| Visiting Columbia County Schools |
This week I had the opportunity to tour two Columbia County schools, Grovetown Elementary School and my alma mater Evans High School, to see firsthand how they have safely and successfully reopened for in-person learning while teaching some students virtually. I was so impressed with how the school district has adapted to ensure our students don’t fall behind due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During my visit, I received an update on sanitation initiatives, contact tracing protocols, and was able to observe students in the classroom and at lunch. The steps Columbia County has taken during this time should serve as an example for other school districts throughout the country.
Thank you to all of our teachers and school administrators throughout Georgia’s 12th District who have been fighting for our students!
As the Senior Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, K-12 Subcommittee, I’m also working to ensure our vulnerable students are able to receive meals during this time. This week, I joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking USDA to ensure the federal programs that help feed students are flexible, easy to operate, and free of unnecessary burdens during the coronavirus. You can read the full letter here.
Back the Blue
I’m proud to sign Heritage Action for America’s Police Pledge and commit to opposing any legislative proposal that defunds the police. I’m eternally grateful for our dedicated law enforcement, especially in Georgia’s 12th District, for the work you do every day to keep our communities safe!
Securing Our Elections
This week I participated in a virtual roundtable with the Committee on House Administration and my colleagues in the Georgia delegation to discuss election security with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Election Assistance Commissioner Christy McCormick, Lynne Bailey, Director of Richmond County Board of Elections, and several other local election officials in Georgia. You can watch my remarks here.
Democrats’ Postal Conspiracy
There’s been a lot of confusion and misinformation in recent weeks regarding the U.S. Postal Service, so I want to set the record straight. Instead of calling Congress back in to session to debate another coronavirus relief package or the JUSTICE Act, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are pushing a baseless conspiracy in an attempt to sow fear and push for more government spending.
Here’s the truth:
MYTH: USPS won’t be able to handle the volume of election mail.
FACT: Assuming every single registered American voter decided to vote by mail, the total possible volume of requested and mailed ballots would not exceed a typical day of total USPS mail volume.
MYTH: USPS reforms could jeopardize the November election.
FACT: The proposed reforms – designed to save money for the USPS – have been paused until after the election.
MYTH: USPS will be insolvent before the election.
FACT: The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by President Trump, included a $10 billion loan for USPS, which they have not used yet. The USPS has said they are solvent through August 2021.
Charlie Norwood VA
Dr. Robin Jackson, Director of the Charlie Norwood VA, provided me with a COVID-19 update and we discussed ensuring veterans’ safety and access to healthcare. During this unprecedented time, our priority to veterans’ care remains steadfast.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
I received an update from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. One of my priorities in Congress is ensuring the cost of insulin is affordable for those who rely on this life-saving medication. We discussed my support of the President’s recent drug pricing initiative to lower the cost of insulin.
ICYMI: Two Medical College of Georgia Students Selected for National Research Program
Congratulations to James Dickey and Jeunice Owens-Walton, students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, for being two of only 50 students selected to participate in the National Institutes of Health’s Medical Research Scholars Program!
As always, my office is here to help. You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
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