ICYMI: Congressman Allen HoldS Telephone Town Hall

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) held a telephone town hall Tuesday night to answer questions from residents of Georgia's 12th District. Congressman Allen gave an update on Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, disaster assistance, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the Social Security Administration’s cost of living adjustment increase for 2020, and more. For those who were unable to participate in the call, here are some of the highlights:

Bruce from Martinez asked about the impeachment inquiry and encouraged Republicans to go on offense.

Congressman Allen: “The current situation is strictly the Democrats’ ability as the Majority to hold hearings in the House, and that’s all they are doing is holding hearings and leaking pieces of those hearings in order to move public opinion.

“It is something that is frankly terribly partisan, evil, wrong and dishonest. Chairman Schiff has lied and the leaks he has leaked…we can’t verify whether they are true or not. He said he had substantial evidence in corroboration with the Russians that was enough to impeach the President. That never happened, so this is a sad state for our country."

Robert from Vidalia asked about the rising cost of drug prices.

Congressman Allen: “Through the Energy and Commerce Committee, there is bipartisan legislation that deals with this. However, Nancy Pelosi’s drug pricing plan is very partisan and is going to the House Education and Labor Committee for a markup this week. The Medicare Part D donut hole is closing next year in 2020 and is part of the President’s effort to lower out of pocket costs.

“We can solve this problem if we can do it in a bipartisan matter. The problem is that the leadership of the Democratic Party doesn’t want to put any bipartisan legislation on the floor to fix these problems and get it passed through the Senate and to the President to sign it because he might get credit for it.”

Roger from Evans asked why members of Congress get paid during government shutdowns.

Congressman Allen: “You’re exactly right. I’ll tell you what I did in every government shutdown that we’ve participated in, I have sent a letter to ask for my salary to be withheld during that period just like everyone else. I think it should be that way. If you withheld every member of Congress and their salary, you wouldn’t have another government shutdown.

“Something has to be done to make these people do their job. I am frustrated that Congress refuses to do its job and help this President solve these problems in our country.”

Martha from Hagan asked why the Democrats are only focused on impeachment and not other issues.

Congressman Allen: “[They’re] strictly putting politics ahead of the American people. That’s wrong and that is not why you sent us here-- and frankly that’s why this body has such a low approval process. When you look at all we accomplished in the 115th Congress… we have created the greatest economy in the world and have tremendous opportunities, particularly for young people, women, African Americans, Asian Americans, etc…. I don’t understand what [the Democrats’] strategy is because it has been very frustrating for us, since we want to put our people first.”

If you would like to sign up for the next telephone town hall, please sign up here. If you would like to learn more about the work Congressman Allen is doing in Washington and for the 12th District, please sign up for his weekly e-newsletter here.