This week, the House of Representatives convened to officially mark the start of the first legislative session of the 116^th Congress – and I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue representing the great people of Georgia’s 12^th district in the People’s House. We have many pressing issues before the 116^th Congress, and I am hopeful that we can build upon some of the significant accomplishments we’ve made over the last two years working hand in hand with the Senate and Trump Administration. I’d like to share with you some of our major accomplishments in 2018.

Key Legislation Signed into Law by President Donald Trump

February 9, 2018 – Extension of the Nuclear Production Tax Credit (included in larger legislation): Georgia-12 is leading the way in the expansion of our nation’s nuclear energy resources, constructing two of the first new nuclear reactors in the United States in more than 30 years. Extending the Nuclear Production Tax Credit was critical to continue America’s dominance in the global nuclear industry.

March 23, 2018 – H.R. 4909 the STOP School Violence Act (included in larger legislation): This important bill provides schools, local law enforcement, and students the tools they need to stop threats before they become reality. Schools are now able to coordinate more with local law enforcement, make significant improvements to school security, and train students and personnel to identify violent behavior.

With funding authorized by the STOP School Violence Act, Coffee County School System and Sheriff’s Office as well as Richmond County School System (both located in the 12^th district) are making strides to make our schools safer. 

May 25, 2018 – S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act: This legislation rolled back harmful regulations of the Dodd-Frank Act, President Obama’s extremely burdensome financial legislation, helping banks get back in the business of lending and allowing our community banks of all sizes to return to the personalized level of service that consumers deserve.

May 30, 2018 – S. 204, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act: The Right to Try Act allows terminally ill patients to have a choice on whether or not an experimental approach is the path for them.

July 31, 2018 – H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for 21^st Century Act: As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee and former small business owner, I was thrilled to play my part in getting this legislation to promote career and technical education across the finish line and signed into law. This legislation has already begun to bridge the gap between our business and education communities for those in-demand jobs in technical fields.

August 13, 2018 – H.R. 5515, Fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The NDAA is an annual piece of legislation that authorizes defense spending and sets priorities for the U.S. military. This year’s NDAA provided a well-deserved pay raise to our troops, the largest in nearly a decade, contained big wins for Georgia’s 12th district, including critical funding for a Cyber Instructional Facility at Fort Gordon, and set bold priorities for the safety of our nation.

September 21, 2018 – H.R. 5895, a spending package for FY19 that funds portions of the government, including Energy and Water Development, the Legislative Branch, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs: This legislation includes funding for the critical missions here in the 12th District and surrounding counties like appropriating $99 million for a Cyber Instructional Facility and Network Center at Fort Gordon, funding critical missions at Savannah River Site, and providing significant funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

September 28, 2018 – H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act: This was the first time in a decade that funding for our military was signed into law on time and at some of the highest levels in recent history! We secured the largest pay increase for our troops in 9 years at a 2.6% increase and I was proud that my effort to fully fund the POW/MIA Accounting Agency was included in the final bill.

October 24, 2018 – H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act: This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation addressing the opioid epidemic marks the most significant congressional effort against a single drug crisis in history, advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, improving prevention, protecting communities, and bolstering the fight against deadly illicit drugs.

December 14, 2018 – H.R. 3946, legislation I sponsored to rename the Statesboro VA Clinic after Sergeant Major Ray Hendrix: Sergeant Major Ray Hendrix committed his life to serving our nation and defending the freedoms that we, as Americans, are so blessed to have. I am thrilled that we were able to get this legislation across the finish line to officially rename this facility to the Ray Hendrix Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.

December 20, 2018 – H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act, better known as the Farm Bill: As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I had the opportunity to play an integral role in drafting the 2018 Farm Bill, as well as working closely with members of the House and Senate to finalize the Conference Report after being selected as a member of the Farm Bill Conference Committee.

As law of the land, the 2018 Farm Bill will strengthen the farm safety net, provide more flexibility for our producers, protect and expand crop insurance, improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – including program integrity, strengthen our efforts to provide quality broadband in rural areas, and much more. This five-year farm bill has been a work in progress since I was elected to Congress in 2014. After several years of negotiations, hearings, and a number of district-wide farm tours aimed at gathering input from those who are directly affected by this legislation, I can confidently say that we have delivered a new sense of certainty for rural America.

December 21, 2018 – S. 756, the First Step Act: This historic legislation reforms our criminal justice system and will help prisoners in their effort to return to society, find a good job, and reduce the risk of recidivism through reentry projects such as academic classes, career training, and more. The state of Georgia has implemented a number of initiatives to assist prisoners with their re-entry into society, and I am thrilled that our federal criminal justice system will mirror some of these successful programs.

Other Critical Bills Considered in the House of Representatives

January 19, 2018 – H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: This legislation strengthens the protections for babies who survive abortions and ensures that these babies are provided with the same degree of medical care that any other child would receive in order to save their lives. I will always stand strong for pro-life policies.

April 12, 2018 – H. J. Res. 2, the Balanced Budget Amendment: This legislation amends the U.S. Constitution to require that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenue during any given fiscal year. Any amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and unfortunately H. J. Res. 2 failed to garner the necessary support in the House.

May 10, 2018 – H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act: In Georgia’s 12^th District, we have thousands of spent fuel rods being held in spent fuel pools and dry cask storage containers on site at Plants Hatch and Vogtle. H.R. 3053 implements a strategy to relocate spent nuclear fuel off-site and provides practical reforms to our nation’s nuclear waste management policy, ensuring that the federal government fulfills its legal obligation to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste.

June 7, 2018 – H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act: H.R. 3 was a rescission package supported by President Trump to cut nearly $15 billion in wasteful government spending. We have an obligation to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the same, if not a greater opportunity than generations before to experience the American dream. Leaving an insurmountable national debt in their hands makes that nearly impossible and is simply unacceptable. Unfortunately, this bill failed in the Senate.

June 21, 2018 – H.R. 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act: I believe our nation’s immigration system is broken, and H.R. 4760 was a bill to reform it- funding the wall, ending chain migration, supporting merit-based immigration, and modernizing our agricultural worker visa program. Unfortunately, H.R. 4760 failed on the House floor. Moving forward, we must come together on legislation that protects the four pillars President Trump outlined in his immigration plan to fix our broken immigration system and enact meaningful solutions that work for our nation.

June 29, 2018 – H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act: Under H.R. 3003, state and local governments would be made ineligible for certain federal funds if they have “sanctuary” policies in effect that hinder cooperation with immigration officials.

June 29, 2018 – H.R. 3004, Kate’s Law: After the heartbreaking death of Kathryn Steinle, who was tragically shot by an illegal alien who returned to the United States after being deported, H.R. 3004 would establish new maximum sentences for individuals who attempt to reenter our country after being convicted of certain felonies.

September 5, 2018 – H.R. 1635, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act: This legislation ensures that federal student aid recipients receive annual counseling and detailed loan information to assist them in making sound financial decisions when it comes to borrowing and repaying student loans. I was pleased to offer an amendment to the bill that would allow institutions to provide additional financial counseling above what is already provided for in the bill, which was included in final passage.

Constituent Services

Being elected to represent Georgia’s 12^th Congressional District has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I want you to know that my door is always open, and my staff and I are here to be a resource for you.

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Hearing questions and comments from Georgia-12 constituents allows me to better serve you in Congress. If you have a question or comment, please feel free to send me an email.

As we begin the 116^th Congress under a new majority in the House of Representatives, it is imperative that we set our differences aside, work together, and continue to put America first. I will remain a strong voice and fighter for Georgia-12 priorities and I am eager to see what the 116^th Congress may bring.

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