Telephone Town Hall

I enjoyed speaking with more than 5,000 GA-12 constituents during a telephone town hall this week.

During the call, I gave an update on the southern border crisis, ensuring parents' rights in education, protecting your retirement savings and legislation I introduced to help our farmers. Click here for highlights from the call.

If you would like to sign up to participate in future calls, please click here to sign up.

This Week's Committee Activity

Education and Workforce

Full Committee Hearing

“Unleashing America’s Opportunities for Hiring and Employment"

The House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing focused on unleashing America’s opportunities for hiring and employment.

My Republican colleagues and I stand with the 21st century worker, and we recognize that the American people need creative, forward-thinking legislation that gives workers and small business owners both stability and flexibility.

Click here to listen to my full remarks.

Energy and Commerce

Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Hearing

“Government Response to East Palestine: Ensuring Safety and Transparency for the Community”

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a subcommittee hearing on the recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Click here to listen to my full remarks.

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing

“Preserving Free Speech and Reining in Big Tech Censorship”

The House Energy and Commerce Committee also held a subcommittee hearing focused on technology companies using their platforms to silence Americans online.

Click here to listen to my full remarks.

Subcommittee on Health Hearing

“Lowering Unaffordable Costs: Examining Transparency and Competition in Health Care” 

I participated in a subcommittee hearing on the importance of enhancing price transparency and lowering patient costs in the health care marketplace.

Click here to listen to my full remarks.

Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce Hearing

“Taking the Buzzer Beater to the Bank: Protecting College Athletes’ NIL Dealmaking Rights”

I also participated in a subcommittee hearing centered on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes at our nation's colleges and universities.

Click here to listen to my full remarks.

Congressional Art Competition

I want to encourage all interested high school students to take part in the Congressional Art Competition, which offers students an opportunity to harness their creative talents to share what makes Georgia’s 12th District so special.

Submitted artworks will be exhibited during a reception at the Westobou Gallery in Augusta May 5 – 20, 2023, and the winning piece will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Other winners’ artwork will be displayed in Congressman Allen’s offices in Washington, D.C. and Augusta.

For more information and official rules, please click here.

For additional questions, please contact Christine Rhodes by calling (706) 228-1980 or sending an email to Christine.Rhodes@mail.house.gov.

Plan Ahead for Passport Travel

My office has received a surge in passport expedition requests. New guidance from the State Department states the wait time for expedited service can take up to 2 months, and routine service can take up to 3 months.

My office is here to help, and please remember these helpful tips:

• Check expiration dates before booking a trip; make sure your passport doesn’t expire up to 6 months after your return date.
• Apply early – at least six months in advance of your planned departure date.
• Use trackable mail to quickly ship the application and purchase overnight delivery for the State Department to return the completed passport.
• Ensure applications are accurate and complete. Any issues with birth certificate, ID, fees, or photos could cause delays beyond the original 12 weeks.

This Week's Office Visitors

I had the pleasure of welcoming several groups of visitors to our Washington, D.C. office this week to talk about the issues that matter most to them.

Those pictured include representatives from:

• American Lung Association
• National Electrical Contractors Association
• Heart of Georgia Healthy Start

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As always, my office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here. 

To contact one of our district offices, please click here. 

To stay informed about what is happening in Washington D.C. and in our district, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress