releases: https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-121420
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| https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-121420 | Washington Watch - 12/14/20 | 2020-12-14 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | Senate | GA | Rob Woodall | W000810 | woodall.house.gov | legacy | BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL SUCCESS ON MAJOR LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS The House had a busy legislative schedule last week as we considered a number of important bills that shared wide bipartisan support. This included the long-awaited Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the sixtieth consecutive National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to give Congress a little more time to finalize negotiations about funding for FY21. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, WRDA has tremendous importance for us in Georgia. From projects to deepen the Savannah Harbor to the maintenance of Lake Lanier and the Buford Dam, our state has a vested interest in ensuring the reauthorization and revision of WRDA. This year's bill, which was successfully negotiated between the House and Senate, shepherds in authorizations for new water projects, a reformed process for deauthorizing old ones, and modifications in how the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is treated budgetarily. It passed the House by voice vote last Tuesday. The House also overwhelmingly passed the conference report to accompany H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for FY 21. The bicameral product came together as a bipartisan effort, exemplified by the bill being named after retiring House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mac Thornberry. In addition to updates in military pay and benefits, this year's NDAA included provisions that will better position the United States against the continued threats posed by Russia and China, efforts to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the Pentagon as a whole, and updates to our acquisitions to improve military readiness. While each year's NDAA isn't perfect, they are important in securing ournation and providing our troops with the resources they both need and deserve. I was happy to vote in favor of the NDAA and with the Senate's passage last Friday, I look forward to it becoming law before the close of this Congress. Although Congress passed yet another short-term CR last week, there is reason to be fairly optimistic. While House and Senate appropriators could have easily punted government funding into the new Congress, this one-week extension demonstrates their desire to have it completed before the end of this session. I am hopeful that by the end of this week we will have sent an omnibus package to the president's desk. SENDING BIPARTISAN BILLS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK If you are a frequent reader of my newsletter, you know that each week the House is in session, Members work in a bipartisan fashion to pass bills under suspension of the rules a mechanism the House can use to expediate the passage of bills that have broader support from both sides of the aisle. However, with the end of the 116th Congress right around the corner, it is critical that we're not just ticking a box and increasing paperwork on the Senate's desk. It's about moving the ball down the court and putting points on the scoreboard, and that means sending legislation to the president's desk. That is why among the roughly 40 bills that the House advanced this past week, I want to highlight a few that have been referred to President Trump for his expected signature. In addition to the Water Resources Development Act that I mentioned earlier, this includes S. 578, the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, which I have heard from several of you about over the past two Congresses. While in 2000 Congress previously took steps to remove the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with ALS who qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it did not eliminate the five-month waiting period for those individuals to be eligible for SSDI benefits. This bill eliminates that waiting period ensuring that individuals affected by this progressive, neurodegenerative disease can have more timely access to benefits and health care coverage. The House also passed S. 461, the HBCU PARTNERS Act to direct federal agencies to create agency plans to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities' (HBCU) participation in federal opportunities. Georgia is home to several HBCUs, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, and they have a long track record of offering enriching academic opportunities for African American students. Additionally, the House passed S. 134, the Combat Online Predators Act to strengthen federal sentencing in certain instances for those convicted of stalking minors, as well as directing the Attorney General to update Congress on efforts being made to combat stalking. This is particularly important as more and more children today have access to the Internet and apps online. You can read a full list of bills the House considered and advanced this week by clicking HERE. U.S. SANCTIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFENDERS Each year on December 10th, the United States and countries across the world recognize International Human Rights Day, a time to reflect and reaffirm our commitment to human dignity and the rights of all people. In upholding that commitment, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on some of the most serious human rights abusers overseas last Thursday. Thursday's order constitutes a continuation of the Treasury's Global Magnitsky sanctions program, which is a policy that targets some of the most dangerous human rights abusers who actively support atrocities and state corruption. Pursuant to its Global Magnitsky policy, which was expanded by Executive Order in 2017, the Treasury's action on Thursday targeted a number of corrupt and abusive officials in Haiti, Russia, and Yemen. The three Haitian officials sanctioned are high-ranking government actors who planned and supported the 2018 La Saline massacre of over 70 Haitian civilians by armed street gangs, an attack which sought to intimidate and silence political dissenters in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. The five Yemeni officials sanctioned are all members of the Houthi movement in Yemen, a rogue force which regularly detains and tortures innocent Yemeni civilians and members of religious minorities. Lastly, the Russian officials sanctioned include Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, and a number of his associates. Kadyrov is directly responsible for the extrajudicial killings of political opponents, activists, journalists, and members of the LGBT community. When other countries continue to undermine U.S. efforts around the world to support democracies and protect human rights, we must stand ready to denounce those abuses and protect the most vulnerable. These actions, along with actions earlier this year in the House to combat human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and those to increase transparency around CCP's financial dealings, are critical to combating continued abuses that threaten the rights of minority populations and U.S. domestic industries. LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE GRANT FOR WORK TO COMBAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE The COVID-19 crisis has imparted numerous health and economic consequences on Americans and their families. This unfortunately includes increases in reported cases of mental health challenges, particularly among younger adults, minority populations, essential workers and caregivers, as well as increased rates of substance abuse. The Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded $250,000 in combined grant funding to two groups United Way of Forsyth's Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council and Pathways2Life in Berkeley Lake aimed at addressing substance abuse specifically in our community. This funding is awarded under the CDC's Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, which is our nation's leading federally supported effort to mobilize coalitions in our community to prevent and reduce substance abuse among young people. The continued work of local support systems is critical to providing the individualized support and attention needed to help individuals suffering from addiction, and I am pleased that federal dollars addressing this need have made their way home. CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: CALLING FOR A FINAL DEAL ON COVID-19 RELIEF As Congress enters the final stretch of this legislative session, I know there is one thing that is at the forefront of legislators' and the public's minds and that is the need to enact an additional COVID-19 relief package. We have continued to see the health and economic toll caused by this virus, especially over these last few months, as cases have risen nationally this November, slowing the momentum of our economic return. Below are some of the messages I have received from you all about the need for an additional federal relief package. Suman from Cumming: On behalf of retail businesses and the 52 million Americans that work in jobs supported by retail, we need your action now to save retail businesses. The CARES Act provided a much-needed bridge for businesses and financial aid for workers and consumers. However, retailers are struggling to survive and need additional support as the COVID-19 pandemic wages on. I ask Congress to come together and make a deal on a stimulus package. Leslie from Suwanee: I support the bipartisan COVID relief legislation and urge you to pass it before your upcoming recess. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ After months of standstill negotiations, and repeated calls from both rank and file Republican and Democratic Members to send individual bills across the finish line in absence of a wider deal, I was pleased last week to see a renewed interest from House and Senate leaders on reaching a final bipartisan deal on COVID-19 relief. As you may have heard, in an effort to get the ball rolling, a bipartisan, bicameral group of Members introduced a $908 billion proposal for COVID-19 relief, which Leslie mentioned. Following the release of its framework, that group unveiled additional details of the proposal last week, including a $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit and an extension of the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program,roughly $300 billion to provide relief to business through programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $7 billion in grants for contact tracing and testing, as well as funding for schools and hospitals. And with funding for state and local governments and the inclusion of liability provisions remaining the biggest sources of disagreement among leaders, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his intention earlier in the week to leave out those disputed provisions so we can get a bill to the President's desk. It is disappointing that Speaker Pelosi has dismissed that good-faith effort, in favor of holding her party's line. After months of deploying these same tactics, it is frustrating to see this delay in further progress. Americans and their families are in need of relief, and with a Democrat-controlled House and a Republican-controlled Senate, it remains the case that compromise is the only way to deliver that. And as we have seen, the consequences of inaction only stand to harm Americans and their families. It means that the $134 billion remaining in PPP funds to cover payroll and other eligible expenses for businesses and nonprofits continue to sit idle. It means the federal PUA program, which provides up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits and expanded UI benefits for individuals, like self-employed workers who are not traditionally eligible, expires at the end of the year. Without a deal, a host of COVID-19 tax relief provisions, including tax credits for paid sick and family leave due to the coronavirus, will end on December 31st. It secures no new funding for the Education Stabilization Fund which has supported students, K-12 learning institutions, and colleges and universities, nor provides new funding for vaccine development and distribution and food assistance. It has long been the time to provide additional COVID-19 relief, and with the opportunity to act on that need this week, I hope our leaders will honor the calls of their colleagues in Congress and those they serve back home to get it done. GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NAME 2020-2021 TEACHER OF THE YEAR It can't be said enough: the valuable role teachers play in providing academic instruction and setting our children on a path to being lifelong learners, especially at an early age, is critical to their success. We know that some of the best schools in the state and in the country call the Seventh District home, in large part because of all our hardworking teachers who work tirelessly to help students succeed in the classroom. And now, after months of deliberation, narrowing down its list of finalists from 139 to 6 teachers across elementary, middle, and high schools in the Gwinnett County Public School System, I am pleased to share the news that Sugar Hill Elementary's Ms. Katie Blum was named Gwinnett County Public Schools' districtwide Teacher of the Year! Ms. Blum, who has wanted to be a teacher since childhood, credited her family, mentors, and GCPS's investment in her development for her remarkable success. "Katie is just a teacher that puts her students first all the time and you can just feel the energy and excitement when you walk in the classroom, said Sugar Hill Elementary Principal Nick Boyers. She just makes learning fun for her students and cares about each of her students deeply. I would like to congratulate Ms. Blum and all Gwinnett County Public Schools' Teachers of the Year for their dedication to each and every one of our GCPS students. Our district would not be the academic stronghold it is without their hard work and dedication. FORSYTH COUNTY ACTS OF SERVICE SPREAD HOLIDAY JOY TO LOCAL SENIORS Throughout my time in Congress, each week I have been proud to highlight stories from back home that recognize the good work of so many individuals and organizations who have given back to our community. While each congressional district shares a commonality, each serving roughly 700,000 people, no two are the same. In the Seventh District, we are so blessed to be surrounded by friends and neighbors who share that spirit of service to one another and take pride in the diversity of people and thought that make our community so special. Even amidst a difficult time for many in our community, individuals across our community have actively come together to provide fellowship and assistance to those most in need this holiday season. Last week, students from Haw Creek Elementary School and Helpings of Hope volunteers organized by Tam's BackStage gathered to celebrate the holidays with seniors in our community with singing, gifts, and plenty of food. The Haw Creek fifth graders took to decorating and filling stockings accompanied by Christmas Carol clips for residents at two local nursing homes, while the Tam's volunteers dressed in full holiday attire to serve over 200 meals to our neighbors in need. While all events were conducted with proper safety and social distancing, the holiday joy spread by our students and volunteers was clear. Along those at Haw Creek Elementary and volunteers at Tam's BackStage volunteers, for each one of you who has over the years, and during this time, made the day just a bit brighter for someone in need, please know your actions have directly made our community stronger. Thank you for all that you do. READYING FOR THE START OF THE 117TH CONGRESS Before I share with you what is expectedthis week in the halls of Congress, as the House and Senate approach what is expected to be the final days of this legislative session, that also means this marks my last congressional newsletter. In preparation for the start of the 117th Congress on January 3rd, the U.S. House of Representatives has begun transferring over office operations for newly elected and soon to be sworn in Members, which as you may know, includes the arrival of a new Representative for our Seventh District, Carolyn Bourdeaux. Forten years, the people ofGwinnett and Forsythhave trusted me with their voting card, and that has been one of thehighesthonors of my life.It has been humbling and rewarding to be the voice in Washington for a community as unique as ours. It has been a privilege to be that voice. Please know I could not have done it without your support, your instruction, and your encouragement every step of the way. I had the opportunity to chat recently with Matt Hyatt, the founder of Rocket IT Business Podcast based in Suwanee, to reflect on my start in Congress, the future of representation in Congress, the need for a renewed commitment to bipartisanship, and the importance of addressing constituents' needs with federal agencies through an efficient casework system. You can listen to our full conversation HERE. While political disagreements dominate the news cycle and seem as continual barriers to achieving our goals, I remain hopeful that legislators will be able to find common ground in the new year. More than 60 new House Members will take to the U.S. Capitol beginning in January, each with one shared goal: to ensure Americans are better off today than they were the day before. The beauty of the American experiment means we can disagree, and we can even be vocal about our disagreements. But let us continue to stand strong in our shared values of family, faith, and freedom, and continue to uplift one another as we work together to find the best path forward. It has been an honor to serve you this last decade, and may God bless you and your family. THE WEEK AHEAD As I mentioned earlier in this newsletter, Congress passed a short-term funding bill that expires at the end of this week in order to allow funding negotiators a little more time to finalize the details of the omnibus package. I remain hopeful that we will send the FY21 funding bill to the president's desk by the end of this week. Additionally, as mentioned in the spotlight, the on-again-off-again COVID-19 relief negotiations still have a possibility of producing a package this week. There has also been discussion about tying the relief package to government spending, however there are many factors working against that effort. Even still, I believe it is important that we provide relief for American families and businesses so that we can maintain the health of both ourselves and our economy. We must redouble our efforts to get a final deal done before the end of the year. I hope that my last vote in the House Chamber this Congress will be one to finally deliver on the relief that so many Americans and their families are waiting for, and one that follows through with our commitment to ensure government funding for the new year. Sincerely, Rob Woodall Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |