding-the-federal-government,Senator David Perdue On Fully Funding The Federal Government,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-this-impeachment-process-is-unprecedented,Senator David Perdue: This Impeachment Process Is Unprecedented,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4288,"Rep. Allen: Impeachment Is Entirely Partisan, Without Merit",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) today spoke during debate on the House floor in strong opposition to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Tonight, he voted against both articles of impeachment. Congressman Allen's remarks can be found below. Additionally, Congressman Allen spoke yesterday on the House floor highlighting how House Democrats have put politics above the American people.

  
Today, for the third time in our nation's history, a President will be impeached. This will be, however, the first time impeachment has been entirely partisan and without merit. This charade is not because President Trump is guilty of a high crime or misdemeanor  but because one political party doesn't like him or his policies of America first. The facts are we have a divided government and House Democrats are at war with the Executive Branch. Fact 2: They have been planning for this day since President Trump took office. Fact 3: They accused the President first and then spent months looking for a crime. Fact 4: But no evidence has been presented of an impeachable offense. During one of the partisan hearings, a member of this body asked if President Trump had evidence of his innocence, why didn't he bring it forward? The Democrats want Americans to believe that our President is guilty until he proves himself innocent. This whole process is unconstitutional. Today we have heard both sides but we need to get the truth. And the truth is that the decision of who should be our President should be made by the American people  not Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff and House Democrats.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-statement-impeachment-vote,Rep. Austin Scott Votes Against Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) released the below statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump:
For months, House Democrats have wasted time and taxpayer resources on a sham impeachment process. Moments ago, they voted to impeach President Trump simply for the fact that they don't like him. They have no facts or evidence to support their baseless claims. This impeachment process has been a partisan witch hunt since the start, and it has degraded the very important legislative tool we have in Congress to hold a President accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors, said Rep. Austin Scott. I voted NO' on the articles of impeachment, and I will continue to work with the President and his Administration to keep America the greatest country in the world. 

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5C439346-D4C9-4118-9BF0-E6523D3C8C31,Rep. Austin Scott Votes Against Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) released the below statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump:

“For months, House Democrats have wasted time and taxpayer resources on a sham impeachment process. Moments ago, they voted to impeach President Trump simply for the fact that they don’t like him. They have no facts or evidence to support their baseless claims. This impeachment process has been a partisan witch hunt since the start, and it has degraded the very important legislative tool we have in Congress to hold a President accountable for high crimes and misdemeanors,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “I voted ‘NO’ on the articles of impeachment, and I will continue to work with the President and his Administration to keep America the greatest country in the world.”

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5437,Rep. Hice Statement Opposing Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. With these baseless charges of obstruction of Congress and abuse of power, President Trump will now stand to be tried in the U.S. Senate in January 2020.
I voted no on both articles of impeachment. Since the day he was inaugurated, President Trump has been met with open hostility from both the media and political foes alike. Rather than working with the President, House Democrats have squandered an entire year, wasting countless opportunities to enact positive change for America. Instead, their energies and resources have been fixated on a vendetta against the President  an endless cycle of wild allegations and partisan witch-hunt investigations.
Once the impeachment charade began, my Democrat colleagues haphazardly bounced from accusation to accusation  each new charge lacking the evidence to back it up. They've based their indictment of the President on presumption, hearsay, and policy disagreements, none of which builds a convincing or compelling case for removing him from office.
The weeks of secret, closed-door witness auditions finally led to us hearing from the Democrats' star witnesses: disgruntled career bureaucrats, who could only testify to gossip and speculative assumptions. When that failed to move the needle, in a desperate bid to strengthen their case, House Democrats then turned to the conjecture of Ivy League academics, who strung together cherry-picked quotes from our Founding Fathers to humor a liberal fairytale. At the end of the day, their crusade ended as it began, as an impeachment in search of a crime.
While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle obsessed over issuing subpoenas, they lost sight of honoring the promises they made to the American people. We leave soon to return to our families for the Christmas season, having accomplished none of the great hopes we had when we entered the 116th Congress. Let's hope that when we return in 2020 that the Majority reevaluates its priorities so that we may finally get to work on the job the American people sent us to do.

 ##",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401231,Graves Opposes Impeachment Articles,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Graves Opposes Impeachment Articles
                      
                    
                        
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 18, 2019-
                         Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) released the following statement after voting against both Articles of Impeachment:
In 2016, the American people voted to elect Donald Trump the President of the United States. But, for the last three years, politicians in Washington have been working to overturn the will of voters. This partisan process has only pushed Congress, and our country, further down a path of division. I am disappointed in this unnecessary outcome. Our country and our President deserve better.
We were elected to work together, not to tear each other down. Tomorrow, the Modernization Committee will vote on recommendations to boost civility and encourage bipartisanship throughout the House. After this disappointing display of extreme partisanship, I am hopeful that we can move forward from this and focus on issues that affect the everyday lives of Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/historic-vote-rep-woodall-opposes-impeachment,"In Historic Vote, Rep. Woodall Opposes Impeachment",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The Articles of Impeachment, accused the President of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress and will now move to the U.S. Senate for trial. Three Democrats joined House Republicans in opposing the charge that the President obstructed Congress, and two Democrats voted against the article that stated that the President abused his office.
Impeaching a duly elected president is a serious undertaking that demands fairness, careful examination, and bipartisan support, said Congressman Woodall. The majority party in the House violated these principles and made a mockery of our Constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight. In the end, the only thing bipartisan about impeachment was the opposition to it. I am confident that the Senate will treat this process with more sincerity and bring conclusion to this saga. Perhaps, then, we can return to our promised work on behalf of the American people.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A225C225-30BA-4AA8-9EA8-1050CB9A9CBC,Isaksons Commitment to Education Has Impacted Generations of Students,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  In his 45-year public service career, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has served as chairman of the Georgia Board of Education and on the education committees in the Georgia general assembly and in Congress. He's helped write some of the most significant federal education policies in recent history and has always focused on bettering the lives of future generations through quality education.
In the latest video in a series focusing on Isakson's career as he prepares to leave the Senate on Dec. 31, Isakson's colleagues recount his years of service to Georgia's and the country's young people through his efforts to improve education policy.
He's going to have a legacy obviously in the field of education, where he has been a tremendous leader, said former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.
In 1996, then-Gov. Zell Miller, who had recently defeated Isakson for governor, appointed him to lead the Georgia Board of Education as chairman. Isakson successfully led the board through numerous challenges until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999.
He has a way of getting along with people, said Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. For example, the Democratic governor of Georgia, Zell Miller, appointed Johnny to head the state board of education, even though Johnny was a Republican. So he has the capacity to cause other people to like him and to trust him, and as a result, he gets things done.
He gets a call from his former opponent and bitter political rival, Governor Zell Miller, who says to him, Johnny, I'd like you to come and help rescue the state board of education from a moment of crisis,' recalled former Isakson chief of staff Heath Garrett. He turned somebody who had been a political enemy into a political ally, and it was a political new friend who reached across the aisle and gave Johnny Isakson an opportunity to serve the public once again.
Georgia turned around. Scores got better, schools got better, people got better, said Isakson about his time as state board of education chairman. That appointment changed my whole political career. Just because somebody is your opponent today doesn't mean they can't be your biggest friend tomorrow. That was my most fun I've ever had in public life was the education experience in Georgia and how it came about.
Once in Congress, Isakson brought his experience to the U.S. House education committee, where he took part in writing the No Child Left Behind Act  comprehensive education reform enacted in 2002 to strengthen America's public schools.
Johnny was one of the few Republicans who had ever served as a chairman of a state school board and understood public education policy at the level that Johnny Isakson did, said Garrett. No Republican in the Congress knew more about public education than Johnny Isakson.
In the Senate, Isakson became a member of the Senate education committee, and more a decade after No Child Left Behind was enacted, Isakson played a key role in the rewrite of the law to bring about much-needed updates to the country's education policies.
Senator Patty Murray and I work on a lot of things together. For example, education and fixing No Child Left Behind, said Alexander. We got stuck actually on an early childhood education issue that she wanted and that I couldn't support. So I just stepped back and asked Johnny to work with Patty to see if they could work it out  and they did, because of their respect and trust for each other.
I try to be a catalyst for people, to go out and say, rather than tell me what you think is wrong with education, tell me what you think is right with it. Tell me what you think we should do, and if that is what you think we should do, how can we help you do it,' said Isakson.
I was delighted because Johnny is just the kind of person who focuses on something, said Murray, D-Wash. I knew his passion about early childhood education, and he agreed immediately to work with me. We were able to work together for the first time ever, as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, a focus on early childhood education.
I think it's fair to say that we could not have fixed No Child Left Behind without Johnny Isakson's experience and leadership, said Alexander in a 2015 Senate floor speech. I'm deeply grateful to him for that.
Seeing this bill through is a great testimony to working together, to finding common ground, and to our collective purpose of seeing to it our children are the best educated children in the world, Isakson said in a 2015 speech after the bill passed the Senate.
Isakson has been honored numerous times for his efforts to improve education. He earned the Legislator of the Year Award in 2006 from the National Association of State Boards of Education for his many years of work on behalf of education.
Frequently in his Six Silent Secrets commencement address, Isakson tells new high school and college graduates to never stop learning. Throughout his 45-year public service career, Isakson has worked tirelessly to ensure students from early to post-secondary education have always had the opportunity to learn in a quality education system.
To view the video, produced by the Senate Republican Conference, click here. For a full list of Isakson's education-related accomplishments, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3115,Republicans Secure Essential Funding for  Military & Border Wall,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after the House passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2020, H.R. 1158:
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      Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after the House passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2020, H.R. 1158:Last December, I was asked to go to the White House with a small group of Republicans to discuss border security funding with President Trump. To avoid an end-of-year shutdown, the Senate had voted on a funding CR [continuing resolution] without any funding for border security. At that meeting, I told the President I would not support a funding measure that did not provide for securing the border. I stood with the President then; and, today we are delivering the President an appropriations bill that provides $1.4 billion in additional funding for border security. Although the Democrats have been obsessed with impeaching our president, Republicans have been fighting for the American people, to secure our southern border, protect innocent life, bolster our economy, and ensure our military has the resources and training needed to defend our freedoms. This package is a boost for Georgia, especially the 11th Congressional District and the 4,700 employees of Lockheed, as it includes 98 new F-35's and eight C-130's.  ""I look at all funding bills with extreme skepticism, especially those at the end of the year; but the Defense and Homeland Security appropriations package, which I supported, strengthens America in the places we need it most. However; while the second bill, the Labor and HHS funding package, includes some significant reforms and cuts, it still significantly raises deficit spending on programs that should be scaled back; therefore, I could not support it.  ""I thank my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate for their tireless work on these important funding provisions. Summary
  
H.R. 1158 is a fiscal year 2020 appropriations package that includes funding for: Defense; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Financial Services and General Government; and Homeland Security programs.  Provides $1.375 billion in new funding for the border wall  
 Provides a 3.1 percent pay raise for members of the military, the largest in a decade; and addresses child care and other quality of life issues critical to supporting our brave service men and women and their families  
 Prohibits coverage of abortions in the Federal Employee Health Benefit plan, and bans both federal and local revenues from being used for abortion in our nation's capital  
 Enables growth and development by funding $37.5 billion for Small Business Administration loan programs, providing America's small businesses the opportunity to obtain much needed capital To read the full summary on H.R. 1158 please, CLICK HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401219,"Graves Supports Critical Investments in National Security, Nations Economy",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Graves Supports Critical Investments in National Security, Nation's Economy  
                      
                    
                        Bills support President's border wall, repeal Obamacare-era taxes, and provide key resources for our military
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 17, 2019-
                         Today Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) supported two critical government funding bills that make investments in national security, maintain important pro-life protections, and eliminate burdensome taxes created under Obamacare. The bills also fund the continued construction of President Trump's border wall and provide our warfighters the housing, health care, and resources they need to defend our country.
These America-first bills provide new funding for the President's border wall and give our nation's border patrol a necessary boost in resources, said Rep. Graves. It's also been a priority of mine to hold cyber criminals accountable, and these bills ensure our law enforcement professionals have the tools they need to catch bad actors before they strike. I'm also pleased that the bill reiterates our support for the sanctity of life.
As Republican Leader of the Appropriations Committee's Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, Rep. Graves worked with leaders in the House and Senate to ensure conservative priorities were included in this year's funding bill. Key pieces of this year's funding package can be seen below.
Georgia-first priorities
 
    Includes funding for modernizing Compass Call aircraft  an electronic-attack capability that uses an EC-37B aircraft manufactured near Savannah  which will save taxpayer dollars by allowing a more rapid conversion from the current aircraft.
    Secures funding for continued work on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. 
    Increases access to pro-bono legal services for underserved and low-income veterans who face barriers to obtaining and keeping their benefits. The University of Georgia has been championing this initiative.
 
Funding the President's border wall and securing our border
 
    $1.375 billion for the president's border wall.
    $222 million for border security technology.
    300 new Border Patrol processing coordinators.
    No prohibitions on the president's authority to fund the border wall, no restrictions on immigration enforcement, and no reduction to the number of ICE detention beds.
    Eliminates a Democrat rider that would have created a new program to fund lawyers for migrants arriving at our southern border.
    Provides funding for additional judges to address the backlog in immigration cases.
 
Supporting our military and our allies
 
    Gives our nation's military a 3.1% pay raise.
    Safeguards America's sacred relationship with Israel by maintaining critical funding for joint defense and security programs.
 
Protecting life
 
    Prohibitions on abortion funding for federal prisoners, in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and in D.C. 
    Eliminates a tax provision harmful to charities, non-profits, and churches.
 
Keeping Americans safe 
 
    Increases funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation by $376 million to advance technological capabilities used to target malicious cyber criminals, keep pace with the high volume of background checks, and dismantle organized crime on the Darknet.
    Increases funding for federal law enforcement to address violent crime and drug trafficking.
    Prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from targeting groups based on ideological beliefs.
 
Overturning Obama-era burdensome taxes 
 
    Permanently repeals Obamacare's Cadillac, Health Insurance, and Medical Device taxes, the cost of which would have been passed to consumers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rules-committee-hearing-rep-woodall-speaks-out-against-unfair-process,"At Rules Committee Hearing, Rep. Woodall Speaks Out Against Unfair Process Surrounding Impeachment",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  In a party line vote of 9 to 4, the House Rules Committee voted to advance Articles of Impeachment. At today's hearing, Representative Rob Woodall spoke out against the bitter partisanship which has consumed Capitol Hill. In his closing remarks, Rep. Woodall called for civility and understanding among his Republican and Democratic colleagues.
We're talking today about reversing America's last election. Candidly, I have every bit as much concern about the time that we will reverse the next election or the election after that, said Congressman Woodall. It is not more divided in this Congress today than it was in 1998 when folks found a process on which they could work together. As much as we cared about the presidency then, we cared more about the Constitution later. We found a way to move forward in a bipartisan way then, and moving forward in a partisan way today is going to have serious repercussions. I truly believe America will judge us harshly because of the process that has come forward.
Click on the image below to watch Representative Woodall's closing remarks at today's Rules Committee hearing.
Congressman Woodall represents the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia, which includes significant portions of Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. He currently serves on the Rules Committee, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and the Budget Committee. 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=85DD030D-42A8-4802-8C91-327A18E2A6D7,"Isakson Applauds Senate Passage of Measure to Strengthen National Defense, Support Service Members, Families",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today applauded the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to strengthen national security in the face of evolving global threats. The measure benefits our all-volunteer force of service members and their families and invests in Georgia's military installations, including the nearly 90,000 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the state.
The conference agreement on S.1790 passed the U.S. Senate today with overwhelming support. The annual defense legislation builds on last year's increased investments in readiness, modernization and benefits for our service members. It creates a sixth independent branch of military service, the U.S. Space Force, to counter emerging threats in the space environment. It also prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from conducting another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round in fiscal year 2020. The bill now moves to the president's desk to become law.
Georgia's exemplary military installations play a critical role in keeping America safe at home and abroad, and I'm proud that this defense authorization supports our installations, our service members and families, said Isakson. The greatness of this country is that we can count on our service members at any time and in any place to uphold the mantle of freedom. We must support them, and I am confident that the Trump administration, Senator David Perdue and Senator-designate Kelly Loeffler, who will take my seat in the Senate in January, will continue to fortify global partnerships and provide what is necessary to protect America against any threats to our security.
The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act builds on the previous year's pay raise for active duty troops with a 3.1% raise for members of the armed forces for fiscal year 2020.
The measure authorizes $11.8 billion for military construction, including housing for military families and members who live on base. In 2018, the Senate passed legislation Isakson introduced in response to a report on cases of lead poisoning at on-base housing. The legislation takes these issues into account and directs the Department of Defense to create a Military Tenant Bill of Rights, a clear and fair dispute resolution process for military tenants. It increases oversight of military contractors, enhances quality assurance and quality control measures, and authorizes more than $300 million for additional government personnel to oversee contractors on military installations while providing direct hiring authority for these positions.
It also improves the transferability of licensing for military spouses when their families are transferred to another state for new assignments, and it extends DOD's ability to reimburse spouses for licensure and certification costs for another two years.
The measure includes a total of $738 billion set aside for national defense. It includes $201.9 billion for the base budget and $54.8 billion for the overseas contingency operations budget. Authorized personnel end-strength numbers are 480,000 in the Army; 332,800 in the U.S. Air Force; 186,200 in the U.S. Marine Corps; and 340,500 in the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the final conference agreement on Dec. 11. The full conference agreement can be found online here.
Related:Isakson Supports National Defense Measure Benefiting Georgia, Service Members
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ajc-david-perdue-jumps-into-the-debate-over-pay-for-college-athletes,AJC: David Perdue jumps into the debate over pay for college athletes,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-secures-georgia-military-priorities-in-final-defense-bill,Senator David Perdue Secures Georgia Military Priorities In Final Defense Bill,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-secures-navy-marine-corps-priorities-in-final-defense-bill,"Senator David Perdue Secures Navy, Marine Corps Priorities In Final Defense Bill",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4286,Congressman Allen Statement on Impeachment,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Allen Statement on Impeachment 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) today released the following statement in strong opposition to the impeachment of President Trump: Long before the phone call with Ukraine took place, liberals made their intent to undermine President Trump clear. This week, in a desperate attempt to solidify the last few months of House Democrats' sham impeachment process, Speaker Pelosi will bring two articles of impeachment to the House floor for a vote. I will vote no on both articles of impeachment. House Democrats have not brought forward any evidence of an impeachable offense.  This vote is shameful and sets a dangerous precedent. Speaker Pelosi said it best in March, when she said, impeachment is so divisive to the country' that it must be compelling, overwhelming and bipartisan.' It's a shame she has changed her tune and is willing to divide our country simply because one political party doesn't like our duly elected President. I will continue to stand with President Donald Trump and the American people. 

    
  
  
  
    
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https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-121619,Washington Watch - 12/16/19,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"HOUSE PASSES PARTISAN DRUG PRICING PACKAGE THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE CURES
House Democrats last week brought Speaker Nancy Pelosi's drug pricing bill  H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act  forward for a vote on the House floor. While Democrats and Republicans share a passion to curb ever-increasing prescription drug costs and ensure that folks don't have to make tough decisions between filling prescriptions and putting food on the table, the unfortunate reality is that this bill will put in place a process that could leave many patients across the country with unmet medical needs. Under H.R. 3 the federal government would have the ability to enact onerous price controls on pharmaceutical manufacturers that would stifle innovation and biomedical research and thus inhibit cures from being brought to market. In fact, the Council of Economic Advisers finds that H.R. 3's price controls would affect as much as one third of drugs under development. That means that out of 300 projected new medicines that would otherwise be approved over 10 years by the Food and Drug Administration, 100 could be severely delayed or never developed at all. Additionally, the California Life Sciences group has estimated that in that state alone, H.R. 3 will result in an 88% reduction in the number of drugs brought to market by small and emerging companies, jeopardizing more than 80,000 biotech and research jobs.
Knowing the projected impacts to patients that would be brought on by H.R. 3, I voted against the bill on the House floor. Instead, I was pleased to offer my support to an amendment offered by Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Doug Collins (R-GA), and Virginia Foxx (R-NC), that if adopted would have replaced the entirety of H.R. 3 with a bipartisan alternative, H.R. 19, the the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. In fact, all provisions in H.R. 19 have been supported or previously passed by both Republicans and Democrats at one point in time since the drug pricing debate began, and it incorporates many provisions of drug pricing proposals introduced in both the House and Senate.
Specifically, H.R. 19 would improve drug pricing transparency across the board, redesigns the Part D benefit to limit out of pocket costs for our nation's senior citizens, and reforms the patent and drug approval processes to bring generics to market faster. H.R. 19 would work to reduce drug pricing costs without reducing innovation and research  an ideal solution for all Americans and lawmakers alike. I was proud to fight for it in the Rules Committee and on the House floor.
Unfortunately, even though H.R. 19 received bipartisan support, Speaker Pelosi steered most of her Democratic Caucus away from the compromise proposal  a proposal that could have been taken up in the U.S. Senate and signed into law  and towards her partisan solution that will do nothing more than collect dust in the Senate clerk's office. Given the importance of this issue, I know that you share my frustration. The House could have made a bipartisan difference, but instead it chose to make a partisan point. My commitment to you, however, is that I will work to make sure that this partisan effort isn't the final word on drug pricing and availability. We can get this done together, and I will work to ensure we do.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP FINALLY AGREES TO MOVE BIPARTISAN TRADE DEAL TO REPLACE NAFTA
After much negotiation and deliberation, House Democrats finally signed off on President Trump's United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As I've previously stated, the USMCA is the best trade deal I've seen in my adult lifetime.I know that it would have passed with overwhelming bipartisan support had it been brought to the floor at any point since all parties signed off on the deal last year, but while disappointed by the year-long delay I am pleased that the USMCA is now on track to be brought before the House before the year's end. It is my sincere hope that the Senate will swiftly take up and consider the agreement once it passes the House so that we can deliver on the President's promise to rebalance trade among the three countries. I had the opportunity to discuss this historic trade deal on FOX Business last week with Jackie DeAngelis, and I hope you'll take a moment to listen to my thoughts.
From the Cannon Rotunda, Rep. Woodall offers his thoughts about how USMCA bolsters American workers

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT APPROVED BY HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS
What began as a goal of the partisan few even before President Donald Trump was sworn into office is just one step away from the House floor. Articles of Impeachment (H.Res. 755) were approved on a party-line vote by the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning. Without calling a single fact witness and fully accepting the flawed partisan investigation conducted by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), Judiciary Chairman Nadler chose to move forward. The Committee's Democrat Members passed two articles: Article I charges an abuse of power by the President alleging that he used the power of his office to solicit the interference of a foreign government in a scheme conditioning military aid upon the announcement of an investigation into a 2020 Presidential election opponent, and Article II charges that the President obstructed Congress by directing Executive Branch agencies, offices, and officers not to comply with Congressional subpoenas related to the impeachment investigation. Though some are taking pleasure in this outcome, I am not. This vote marks a sad chapter in American history, and it's one that I know we could have avoided.
What we have learned after years of investigation is that the Democratic majority in the House was going to keep investigating and calling things impeachable until it found something it thought it could contort to stick. The articles passed by the Judiciary Committee do not include any of the so-called impeachable offenses that fringe voices in the Democratic House has been asserting for years. Instead, the articles focus on a single phone call, and after months of investigationsand the insistence by President Trump that the call contents be made completely publicwe know this: U.S. government officials who were on a July phone call  and some who were not  had different views about what the call between President Trump and President Zelensky meant and whether it was or was not concerning. We also learned that instead of one, unified foreign policy toward Ukraine being carried out by U.S. government officials, there were high-level officials inside the Administration and some folks from outside the government entirely, working at cross purposes, or at the very least, not in concert with each other. Ensuring the stability of a strong, prosperous, free Ukraine is important for the United States, and anything that undermines this is misguided foreign policy. I fully admit that. Such a misguided policy would harm our credibility with our foreign allies and play directly into the hands of the Russian government. Clearly, such an outcome is undesirable, and while I wish the President's directions had been different, I am glad that American foreign policy decision makers and implementers are now all on the same page. But that confusion, while regrettable, is not impeachable.
This week, the House Rules Committee, of which I have been a member since my very first day in Congress, will hear from Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Judiciary Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) about H.Res. 755, and I fully expect that we will see the Articles of Impeachment on the floor by mid-week. Again, I regret this outcome. I wish that cooler heads had prevailed on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, and I hope that the American people will be able to look beyond this chapter of our history and remain optimistic about our Republic's future.

THE HOUSE VOTES TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE
After weeks of negotiations, members of the House and Senate Conference Committee reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, and the Conference Report passed the House. It is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law sometime this week, and despite some partisan hurdles, this would mark the 59th consecutive year that Congress has passed the NDAA.
This bipartisan bill is the blueprint for our national defense policy and reaffirms our nation's priorities, such as ensuring the livelihood of men and women of our Armed Forces, keeping America safe, and preserving our global leadership. This year's NDAA authorizes in total $738 billion for our national defense programs at the Pentagon, Department of Energy, and other agencies. The report also authorizes an additional $5.3 billion emergency funding for disaster recovery for North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, California, and Nebraska.
These authorizations will provide the necessary resources for our military to rebuild and prepare for our future national defense needs. Our readiness issues have been most evident in recent accidents, with the most recent one of note being the death of three soldiers this past October in a training accident at Fort Stewart near Savannah, GA. It also includes the modernization of our nuclear forces, invests in emerging technologies like hypersonic, AI, and 5G, and establishes the newest military branch: the U.S. Space Force. On the personnel side, the Conference Report authorizes a 3.1% pay-raise for servicemembers  the largest increase in a decade  phases out the so-called Widow's Tax, significantly reforms military housing, and provides up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for federal employees.

HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
I absolutely value the work of the Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, my friend and colleague, Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), in making a good-faith effort to address the enormity of immigration reform. I know she cares a great deal about this issue and understands the need to build consensus in order to deliver solutions. In fact, there are many immigration priorities that I share with my colleagues across the aisle, from the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act  which I joined with Chair Lofgren in cosponsoring  to the Adoptee Citizenship Act. However, I hesitate in supporting legislation that prioritizes reforming our immigration system for those who came to the country illegally before we have had the chance to reform the system for those who have done everything right  filled out the forms, paid the fees, waited years or even decades for their application to be processed  and yet our system still fails them.
Last week, the House passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act without my support. My concerns about the bill were many, included that it failed to even garner the support of the Georgia agriculture community. Further, I oppose legislation that would prioritize the needs of those who broke our laws before addressing the needs of those who have followed every law and done everything right within our broken system. The bill would allow an expedited path to legal status for those who have been in the country illegally for over ten years while folks right here in the Seventh District who have immigrated the lawful way must wait decades before they get that same chance.
I applaud the bill for its attempt at modernizing the seasonal agricultural worker visa program, and while this proposal fell short from addressing the visa program's biggest issues, I know that we can come together and get something done. Whether improving this bill or starting anew, we will continue to work to reform our immigration system to solve the problems that we all know are real.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: EXAMINING CONGRESS'S EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR PLANET
I often hear from folks back home who are passionate about good environmental stewardship and want to ensure that the beauty and utility of our planet persists for years to come. Below are some of the messages I have received about the desire to see Congress address issues related to climate change.
Lilliana from Cumming:
I think it's incredibly important that we focus on conserving our environment and saving our climate before it is too late. We need to keep climate change under control for our future and our children's future.
Maria from Lawrenceville:
Today I am trying to reach you because there is a cause that I believe the needs more of our attention and that is the Climate Change. Our planet is the only thing that we have, and if we don't take care of it, we will soon lose it. In the U.S. climate change has become an issue. Across the U.S. families have experienced rising sea levels, an increase of droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires. The federal government can help us achieve a long-term result that would help normalize the climate.
I share Lilliana and Maria's belief that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment and Earth's natural treasures for the next generations. That is exactly why I joined the Congressional Climate Solutions Caucus  a group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers who are dedicated to exploring and advancing bipartisan solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. In fact, the Caucus had two Member meetings over the last month to discuss two important topics: national security issues related to our changing climate and responsible financing proposals regarding sustainability projects. As we all know, true bipartisanship demands that good policy takes precedence over politics, and I am glad that Co-chairs Representative Francis Rooney (R-FL) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) have made a commitment to that ideal an inseparable one in this caucus.
We should all agree that any steps we take to address climate issues are met with quantifiable health and environmental returns. As evidenced by the command-and-control regulations of the past administration, implementing numerous regulations amounting to billions of dollars in economic costs to arguably negligible outcomes are not good policy. Rather, we must advance smart solutions that uplift  rather than burden  our economic growth. Equally, we must advance solutions that don't address the problem in name only, but actually have a discernible impact.
To that end, I am afraid that House leadership's bill package  H.R. 729  which moved through the House this week was simply another messaging opportunity that failed to address this issue in a meaningful way. This bill package included ten Natural Resources bills largely focused on programs that impact the U.S. coastline, but in reality, would largely duplicate existing authority already afforded to federal agencies, like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Equally concerning, the cumulative cost of this package to the American taxpayer would be upwards of $1.4 billion, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget.
Also, the fact that these bills were grouped as one measure hindered the House's ability to move those individual bills in the package that have broader support and that have an opportunity to be passed in the Senate, like Representative Derek Kilmer's (D-WA) Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act and H.R. 1314 introduced by Representative Dong Young (R-AK). In the future, I hope House leadership will focus less on amassing election soundbites and more on advancing bipartisan solutions that better serve the American public.

GWINNETT CHAMBER RECOGNIZES HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
The 7th District is fortunate enough to have outstanding health care professionals who look out for our safety and well-being. Some of these individuals were honored last week at the Gwinnett Chamber's annual Healthcare Awards. Twelve winners were selected from a group of 72 finalists. Awards included categories like, Emerging Executive, Dentist of the Year, and Volunteer Service.
I would like to congratulate all the night's winners on these incredible achievements. Without your dedicated service to public health, our community would not be as strong as it is today.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA COMES TO THE 7TH DISTRICT
This past Saturday was National Wreaths Across America Day a time when volunteers from all over the country lay wreaths on veterans' graves to pay their respects. Here in the 7th District, there were ceremonies at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens and Sugar Hill Cemetery.
This was a wonderful event for our country, and I am proud there was such enthusiastic support back home in Georgia. As we know, without the dedication of our service men and women, we would not have the freedoms and liberties that we value today.

KEEPING FORSYTH COUNTY SENIORS WARM THIS WINTER
The holiday season is an opportunity for our community to come together and support those in need. Last week, Ms. Tiffany Johnson of Forsyth County launched her Love Your Neighbor Winter Blanket Drive to supply blankets for low-income senior citizens in the local community.So far, more than 80 blankets have been collected! Ms. Johnson hopes to have more blankets to donate by the end of the drive on February 5.
I would like commend Ms. Johnson for her charitable work. This act of kindness will go a long way to making this holiday season a special one for the many seniors here in the 7th District.

THE WEEK AHEAD
Before Congress adjourns for the year, the House of Representatives will vote on H.Res.755, Impeaching Donald John Trump, H.R. 5377, Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, a package to fund the government for FY2020, and, if everything goes to plan, a vote on USMCA.
The two-count impeachment describes the President's actions related to a July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Both articles argue that the President remains a threat to national security and the Constitution if he remains in office. Should the House pass either article, it would trigger a trial in the Senate, which could remove the President from office if two-thirds of the Senate vote to convict him. If you are interested in hearing the debate surrounding the articles of impeachment, tune into the House Rules Committee's hearing at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 17.
H.R. 5377 will raise the $10,000 state and local tax, or SALT, deduction cap for 2019, and repeal the limit entirely for 2020 and 2021. Tonight, the House Rules Committee will review the legislation before it advances to the House floor.
Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will vote on Fiscal Year 2020 spending bills to fund the government. Last week, lawmakers from both parties announced a handshake agreement that would stave off a federal shutdown and split the differences on a number of contentious issues.
Finally, the White House is currently in the process of finalizing the USMCA text, which should be ready for a vote on the House floor later this week.
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall   Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-joins-working-group-on-student-athlete-compensation,Senator David Perdue Joins Working Group On Student Athlete Compensation,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-perdue-cotton-introduce-bill-imposing-sanctions-on-drug-cartels,"Senators Perdue, Cotton Introduce Bill Imposing Sanctions On Drug Cartels",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-ssatement-judiciary-impeachment-vote-democrats-knee-cap,Collins statement on Judiciary impeachment vote: Democrats knee-cap democracy,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Judiciary Committee voted on the articles of impeachment.
Today's vote highlights the pettiness of last night's delay and the folly of articles of impeachment that allege no crime and establish no case. While it's already clear that Democrats broke their own promises to rig this outcome, what will become more obvious in the coming days and years is that Democrats gravely abused their power.
This abuse of power doesn't just undermine the integrity of our chamber or the independence of future presidencies. Democrats have sacrificed core American tenets of due process, fairness and the presumption of innocence on the altar of a 2016 election that they lost three years ago.
Rather than help Americans move into the future with confidence, Democrats are attempting to knee-cap our democracy. They're telling millions of voters that Democrats will work to overturn the will of the people whenever it conflicts with the will of liberal elites.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5337,Rep. Hice Honors Dearing Resident,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Thomson, GA - Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) recently honored Dearing City Councilman Ray Silverstein as the Hice Headliner for the month of November. Each month, he recognizes one outstanding local citizen who goes above and beyond to help their neighbors and strengthen our community.
Councilman Silverstein is an Air Force veteran who has made service his lifestyle. Each Friday, he travels to the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, where he gladly serves as a Red Coat Ambassador. The Red Coat Ambassador Program is part of the new culture of customer service at VA Medical Centers across the country. These special volunteers greet veterans, their families, and caregivers with a smile and help them find their way around VA facilities.
Prior to joining this program, Mr. Silverstein volunteered as a certified nursing assistant, logging 4,000 hours over three years and working Monday through Friday without missing a day. Earlier this year, he received the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to building a stronger Nation through volunteer service.
I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump who expressed in his letter to Mr. Silverstein that One of our Nation's greatest strengths remains the compassion of our everyday citizens,' said Congressman Hice. Thank you, Mr. Silverstein, for your service to our Nation, both during your time in the United States Air Force and now as a Red Coat Ambassador.
To nominate an individual for the Hice Headliner award, email what he or she is doing to improve our area to Jessica.Hayes@mail.house.gov.
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=AF5B32AA-C0DE-4DB3-AFCA-0644C0ABF775,Thank you Georgia,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Dear friends,
One of my greatest pleasures in the U.S. Senate has been my work on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. I've had the opportunity to help lead the Senate subcommittee on African Affairs and serve in other capacities to advance U.S. national security interests through global leadership. I'm proud of what we have been able to achieve.

I was recently honored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition with its Lifetime Achievement Award for my longstanding commitment to advocating for a strong U.S. foreign policy and strengthening America's development and diplomacy tools worldwide. A video was released to accompany the award, and you can watch it by clicking here.
 Major Win for Georgia 
On Thursday, court-appointed Special Master Paul Kelly recommended that the U.S. Supreme Court dismiss Florida's case against Georgia over water rights that has been under litigation for years. The Supreme Court must now decide whether or not to act on the case, or whether Kelly or another judge must review it again.
Georgia has consistently focused on conservation efforts to ensure that we are good stewards of our water resources. This ruling reaffirms the evidence-based argument presented to Special Master Kelly by the state's attorneys, and we look forward to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a decision that proves the merits of Georgia's position in this case soon.
 In the Senate 
During the last three years, the Senate has confirmed 50 circuit court judges appointed by President Donald Trump, more than any president's first full term since 1980. In Georgia, the Senate has confirmed eight judges to our nation's federal courts during that time.

 Over-the-Counter Medication Improvements 
I am so glad to share that on Tuesday, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation I introduced and have worked on for a number of years to overhaul the way over-the-counter medications are regulated and brought to market. I reintroduced this legislation earlier this year because while modern medicine is constantly improving and adapting as research offers new information, the regulatory system is outdated, putting consumer health at risk and hindering innovation that could benefit all Americans.
The Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act, S.2740, will help ensure that Americans have effective, accessible health products in their medicine cabinets and on supermarket shelves. In addition, the legislation will ensure innovations can be made well into the future and that we are promoting competition to bring down costs for consumers. I hope the House will quickly follow suit in passing this measure.
 In Other News 
 
On Tuesday, I was glad to join Senate-designate Kelly Loeffler at the weekly Senate Republican Conference lunch as she continues planning to begin her work here fulltime in January. I have pledged to work closely with Kelly to ensure a smooth transition as I retire on Dec. 31.
 

 What's On Tap? 
As we approach the end of the year, I am still hard at work fighting for Georgia's legislative priorities. Current government funding expires on Dec. 20, and it is essential that our government remains funded to avoid any interruption to critical services and benefits.
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-comments-on-breakthrough-in-us-china-trade-negotiations,Senator David Perdue Comments On Breakthrough In U.S.-China Trade Negotiations,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4282,Congressman Allen Opposes Pelosi's Socialist Drug Pricing Scheme,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Yesterday, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) spoke during debate on the House floor in opposition to H.R. 3, Speaker Pelosi's socialist prescription drug pricing plan. The House of Representatives voted to pass the legislation today 230 to 192. Congressman Allen's remarks can be found below.

  
We all agree here that prescription drug prices are skyrocketing and Congress must act  that is something that we all agree on. The question is, how do we go about it? A couple of facts: Fact 1: H.R. 3 is a radical government takeover of the pharmaceutical industry  and it ultimately will prevent Americans from accessing potentially life-saving cures. Fact 2: According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, H.R. 3 will prevent as many as 100 fewer drugs from entering the U.S. market over the next decade. Fact 3: Countries that have adopted similar drug-pricing schemes as proposed under this legislation have experienced a decrease in access to innovative new medicines, increased wait times for treatment, and supply shortages for in-demand drugs. Americans will not stand for this. We have an alternative, H.R. 19  the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. I urge you to work together in a bipartisan way on H.R. 19.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-statement-judges-decision-water-wars-dispute,Collins Statement on Judge's Decision in Water Wars Dispute,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after Judge Paul J. Kelly, Jr. recommended the Supreme Court dismiss the state of Florida's 6-year-old water rights case against the state of Georgia:
Today's ruling is a big step in the right direction. The water wars have cost our state millions of dollars and countless years fighting to protect what's ours.
Georgia is home to an abundance of natural resources, and both the well-being of our citizens and the health of our economy depend on our ability to safeguard such resources. I'm relieved to see this six-year dispute finally nearing its end, and I'm proud of the many individuals who have spent years fighting in good faith to get us to where we are today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/woodall-joins-colleagues-and-passes-bipartisan-funding-military,Woodall Joins Colleagues and Passes Bipartisan Funding for Military,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. This legislation authorizes U.S. defense operations, readiness, and healthcare programs for our troops and their families. Among its numerous provisions, this year's NDAA agreement will modernize our military to deter strategic rivals like China and Russia, institute a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members and their families, and provide for the creation of a Space Force as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces.
Despite a rocky road to its final passage, Republicans and Democrats have come together and passed the NDAA for the 59th consecutive year. This bipartisan bill is the blueprint for our national defense policy and reaffirms our nation's priorities, such as ensuring the livelihood of the men and women of our Armed Forces, keeping America safe, and preserving our global leadership, said Congressman Woodall. It is critical that Congress present a united front in advancing America's security and appropriately equip ourselves for the challenges of the future, whether that be confronting foreign enemies or the expanding importance of cybersecurity and space to our national security. Increasing our military capabilities in space and cyberspace is vital to protecting our national interests and keeping pace with our international competitors. This year's National Defense Authorization Act does just that.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A61DBF71-61BB-43C9-8F7F-9E5FFDE7741B,"Isakson, Perdue Statement on Georgia-Florida Water Litigation",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., today issued the following joint statement after Special Master Paul Kelly's recommendation was issued on the water litigation involving Georgia and Florida, argued before the court on Nov. 7:
Georgia has consistently focused on conservation efforts to ensure that we are good stewards of our water resources. Today's recommendation reaffirms the evidence-based argument presented to Special Master Kelly last month by the state's attorneys, and we look forward to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a decision that proves the merits of Georgia's position in this case soon.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/isakson-perdue-statement-on-georgia-florida-water-litigation,"Isakson, Perdue Statement On Georgia-Florida Water Litigation",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4278,Rep. Allen Votes to Secure Critical Defense Funding,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Allen Votes to Secure Critical Defense Funding 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) today voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. The NDAA is the annual bill that authorizes defense spending and sets priorities for America's military. This year's NDAA secures vital funds to support the men and women who selflessly serve our great country in uniform, said Congressman Allen. This legislation authorizes $738 billion in defense funding, provides the largest pay raise for our armed forces in a decade, and rejects numerous Democrat poison pills  such as restrictions on President Trump's authorities to secure our borders. The bill also includes $67 million for military construction projects at Fort Gordon, and includes full plutonium pit funding at the Savannah River Site (SRS). I will keep fighting for necessary funding to support the critical missions at Fort Gordon and SRS.  Historically, the NDAA has been a bipartisan measure, but this year Democrats upended this tradition and tried to include partisan provisions, which delayed passage of this vital legislation. Funding for our military should never be used as a partisan political tool, but I am glad we were ultimately able to come to an agreement and fund our troops. 


    
  
  
  
    
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https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-secures-big-wins-robins-and-moody-defense-bill,Rep. Austin Scott: Big Wins for Robins and Moody in Passage of Defense Bill,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), today released the below statement upon passage of the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DOD) policy and authorizes funding levels for defense programs.
As Members of Congress, one of our duties is to provide for our nation's defense. Passing the National Defense Authorization Act is an important part of this, as it authorizes needed resources for our warfighters,said Rep. Austin Scott. In my role on the House Armed Services Committee, my focus has always been to implement reforms without compromising our military's capability to be prepared for the national security challenges we face, and I believe we were able to accomplish many important goals in this year's NDAA.
Included in the legislation are key wins for Georgia's Eighth District. The critically-important E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) fleet based at Robins Air Force Base will receive $48.7 million, which includes a $20 million plus-up for re-engining. Robins will also receive $43 million to construct its consolidated mission complex. Additionally, Moody Air Force Base will receive $12.5 million to construct a much-needed combat rescue helicopter (HH-60W) apron.
Also included in the legislation is a provision authored by Rep. Scott to reimburse military spouses up to $1,000 for licensing and certification costs associated with a mandated move. This provision would potentially assist military spouses who are teachers, advance practice nurses, physician's assistants, occupational therapists, dentists, dental hygienists, nutritionists, counselors, social workers, veterinarians, cosmetologists and realtors, among other careers. This provision builds on a bill Rep. Scott introduced on June 4, 2019. Click here to read more.
Other key provisions of the legislation include:
 READINESS: Provides the resources to continue to rebuild readiness, advance modernization of the nuclear triad, develop emerging technologies, enhance missile defense, and confront our adversaries.
	PAY RAISE: Provides a 3.1% pay-raise for our troops  thelargest increase in a decade  and also extends special pay and bonuses for servicemembers.
	BORDER SECURITY: Does not include any prohibitions on funding a border wall nor restrictions affecting the counterdrug programs that construct fences along the border to block drug smuggling corridors.
	GUANTANAMO BAY: Maintains long-standing prohibitions on transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay, constructing detention facilities in the U.S., and closing Guantanamo.
	MILITARY HOUSING: Increases transparency and oversight of privatized military housing, including a new Tenant Bill of Rights.
	NATURAL DISASTERS: Provides an additional $5.3 billion in emergency funding for military installations damaged by natural disasters.
	SPACE FORCE: Establishes the United States Space Force as the sixth branch of the military.
	PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the Defense Department, Intelligence Community, and across the federal government, a key administration priority.
 Click here for a full summary of the FY2020 NDAA Conference Report.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=77F0DBF7-8FF6-492C-A3A0-05519BF1A19B,Rep. Austin Scott: Big Wins for Robins and Moody in Passage of Defense Bill,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), today released the below statement upon passage of the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DOD) policy and authorizes funding levels for defense programs.

“As Members of Congress, one of our duties is to provide for our nation’s defense. Passing the National Defense Authorization Act is an important part of this, as it authorizes needed resources for our warfighters,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “In my role on the House Armed Services Committee, my focus has always been to implement reforms without compromising our military’s capability to be prepared for the national security challenges we face, and I believe we were able to accomplish many important goals in this year’s NDAA.”

Included in the legislation are key wins for Georgia’s Eighth District. The critically-important E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (J-STARS) fleet based at Robins Air Force Base will receive $48.7 million, which includes a $20 million plus-up for re-engining. Robins will also receive $43 million to construct its consolidated mission complex. Additionally, Moody Air Force Base will receive $12.5 million to construct a much-needed combat rescue helicopter (HH-60W) apron.

Also included in the legislation is a provision authored by Rep. Scott to reimburse military spouses up to $1,000 for licensing and certification costs associated with a mandated move. This provision would potentially assist military spouses who are teachers, advance practice nurses, physician's assistants, occupational therapists, dentists, dental hygienists, nutritionists, counselors, social workers, veterinarians, cosmetologists and realtors, among other careers. This provision builds on a bill Rep. Scott introduced on June 4, 2019. Click here to read more.

Other key provisions of the legislation include:

READINESS: Provides the resources to continue to rebuild readiness, advance modernization of the nuclear triad, develop emerging technologies, enhance missile defense, and confront our adversaries.

PAY RAISE: Provides a 3.1% pay-raise for our troops – the largest increase in a decade – and also extends special pay and bonuses for servicemembers.

BORDER SECURITY: Does not include any prohibitions on funding a border wall nor restrictions affecting the counterdrug programs that construct fences along the border to block drug smuggling corridors.

GUANTANAMO BAY: Maintains long-standing prohibitions on transferring detainees from Guantanamo Bay, constructing detention facilities in the U.S., and closing Guantanamo.

MILITARY HOUSING: Increases transparency and oversight of privatized military housing, including a new Tenant Bill of Rights.

NATURAL DISASTERS: Provides an additional $5.3 billion in emergency funding for military installations damaged by natural disasters.

SPACE FORCE: Establishes the United States Space Force as the sixth branch of the military.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the Defense Department, Intelligence Community, and across the federal government, a key administration priority.

Click here for a full summary of the FY2020 NDAA Conference Report.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-applauds-president-trumps-executive-order-combat-anti-semitism,Collins applauds President Trump's executive order to combat anti-Semitism,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, commended President Donald Trump for signing an executive order to combat anti-Semitism on college campuses, which reflects language in Collins' Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (H.R. 4009). Collins attended the signing event today at the White House.
The rising tide of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world is something that should alarm everyone. Sadly, anti-Semitism has also become all too common on college campuses, hindering students' ability to learn and infringing on their civil rights. I applaud President Trump for signing an executive order that puts principles from the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act into action, said Collins.
Collins introduced the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act in July with support from 20 Republicans in the House. Last Congress, this legislation received bipartisan support from 50 members of Congress.
Chairman Nadler supported this bill last Congress, yet he has refused to consider this bill in the Judiciary Committee. It's incredibly disappointing that the Democrats have accepted anti-Semitic rhetoric in their caucus and, worse yet, in the Capitol, continued Collins.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-votes-support-our-troops,Collins Votes to Support Our Troops,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020):
Each year, members of Congress on both sides of the aisle come together to accomplish one critical goal: To put our troops first. While I'm disappointed by certain provisions pertaining to our immigration laws, this year's NDAA is a win for our men and women in uniform, and a win for Georgians. This legislation will strengthen our national security by rebuilding military readiness, investing in the tools necessary to confront China and Russia, and providing our troops with the largest pay raise in a decade. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I take seriously Congress' constitutional duty to fund our military, and I'm proud to have supported this legislation today.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 secures funding for Department of Defense Cyber Institutes at senior military colleges, including the University of North Georgia, to better prepare talented men and women to bring expertise in cybersecurity and cyber defense to the Armed Forces.
This bill also includes the Fair Chance Act (H.R. 1076), which Collins introduced with the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) earlier this year. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give formerly incarcerated individuals a fairer chance at finding a job by prohibiting the federal government and federal contractors from asking about the criminal history of a job applicant prior to a conditional offer of employment.
Collins' amendment to protect religious liberty for chaplains serving in the military was also included. The amendment ensures the churchrather than the militaryis the sole determiner of whether a military chaplain is qualified to represent his or her religion.
Collins is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the only military chaplain serving in Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5317,Rep. Hice Applauds President Trumps Executive Action on Anti-Semitism,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Hice Applauds President Trump's Executive Action on Anti-Semitism 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 11, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      Washington, D.C.  U.S. Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA) released the following statement applauding President Trump's executive order addressing anti-Semitism around the country, particularly on college campuses. By adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, this order will better enable federal resources to be directed towards protecting Jewish Americans from hostility and discrimination. One of the greatest things about our country is the freedom to profess our religious beliefs, said Congressman Hice. It is shameful Jewish Americans find themselves to be targets of anti-Semitism time and time again. Our Constitution guarantees the right to religious liberty. Discrimination of any kind is despicable, and I applaud the President for his actions to strengthen protections towards American Jews. To learn more about the President's executive order, click here.                       ##
    
  
  
  
    
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https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4277,Rep. Allen: USMCA Is A Win For The American People,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Allen: USMCA Is A Win For The American People 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 10, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) today released the following statement in support of the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) following Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that a vote will be scheduled: More than a year ago, President Trump fulfilled one of his core promises to the American people and signed an agreement to ensure more balanced, reciprocal trade with our two largest trading partners.  The USMCA is a huge win for the American people and supports high-paying jobs while bolstering U.S. agriculture. Thanks to improved trade relations, agricultural exports are expected to increase by more than $2 billion annually. This vital trade deal achieves bipartisan priorities, which is why it is extremely disappointing that Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats used this agreement as a political pawn by delaying a vote until after they announced their sham articles of impeachment. For no good reason, it took over a year for a vote to even be brought to the House floor.  Nevertheless, today's announcement is a win for the American people. I thank President Trump for his leadership on this agreement and resolve to get it across the finish line.
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https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-statement-house-democrats-introducing-articles,Rep. Austin Scott Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the below statement upon House Democrats introducingarticles of impeachment against President Donald Trump:
House Democrats have released their articles of impeachment against President Trump with no facts to support their claims. There has been no evidence of bribery, abuse of power, or quid pro quo, and there is no case for impeachment. They have wasted months trying to unseat a duly-elected President at the expense of lowering drug prices, funding our military, and passing new trade agreements for our thriving economy, said Rep. Austin Scott. Their hatred for President Trump is not grounds for impeachment, and I will continue to fight their partisan, baseless impeachment sham and work with the President to continue growing our economy and making opportunities for every American to succeed.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1BA2CDDC-3D2E-4192-A4B1-60AB0DFD78CA,Rep. Austin Scott Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the below statement upon House Democrats introducing articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump:

“House Democrats have released their articles of impeachment against President Trump with no facts to support their claims. There has been no evidence of bribery, abuse of power, or quid pro quo, and there is no case for impeachment. They have wasted months trying to unseat a duly-elected President at the expense of lowering drug prices, funding our military, and passing new trade agreements for our thriving economy,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “Their hatred for President Trump is not grounds for impeachment, and I will continue to fight their partisan, baseless impeachment sham and work with the President to continue growing our economy and making opportunities for every American to succeed.”

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://buddycarter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6617,Carter Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Buddy Carter,C001103,buddycarter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Carter Statement on Articles of Impeachment 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 10, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      Congressman Earl L. ""Buddy"" Carter (R-Ga.) released the following statement after Democrats introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump:""Since day one, Democrats have refused to accept the fact that Donald J. Trump is President of the United States. Washington Democrats have spent years on empty investigations and still have not produced substantial facts that warrant impeachment. However, Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies have decided to move forward today with articles of impeachment anyways in an attempt to overturn the 2016 election. ""It's unacceptable that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have wasted years of taxpayer dollars and time just because they didn't like who the American people elected to be our president. This witch hunt will go down as a shameful stain on our history.""
    
  
  
  
    
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https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-amendment-protect-religious-liberty-military-chaplains-included,Collins Amendment to Protect Religious Liberty for Military Chaplains Included in NDAA,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONThe U.S. House and Senate Armed Services Committees yesterday released the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, which included Collins' amendment to protect religious liberty for all chaplains serving in our military.
Collins' amendment will guarantee the government is not involved in the establishment and determination of religion, ensuring the church is the sole determiner of whether a military chaplain is qualified to represent his or her religion.
Allowing the military to serve as the sole determiner of whether a chaplain is qualified to represent his or her religion wrongly allows the government to dictate religious qualifications and how our military chaplains provide for the spiritual needs of our service members. This amendment will guarantee the churchnot stateis the sole determiner of whether a chaplain is qualified to represent his or her religion, said Collins.
As a former pastor and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, protecting our religious liberty and the role of the church is deeply personal for me. I want to thank Ranking Member Thornberry, Rep. Austin Scott, Chairman Inhofe, and Senators Lankford, Hawley and Perdue for working with me to ensure this amendment was included in the conference report, and I look forward to seeing this signed into law.
Collins is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the only military chaplain serving in Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-jeffries-presented-2019-charles-colson-advocate-hope-award,"Collins, Jeffries Presented with 2019 Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONPrison Fellowship, the nation's largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform, presented the 2019 Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award to Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for their work on the FIRST STEP Act and its eventual passage in December of 2018. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel on Monday night.
The FIRST STEP Act is the first step in transforming federal prisons into safe and effective facilities that will reduce recidivism and strengthen our communities and economy. The legislation expands rehabilitative programming and earned-time credit opportunities. It also reduces and clarifies mandatory minimums and better provides for the needs of federal prisoners.
The First Step Act invests in what Americans value most fiercelypeople, said Rep. Doug Collins. Since this bill was signed into law, we've seen communities restored, hope renewed, and families reunited. I'm proud to have partnered with my friend, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, to promote human dignity in our criminal justice system, and I'm incredibly honored to stand next to him today as we receive this award.
In addition to cosponsoring the FIRST STEP Act from its inception, Representatives Doug Collins and Hakeem Jeffries have worked tirelessly in a bipartisan manner to pass this critical legislation that paves the way to rehabilitate federal prisoners, protect public safety, and provide opportunities for prisoners to be released sooner for good behavior, said James Ackerman, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship. Representatives Collins and Jeffries are receiving the Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award due to the simple fact that they crafted this bipartisan bill that reflects their shared belief in human dignity and potential.
We are honoring these two dedicated public servants because they came together to lift up the voice of the voiceless, regardless of the political fallout, said Craig DeRoche, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy. They used their considerable political capital for those people in our country that have none. Both men went to battle to overcome partisan objections within their own parties, not just across the aisle. But they stood together because of their shared values and faith that they could make a difference for thousands of men and women across the country.
The Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award is bestowed annually on a person(s) with a record of faithful, unswerving, and winsome advocacy for restorative criminal justice reforma person whose leadership blazes a trail toward a future of proportional punishment, constructive prison culture, second chances, and safer communities.
Charles Colson Advocate of Hope Award
The Charles Colson Hope Awards, sponsored by Prison Fellowship, recognize people who have faithfully and courageously worked to restore those affected by crime and incarceration. Charles Colson, who founded Prison Fellowship more than 40 years ago, was at ease with presidents, prisoners, wardens, pastors, laypeople, and legislators.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ferguson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3148,Ferguson on USMCA Agreement,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,A. Ferguson,F000465,ferguson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) released the following statement following the announcement the House will vote on the United-States-Canada-Mexico-Agreement:After the Democrat majority held off a floor vote for months while playing politics, the American people will finally see the benefits of the USMCA trade agreement. As a member of the committee that handles trade  the House Ways and Means Committee  it has been an honor to work with Ranking Member Kevin Brady and other Committee members to support the efforts of President Trump and the administration to renegotiate NAFTA. This is clearly a better deal for American businesses and workers. This agreement will level the global playing field for American businesses and implement policies that will build upon the growing successes we have seen from tax reform and deregulation. By opening new markets for the United States to sell more American products abroad, the outlook for our manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, tech workers, small businesses, and American consumers is once again positive. After years of sluggish recovery, our economy is booming again and growing 50 percent faster than projected. America is once again the most competitive place in the world to do business and thanks to the hard work of President Trump, the USMCA will help continue that growth. I was proud to be the conservative voice in the room at the White House to emphasize the trade priorities of my neighbors in the Third District, and again in Ottawa with Ways and Means Committee members to voice the importance of this trade agreement. As Chief Deputy Whip, I will have the honor of working alongside Republican Whip Steve Scalise to deliver a big vote in support of President Trump's trade deal. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3110,Rep. Loudermilk: American People Force Speaker and Democrats to Act on USMCA,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Loudermilk: American People Force Speaker and Democrats to Act on USMCA  
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 10, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
      
    
  
  
    
      
      
        It's about time! Speaker Pelosi's dam of obstruction' has formed a small crack in which President Trump's USMCA trade agreement has leaked through. 
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      Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the House has reached a deal on the USMCA trade deal: It's about time! Speaker Pelosi's dam of obstruction' has formed a small crack in which President Trump's USMCA trade agreement has leaked through. Fearful that passing the popular USMCA would be a huge win for President Trump and Republicans, Pelosi and Democrats refused to even consider passing this key trade deal during their entire first year in control of the House.  What they refused to acknowledge is, the real winners of the USMCA would be the American farmers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers. Overwhelming public support for USMCA and a growing frustration of obstruction is what has brought USMCA to a vote, but the Democrats will certainly try to take full credit. Once in place, USMCA will bring another $68 billion to our historically strong economy, creating more jobs, more pay increases, and more stability for American workers, as well as our trade partners in Canada and Mexico.  
    
  
  
  
    
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https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401216,Graves Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner from Walker County,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Graves Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner from Walker County 
                      
                    
                        10th grader Andrew Lemons won with his Animal Record Keeper app submission
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 10, 2019-
                         Today Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) announced Andrew Lemons as the winner of this year's 14th District Congressional App Challenge. The App Challenge is a nationwide initiative to encourage student involvement, curiosity and creation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and computer science. Andrew, a 10th grader at LaFayette High School, submitted an original app called the Animal Record Keeper (ARK). Via video submission, Andrew detailed his new app with the help of his dog, Izzy.
Animal Record Keeper (ARK) is an app designed to help pet owners keep track of their animal's information. The app can store important documents like medical records and reminders like when to administer medication or vaccines. The information can be emailed or messaged to anyone directly from the app. Andrew mentioned that his inspiration for creating this was Izzy, especially since his family travels frequently and many dog parks require verification of certain vaccinations. The ARK app was created using SwiftUI, a developer tool designed by Apple.
I was so impressed with this year's app submissions, and congratulate Andrew Lemons on his creative and original idea, said Rep. Graves. As a pet owner and animal lover I agree with Andrew that an app like ARK would certainly come in handy. I also want to thank our panel of judges who volunteered to be a part of this unique competition. Northwest Georgia is full of so many talented students and I encourage them to start developing ideas for next year's challenge. 
Three local judges from the 14th Congressional District reviewed the submissions and rated each application before sharing their feedback with Rep. Graves' office. Timothy P. Hawkins, Associate Professor at Dalton State College; Dwight Watt, Networking (Cisco/Windows), Computer Support and Cybersecurity Program Director/Instructor at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and; Charles Howell, retired IT Director of Operations for Floyd Medical Center and financial coach, and founder of GeekWeekUSA, served as this year's judging panel. 
You can view Andrew's video submission and app demonstration here.


    
        
            
        
    

  
About the Congressional App Challenge: 
The App Challenge encourages students to use any programming language to code an app for any platform. There are no limits on the theme or topic. Students can form teams or enter the challenge individually. Since the App Challenge launched in 2014, more than 14,000 students across 47 states and territories have coded over 4,000 apps for desktop PCs, web, tablets, mobiles or other platforms.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401236,Modernization Committee Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Reform Congress,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Modernization Committee Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Reform Congress
                      
                    
                        
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 10, 2019-
                         Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (Select Committee) will introduce legislation to implement the bipartisan recommendations that have passed out of the Select Committee throughout the year. The Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization (ModCom) includes nearly 30 of the recommendations made by the Select Committee, all crafted to make Congress work better for the American people.
The text specifically addresses five sections of reform which include: Streamlining And Reorganizing Human Resources, Improving Orientation for Members-Elect and Providing Improved Continuing Education Opportunities For Members, Modernizing and Revitalizing Technology, Making the House Accessible to All, and Improving Access to Documents and Publications. The Select Committee does not have legislative authority, but each committee member co-sponsored this legislative text, led by Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA), to signal their strong support for delivering real reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Select Committee will work with the Committee on House Administration and other relevant committees of jurisdiction to see these recommendations implemented once the legislation passes the House.
We've passed nearly 30 unanimous bipartisan recommendations to make Congress work better for the American people, and today is just the latest step in our work to bring real reform to the People's House, said Chair Kilmer and Vice Chair Graves. We are grateful to our colleagues in the House who have been supportive of our work to turn our recommendations into results. We intend to keep identifying areas for reform and building on this legislative momentum throughout the next year. 
Created by an overwhelming bipartisan vote at the beginning of the 116th Congress, the Select Committee was tasked to produce recommendations on rules to promote a more modern and efficient Congress; procedures, including the schedule and calendar; policies to develop the next generation of leaders; staff recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits; administrative efficiencies, including purchasing, travel, outside services, and shared administrative staff; technology and innovation; and the work of the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
Since March the Select Committee has held 14 hearings and numerous Member and staff-level briefings and listening sessions to solicit ideas and recommendations for reforming the legislative branch. On a rolling basis throughout the year, the Select Committee issued recommendations and shared ideas for reform on a bipartisan basis. Last month, after widespread bipartisan support throughout Capitol Hill, the Select Committee and its work was extended through the end of the 116th Congress. The rule that created the Select Committee originally had it set to expire on February 1, 2020. The extension allows the Select Committee to continue its work proposing bipartisan reforms to make Congress work better for the American people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6EADF9EC-2159-4EE9-A80B-E68815F971C1,"Isakson, Casey Applaud Senate Passage of Over-the-Counter Drug Reform",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., today applauded the Senate passage of legislation they introduced to overhaul the way over-the-counter medications are regulated and brought to market.
The current system used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate these medications, called the over-the-counter monograph system, was implemented in 1972. While modern medicine is constantly improving and adapting as research offers new information, the regulatory system is outdated, putting consumer health at risk and hindering innovation that could benefit all Americans.
The Over-the-Counter Drug Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act, S.2740, seeks to streamline and modernize the FDA's regulatory system to better serve the American public. It passed in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee by voice vote on Nov. 5. It passed the full Senate today by a vote of 91-2.
The Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act will help ensure that Americans have effective, accessible health products in their medicine cabinets and on supermarket shelves. In addition, the legislation will ensure innovations can be made well into the future and that we are promoting competition to bring down costs for consumers, said Isakson.I thank my Senate colleagues for their overwhelming support in passing this legislation to modernize and overhaul our woefully outdated over-the-counter drug approval process, and I urge our colleagues in the House to quickly follow suit in passing this measure.
I am pleased that my Senate colleagues have passed the Over-the-Counter Monograph Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act, which will make long overdue updates to the regulation of over-the-counter drugs, said Casey. By modernizing regulation of over-the-counter drugs, we will provide confidence to American consumers that non-prescription medications have appropriate oversight from the FDA, and that the FDA has the authority to take swift action to protect public health should a safety problem occur.
Isakson and Casey's Over-the-Counter Drug Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act would also speed up the current years-long approval process for new over-the-counter medications.
The pharmaceutical industry would help cover much of the costs of the updated regulatory system through user fees to support medication review, new information technology (IT) infrastructure and new full-time employees for the FDA.
This legislation was originally introduced by Isakson and Casey in January 2018 and it was previously approved 22-1 by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on April 24, 2018.
Background:
Specifically, the Over-the-Counter Drug Safety, Innovation, and Reform Act would:
 
Change the cumbersome monograph rulemaking process to an administrative order process (the same legal authority used for other medical product approvals).
Allow the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to take rapid action to protect public health in the event of safety issues.
Establish processes for manufacturers to request administrative orders, or for the secretary to initiate administrative orders at the recommendation of the FDA or in response to citizens' petitions.
Establish a process by which drug developers can request meetings with the FDA, similar to existing processes for prescription drug development.
Create a new incentive to bring innovative over-the-counter products to consumers by providing an 18-month period of product exclusivity to reward innovation.
Require an annual update to Congress on the FDA's evaluation of the cold and cough monograph with respect to children under the age of six.
Authorize the FDA to collect user fees so that the agency has the necessary resources to evaluate and monitor the over-the-counter market.
 
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-usmca-is-a-huge-win-for-america,Senator David Perdue: USMCA Is A Huge Win For America,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-statement-inspector-general-horowitz-s-fisa-report,Collins statement on Inspector General Horowitzs FISA report,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement upon the release of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report on possible abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
The inspector general's report confirms what we've known to be true: Bad actors at the top levels of the Department of Justice and FBI abused their power to attempt to take down then-candidate Trump.
FISA's original intent was to protect Americans from surveillance abuses, but this critical tool was abused for political gains ahead of the 2016 election. Those at the pinnacle of our national security community lost the objectivity they are required to exercise.
I'm deeply concerned the report's conclusion indicate there isn't bias when that is so clearly not the case: The FBI chose not to brief then-candidate Donald Trump, failed to corroborate information in the government surveillance of a U.S. citizen and failed to disclose exculpatory evidence in that FISA application.
It's now obvious that Democrats tried to sweep the surveillance abuse under the rug since it pertained to President Trump rather than a Democratic candidate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-walden-brady-foxx-introduce-legislation-lower-drug-costs,"Collins, Walden, Brady, Foxx introduce legislation to lower drug costs",2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONJudiciary Committee Republican Leader Doug Collins (R-Ga.),Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Ways and Means Committee Republican Leader Kevin Brady (R-Texas), and Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.)today released legislation  the Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19)  to lower drug costs for Americans without limiting access to cures.
Americans pay too much for prescription drugs and it's not right  Congress needs to step up. House Democrats and Republicans have agreed on bipartisan solutions that can become law in 2019, which will lower costs at the drug counter for patients and seniors. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act uses bipartisan reforms to lower out-of-pocket spending, protect access to new medicines and cures, strengthen transparency and accountability and champion competition, said Collins, Walden, Brady andFoxx. This contains measures with bipartisan support in the House and Senate, can become law, and deserves a vote. Meanwhile, Speaker Pelosi's partisan drug pricing scheme is not only bad policy, it's never going to become law. We're all here to get things done for the American people, so let's get this done, and let's do it now.
The Lower Costs, More Cures Act:
 
	Encourages innovation of groundbreaking new cures, promotes more low-cost options for patients, and curbs how drug companies can game of the system.
	Provides first-ever out-of-pocket cap for seniors in the Medicare Part D program.
	Caps the cost of insulin for seniors in the Medicare Part D program.
	Increases transparency and removes uncertainty at the pharmacy counter.
	Cuts the cost of drug administration, including cancer treatment, for Medicare beneficiaries by as much as half.
	Stops subsidizing other developed countries' health care through stronger trade agreements.
	Includes policy that has bipartisan, bicameral support and could be signed into law today.
 
Speaker Pelosi's H.R. 3:
 
	H.R. 3 could lead to as many as 100 fewer drugs entering the United States market over the next decade, or about one-third of the total number of drugs expected to enter the market during that time. (White House Council of Economic Advisers)
	H.R. 3 would reduce by 88% the number of drugs brought to market by small and emerging companies in California alone. (California Life Sciences Association)
	Doesn't do the trick. FEWER cures! FEWER treatments! Time for the Democrats to get serious about bipartisan solutions to lowering prescription drug prices for families. (President Donald Trump)
 
CLICK HERE for a section-by-section summary of the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.
CLICK HERE for legislative text of the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-12919,Washington Watch - 12/9/19,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"SENATOR ISAKSON DELIVERS FAREWELL SPEECH, HIS SUCCESSOR ANNOUNCED
Last week, Senator Johnny Isakson delivered his farewell speech on the U.S. Senate floor. The Senate is losing one of the best, and his presence will be sorely missed in the halls of Congress. I would like to thank Johnny again for everything he has done for all of us here in Georgia. I wish him all the best in his much-deserved retirement!
In Senator Isakson's stead, Governor Brian Kemp announced his intention to appoint business executive Kelly Loeffler to the soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat.
Loeffler's decades of leadership and experience make her an excellent fit for the job. From working on her family's farm, her philanthropic work, and creating jobs and opportunity in the private sector, Kelly embodies the best of our public servants and citizen leaders, and Georgia's small business owners and local entrepreneurs will benefit from her firsthand knowledge of the free market.
Just as I did with Senator Isakson, I look forward to working with Senator Loeffler to expand the American Dream for the millions of hardworking families here in the great state of Georgia.

IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS DRAW MASSIVE ATTENTION, YIELD LITTLE TO NO ANSWERS
A full day of testimony from four law school professors in front of the House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday brought remarkably little new information to the impeachment process. It was clear that each side of the political aisle had chosen its witnesses very carefully. The Democrat witnesses were all lock-step in favor of impeachment and highlighted various reasons why they believed the President was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors, while the one Republican witness that the Committee permitted was concerned that the impeachment case was going forward prematurely and would set a dangerous precedent for what constitutes an impeachable offense in the future. That's an outcome we all knew before the hearing, and it's one that shouldn't have taken eight hours to uncover.
Instead, the Judiciary Committee should have been doing a real investigation of its own by examining the evidence before it. It should have been questioning Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. After all, Chairman Schiff is the one who did all the investigating and who presented his report recommending impeachment to the Judiciary Committee. But even though the Committee is conducting yet another hearing today, Chairman Schiff's absence is particularly notable. That's distressing to many Members of Congress; that the person in charge of the investigation has yet to appear before the Committee to answer questions about the investigation.
What's even more disturbing is that before hearing from even one fact witness or even one member of the Intel Committee, which conducted the investigation, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that the time had come for the Judiciary Committee to draft official articles of impeachment. The march toward an impeachment in the House is of course inevitable now. Regardless of what the Judiciary Committee might uncover in future hearings, the Speaker has decreed that impeachment will go forward. That's not how an impartial, non-partisan investigation should be conducted.



NOVEMBER JOBS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS TREMENDOUS GROWTH
Beating expectations, the U.S. economy added 266,000 new jobs in November. Wages topped estimates, and the unemployment rate returned to a nearly half-century low of 3.5%. Despite slowing growth around the world, our nation's economy remains a bright spot, thanks to Republican-led tax reform and fewer burdensome regulations. With 3.1% growth in wages since last year, workers have more money in their pockets and are feeling more financially secure.

THE HOUSE VOTES TO DEFINE INSIDER TRADING
Insider trading occurs when an individual makes a trade on the stock exchange for his or her own advantage using information that is not public. This practice has long been unacceptable and illegal in the United States. Howeverbelieve it or notinsider trading has not been explicitly defined in statute by Congress. Cases have largely been prosecuted as fraud cases under the Securities Exchange Act or have been based off of judicial precedents. This week, the House voted to explicitly define insider trading through the passage of H.R. 2534, the Insider Trading Prohibition Act. Under the bill, insider trading is clearly defined as trading with information that is fraudulently obtained and used for personal benefit. The bill is by no means perfect, and I was glad to see a bipartisan compromise come together to make the original version's vague definition more specific, but it is a positive step towards providing legal certainty for those participating in the financial markets.

EXAMINING THE MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT ON OUR NATION'S ROADS AND RAILWAYS
Last week the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee held a hearing that focused on the importance of freight transportation and the ways in which the movement of goods is changing. It goes without saying that this was an aptly timed hearing as the movement and volume of goods tends to increase during the holiday season. With consumers expecting speedy deliveries now more than ever, and shippers balancing intricate transportation logistics and consumer demands, lawmakers had the opportunity to learn more about the ways in which federal freight programs, as authorized by the FAST Act of 2015, can be reformed to meet the needs of tomorrow.
As many of us know too well, the movement of freight in the metro-Atlanta area has not helped with our already congested roadways and highways, and in fact, it is an issue that our state has been studying at great length. That's because according to the American Transportation Research Institute, Atlanta is home to three of the top 10 freight bottlenecks in the United States: I-285 at I-85 (North) in second place, I-75 at I-285 (North) in third place, and I-20 at I-285 (West) in ninth place. With the Port of Savannah now the fourth largest port in the nation, and preparations in place to deepen the Savannah harbor, it is undeniable that Georgia will continue to see increased freight movement along our roads and rails. Fortunately, our state officials have been proactive in addressing these pressing freight issues. You can be sure that I will follow their good work and look for ways to supplement their efforts at the federal level to efficiently accommodate the movement of freight while simultaneously alleviating congestion across our roadways. I look forward to having those important conversations and highlighting Georgia's hard work next year when the House T&I Committee begins reauthorizing our critical surface transportation programs.

HOUSE PASSES FINAL ROBOCALL LEGISLATION; SENATE ACTION SOON TO FOLLOW
While the impeachment hearings have cast a shadow over Congress, there are still opportunities for my colleagues and I to come together on issues that unite all Americans and enact meaningful reform. As I'm sure we can all agree, the pervasiveness of unlawful robocalls is one such issue.
Earlier this summer, the House passed its solution  H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, with nearly unanimous support, roughly two months after the Senate approved its solution the TRACED Act by a vote of 97-1. After months of working out the differences between the two bills, the House approved that final measure last week with almost unanimous support. For those of you not familiar with this legislation, this bill requires telecommunications providers to implement effective call authentication technologies at no additional cost to the consumer so that fraudulent calls never reach consumers' phones in the first place.
With more than 47 billion robocalls placed nationwide in 2018, and the number of robocalls on track to outpace that figure in 2019, I am glad that Congress was able to come together on a bipartisan basis to move this legislation forward. I believe that the provisions included in this legislation, coupled with continued action from the Federal Communications Commission and telecom industry, will help curb those unlawful robocalls that have robbed Americans of their time, money, and peace of mind for too long. The Senate is expected to pass that legislation in the coming weeks, and I fully expect we will see that bill signed into law.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: PROTECTING BOTH WORKERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS
Every week I share with you some thoughts from our neighbors about the issues most affecting them. This week, we have two opposing perspectives regarding H.R. 2474.
Cliff from Duluth
I am writing today as an enthusiastic member of the franchise community and your constituent. I understand that the House of Representatives and the Senate are considering the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 2474/S. 1306), a bill that would wreak havoc on franchise businesses in our state and nationwide. I respectfully urge you to oppose this legislation.
Specifically, the PRO Act seeks to codify the vague and unlimited standard for joint employment that was adopted in 2015 by the National Labor Relations Board in Browning-Ferris Industries. The legal uncertainty created by the expanded joint employment standard has had a chilling effect on the franchise business model, to the tune of nearly $33.3 billion per year and 376,000 lost job opportunities.
Additionally, the bill's codification of California's ""ABC test"" for determining independent contractor status threatens to turn me and all other franchise owners in our state into employees of big, out-of-state franchise companies. I would stand to lose my independence as a business owner and potentially a lot of the hard-earned value of my business that I've worked tirelessly to develop over the years.
This bill stands to destroy not just individual businesses, but the franchise business model as a whole.
I am respectfully urging you to oppose this legislation, which will reduce entrepreneurship, stifle small business growth, and prevent franchising from serving as the engine of opportunity and access point to the American Dream as it has done for decades.
Earl from Buford
More than 6 out of 10 Americans approve of unions. But there are still too few protections in place for workers who want to start a union. Instead, companies are often able to get away with suppressing workers' rights to organize by making it harder to hold elections, firing those who engage in union activity, and preventing unions from collecting their fair share of dues.
The Protecting the Right to Organize Act would help change this by strengthening the opportunity for workers to form a union or engage in union activity. It would mean more power for workers, and it would allow workers to collectively bargain to meet their families' needs without having to choose between rent and food, health insurance, and keeping the lights on.
As your constituent, I urge you to support this bill and do everything in your power to move it to a vote.
  At my office in Washington, D.C., and back home in Georgia, I regularly hear from workers and business owners about the issues they are facing and what legislative solutions they are seeking as a remedy to the problem. Candidly, in our part of the world, the desire to strengthen labor unions, however, isn't generally one of the solutions I hear much about from employees or employers. In fact, most conversations are about employers' need for workers, and given the nation's record-low unemployment rate, it's a job-seeker's market. Business owners are therefore incentivized to offer competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain workers.
While I absolutely agree with Earl that workers should be treated fairly and their right to unionize should be respected, I have to disagree with the assertion that the relationship between business owners and their workers is generally adversarial. On the contrary, the relationship between employers and employees is, by and large, mutually beneficial, and the greater flexibility that employers are afforded allows them to be creative in how they compete with other employers to hang on to their workers. Even when workers unionize, this symbiosis is recognized in federal statute and stewarded by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which views both employers and employees on equal footing when assessing labor disputes. While the NLRB may not always get it right, there is a process that exists through the agency or through Congress to course correct. One example is the joint employer rule that Cliff brought up, which NLRB is expected to change by the end of this year.
H.R 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, would undermine the trust in the NLRB as a fair arbiter between unions and businesses by drastically shifting the balance towards unions and stripping employers of the protections provided by the agency. The bill would also repeal NLRB's ban on secondary boycotts where a neutral third party employer is targeted to coerce it from doing business with the primary target of a union. The PRO Act also inflates the power of unions at the expense of individual workers. The bill would repeal the right-to-work laws that have been adopted by more than half the states and eliminate a worker's right to secret ballot elections to determine if employees really want to unionize in the first place.
While well-meaning individuals can disagree about the effectiveness of the NLRB and its rulings over the years, I think we can all agree on the need to ensure fairness in the NLRB process. When a proposal like the PRO Act puts union interests above those of employers and their employees, it has the potential of doing more harm than good.

FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WINS STATEWIDE AWARD
The hard work and dedication of our school administrators here in the 7th District is a significant reason for the success of our children's education. Last week, the Forsyth County Board of Education was recognized for its outstanding performance and was selected out of a group of nine finalists as the winner of the 2019 Governance Team of the Year Award.
I hope you will all join me in congratulating the Board of Education for this incredible achievement. Your hard work is what makes the education here in our community among the best in the nation.

TEXAS NONPROFIT GIFTS HONOR CHAIR' TO REMEMBER GCPD OFFICER
It is important to remember all the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community. Last week, a San Antonio-based nonprofit, Saving a Hero's Place, helped pay tribute to fallen Gwinnett County police office Antwan Toney, who was shot and killed while responding to a call last year. The nonprofit presented Gwinnett's South Precinct with a commemorative wooden chair with Officer Toney's name. Saving a Hero's Place regularly produces these chairs to pay tribute to police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
I would like to thank Saving a Hero's Place for their kind gesture to our community. We value each and every one of our outstanding first responders, and we take great care to remember all who have fallen in the line of duty.

THE WEEK AHEAD
With only two weeks left before Congress' annual Christmas holiday, there is important work left to do, though unfortunately, much of what is on the House's agenda is more of the same missed opportunities for bipartisanship that has plagued the House all year.
Instead of hearing from Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence about his investigation into President Trump, the House Judiciary Committee met this morning at 9am to hear presentations from the legal counsel on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees. It saddens me that Chairman Schiff is hiding from the tough questions of his colleagues. On the House floor this week, we'll have a number of large pieces of legislation, includingH.R. 3, H.R. 729, and H.R. 5038. House Democrats argue that H.R. 3, which deals with drug prices, would allow Medicare to negotiate some drug prices and use fees to pressure drug companies to offer lower prices to private insurers. In reality, Speaker Pelosi has rejected every opportunity to work with congressional Republicans to find bipartisan solutions to lower the cost of prescription drugs without destabilizing medical professionals and healthcare organizations. In fact, I expect that we'll see an alternative bill introduced by House Republicans that includes only bipartisan provisions that we can all agree will lower drug costs without stooping to price fixing.
I am pleased, however, to see the House working on H.R. 5038, which is a bipartisan agriculture guest worker bill that stands to benefit American farmers, consumers, and foreign workers who want to work in the United States the right way. While I'm sure there will be much discussion about this measure, and I know that conscientious legislators from both sides of the aisle may have opposing views, with so much attention in the House being spent on those things that divide us, it's a positive step forward to at least talk about a measure that can bring many members together.
Hopefully this is the start of a new way of doing business in 2020, where lawmakers move away from poking each other with sharp sticks and instead focus on bringing bills to the floor that would pass with wide ranging support.
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall   Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=84A441E8-9895-4C5E-B19B-1D86F6B8E2ED,Isakson Honored for Lifetime Commitment to U.S. Global Leadership,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  In a recently released video, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, was recognized for his longstanding commitment to advocating for a strong U.S. foreign policy and strengthening America's development and diplomacy tools across the globe.
Isakson, who previously served as the top Republican on the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs, was honored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the coalition typically reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of America's global leadership.
At the Nov. 20 dinner in Washington, D.C., a tribute video featuring Isakson's contributions was shown to an audience of more than 1,000 influential business, military, non-governmental organizations, faith-based, foreign policy and national security leaders as well as current and former members of Congress and administration officials.
In the video, Isakson describes how he came to serve as a member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the importance of his work to advance U.S. national security interests through global leadership.
There, he led bipartisan legislative and advocacy efforts including:
 
The Global Food Security Act and its subsequent reauthorization.
The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Millennium Challenge Corporation Modernization Act, which was signed into law in 2018.
Funding of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. He also helped introduce the PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018, which was signed into law.
Successful advocacy for improved two-way trade and investment between African and American businesses and the reopening of markets in South Africa and China to American poultry exports.
Improving the ability of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 2018-2019 outbreak.
Enacting the BUILD Act to help encourage development projects in Africa by modernizing America's development finance structure.
 
Among his many accomplishments, Isakson considers the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act chief among his most personal and proud moments. The legislation was inspired by a Georgia constituent and Peace Corps volunteer, Kate Puzey, who was murdered after she reported a local colleague for allegedly molesting girls they taught in Benin, West Africa. Isakson sought justice in the case, visiting Benin multiple times, including with Puzey's family. His legislation to provide improved security and protection measures for U.S. Peace Corps volunteers was signed into law into 2011.
The video is the latest in a series about Isakson's career as he prepares to leave the Senate on Dec. 31. To view the video, produced by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, click here. For a full list of Isakson's foreign policy-related accomplishments, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5249,"Rep. Hice Schedules Telephone Town Hall for Tuesday, December 10th",2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Hice Schedules Telephone Town Hall for Tuesday, December 10th 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington, D.C.,
        December 6, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA) today announced he will host his ninth Telephone Town Hall of the year for Georgians across the 10th District on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
I'm humbled to be the voice of Georgia's 10th Congressional District which is why Telephone Town Halls are a regular part of my office outreach, said Congressman Hice. Because I value the input of my fellow Georgians, it's important that I hear directly from the people I represent. It is through these town halls that I am able to interact with thousands of Georgians in a way that is easy and accessible for everyone. I look forward to productive conversations on Tuesday evening as we discuss issues most important to them and those that affect our community.
Who: CongressmanHiceand 10th District residents  
What: December Telephone Town Hall  
When:December 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.  
*subject to legislative business*
This forum is open to the public. 10th District residents may RSVP and submit questions for the telephone town hall here or call Representative Hice's Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-4101. Constituents may also join the conference by calling (877) 229-8493 and using the passcode 117571 or listen online at any point during the event.
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https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5250,Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Ethylene Oxide Statement on U.S. EPA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Ethylene Oxide Statement on U.S. EPA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      WASHINGTON, D.C. The Bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force released the following statement on the EPA's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for use of ethylene oxide by commercial sterilizers:
The EPA's announcement is an important, yet long overdue step toward issuing stricter regulations of ethylene oxide (EtO) to keep our communities safe. Three years ago, the EPA reclassified EtO as a known carcinogen and, therefore the agency should have immediately begun the rulemaking process to enact proper safeguards for its use. We look forward to working with the EPA to enact science-based regulations that protect our districts from exposure to EtO, and we strongly urge the agency to be more transparent and engaged with the public during this rulemaking process. The bipartisan EtO task force intends to submit comments to the EPA as a part of the 60-day period.
The Bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force is chaired by Representatives Jody Hice (R-GA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL). Members represent communities across the country affected by ethylene oxide emissions and include Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. David Scott (D-GA), and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA).
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https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=AC057AB0-598F-4CD7-892F-BBCAE70628E5,A Memorable Week,2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Dear friends,

This week, in addition to the Senate's work to approve eight U.S. district court judges and other senior administration nominees, special time was set aside in the Senate for my farewell speech on the Senate floor before my retirement on Dec. 31.
On Tuesday, not only did the leaders of both parties bring Republicans, Democrats and Independents together to honor my service at a special barbecue lunch, but Vice President Mike Pence attended both the lunch and presided over my remarks on the Senate floor. You can watch my remarks here or by clicking on the video below.

In my speech, I shared with Georgians, my colleagues and Americans the message that I wanted to leave behind as my Senate career comes to a close. Bipartisanship is a state of being and a state of mind. We've been stuck for too long, and it's time that the Senate leads the way by bringing people with differences together to find common ground. It's time we work together to find solutions, rather than point fingers.
Also during the luncheon, I was surprised with a video from many of my Senate colleagues wishing me well in retirement. You can watch that video here.
I appreciate the leaders in both parties for making this day happen. I appreciate everybody's generous comments, and I appreciate the opportunity I've had to represent the people of Georgia in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate for a long time. It's been the biggest honor and most fun I've had in my life. Thank you all!
 Georgia's New U.S. Senator 
On Wednesday, Governor Brian Kemp announced the appointment of Kelly Loeffler to represent Georgia in the U.S. Senate following my retirement on Dec. 31.
I congratulate Kelly on her historic appointment to the U.S. Senate. Her business experience and acumen will be an asset to Georgia and the Senate. The same tireless work ethic that has helped Kelly succeed in business will also help her succeed in serving Georgians and our nation. I also pledged that my staff and I will work closely with her to ensure a smooth transition.
Kelly Loeffler will be the first Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Senate from Georgia. The first woman to serve in the Senate from Georgia was a Democrat who served for one day in 1922.
 Georgia Congressman Tom Graves 
Yesterday, U.S. Representative Tom Graves, R-Ga.-14, announced he would not seek re-election in 2020. Congressman Graves has given so much to Georgia throughout his service in the Georgia General Assembly and in Congress. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Tom's rise in the U.S. House reflects his leadership and his commitment to serving others. He is one of a kind  a great Georgian, a great American and a great representative of our state. I've been proud to stand with him to fight for Georgians, and I'm proud to call him my friend.
While I am sorry Tom will not be seeking re-election in 2020, I am confident that he will have great success in whatever role he may choose to take on next. I'm happy for Tom, his wife Julie, and his wonderful family as they look forward to spending more time with each other, and I wish them the very best. Tom knows he can call on me any time, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to see more of each other in Georgia.
 In Other News 
 
Senator Doug Jones, D-Ala., and I introduced a legislative package that includes two measures to protect vulnerable children by aiding states' efforts to combat child abuse and neglect and by providing adoption support for children most in need. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Reauthorization Act of 2019 and the Adoption Opportunities Act of 2019 have been carefully crafted to ensure we're able to help protect children, and I hope we can move quickly on this important legislation.
 
 
This week the House of Representatives passed the companion version of the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and I have worked together on this commonsense legislation to ensure that the children of service members who are born while stationed overseas are automatically recognized as U.S. citizens. We should be doing all we can to ease the lives of our all-volunteer force, not adding needless hurdles for them and their families.
 
 
This week, we celebrated a great step in honoring the heroes of World War II Merrill's Marauders unit. This Thursday, the bipartisan Merrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act, S.743, passed the Senate unanimously. On behalf of these World War II heroes and their families, I'm so pleased the Senate has voted to recognize this elite group of volunteer warriors and award them with the Congressional Gold Medal. I'm proud that the legacy of Merrill's Marauders lives on today at Fort Benning with the 75th Ranger Regiment, and I hope the U.S. House will soon pass its measure to award them with the Congressional Gold Medal.
 
 What's On Tap? 
As we approach the end of the year, I am still hard at work fighting for Georgia's legislative priorities. Next week, the Senate will continue its consideration of nominees to administration positions and judges to serve on our federal courts. We will also continue working on government funding measures.
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-bill-modernize-wildlife-conservation-funding-get-more-1,"Rep. Austin Scott Bill to Modernize Wildlife Conservation Funding, Get More Americans Outdoors Passes Out of Committee",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC CongressmanAustinScott(GA-08), House Co-Chairmanofthe Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), today released the following statement upon the HouseCommitteeon Natural Resources favorably passing his bipartisan legislationtomodernizethe Pittman-RobertsonWildlifeRestoration Act (PR):
As the number of hunters in our country continues to decline, we are losing primary funders of America's conservation efforts. Pittman-Robertson funds are shrinking, and our state and local habitats are suffering, which is why I am pushing this legislationtogive state wildlife agenciesmoreflexibility in how they use their PR funds in order to get moreAmericansoutdoors,saidRep.Scott.I am pleased theCommitteefavorably passed my PR modernizationbill, and I will keep pressing until our decades-oldwildlifeconservationfundingsystem receives the critical updates it deserves.
Enacted in 1937, the Pittman-RobertsonWildlifeRestoration Act provides federal aidtostates for management and restorationofwildlifeareas. Specifically, through a systemofuser pay/public benefits, Pittman-Robertson uses proceeds from an existing federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipmenttofundwildlifeconservationand hunter education grants for state and territorial fish andwildlifeagencies. However, decadesofmigrationtourban and suburban centers have made itmoredifficult for the publictoparticipate in sportsmen's activities. As the baseofsportsmen and women declines, so do PRwildlifeconservationfunds.
Rep.Scott'sbill, Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act(H.R. 877), would remove the existing prohibition on PR funds being used for public relations and permit fish andwildlifeagenciestouse these funds for the construction, operation, and maintenanceofpublic ranges. By expanding the ways in which PR funds can be used, sportsmen and women will see their tax dollars at work as state fish andwildlifeagencies will be permittedtouse modern formsoftechnology, such as social media and television spots,torecruit and retain both hunters and recreational shooters.
In additiontoproviding new avenues for whichtoapportion Pittman-Robertson funds, this legislation would establish new hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program availabletostates under PR, further conserving the user-payfundingofwildlifeconservation.
JoiningRep.Scottas original cosponsorsofthebillare fellow CSC House Co-ChairRep. Marc Veasey (TX-33) and CSC Vice-Chairs Reps. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Debbie Dingell (MI-12). Additional cosponsors include Reps. Greg Gianforte (MT-AL), Alexander Mooney (WV-02), Roger Williams (TX-25), French Hill (AR-02), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Robert Latta (OH-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Paul Mitchell (MI-10), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Tom Cole (OK-04), Robert Wittman (VA-01), Jody Hice (GA-10), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Fred Upton (MI-06), David Kustoff (TN-08), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), Kendra Horn (OK-05), TJ Cox (CA-21), Joe Cunningham (SC-01), Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Ron Kind (WI-03), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03).

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=25564E9D-D572-4638-BD87-D1652D06B7DD,"Rep. Austin Scott Bill to Modernize Wildlife Conservation Funding, Get More Americans Outdoors Passes Out of Committee",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08), House Co-Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC), today released the following statement upon the House Committee on Natural Resources favorably passing his bipartisan legislation to modernize the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (PR):

“As the number of hunters in our country continues to decline, we are losing primary funders of America’s conservation efforts. Pittman-Robertson funds are shrinking, and our state and local habitats are suffering, which is why I am pushing this legislation to give state wildlife agencies more flexibility in how they use their PR funds in order to get more Americans outdoors,” said Rep. Scott. “I am pleased the Committee favorably passed my PR modernization bill, and I will keep pressing until our decades-old wildlife conservation funding system receives the critical updates it deserves.”

Enacted in 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides federal aid to states for management and restoration of wildlife areas. Specifically, through a system of “user pay/public benefits,” Pittman-Robertson uses proceeds from an existing federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment to fund wildlife conservation and hunter education grants for state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. However, decades of migration to urban and suburban centers have made it more difficult for the public to participate in sportsmen’s activities. As the base of sportsmen and women declines, so do PR wildlife conservation funds.

Rep. Scott’s bill, Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act (H.R. 877), would remove the existing prohibition on PR funds being used for “public relations” and permit fish and wildlife agencies to use these funds for the construction, operation, and maintenance of public ranges. By expanding the ways in which PR funds can be used, sportsmen and women will see their tax dollars at work as state fish and wildlife agencies will be permitted to use modern forms of technology, such as social media and television spots, to recruit and retain both hunters and recreational shooters.

In addition to providing new avenues for which to apportion Pittman-Robertson funds, this legislation would establish new hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program available to states under PR, further conserving the user-pay funding of wildlife conservation.

Joining Rep. Scott as original cosponsors of the bill are fellow CSC House Co-Chair Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33) and CSC Vice-Chairs Reps. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Debbie Dingell (MI-12). Additional cosponsors include Reps. Greg Gianforte (MT-AL), Alexander Mooney (WV-02), Roger Williams (TX-25), French Hill (AR-02), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Robert Latta (OH-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Paul Mitchell (MI-10), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Tom Cole (OK-04), Robert Wittman (VA-01), Jody Hice (GA-10), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Fred Upton (MI-06), David Kustoff (TN-08), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), Kendra Horn (OK-05), TJ Cox (CA-21), Joe Cunningham (SC-01), Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Ron Kind (WI-03), Collin Peterson (MN-07), and Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03).

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-statement-rep-tom-graves,Collins Statement on Rep. Tom Graves,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONRep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.) announced he will not seek re-election:
Tom's decision not to seek re-election leaves a major hole in the Georgia delegation. Throughout his time in Congress, Tom has been a prime example of the power of hard work and leadership.""
When I was first elected to the state house, Tom was one of the first members to reach out to me. He remained a faithful friend and trusted advisor as we both transitioned to serving in Washington. On a personal level, Tom and Julie have been good friends to me and Lisa for many years, and we will always cherish their friendship and support.""
""To Tom, Julie and the rest of the family: I wish you all the best as you take on a new adventure. Thank you for your service to our state.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://tomgraves.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401214,Rep. Tom Graves Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2020,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Tom Graves,G000560,tomgraves.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Tom Graves Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2020
                      
                    
                        
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            Washington,
                            December 5, 2019-
                         Today, U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) announced in a letter to 14th District constituents that he will not seek re-election in 2020:
Friends and fellow Georgians,
The holidays are a time of reflection for each of us. Today, I'd like to share a few of my thoughts from last week as we all paused to give thanks.
My first real public service experience was watching my wife, Julie, lead a pro-life effort many years ago. It was inspiring to witness a community band together and cause real change.
Soon after, I found the courage to overcome my fears and run for office. I did so grounded in the creed my parents shared with me: Dream Big. Work Hard. Achieve Much.
I was motivated to push through the tough days of campaigning and the hardest days in office by my kids, Josephine, John and Janey.
The whole of my service was built upon the contributions of countless people; sacrifices of my family, late nights and long days from dozens of dedicated staff members, friendship of my colleagues, generosity of supporters and encouragement from constituents.
Looking back on my years in the Georgia House and now nearly a decade in Congress, I am filled with gratitude. My record is a testament to the collective effort of many talented and special people. The opportunities afforded to me - a North Georgia country boy from a single wide trailer - were far beyond my wildest dreams.
Serving the country I love so much, and representing the community I hold so dear, is an honor that won't be replicated. To my constituents, both past and present, thank you for your vote of confidence and trust. What an incredible privilege it has been to represent you in Congress.
As we all do, I'm entering a new season in life. An exciting season. So, the time has come for me to pass the baton. Now it's my turn to cheer, support and sacrifice for those who have done the same for me over the last two decades. With Julie near retirement and my kids now suddenly adults, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2020, and instead, join my family in their new and unique journeys.
I'm excited to spend the next year focused on the Committee on the Modernization of Congress. Working to improve Congress for all Americans, and all who will serve after me, seems like the perfect way to close this chapter and say, ""thank you.""
May God bless you, and this great and glorious cause we call America.
Freedom first,
Tom",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=C7B2D487-872F-4DF1-B45A-AA64DE77730D,"Isakson, Jones Introduce Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Children",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Doug Jones, D-Ala., introduced a legislative package that includes two measures to protect vulnerable children by aiding states' efforts to combat child abuse and neglect and by providing adoption support for children most in need.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Reauthorization Act of 2019 would reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and streamline the programs that the federal government provides to help states combat child abuse and neglect without adding excessive burdensome regulations on the states. The reauthorization measure would also provide funding for research into the causes of child abuse and neglect and potential ways to prevent it.
The Adoption Opportunities Act of 2019 would provide support for the adoption of children with special needs or other characteristics that can make them particularly difficult to adopt.
Our children are the message we send to a future we'll never see, and we must look after our most vulnerable and care for their needs, said Isakson. Each of these measures has been carefully crafted to ensure we're able to help protect children. We are doing all we can to provide states with the support they need to combat child abuse and neglect and encourage the adoption of children who are particularly vulnerable. I hope we can move quickly on this important legislation.
We can all agree that keeping our children safe should be one of our country's top priorities, said Jones. We need to continue to work to strengthen our child protection system and to provide resources to prevent child neglect and abuse before it happens  and reduce barriers to adoption so that children in need can find loving, permanent homes. I want to thank Senator Isakson for leading this effort to make our country a safer place for all children to live.
The measures have been sent to the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee for action.  
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=D2A3F313-45D6-431D-84DF-142E33DDE651,Isakson Thanks Tom Graves for Service,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today issued the following statement after U.S. Representative Tom Graves, R-Ga.-14, announced he would not seek re-election in 2020:
Congressman Tom Graves has given so much to Georgia throughout his service in the Georgia General Assembly and in Congress. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tom Graves. His rise in the U.S. House reflects his leadership and his commitment to serving others. He is one of a kind  a great Georgian, a great American and a great representative of our state. I've been proud to stand with him to fight for Georgians, and I'm proud to call him my friend.
While I am sorry he will not be seeking re-election in 2020, I am confident that he will have great success in whatever role he may choose to take on next. I'm happy for Tom, his wife Julie, and his wonderful family as they look forward to spending more time with each other, and I wish them the very best. Tom knows he can call on me any time, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to see more of each other in Georgia.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=E3670C2A-C0C3-4D20-A69F-B9181B1DAC9A,Isakson Celebrates Unanimous Senate Passage of Measure to Award World War II Merrills Marauders with Congressional Gold Medal,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today celebrated the Senate passage of legislation he introduced to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Merrill's Marauders, the 5307thComposite Unit (Provisional), in recognition of the heroic unit's extraordinary efforts and sacrifices during World War II.
The bipartisanMerrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act, S.743, passed the Senate unanimously today.
On behalf of these World War II heroes and their families, I'm so pleased the Senate has voted to recognize this elite group of volunteer warriors and award them with the Congressional Gold Medal,said Isakson, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.I'm proud that the legacy of Merrill's Marauders lives on today at Fort Benning with the 75thRanger Regiment, and I hope the U.S. House will soon pass its measure to award them with the Congressional Gold Medal.
On August 10, the World War II Merrill's Marauders unit marked the 75th anniversary of the disbanding of the top-secret commando force in Burma in 1944. This historic, all-volunteer unit, which today includes nine surviving members, defeated the much larger, elite Japanese 18th Division in five major battles and 30 minor engagements despite being poorly supplied and underfed. The unit's successful mission freed airspace over Burma so a critical Allied pathway could be forged into China.
Today, the mountain phase of Army Ranger School is taught in Dahlonega, Georgia, at Camp Frank D. Merrill, which is named after the unit's commander. Additionally, the 75th Ranger Regiment, headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, traces its history to this unit and honors the Marauder legacy by wearing its patch as their crest.
At the 1943 Quebec Conference, the world's top two Allied leaders, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, created the plan for the secret, all-volunteer American long-range penetration force, which became known as Merrill's Marauders. Nearly 3,000 soldiers from the Caribbean, South Pacific and stateside answered Roosevelt's call for a dangerous and hazardous mission.The volunteers were considered expendable and not expected to survive their mission in the China-Burma-India Theater, today called the forgotten theater of World War II.
Operating under the code name Galahad, the volunteers were trained in India on long-range reconnaissance tactics by British Major General Orde Wingate's famous Chindits. With only what they could carry on their backs or pack on mules, Merrill's Marauders hacked their way through almost 1,000 miles of dense jungles and trudged up the Himalayan Mountains to seize their objective of northern Burma's all-weather Myitkyina airfield.
When the unit disbanded 75 years ago, only about 100 Merrill's Marauders remained in Burma.Only two had not been seriously injured or stricken with malaria, dysentery, typhus or other jungle diseases during the campaign.
The unit received the Presidential Unit Citation, and every member of Merrill's Marauders received the Bronze Star. To date, 29 members of the unit have been inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame.Marauder Russell G. Wellman, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient, was posthumouslyinducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning in July.
Additional background on the 75thRanger Regiment: The 75th Ranger Regiment headquartered at Fort Benning is a special operations force, specializing in direct action, airfield seizure and special reconnaissance operations. The regiment falls under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The 1st Ranger Battalion is stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, the 2nd Ranger Battalion is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington, and the 3rd Ranger Battalion is stationed at Fort Benning. The 5th Ranger Training Battalion, which conducts Fort Benning's Airborne Ranger Training Brigade's mountain phase of Ranger School, is located at Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega, Georgia.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/what-others-are-saying?ContentRecord_id=1F7E6CD3-D68E-4161-B1E4-53C66DEB333B,Washington Post: A beloved senator heads into retirement with no clear successor to fill the void,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"By Paul Kane 
	
	
		
		Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) figured he should take advantage of his reputation as the Senate's most beloved member to sell his colleagues on changing their ways.
Nothing first happens until somebody sells something, Isakson recalled Wednesday. Well, I was a salesman yesterday trying to sell something.
Isakson used a tribute day in his honor Tuesday to tell stories about his real estate days persuading two sides to agree on a price, finding common ground to make everyone happy. Isakson is now pleading with the Senate to do the same and move beyond its current frozen state of political sniping.
I hope and pray people will realize we can't continue to level brickbats against each other, Isakson said in an interview just off the Senate floor. We've got to start listening. We've got to stop branding and start moving.
Isakson's message is not all that new. Many senators deliver similar swan songs before regularly scheduled retirements or just after losing reelection. After learning in 2017 that he had brain cancer, then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) stood a few feet from Isakson's desk and pleaded for senators to stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on radio and cable news.
But Isakson's message this week carried an even greater weight, because his reputation is so spotless and his work ethic so admired. Unlike McCain, who died last year, Isakson has always kept his temper in check. What few enemies Isakson might have probably think they are close allies.
He never sought national office or party leadership, his highest aspiration coming as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
And to make people smile.
Johnny Isakson is part of the glue that holds this place together. Everybody respects his decency, his common sense, his humor, his kindness, said Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.).
If Jesus were watching the Senate and he watched Johnny Isakson, he would say, there's a good man, said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who grew close to the Georgian in just 11 months in the Senate.
In a perfect metaphor to his service, this consummate gentile Southerner managed to serve from 1999 through 2019 yet will never vote on a presidential impeachment.
He won a special election to the House in February 1999 to succeed Newt Gingrich, the GOP House speaker whose push to impeach President Bill Clinton in 1998 led to his own resignation. And Isakson, who won his Senate seat in 2004, is resigning Dec. 31, just days before the likely start of an impeachment trial of President Trump.
This genuine adoration leads to a critical question: If Isakson cannot halt the Senate's slow and steady fade from relevance, who can?
I truly don't know a single person who didn't like Johnny Isakson, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), another moderate, said late Tuesday. At that moment, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) stepped out of a basement subway. A close friend of Isakson's, Alexander will retire at the end of 2020.
I'm feeling increasingly lonely, if that's what you're asking. Yes, I am. It's not good, Collins said.
Similar to McCain's in 2017, Isakson's tribute day came as he stares down his own mortality. He has suffered a sharp decline from Parkinson's disease, leading to a mid-July fall that fractured ribs. He announced in August that he would resign Dec. 31 with three years left on his third Senate term.
That set off a three-month scramble to try to win the favor of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), an informal campaign focused almost entirely on who would be the most pro-Trump appointee to the seat. A Republican schism occurred when Kemp decided against Trump's preferred pick, Rep. Douglas A. Collins (R-Ga.), who has been a strong presidential defender over the impeachment inquiry, and tapped business executive Kelly Loeffler.
It was a terrible insult to Isakson's legacy, a feeding frenzy over partisan loyalty to win the temporary appointment until the November 2020 elections. Isakson's idea of partisan division was to put people into the camps of friends and future friends.
In Tuesday's speech, and the interview Wednesday, Isakson declined to either praise or take shots at anyone by name, aside from his longtime friend, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). A few weeks ago, the civil rights icon hosted a rare House tribute for a departing senator that ended with the 79-year-old Democrat embracing the 74-year-old Republican.
But Isakson's displeasure with today's politics is clear. People don't understand what bipartisan means. Bipartisan is a state of mind and a state of being, he said Wednesday. We've got too many people describing the problems and not enough people looking for the answers.
When Romney arrived in the Senate in January, he noticed very few senators paid attention during the endless GOP luncheons, talking to friends or looking at their phones. Until Isakson spoke.
Everyone stops and listens. And I thought, wow, this is an unusual guy, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee said. He immediately requested a meeting.
Keep your head down, keep quiet, unless you got something to say, Isakson told the new celebrity senator. Pick issues that are important to you and find people that you can align with; it will make a difference.
Romney was amazed that Isakson could be so beloved while chairing the Ethics Committee, the senatorial equivalent of a police squad's internal affairs unit. Coons has been Isakson's wing man on that tough task, an outpost in which they became so close that Coons struggled to compose himself wondering who would take up Isakson's mantle.
That's a role I need to fill going forward, Coons said, imagining some senators' thoughts.
He then entered the senators-only lunch for Isakson. The last such bipartisan lunch honoring one senator came in 2013 to commemorate McCain's 40th anniversary of being released as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
On Tuesday, the emotions poured forth both for Isakson and for what the Senate was about to lose. But the departing senator would not give up, heading to the floor after lunch for his farewell address.
Requiring a wheelchair to move around the Capitol, Isakson hoisted himself up to his desk to make one last entreaty to his colleagues to move beyond their political fears so they could see the end of a bad time and the beginning of a new one.
I want to live long enough to see both, he said.
###
Website:https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/a-beloved-senator-heads-into-retirement-with-no-clear-successor-to-fill-the-void/2019/12/05/6922d9b6-16b4-11ea-9110-3b34ce1d92b1_story.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4272,Rep. Allen Statement on the Appointment of Kelly Loeffler to U.S. Senate,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Allen Statement on the Appointment of Kelly Loeffler to U.S. Senate 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
        December 4, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      U.S. Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) today released the following statement after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that he will appoint Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate, serving in Senator Johnny Isakson's seat through 2020: Kelly Loeffler is cut from the same cloth as me, Senator Perdue and President Trump: A successful businesswoman who is committed to making tough choices and keeping America great. I am thankful for her willingness to serve, and I look forward to working together to continue to deliver wins for Georgians.  While Senator Isakson is an irreplaceable leader, Governor Kemp had a great pool of candidates to pick from  making it an incredibly difficult decision. Now it's time for Georgia Republicans to come together so we can keep our state the number one place to do business and grow jobs.

    
  
  
  
    
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https://allen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4273,Rep. Allen: We Must Take Action to End Robocalls,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rick Allen,A000372,allen.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12) spoke during debate on the House floor today in support of the TRACED Act, legislation that aims to end the malicious practice of robocalls and spoofing. The bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Congressman Allen's remarks can be found below.

  
For too long, unwanted callers have circumvented the law in order to deliberately mislead Americans through robocalls and spoofing. In fact, this is the number one issue at every town hall that I hold in my district. Unfortunately, the number of robocall scams are ever increasing. Robocalls should not be a part of our everyday lives and we must take action to stop it.  This malicious practice has led to fraud and theft, exploiting vulnerable consumers  including our nation's seniors. That's why I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which passed the House in July. The House and Senate took parts of this bill and were able to come together and agree on the TRACED Act. This bill allows the Federal Communications Commission to seek financial penalties against those making calls with misleading caller identification information. Most importantly, this legislation allows robocalls to be blocked transparently at no extra charge to Americans.  We must stop this practice once and for all by identifying and taking action against these violators. I urge my colleagues to overwhelmingly support this bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-austin-scott-statement-appointment-kelly-loeffler-us-senate,Rep. Austin Scott Statement on Appointment of Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the below statement upon Georgia Governor Brian Kemp appointing Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate:
I'd like to congratulate Kelly Loeffler on her appointment to the U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with her as a member of the Georgia Delegation to support our military installations, Georgia farmers and rural communities, and especially President Trump, Rep. Austin Scott.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases?ID=48DCF677-927D-4076-AFCD-58582FC2BC64,Rep. Austin Scott Statement on Appointment of Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Austin Scott,S001189,austinscott.house.gov,austinscott,https://austinscott.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the below statement upon Georgia Governor Brian Kemp appointing Kelly Loeffler to the U.S. Senate:

“I’d like to congratulate Kelly Loeffler on her appointment to the U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with her as a member of the Georgia Delegation to support our military installations, Georgia farmers and rural communities, and especially President Trump,” Rep. Austin Scott.

-30-",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z
https://buddycarter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6585,Carter Statement on Georgia Senate Appointment,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Buddy Carter,C001103,buddycarter.house.gov,,,legacy,"Carter Statement on Georgia Senate Appointment 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Congressman Earl L. ""Buddy"" Carter (R-Ga.-01) released the following statement after Governor Brian Kemp announced he will appoint Kelly Loeffler to the United States Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) at the end of the year:""I applaud Governor Kemp for appointing a proven business leader to the United States Senate,""said Carter.""As a business owner for several decades, Ilearned how to balance a budget and create jobs. I also saw firsthand how big government hurts hardworking Americans instead of helping them. Kelly Loeffler will bring these critical skills to the U.S. Capitol, as well. From working to fund the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project to securing aid for our farmers, and everything in between, I look forward to working with our new Senator for Georgians.""
    
  
  
  
    
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https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3100,Rep. Loudermilk Welcomes Loeffler to  Georgia Republican Delegation,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Loudermilk Welcomes Loeffler to  Georgia Republican Delegation  
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        I look forward to working with Kelly Loeffler as the new U.S. Senator in Georgia's Republican Congressional Delegation. Our delegation is known for unity and collaboration between its members in both chambers, and we will continue to work hard on the issues Georgians care about.
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      Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced Kelly Loeffler will succeed retiring Senator Johnny Isakson in the United States Senate:""I look forward to working with Kelly Loeffler as the new U.S. Senator in Georgia's Republican Congressional Delegation. Our delegation is known for unity and collaboration between its members in both chambers, and we will continue to work hard on the issues Georgians care about. While I do not know Kelly well, I do know Governor Brian Kemp and the strong conservative values he holds, and I trust his judgement in making this important decision.""  
    
  
  
  
    
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https://loudermilk.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=3101,Rep. Loudermilk Welcomes Loeffler to  Georgia Republican Delegation,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Barry Loudermilk,L000583,loudermilk.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Loudermilk Welcomes Loeffler to  Georgia Republican Delegation  
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        I look forward to working with Kelly Loeffler as the new U.S. Senator in Georgia's Republican Congressional Delegation. Our delegation is known for unity and collaboration between its members in both chambers, and we will continue to work hard on the issues Georgians care about.
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      Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga) issued the following statement after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced Kelly Loeffler will succeed retiring Senator Johnny Isakson in the United States Senate:""I look forward to working with Kelly Loeffler as the new U.S. Senator in Georgia's Republican Congressional Delegation. Our delegation is known for unity and collaboration between its members in both chambers, and we will continue to work hard on the issues Georgians care about. While I do not know Kelly well, I do know Governor Brian Kemp and the strong conservative values he holds, and I trust his judgement in making this important decision.""  
    
  
  
  
    
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      e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=53A88CD6-1F9A-4CED-8483-F088E4F04B60,Isakson Congratulates Atlanta CEO Loeffler on Appointment to U.S. Senate,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today congratulated Kelly Loeffler, chief executive officer of Atlanta-based financial services firm Bakkt, on her appointment to the U.S. Senate. Loeffler was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to fill the vacancy that will be created by Isakson's upcoming resignation from the Senate on Dec. 31.
Loeffler will be the first Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Senate from Georgia. The first woman to serve in the Senate from Georgia was a Democrat who served for one day in 1922.
I congratulate Kelly Loeffler on her historic appointment to the United States Senate. Kelly's business experience and acumen will be an asset to Georgia and the Senate. The same tireless work ethic that has helped her succeed in business will also help her succeed in serving Georgians and our nation, said Isakson.It has been the honor of a lifetime for me to serve this great state in the U.S. Senate, and my staff and I will work closely with Kelly to ensure a smooth transition.
Isakson announced on Aug. 28 that he would resign from the Senate effective Dec. 31, 2019, due to mounting health challenges. He is vacating the seat halfway thru his third six-year term.
Loeffler will take over Isakson's seat on Jan. 1, 2020, and will serve until a special election is held on Nov. 3, 2020. The winner of the special election will serve out the remainder of Isakson's six-year term through Jan. 3, 2023.
The only other woman to serve in the Senate from Georgia was Democrat Rebecca Felton, who was also appointed and who served for just 24 hours in 1922.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-chairs-hearing-on-navy-ship-and-submarine-maintenance,Senator David Perdue Chairs Hearing On Navy Ship & Submarine Maintenance,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-on-governor-kemps-appointment-to-us-senate,Senator David Perdue On Governor Kemp’s Appointment To U.S. Senate,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-us-relationship-with-china-is-at-a-tipping-point,Senator David Perdue: U.S. Relationship With China Is At A Tipping Point,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-citizenship-children-military-members-and-civil-servants,House passes the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONThe House of Representatives today passed the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act (H.R. 4803), introduced by Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act would ensure that children of deployed military and government families benefit from provisions of U.S. law that confer automatic U.S. Citizenship.
Men and women who are serving our country overseas as part of the military or as civil servants should not have any doubts about their children's citizenship. To give these parents peace of mind, I introduced the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act with Chairman Nadler. This bipartisan bill would ensure that these children receive automatic citizenship. I encourage the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the president's desk. American families bravely serving our country abroad shouldn't have to fight through piles of bureaucracy to ensure their children are rightfully considered American citizens, said Collins. 
I was proud to stand in solidarity today with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass H.R. 4803, the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act. The bill's impact on those who will benefit from it cannot be understated. With today's passage of H.R. 4803, the House has demonstrated its commitment to ensure that those who make sacrifices in service to our country are able to fulfill their duties without unnecessary burdens or distractions. I urge the Senate to follow suit and swiftly pass this legislation, said Nadler.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, certain children who did not derive citizenship at birth will automatically acquire citizenship when certain conditions are met, including that they reside in the United States in the legal and physical custody of a citizen parent. This bill would ensure that children of U.S. Armed Forces members and U.S. Government personnel are not disadvantaged merely because their parents' service to our country requires them to be deployed abroad. The Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act would make a technical change to Section 320 to clarify that these children satisfy the residency requirement even while abroad.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-prison-reform-elderly-offenders,House passes prison reform for elderly offenders,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTONThe House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4018 to provide the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) the authority to transfer eligible, elderly offenders from a BOP facility into home confinement when these individuals have reached 60 years of age and served two-thirds of the terms of imprisonment they were sentenced to. Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; Ted Deutch (D-Fla.); Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.); Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus; Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.); and Karen Bass (D-Calif.) introduced H.R. 4018.
When the FIRST STEP Act was signed into law last year, it represented monumental bipartisan reform to our prison system. Today's bill builds upon that momentum because it promotes fairness in the implementation of Good Conduct Time. My bipartisan bill will ensure our prisons do not become nursing homes, it will save taxpayer dollars and it will reward inmates who serve their time with good behavior. I look forward to seeing the Senate pass this bill and the president sign it into law, said Collins.
""I'm grateful for the support of Ranking Member Collins, Congressman Jeffries, Chairwoman Bass, and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers on this bill. With its passage, we are making an important clarification to the pilot program that allows elderly prisoners to transition to home confinement for the remainder of their sentence. As elderly prisoners are among the most vulnerable populations in prisons, this fix to include good time credit will allow more of them to benefit from this program. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it will also reduce federal costs in our prison system,"" said Deutch.
""Today the House passed an important bill to ensure that elderly federal offenders who qualify for early, compassionate release receive credit for the good conduct time' they accrued while in custody. I am heartened by the bipartisan support for this bill in the House and urge the Senate to pass it as soon as possible,"" said Nadler.
As we continue looking for ways to reform our criminal justice system, my goal will always be to keep our communities safe and secure. Thoughtful changes to improve our prison system require accountability and fairness. This bipartisan legislation meets those goals by providing elderly offenders, who demonstrate good behavior, the opportunity to transition to home confinement to serve out their sentence, said McMorris Rodgers.
""We should approach criminal justice reform in the broadest possible fashion. This is a commonsense measure that allows a number of elderly and seriously ill individuals to return home in their final years when they have earned time off their sentence for good conduct. Reps. Deutch, Collins and all involved should be commended for their leadership in this regard,"" said Jeffries.
""The FIRST STEP Act was just that  a first step. Today, my colleagues and I are building on this work by taking yet another step towards a more just and fair criminal justice system. Allowing nonviolent elderly prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentence in a home detention program is the right thing to do and it will save money as well. I'm proud to support my colleagues on this important piece of legislation and look forward to continuing our work to reform the criminal justice system, said Bass.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-honors-johnny-isaksons-legacy-,Senator David Perdue Honors Johnny Isakson’s Legacy,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
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					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.perdue.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-david-perdue-military-housing-conditions-are-unacceptable,Senator David Perdue: Military Housing Conditions Are Unacceptable,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,David Perdue,P000612,www.perdue.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
		
		
	
	  
	    
	      
	      
	        
	       	
				
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Meet David
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Connect
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
						
						
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  Helping You
						
							
								
		
		
			
			
			
			
			
				
					
						
					
				
			
		
		
		
							
						
					
					
				
					
						
						
						
							
						
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
							
						
						
							
								
							
							
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
								
							
							
						
					  News",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-1222019,District Connection - 12/2/19,2019-12-02,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"REPRESENTATIVES WOODALL AND SMITH PEN BIPARTISAN OP-ED ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
When you think of the month of November, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the Thanksgiving holiday. However, November is also when we celebrate National Adoption Month.
During Thanksgiving, we are fortunate to see friends and family that we haven't in a long time. It's important to remember that there are many Americans who are not so lucky. There are currently thousands of international adoptees who were legally adopted as children by U.S. citizens but were not granted citizenship due to a flaw in our legal system. Representative Adam Smith and I introduced the Adoptee Citizenship Act to grant these children the citizenship that they should always have had, and to fix this injustice once and for all.
To learn more, click on the image below to read our op-ed in The Hill:

PROTECTING HEALTH SERVICES FOR MOTHERS AND BABIES
Week after week, I share stories with you all about the volunteer work and charitable successes achieved by our friends and neighbors throughout the district. Whether it's small school groups coming together for a food drive or the entire community raising money for a noble cause, there is no shortage of work being done to help those in need. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to help an organization like March of Dimes when they made the call.
Many of you are familiar with the work of March of Dimes and may have even supported the organization in the past as they work to provide services for mothers and their babies throughout the United States. They have built up a vibrant staff that help the organization execute its core mission and support tens of thousands of families each year. And in supporting their staff, March of Dimes provides for a pension plan that allows it to retain employees and send them into retirement with financial certainty. However, federal rules will make it prohibitive for the March of Dimes to meet its obligation to its pension fund next year as it is mandated that the organization's contribution must increase by a whopping 1,800%  funding that will have to be diverted from helping mothers and babies.
The issue here is not about changing the rules for some so that they may renege on the promises they made to their employees. Instead, it is about allowing for flexibility in the statutory pension plan contribution formula so that major not-for-profit organizations are not held to the same rules as for-profit entities who benefit from a strong economy and low interest rates. In fact, we had made this fix before when organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and other large nonprofits were facing similar circumstances back in 2014.
Today, H.R. 5202, the Protecting Critical Services for Mothers and Babies Act, will extend the same carveout for March of Dimes. This organization should not have to choose whether to help its employees retire with dignity and financial security or continue its core mission in service to others. I am proud to help lead this bipartisan, bicameral, commonsense legislation so that March of Dimes is free to make the financial decisions necessary to ensure the solvency of its pension program and that mothers and babies continue to receive the vital support they need.

SHOWING THANKS TO OUR VETERANS' FAMILIES
Among the many things we must be thankful for, our veterans and their service to our country is undoubtedly one that will be mentioned at many tables this Thanksgiving. While some of us are fortunate enough to have a veteran sitting at the table who we can thank directly, many families are left with an empty seat for someone who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This is an honor that no family wishes to bear, but it is a situation in which our Gold Star families find themselves. Gold Star families are families who have lost a loved one in military service, and we are forever indebted to them for their extraordinary sacrifice. That is why I was honored by the opportunity to introduce the bipartisan H.Res. 706, with my fellow Georgian in the House of Representatives, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04). This resolution would designate November 9th as Gold Star Father's Day nationally. While Gold Star Mother's Day was created nationally with a joint resolution in 1936, there is not a national Gold Star Father's Day. It is my hope that this resolution ensures that those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be remembered for generations well beyond our years.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR GENERAL ANNOUNCE NEW ONLINE FORM TO REPORT SCAM CALLS 
Social Security scams have run rampant in recent years. These scamswhere con artists mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for purported Social Security number problemsskyrocketed over the past year to become the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration.
It bothers me that the federal government has not yet been able to stop these crooks from stealing from some of the most vulnerable members of our society. To help track these criminals down and stop them, the Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) have launched a new online form that you can use to report Social Security-related scams. The new online forms will capture data that will be analyzed for trends and commonalities to help identify criminal entities or individuals participating in or facilitating the scams.
I would encourage you to report any Social Security scams that you, or your loved ones encounter. This includes robocalls and live callers, as well as email, text, and in-person scams. The form allows you to create a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN), which helps the OIG contact a person about their report. This PIN will let the individual know whether or not a call is legitimate.
Awareness is our best hope to thwart these scammers. I hope you share this new reporting system with your friends and family and use the online forms whenever you receive a fraudulent call. Most importantly, just hang up on the scammer or ignore the calls entirely if such an instance were to occur.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: IS THERE A COST TO FREE COLLEGE?
We are almost one month away from entering a new decade, and as national attention turns toward the 2020 race for the White House, many different policy proposals have garnered public attention. One such proposal is the idea of bailing out college graduates with student loan debt.
Patricia from Cumming: 
Americans, like me, are bearing the weight of a student debt crisis.
Many of us are struggling to save for retirement, unable to purchase a home, harassed by debt collectors, or have our entire livelihoods denied by wage garnishments and social security offsets. On top of that, skyrocketing student debt disproportionately harms the most vulnerable people in our communities and it perpetuates existing disparities for minority students and students of color.
Congress must make college free for those who cannot afford it and forgive all student loan debt.
Lisa from Lawrenceville: 
I am outraged that many members of Congress are supporting the idea of forcing taxpayers to pay off all outstanding student loan debt.
I encourage you to publicly oppose this irresponsible and unaffordable proposal and to vote against any legislation that would cancel student loan debt. A student loan bailout would cost taxpayers as much as $1.5 trillion  a slap in the face to every American who has scrimped and saved to pay off student loan debt as promised. Those Americans who have paid off their own student loans and who have worked hard to pay for their own or their children's college education should not be forced to pay again for others to attend college debt-free!
In addition, a student loan bailout would send a terrible message to younger generations about core values that our nation was founded on like personal responsibility and individual initiative, undermine self-sufficiency, and increase dependency on government. Again, I urge you to oppose any effort to provide a taxpayer-funded student loan bailout.
Let's start where we can find common ground: I share Patricia's concerns about the rising cost of attending college and the high student loan debt many graduates have as a result. Because of this, I understand the importance of flexibility in student loan repayment options. However, subsidizing college tuition doesn't make attending college less expensive - it actually leaves colleges and universities little incentive to lower tuition rates knowing full well that taxpayers will foot the bill. We encourage students to borrow massive amounts of money through federally guaranteed loans who then graduate from college with $250,000 in debt and no job. That isn't serving students; it's condemning them.
I believe we could serve students better by redirecting our billions in loans into co-op programs, work study programs, apprenticeship programs, and more. That way more students can graduate debt-free, with real skills and real job prospects.
That being said, we live in the great state of Georgia, where our state schools provide phenomenal opportunities at reasonable prices. I cannot hope to change the approach that every other state takes to providing for their students, but I can commit to you that I will continue to make an education in Georgia one of the best, and most affordable in the nation.
Everyone in Congress wants to help young people succeed. For decades, that help has been defined as as much money as you want to borrow. As you can see first-hand, the time has come to reevaluate how we help students to succeed.

FORSYTH STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND BUSINESSES HONORED WITH MANUFACTURING AWARDS
Local Manufacturing here in the 7th District helps bolster the strength of the American economy. Last week, at the third annual economic development summit and Manufacturers of Distinction and Leadership Awards, local Forsyth teachers, students, and businesses were recognized for their important contributions to local manufacturing. GAF Materials was named the small manufacturer of the year and American BOA as the medium-sized manufacturer of the year. Students received awards for art that celebrated manufacturing in Georgia, and teacher Jon Welsch was named engineering and manufacturing high school educator of the year.
I would like to congratulate you all on these incredible and well-deserved achievements. Without your hard work, local manufacturing here in Georgia would not be as strong and promising as it is today.

GWINNETT'S JUDY JORDAN JOHNSON TO BE NAMED CHAMBER'S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR'
The 7th District has no shortage of individuals who go above and beyond to make our community a better place to live. Last week, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce named as Citizen of the Year' one of these incredible public servantsLawrenceville Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson. First elected as mayor in 2010, Ms. Johnson has been a valuable leader in our community for many years. She spearheaded several redevelopment projects that have transformed our community, including the Lawrenceville Lawn and the college corridor connecting the downtown district with the campus of Georgia Gwinnett College. Although she has chosen against running for reelection this year, Ms. Johnson's impact will continue to be felt long after she has left office. She has left behind blueprints for her newest projects, like the Lawrenceville Performing Arts Center, which will continue development when her successor takes over.
Ms. Johnson's work has been incredible, which is why it comes as no surprise she has been selected for this extraordinary honor. I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations and wish her the best of luck moving forward.

THE WEEK AHEAD
This week marks the third to last D.C. work week before the turn of the new year, and there is still much to do before the second session of the 116th Congress begins on January 7, 2020. Namely, lawmakers must continue negotiations to fund the government before the current Continuing Resolution expires on December 20th, reach an agreement on the United States Mexico-Canada Agreement in hopes of bringing it to the floor for a vote, and continue working to provide long-term reauthorization for several critical programs including Federally Qualified Health Centers.
That said, the House this week will consider another bill from the House Financial Services Committee  H.R. 2534, the Insider Trading Prohibition Act. This bill seeks to prohibit insider trading, an act that is already illegal and prosecuted under longstanding anti-fraud statute. I cannot name one serious lawmaker who is opposed to prosecuting bad actors, however, there are concerns that the bill may open the door to more ambiguities and have a chilling effect on the flow of legal market discussions out of fear of not knowing what type of information sharing could be interpreted as insider trading.
With that said, it is my hope that my Democratic colleagues on the Rules Committee will allow amendments to be offered to H.R. 2534 so that we can work in a bipartisan manner to address Members' concerns and work in unison to successfully establish a clear law defining insider trading.
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall   Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://dougcollins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/collins-mourns-loss-rep-jay-powell,Collins Mourns the Loss of Rep. Jay Powell,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Doug Collins,C001093,dougcollins.house.gov,,,legacy,"GAINESVILLE, Ga.Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released a statement following the loss of State Rep. Jay Powell (R-Camilla).
""Today is a sad day for the state of Georgia and a very hard day for me personally. Jay Powell was not only a respected leader in our state, but more importantly, my friend and brother.
""When Jay was elected to the state house, he was seated next to me on the floor. Over those many hours on the floor, he shared his thoughts about life, law and politics that made me a better person.
""Jay always had my back even through the storms of politics, which means more than anything. He helped me as a new attorney and provided wise counsel over the years regarding our public service.
""I saw Jay last Friday night for what I now know was the last time. We talked, we laughed, and we picked on each other as only friends can do. When it came time for the event to start, he hugged Lisa, hugged me and said, 'I love you man, let's talk again soon.' If I had only known it was the last time I would hear his voice and get that needed bear hug, I would have held on just a little bit longer.
""I will miss you, my friend.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-center?ContentRecord_id=7CEE6D9D-99C0-4A77-89D9-B34B18525053,"Thank You, Johnny: Values",2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has earned the reputation as a compassionate, honest and bridge-building public servant throughout his long political career. In a video released Nov. 26, Isakson's colleagues reflect on his commitment to living his values while representing Georgians in the state and in Washington, D.C., over the span of his 45 years in public office.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0C3478C2-9477-421C-B901-EB2A131581C1,Johnny Isakson: Living His Values,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Johnny Isakson,I000055,www.isakson.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ATLANTA  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., has earned the reputation as a compassionate, honest and bridge-building public servant throughout his long political career. In a video released today, Isakson's colleagues reflect on his commitment to living his values while representing Georgians in the state and in Washington, D.C., over the span of his 45 years in public office.
The video is the latest in a series about Isakson's career as he prepares to leave the Senate on Dec. 31.
Johnny has a long political history, he has a long successful business history, but he also has a history of being known as being a compassionate person, said former U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., in the video.
As a family man first and foremost, Isakson explains his perspective. Our children are the message you and I send to a time we'll never see, he said. It's a cycle, and you have to continue to invest in that cycle and improve it.
He will always be remembered for honesty and integrity, and setting an example of intellectual honesty for a younger generation of people who are going to be our leaders tomorrow, said former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., founder and co-chair the Nuclear Threat Initiative.
In a recent syndicated column published widely in Georgia, Dick Yarbrough wrote, With Johnny Isakson, what you see is what you get: A man who has always done what he thought was the right thing to do, not what was politically expedient.
Isakson explains his personal approach in the video, saying for him, It's about relationships. It's about respect. It's about motivation, and it's about getting things done. So make friends. Be a friend, and know how to be a friend. It makes all the difference in the world said Isakson. It's not about me, it's about them. It's about us, and that's always the way I've felt about it.
The December 2019 edition of Georgia Trend magazine included a column about Isakson, written by Dr. Kerwin Swint, award-winning author, commentator and Kennesaw State University political science professor. In An Inspiration, Swint writes, As a political science professor and an administrator, I'm often asked by students if good people can serve in government and keep their integrity. Johnny Isakson is always the first example I come to. It's very often a shocking revelation to most people  that good people can, and often do, serve in government for long periods, fight hard for what they believe in, and remain true to themselves and their principles. And they don't have to sell their souls to do it. It's a great lesson, really.
Isakson's faith has guided his entire life. He taught sixth-grade Sunday school at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, for more than 30 years. Isakson is a regular attendee of the weekly Senate prayer breakfast with Senate Chaplain Barry Black and served as co-chair of the National Prayer Breakfast in 2010.
He was a Sunday school teacher for over 30 years. So here is a man who not only has a biblical worldview, but also knows the bible pretty, pretty thoroughly, said Chaplain Black. He has a tremendous amount of contentment, as I have learned to have as well, in the fact that God's got this.'
The Senate video includes positive remarks about Isakson's legacy from Republican and Democrat U.S. senators, an administration official and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who have each worked closely with Isakson on an array of policy areas.
Johnny always came to prayer breakfast, and he was always one of the gentlemen who would be there and had an interesting message. Cared about other people and wanted to know what everybody else was doing, and he wanted to know what he could do to help you, said U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Goes without saying that Johnny Isakson is hands down the nicest person to ever serve in the U.S. Senate. Nicest person to ever walk the halls of Congress, said U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.
He has an innate humility that is so natural, said U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.
Johnny Isakson has always appealed to our better angels, said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
Johnny doesn't think that just because he has senator in front of his name, that he needs to get anything special, said U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. Johnny's the guy who says, just because I've got senator in front of my name, I've got work to do,' and he rolls up his sleeves, and he gets it done.
I think if there was a Mr. Congeniality' award in the U.S. Senate, [Isakson] would win it hands down, no question about it, said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
There are very few members of the Senate who I feel are as selfless and have smaller egos than Johnny Isakson, said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
When Johnny said, I'm going to get this done,' you could believe him, and you'd know it would get done, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
He has an ability to make you feel like he's not only listening, but caring about what you think. And that is what has always struck me about Johnny Isakson: He listens, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Johnny was outspoken for somebody who didn't have a voice at the table, said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.
Current and former staff also commented in the video on Isakson's style as an employer and on his positive outlook. Staff recounted an expression used regularly by Isakson, Friends and Future Friends, to explain his outlook on meeting new people and building relationships.
He wants [the door to his office] open. He wants to see staff, he wants to talk, said Adam Reece, staff director of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
He really lives the motto of friends and future friends.' There's no enemy to Johnny Isakson, said former deputy chief of staff Edward Tate.
In his popular commencement address and most frequently requested speech, Isakson shares his Six Silent Secrets to a happy, successful and fulling life. The elements of learning, respect, ethics, love, faith and dreaming have served as Isakson's guiding principles.
If you're willing to continue to learn throughout your life, if you're willing to respect your fellow man and treat everybody with ethics and principle, if you're willing to love those who've gotten you to where you are and are going to take you to where you want to be, if you find a deep and abiding faith that gets you through the difficult times, and if you're willing dream, you can do anything in America that you want to do, said Isakson in his 2014 University of Georgia commencement address shown in the video. Think about this  this is a stadium full of parents; you are their dream and they love you very much.
After Isakson announced on Aug. 28 that he would be stepping down from the Senate at the end of the year due to mounting health challenges, tributes poured in from newspapers and columnists across Georgia. A few of the headlines illustrative of Isakson's value-led career included, Johnny Isakson sets bar high for integrity, We could use more Johnny Isaksons in the Senate, not fewer, Isakson a politician worth emulating, and Johnny Isakson: A true statesman.
Yarbrough's Nov. 8 column concluded, I have written a number of columns over the years about Johnny Isakson. I have been trying to decide how to end this one. Then I remembered a quote the late Hall of Fame baseball player, Roberto Clemente, who said, Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth.' Johnny, my friend, you have not wasted a day.
To view the video, produced by the Senate Republican Conference, click here. For additional information about Isakson's lifetime commitment to his values, click here.
Background:
Isakson has served for 45 years in public service. He holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In addition, in 2016 he became the first Georgia Republican ever to be elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate.
For a third consecutive term, Johnny is chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee. Isakson and his wife, Dianne, have been married since 1968. They have three children and eight grandchildren. They attend Mount Zion United Methodist Church where Isakson taught Sunday school for 30 years.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-112519,Washington Watch - 11/25/19,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Rob Woodall,W000810,woodall.house.gov,,,legacy,"HOUSE IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS: AGREEMENT ON HEARSAY, DISAGREEMENT OVER FACTS
If you've watched D.C. news at all this past week, you're certainly aware of the continued circus-like impeachment hearings in the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (Intel Committee). Nine witnesses were called by Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) to testify over three days last week.Sadly, after dozens of hours of testimony, questions and commentary, I'm haven't seen many minds changed. Those who support President Trump came to one conclusion, and those who oppose him came to a very different conclusion about what the hearings have revealed.
Taking away media chatter and condensing the testimony to its most basic elements, however, we've learned that U.S. government officials who were on the July phone calland some who were notbetween President Trump and President Zelensky had different views about what the call meant and whether it was or was not concerning. We also learned that instead of one, unified foreign policy toward Ukraine being carried out by U.S. government officials, there were clearly high-level officials inside the White House, the State Department, the Department of Energy, the National Security Council, and more, including some folks from outside the government entirely, working at cross purposes, or at the very least, not in concert with each other. Ensuring the stability of a strong, prosperous, free Ukraine is important for the United States, and anything that undermines this is misguided foreign policy. Such a misguided policy would harm our credibility with our foreign allies and play directly into the hands of the Russian government. Clearly, such an outcome is undesirable, but not impeachable.
On Capitol Hill, throughout this process, both sides of the aisle have been sniping at each other, and that has soured the working relationship necessary to get the people's business done on a whole host of issues. It poisons the well of goodwill and bipartisanship that we need to pass critical legislation like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, the National Defense Authorization Act, the 12 annual appropriations bills for FY20, prescription drug legislation, hospital surprise billing legislation, and much more. There is real work to be done in America, and it isn't getting done because the two sides are so focused on tearing each other down and setting themselves up for the next election season.

ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVERTED
Last week Congress passed, and the President signed, a Continuing Resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the federal government through December 20th before the previous CR expired at the end of November 21st. It has been nearly two months since the Fiscal Year 2020 started, yet, Congress has yet to pass the twelve appropriations bills necessary to fund the federal government. The appropriations process is essential to funding priorities, defunding old programs, and providing certainty not only to the federal government but anyone who does business or interacts with it. Governing through CRs and failing to provide stable funding hinders our ability to govern, protect our country, and serve the American people. It is past time that we finalized the appropriations process for the fiscal year we are already in, and I call on my colleagues in both the House and Senate to work to that end.

ADDRESSING OUR NATION'S GROWING DEBT
With publicly-held debt at $17 trillion today and projections of its growth to $96 trillion by 2049, it is clear that our nation's debt is unsustainable. As we accumulate this debt, our spending on interest payments towards that debt also rises, reducing the federal government's capacity to invest in vital programs like healthcare, defense, and education. It is clear that our nation is facing a fiscal crisis, but what can we do to change this trajectory?
Last week, the House Budget Committee held a hearing entitled Reexamining the Economic Costs of Debt, to identify drivers of our national deficit and discover ways Congress can act to correct our current course. While our witnesses came from varied schools of economic thought  from traditional, conservative backgrounds to subscribers to Modern Monetary Theory  we were all able to come to the conclusion that debt does, in fact, matter.
I had a chance to speak with our panel about their thoughts on how we could all come together and find a bipartisan path forward. If you'd like to hear my questions and the thoughts from our witnesses, click on the photo below.
Rep. Woodall speaks to witnesses at the House Budget Committee hearing Reexamining the Economic Costs of Debt

HOUSE BILLS ADDRESS SITUATION IN HONG KONG; SHARK FINNING
With five impeachment hearings and more than twice as many witnesses being brought before the House Intelligence Committee in the past two weeks, it has been a whirlwind of activity on Capitol Hill. Though the focus, I'm afraid, has been devoted more to political theatrics and producing soundbites about the President rather than advancing good public policy. Of course, enacting any meaningful reform takes time  from understanding the issue at hand, to crafting legislation to address that issue, to garnering support from Members to move that bill forward. But as we all know, that mission is much more difficult to achieve when politics takes precedence. There is an opportunity this Congress to work together to move those good ideas that have broad support and advancing bills under suspension of the rules allows us to do just that. This vehicle allows bipartisan, largely agreed-upon legislation to be considered and moved forward in an expedited manner, and two-thirds of Representatives must vote in favor of these bills to pass. In fact, this method is most commonly used to bring resolutions and bills to the House floor. You can find this week's suspension bills HERE.
While some of those suspension bills included things as noncontroversial as renaming a national monument or authorizing the exchange of certain federal lands, the House also came together to pass several substantial policy items. These included H.R. 737, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act which prohibits, the purchase, possession, or sell, of shark fins  better positioning the U.S. as a leader in denouncing this harmful trade that has led to the significant decline of certain shark populations. Additionally, the House passed two bills brought over from the Senate  S. 1838 and S. 2710 that would, collectively, impose sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong and prohibit commercial exports of certain crowd control weapons to Hong Kong Police. As you may remember, the House passed similar items related to Hong Kong earlier this year, but with nearly unanimous support as shown by the House's vote this week, these bills will now be sent to the President's desk. I know we all want Congress to get back in the business of legislating, and I expect more items like these to be brought up on the suspension calendar by the end of the year.

T&I COMMITTEE ADVANCES FOUR BILLS IN A PARTISAN MANNER
The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee held its sixth full committee markup last week, and while most all bills the Committee has marked up over the course of this year have passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, last week's markup was an outlier. That's because the majority of votes the Committee took, on both amendments and final passage of bills, were made along party lines.
As I've mentioned in previous newsletters, one big ticket item on the Committee's agenda is to pass legislation that reauthorizes the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Congress last reauthorized PHMSA in 2016 with passage of the PIPES Act, and for decades, reauthorization of PHMSA has always been done in a bipartisan manner as a stand-alone bill. However, this year's reauthorization process has changed.
In the House, there were reports that Democrats and Republicans had negotiated a consensus bill earlier in the year to reauthorize the agency before it was set to expire on September 30th, but those conversations fell through and my Democratic colleagues decided to put forward their own bill  H.R. 5120  which consists of partisan policies that could jeopardize the integrity of pipelines and facilities. In response, the Republicans under the leadership of Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rick Crawford (R-AR) put forward a bill primarily made up of the provisions the two sides had agreed to earlier in the year, H.R. 5175, and introduced it as an amendment to the Democrat's bill during the markup. H.R. 5175 is a safety-focused bill that would ensure PHMSA can meet the needs of today's pipeline operators and workers. Unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues struck down the consensus bill and moved forward with their partisan proposal.
More than 20 amendments were offered at the markup to make changes to the Democratic bill, but only seven amendments were agreed to. I offered an amendment to require PHMSA to standardize welding procedures by establishing alternative minimum requirements for such procedures that operators and contractors may adopt. My amendment would fix the issue of operators and contractors having to requalify welding procedures  procedures that I understand to be largely standard practice across the gas industry already. Given the shortened time frame for considering this bill, we didn't have time to work through all those issues. As such, I withdrew my amendment, and in turn, I received a commitment from the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), that he'd work with me in a bipartisan manner to craft a sound policy outcome that all interested parties can rally behind. The Democratic PHMSA reauthorization bill reported out of the Committee is not the end all be all, and I am hopeful that I can work with my Democratic colleagues as these important negotiations continue. In addition to H.R. 5120, the Committee also marked up and reported the following bills put forth by the Chairman:
 H.R. 5047, the GSA Lease Transparency Act of 2019 aims to obtain information regarding the Old Post Office Building, which is currently occupied by the Trump Hotel. This bill was nothing more than a partisan attempt to attack the President, and in doing so, could have a potentially chilling effect on the federal government's ability to lease underutilized space. H.R. 5047 passed by a vote of 33 to 22.
	H.R. 5139, the Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act seeks to prevent incidents of sexual assault and harassment across transportation sectors. A Republican amendment to expand these policies to the entire for-hire vehicle industry, not just Uber and Lyft, was agreed to and the amended bill passed by a voice vote with bipartisan support. As I've discussed before, ensuring the safety of both transportation workers and passengers is not a Republican or Democratic ideal, and so I was pleased to see this bill move forward.
	H.R. 5119, the Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act attempts to improve aviation maintenance safety standards abroad. I do not disagree with the notion that we must ensure FAA certified repair stations abroad are up to par and that mechanics working on planes carrying American passengers are using top-notch safety methods. However, in attempting to strengthen the FAA's role, the bill would impose U.S. laws on foreign countries in a manner that extends beyond the FAAs authority. The Republicans offered an amendment to address such concerns and bolster safety, but unfortunately, my Democratic colleagues struck it down. H.R. 5119 passed by a vote of 39 to 19.
 
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES THROUGH DECEMBER 7TH
If you or a loved one are on Medicare, you are likely aware that last month began a period known as open enrollment. During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their health plan  or none if they are happy with their current plan  before the new plan year begins in January. The enrollment period runs through December 7th.
Whether you are looking to alter your Medicare Advantage plan, switch to Original Medicare, or change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, there are several resources available to help you navigate this decision. For instance, you can use the new Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov to compare coverage options and estimate plan costs. Additionally, if you would like a free, personalized health insurance counseling through Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), a national program that offers assistance to those with Medicare, you can reach them at 1-866-552-4464 or you may visit their webpage for more information. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also advises you to review any materials that your plan sends you, including the Evidence of Coverage and Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), to make sure that your needs will continue to be met if your plan is changing.
I recognize that navigating this decision may not be easy, so if you have any additional questions as you look to decide what Medicare coverage is best for you, feel free to call my district office at (770) 232-3005 to inquire if my team can be of further assistance.

SENATOR SPOTLIGHT: GEORGIA DELEGATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO U.S. SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON
In a deviation from the normal spotlight in which I share with you what I am hearing from folks back home, I want to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on Georgia statesman Senator Johnny Isakson. As many of you know, Senator Isakson has served the people of our great state in different capacities for more than 40 years, and while it goes without being said, Senator Isakson will be sorely missed in the Halls of Congress upon his retirement at the year's end. Throughout his service, Senator Isakson has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of our friends and neighbors in the state of Georgia and on the national stage. He has been an exemplary leader that has championed policy outcomes to better the lives of all Americans, especially our veterans and ensure the United States remains a shining beacon of freedom and liberty around the world. I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the Senator's most notable successes from over the years.
 While serving in the GA General Assembly, Senator Isakson sponsored legislation in 1984 that created Community Improvement Districts (CIDs). CIDs promote economic revitalization and development through the establishment, planning, and management of capital-intensive infrastructure, transportation, safety and landscaping projects with the goal of attracting investment and growing communities.
	In 2011, Senator Isakson introduced and passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act to provide improved security and protection measures for U.S. Peace Corps volunteers after reading the obituary of a young Georgian who was serving in Benin, Africa, in the U.S. Peace Corps.
	In 2015, Senator Isakson took an active role in improving No Child Left Behind, and the new legislation was signed into law in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The ESSA removed Washington mandates from education, instead allowing those closest to our students to set the agenda for their classrooms.
	Under Senator Isakson's leadership as Chairman of the Veterans Affair Committee, the committee passed more than 50 pieces of legislation to improve accountability at the VA, expand VA education benefits, modernize the process for veterans' appeals of benefit determinations, and overhaul the VA's community care programs.
 To that end, Senator Isakson is undeniably leaving big shoes behind to fill, and this one spotlight post does not do his years of service the justice it deserves. I wish my friend the best of luck in his future endeavors and I am honored to have been able to serve alongside him in the U.S. Congress.
I hope you will take a moment and click on the photo below to watch my remarks from last week as I joined my colleagues in honoring Senator Isakson.
From the House floor, Rep. Woodall praises Senator Isakson

LAWRENCEVILLE GAS DEPARTMENT EARNS FIFTH STRAIGHT SAFETY AWARD
Safety is a top priority here in the 7th District. Last week, the Lawrenceville Gas Department received the American Public Gas Association's Safety Award for the fifth consecutive year. This award recognizes natural gas providers that have outstanding safety records and performance standards.
I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to everyone at the department for making this achievement possible. To earn this awardfor five years runningis an incredible accomplishment, and it is clear that your hard work has gone a long way to protecting your staff, as well as your customers here in the 7th District.

RIVAL FORSYTH SCHOOLS PROVIDE FRIENDSGIVING FOR LOCAL SENIORS
Our friends and neighbors here in the 7th District take to volunteering as a way to bring our community together and help improve the lives of those around us. Last week, Lambert and South Forsythnotable high school rivalscame together for the holiday season to serve food and entertainment to local assisted living communities. The event took place at South Forsyth and more than 80 seniors were in attendance. The food was prepared by South Forsyth culinary students and performing arts groups from both schools provided the entertainment.
I would like to commend these students for organizing this thoughtful event. From actions like these, I am constantly reminded why the 7th District is such a special place to live.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
In these divisive times, it is refreshing to be able to come together, enjoy a meal, and count our many blessings: our freedom, our security, our family, and our friends. This holiday is a celebration of our American values and an homage to our common history.
I am thankful to you all for making the Seventh District of Georgia the wonderful, vibrant, and diverse community that it is today, and I am thankful for the privilege of representing it.
I wish you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,    Rob Woodall   Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5193,Hice Announces Mobile Office Hours in Athens & McDonough,2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Monroe, GA  Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) today announced Mobile Office Hours for the month of December. At these events, individuals have the opportunity to meet with his staff to ask questions, share concerns, and get help with federal services. The one-on-one meetings with residents will take place at Athens-Clarke County City Hall from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, December 3rd and Heritage Senior Center from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18th. Walk-ins are welcome and no appointment is necessary.
Mobile Office Hours offer Georgians in communities across the 10th District the convenience of meeting in person with a member of my team, said Congressman Hice. Oftentimes, we can help cut through the red tape and resolve issues that are being tied up in federal agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Internal Revenue Service, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and more.
To meet with a Congressional staff member on an individual or family basis, residents may stop by one of the following locations:
Clarke County
Tuesday, December 3
10:00 a.m.  12:00 p.m.
Athens-Clarke County City Hall, Rm 301
301 College Avenue
Athens, GA 30601
Henry County
Wednesday, December 18
9:30 a.m.  11:30 a.m.
Heritage Senior Center
1050 Florence McGarity Boulevard
McDonough, GA 30252
Additionally, residents seeking assistance may call Congressman Hice's Monroe District Office at (770) 207-1776 or Milledgeville District Office at (478) 457-0007.
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https://hice.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5194,Rep. Hice Praises Committee Passage of Legislation to Preserve American History,2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,GA,Jody Hice,H001071,hice.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Hice Praises Committee Passage of Legislation to Preserve American History 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        November 22, 2019
      
       
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
      
      
      Washington, D.C.  U.S. Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA) released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 307, the Preserving America's Battlefield Act in the House Natural Resources Committee. Sponsored by Representative Hice, this legislation would re-authorize one of our Nation's most successful federal matching grants program for 10 years, including grants supporting site restoration and educational resources for high-priority battlefield sites.
Battlefield sites play a formative role in American history and serve as a reminder to current and future generations of the sacrifices that were made on behalf of our freedom, said Congressman Jody Hice. In my own district, the American Battlefield Protection Program assisted in securing 180-acres of battlegrounds that surrounds the site of Kettle Creek Battlefield, transforming hallowed grounds into educational tourist destination. With the committee passage of the Preserving America's Battlefield Act, I look forward to seeing this legislation move to the House floor with strong, continued bipartisan support.
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