releases: https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-122418
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/washington-watch-122418 | Washington Watch - 12/24/18 | 2018-12-24 | 2018 | 2018-12 | Republican | House | GA | Rob Woodall | W000810 | woodall.house.gov | legacy | CONGRESS AND WHITE HOUSE STILL WORKING ON A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING RESOLUTION As I'm sure you all know by now, last week was quite interesting in Washington, D.C., and as a member of the House Rules Committee, I had a ringside seat to all that was happening. Months ago, the House and Senate began diligently working on the FY19 appropriations bills. And by the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, 2018, we had passed into law 5 of the 12 annual spending bills, which account for roughly 75% of our total discretionary spending for the year. Since the end of September, we've been trying to find a compromise between the House, Senate, and White House on the remaining 25%, which includes money for border security, as most of you have probably heard. On Wednesday, the Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund those parts of the government still awaiting their yearly appropriation. In what is called a clean CR, the Senate simply kicked the can down the road to February 8, 2019, making no changes to any current funding streams and leaving necessary funding for border security off the table. The House and the White House were unwilling to simply go-along to get-along with the fecklessness of the Senate, and I was proud to support an amended CR in the House on Thursday that provided roughly $5 billion for border security, and maybe more importantly, nearly $8 billionin disaster aid for those affected by this year's hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and volcanoes, including our farmers in middle and south Georgia who were ravaged by Hurricane Michael. That disaster aid goes to crop and livestock producers, emergency highway repairs, flood control and storm damage reduction projects, and wildfire suppression, to name a few. This is essential money for Georgia, which saw $2.5 billion in losses from Hurricane Michael, and what's more,the bill provideda block grant optionfor aid that would have given Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner the power and flexibilityto use federal dollars in the most efficient way possible for our state's farmers. Unfortunately, the Senate once again took the easy road and refused to provide even $1 more for border security. Instead, the Senate has decided to recess until Thursday and begin working with the White House on a new measure that we all hope can get 60 votes in the Senate, be acceptable to the House, and be signed into law by the President.What this means for the American people, as you've probably heard on the news already,is that part of the government's operations will be temporarily closed. Of course, not everyone stops working. The Defense Department, Health and Human Services, Education, the VA, and the Department of Energy have already been funded, so their employees will continue working without interruption. And anyone in any other agency who is directly responsible for ensuring public health and safety will continue working without interruption. Yes, some federal employees will be furloughed for a short-time, but if you are one of those employees or know one of those individuals, please know that they -- and every other federal employee -- will certainly be paid for each hour of the shutdown that they worked or were supposed to be working once a new funding bill is passed. Let me be perfectly clear; I did not want a shutdown, I was not advocating for a shutdown, but I also could not support abdicating our duty to fund the government and allow the reins of government to be handed over to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer without acting on President Trump's top legislative priority. I look forward to continuing the discussion about how we can appropriately fund the government and provide for our nation's border security in the days ahead, and I look forward to your counsel in this effort. BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMBECOMES LAW One of the great legacies of our outgoing Governor Nathan Deal will be his successful reforming of our criminal justice system in Georgia. For years, our state has led a nationwide effort to better distinguish between dangerous criminals who must be removed from society and misguided men and women who have made mistakes, who have been trapped in circumstance, who may have lost hope, but who are willing to serve their time and prove that they deserve a second chance in life. I'm proud that Congress and President Trump have taken the lessons we've learned in Georgia to heart and passed a landmark criminal justice reform law that will apply those lessons throughout our federal criminal justice system. To be clear, this new law does not let criminals off the hook. For serious offenses, stiff penalties remain enshrined in law. But for nonviolent and low-level offenders, the First Step Act offers a lifeline for our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and neighbors in our community to right their wrongs and become contributing members of society. You can read a summary of this bill, which drew broad bipartisan support from faith leaders, law enforcement, governors, and attorneys general, by clicking here. HOUSE ADVANCES PUBLIC HEALTH BILLS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Last week, both the House and Senate were busy pushing bipartisan bills through Congress that will surely work to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. While bills in myriad issue areas made their way from Capitol Hill to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the President's signature, I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the public health bills that I hope President Trump will swiftly sign into law. Most notably, Congress passed S. 2076, the BOLD Infrastructure Act, which supports critical public health programs for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and seeks to ensure that states and communities have the proper tools and public health infrastructure in place to adequately meet the demands that Alzheimer's disease will surely place on them in due time. In fact, it is estimated that 190,000 Georgians will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2025 an increase of 50,000 individuals over a 7-year period. That's not to mention the 385,000 individuals in our state who have been identified by Georgia Memory Net as having self-reported cognitive impairment 80% of which have not yet been evaluated or treated. While I find that our great state of Georgia has already made significant investments to meet the demands of these terrible diseases, as Georgia is already home to five Memory Access Centers, I certainly understand that there is always an opportunity for us to do more and to do better when it comes to delivering solutions to individuals and families grappling with Alzheimer's whether that entails bolstering early detection and assessment methods, improving care and education among providers who treat patients with Alzheimer's and related dementias, or working to accurately collect data from communities so that researchers can learn more about these diseases. Moreover, I heard from many constituents over the course of the past year about how they believe the BOLD Act will work to improve the lives of their families and loved ones, and I am certainly grateful to each person who shared their support and very personal story with me. I truly believe the BOLD Act made it across the finish line here in Congress due to the many constituent advocates across the county who made it their mission, and I was proud to partner with them in making passage a reality. In addition to the BOLD Act, the House passed the following public health bills that look to improve our communities: Senate Amendment to H.R. 1222, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017, sponsored by Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reauthorizes congenital heart disease research as well as enhances surveillance activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and Senate Amendment to H.R. 6615, the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2018, sponsored by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) reauthorizes the CDC's Traumatic Brain Injury initiatives and would allow researchers to study how many people have sustained a brain injury, in turn, providing us with better insight to this problem that both young and old Americans face too often. CLICK HERE to read moreabout what the Alzheimer's Association had to say about the landmark BOLD Infrastructure Act. LOCAL MANUFACTURER LEADING THE WAY ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY In past newsletters, I've shared with you the great things happening in our local small business and manufacturing community, and Metcam is no stranger to that success! As of last week, though, they now have another accolade to their name by winning a Manufacturers of Distinction and Leadership Award in the environmental sustainability category for Forsyth County. In April, they'll have the opportunity to compete for the statewide award, and I feel good about their chances! You may recall that last year Metcam, Inc. was named Georgia's Small Manufacturer of the Year by Governor Deal. I've been fortunate to visit their operation before and visit with their team. I can tell you that they take their commitment not only to their customers, but to the community in which they reside, very seriously. It doesn't surprise me at all that they continue to find success and lead on issues like environmental sustainability. It makes me so proud to see this kind of initiative here at home precisely because it was their own vision, action, and continued commitment that has produced these results. It wasn't a Washington mandate that was the driving force behind their business model, but rather their individual and team character. When I tell the story of the Seventh District to colleagues on Capitol Hill, it's one rife with examples like Metcam and so many others. That reality makes our collective voice so much stronger as we work to craft policies that partner with men and women like this to be successful. Thank you all for what you do, and please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance to you or your business. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! I know we all say it but it's hard to believe Christmas is here once again already! While it may be hard to believe, it is exciting! Just a day away, families are making final preparations and maybe even making a last-minute gift run or two! There's no shortage of things to do before trips and visits commence not to mention a new year to anticipate but I hope you all have an opportunity to relax and enjoy this special holiday with your loved ones as well. As we share time, meals, and presents with family and friends, I hope we'll remember those who are missing loved ones during the holiday as well. Whether military service members, first-responders, those who have lost someone, or whatever the circumstances may be, Christmas and the holiday season can also be a challenging time. Please join me in remembering those experiencing difficulty in your thoughts and prayers, and by reaching out to anyone you may encounter who needs a kind word or warm invitation. Irrespective of how you celebrate, I wish you all a Merry Christmas! It is a time of hope and new beginnings, and I can't think of a more fitting message to precede the celebration of the New Year. Sincerely, Rob Woodall Member of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |