releases: https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-11920
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| https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-11920 | District Connection - 11/9/20 | 2020-11-09 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | Senate | GA | Rob Woodall | W000810 | woodall.house.gov | legacy | 2020 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS Last week's record-shattering voter turnout across our great nation so much so that the vote count, primarily due to mail-in and absentee ballots has meant vote counting continues. While I know many were hoping to know all the final results by late Tuesday night, the increased use of absentee and mail-in ballots meant that just wasn't possible. We must ensure every vote that was legitimately cast is counted, and I am grateful for the state and local officials who have continued their thorough and diligent efforts to make sure the voices of the American people are heard. While it is likely that the close nature of these elections in many states, including our own, may mean these results will face legal challenges, there are at least two takeaways we know that are clear. First, absentee and mail-in ballots are likely to only grow in the future. Ensuring the confidence of the American people in these votes is vital to our democracy, and thus all allegations of impropriety must be investigated. There is no higher electoral priority than ensuring confidence in our system of voting. Second, we know that here in Georgia we will prepare to return to the polls on January 5th for a runoff election. All of America will be watching, and outside groups from across the nationand perhaps the worldwill be trying to influence our vote. I confess that I am comforted that the balance of power in Washington comes down to the vote of Georgia and Georgians. There is no group of voters that I trust more. JOBS REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED DECREASES IN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, JOBS ADDED Last Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its most recentjobs report for the month of October. Coming on the heels of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's report from last week that indicated real GDP increased by an annual rate of 33.1 percent in the third quarter, the latest jobs report continues to spell out good news for a further economic return. In October, the unemployment rate dropped one percentage point nationally, down to 6.9 percent from 7.9 percent. With the addition of 638,000 jobs last month exceeding economists' previous predictions the most considerable gains were seen in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, retail trade, and construction. These latest numbers mean that roughly 55 percent of the jobs lost due to the COVID-19 crisis have since returned. The momentum is there for a strong economic return, but as much of our nation continues to grapple with increased cases of COVID-19, we cannot ease up. As we approach the holidays, the potential for increased rates of spread is undeniably present, and we must protect our family, friends, and neighbors by following social distancing guidelines and public health protocols. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ISSUES FINAL RULE ON HEALTH CARE PRICE TRANSPARENCY After announcing its proposed rule to enact price transparency requirements to increase competition and lower health care costs last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its final rule late last month. Under this finalized rule, group health plans and health insurance issuers in the individual and group markets will be required to provide clear and easily accessible information about standard charges for the services they provide so that patients can better understand the casts of their care. This includes the costs of specific doctors, procedures, and prescription drugs, as well as the most accurate estimated out-of-pocket costs a patient could be responsible for. With increased awareness of the true costs of care, patients will have a better ability to shop and compare costs before receiving care, promoting competition between providers to offer the best price. Injecting transparency across our health care systems is just one of the tools at our disposal that may serve to address the high costs of health care in areas where multiple options for care exist, and while this rule is facing legal challenges in the courts, I hope that we can continue to work toward solutions that encourage choice and spur competition, driving down costs in the long run. CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: REBUILDING AMERICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE Transportation and infrastructure development are issues that are important to folks on all ends of the political spectrum. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I know just how critical it is to provide proper oversight and reauthorization to all that connects us in our community. Here is what some of you who've written to me about the topic have had to say: Adam from Suwanee: Infrastructure matters to me. Poor infrastructure is costing every family in the U.S. $9 every day and those costs will keep climbing without action. Congress needs to pass the Water Resources Development Act. Mark from Norcross: Ignoring the needs of America's aging and over-burdened infrastructure is not an option. If our nation is to remain prosperous, we must transform our infrastructure systems. As your voting constituent and a member of the construction industry, I understand firsthand the need for a significant, long-term infrastructure investment bill. ______________________________________________________________________________ As we head into the House's biennial lame duck session, my colleagues and I have a unique opportunity to advance bipartisan legislation, free from some of the political divisiveness which can permeate an election season. On the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have witnessed firsthand how across-the-aisle cooperation has produced meaningful infrastructure development bills. As Adam and Mark rightly said, strong, bipartisan infrastructure legislation will benefit the day-to-day lives and financial wellbeing of every American family. Currently, there are a number of the Committee's transportation and infrastructure bills which I hope to see move forward during the remainder of this legislative session. First, I am hopeful the Senate will take up and pass H.R. 7575 the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). This year's version of WRDA, which passed the House in July, provides critical funding to rebuild our nation's ports, harbors, and inland waterwayspoints of entry where nearly 80% of the goods we consume enter our country. WRDA also authorizes projects to prevent flood and storm damage, an increasingly dangerous problem which we must combat in order to protect the health and safety of our communities. The numerous water infrastructure projects authorized under WRDA will help to create numerous well-paying jobs across the country. Several of my colleagues also recently introduced an important piece of bipartisan aircraft safety legislation, H.R. 8408 the Aircraft Certification Reform and Accountability Act. Aircraft safety is critical to the well-being of air travelers and our nation's confidence in flying, and this bipartisan act, based on guidance from nonpartisan aircraft safety experts, will enact modernized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight, ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety. In a similar vein, my colleagues in the House negotiated and passed H.R. 3409 the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019. Aside from reauthorizing the Coast Guard for FY20-FY21 and addressing personnel issues, the bill sets important boating and shipping safety policies, ensuring the safety of workers and recreational boaters alike. And while I was pleased to see a clean, yearlong surface transportation reauthorization included in the continuing resolution signed by the president back in September, I am hopeful House Democratic leadership will reconsider its partisan approach to pipeline safety reauthorization and take up the Senate's comprehensive and bipartisan measure that passed the chamber in August. As the 116th Congress comes to a close, I look forward to building on bipartisan infrastructure progress made on both sides of the Capitol and get this meaningful legislation across the finish line. HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED THIS VETERANS DAY This Wednesday, our nation comes together to honor each and every veteran who has risked their life to protect and defend the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy in this country. In my years in public office, I have found that our veterans represent the very best our Seventh District community has to offer. They are teachers, first responders, public servants, and business leaders. They are mothers, fathers, mentors and neighbors, and some of our most trusted friends. Even after their military service is complete, veterans are looked to by the American people for unity and strength. I am always humbledbut never surprisedto find our veterans continuing to give back to our community and country in so many incredible ways. While many Veterans Day celebrations and events were held this past weekend, Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties will each be holding events this Wednesday saluting our nation's heroes. Gwinnett County will begin its virtual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th at 11 AM, and the American Legion Cumming Post 307, in conjunction with the City of Cumming and our community's other veterans organization, will also begin its ceremony at the same time at the Cumming Veterans War Memorial. Attendance is free and open to the public, and guests are encouraged to wear masks and socially distance during the event. On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to extend my appreciation to all the veterans and their families across our community for their service to our country. While we honor that sacrifice today, may we remember it always. CELEBRATING DIWALI: THE HINDU FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS This Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and those of other faiths across the world will celebrate the annual festival of Diwali the five-day celebration of the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Last year, I had the honor of celebrating Diwali at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, a truly unforgettable experience celebrated with so many good friends. While Diwali celebrations may look different this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency, the importance and symbolism of this festival is as important as ever. We are truly blessed to have such a vibrant and diverse community here in the Seventh District, and I want to extend my best wishes for a happy Diwali to all those observing this special time in our community. LOCAL TRAVEL NURSES CRUCIAL TO COMBATTING COVID-19 IN HIGH RISK AREAS As we face a potential surge in new cases of COVID-19 during the winter months, we continue to rely on our health care heroes to combat the virus on the frontlines. That's why this week I would like to commend a local group of nurses who have dedicated weeks and sometimes months on end away from their homes to travel to high-risk areas in need of nurses to treat those infected by COVID-19. In fact, more than 450 nurses working for Premier Healthcare Professionals in Cumming have gone to the frontlines in places with critical nursing shortages, including places as far away as New York City and Texas. These travel nurses have gone above and beyond to meet a critical need for nurses in places with both a history of nurse shortages and a high rate of COVID-19 infections, doing their part to protect all of us during this critical juncture in our history. I would like to thank the nurses from Premier Healthcare Professionals as well as everyone who has pitched in to fight COVID-19 on the frontlines. Your efforts throughout the year have certainly not gone unnoticed, and your hard work is invaluable to the many patients you have cared for. Thank you, once again, for your service during a time when it is most needed. FORSYTH COUNTY COMBATS DRUG ABUSE WITH NEW MONTHLY TAKE BACK DAY INITIATIVE It is remarkable to consider the outstanding health benefits that modern medications can have in treating various diseases, improving the lives of countless patients when they take their treatments and prescription medications safely and as directed. However, there is a global and national health and safety concern revolving around the misuse and abuse of prescription medications. That's why I am pleased to share an example of the good work that is being undertaken locally to combat the opioid epidemic. Forsyth County has registered three drop off boxes in Cumming, offering people a safe, reliable way to properly dispose of their prescription medications. In fact, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners partnered with the Drug Awareness Council, the Youth Council, and the Sheriff's Office to launch the Take Back Day initiative, dedicating the third Saturday of every month to encourage anyone with unused medications to dispose of their prescriptions at one of the drop off locations in Cumming. You can now drop off your unused medications on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North and South Precincts in Cumming, or in the county jail lobby 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In doing so, you can become a part of the solution to combat the growing issue of medication misuse and addiction in our community. I would like to commend the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, as well as the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council, Youth Council and Sheriff's Office for bring drug misuse awareness to our community as well as providing a way for everyone to take part in the responsible use and disposal of prescription medications. Sincerely, Rob Woodall Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |