Prioritizing American Research Over China

For far too long, our intelligence community has warned us about the harm posed by China’s theft of American research and intellectual property. In order for the U.S. to retain our competitive edge on the world stage, Congress must close current loopholes that China could exploit to gain access to research funding. That’s why I introduced the American Science First Act.

The Democrats’ actions last week were alarming, and it should concern every American taxpayer. The partisan spending packages that passed in the House spend into oblivion in an effort to fund their socialist agenda, passing a bill to fund Congress while refusing to bring forward bills to fund the Departments of Defense or Homeland Security. The Democrats only want to fund themselves and their radical priorities, ignoring the national security and immigration crises.

Standing For The Right to Life

Perhaps what is most troubling about the Democrats’ spending package is that they removed several long-standing pro-life protections. For over 40 years, Republicans and Democrats have included the Hyde Amendment in spending packages to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions, which has saved 2.5 million lives since its bipartisan enactment. But House Democrats eliminated the Hyde Amendment, opening the door to your tax dollars funding abortions.

Demanding CDC Release The Data on Shifting Mask Guidance

We write, "We are deeply concerned that the CDC has released blanket guidance seeking to reduce this transmission when they have not even provided data on the frequency of breakthrough infections to the public. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that the science has evolved with the virus. We ask that you provide us and the American people that science."

You can read our full letter here.

House Agriculture Committee Updates

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing last week on H.R. 267, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. This legislation provides $8.5 billion for farmers and ranchers suffering financial loss to crops and livestock from natural disasters – including hurricanes, floods, derechos and high winds, wildfires, smoke exposure, drought and excessive heat in 2020 and 2021. I'm proud to share the bill has bipartisan support and was unanimously approved by the committee.

The committee also hosted a hearing on “21st Century Food Systems: Controlled Environment Agriculture’s Role in Protecting Domestic Food Supply Chains and Infrastructure.” During the hearing, I highlighted BetterFresh Farms in Metter and how these farms bring fresh produce directly to communities. I also highlighted how access to a dependable workforce is the number one issue farmers are facing, and I urged the committee to hold a hearing on ag labor where we can markup my legislation, the BARN Act.

I held a telephone town hall to answer questions from GA-12 residents and gave an update on the crisis at our southern border, inflation, health care, and more. For those who were unable to participate in the call, here are some of the highlights.

>> You can sign up to participate in future telephone town halls here.

Advocating For Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits

A March 2021 survey showed that more than two-thirds of Americans who receive health insurance through their employer were satisfied with their coverages. However, if the radical left gets their way, most Americans would lose their private insurance under Medicare-For-All.

That’s why I joined my Republican colleagues on the House Education and Labor Committee in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Department of Labor Secretary Martin Walsh highlighting the importance of employer-sponsored health insurance. I will continue to oppose any efforts to implement government-run health care and support policies that empower Americans with more choices.