No Score, No vote It was another week of closed-door meetings as Democrats tried to garner enough support to pass Biden’s “Build Back Broke” Act. The bill is over 2,000 pages and we don’t have a final price tag on just how much it will cost taxpayers. I joined my Republican colleagues demanding Speaker Pelosi allow the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to score the bill before the House votes on it, because the American People deserve a full accounting of how the bill will impact spending, deficits and debt now and in the future.
Representative Rick Allen
 

No Score, No vote

 
 

It was another week of closed-door meetings as Democrats tried to garner enough support to pass Biden’s “Build Back Broke” Act. The bill is over 2,000 pages and we don’t have a final price tag on just how much it will cost taxpayers. I joined my Republican colleagues demanding Speaker Pelosi allow the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to score the bill before the House votes on it, because the American People deserve a full accounting of how the bill will impact spending, deficits and debt now and in the future.

 
Build Back Broke
 

What we do know is this would be the biggest expansion of government in our lifetime, as the bill would impose billions in tax increases, radically expand the IRS and continue rampant Washington spending. You can listen here as I break down some of the worst provisions. With the price at the gas pump rising, empty shelves at the grocery store, and an ongoing workforce shortage, I will continue to fight against this bill that will only make things worse for families.


For months, Democrats stalled on bringing forward their infrastructure bill until they could garner enough support to also pass the “Build Back Broke” bill. This week they officially brought forward the infrastructure bill for a vote and once again postponed a vote on the tax and spend package until a later date. I opposed the infrastructure vote based on both process and policy – as the bill is full of earmarks completely unrelated to fixing our roads and bridges. In fact, only 9% of the bill goes toward projects Americans consider traditional infrastructure. It’s nothing more than a Trojan Horse bill that the CBO estimates would add $256 billion to the federal budget deficit.

 
 

Fighting Against Vaccine Mandates

 

As you know, back in September, the White House announced a federal vaccine mandate and directed the Department of Labor to start drafting a rule that would require private businesses with over 100 employees to mandate the vaccine or require weekly testing. As I’ve said since day one, while I encourage folks to get the vaccine if they are able, the decision to get a vaccine is personal choice between an individual and their doctor and should not be mandated by the federal government.


This week, the Department of Labor released the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that further outlines the mandate, requiring employers to provide paid time to workers to get vaccinated and for any recovery. The deadline to begin paying for time-off to get the vaccine is December 5, 2021 and the enforcement deadline for full vaccination or testing is January 4, 2022. Please know that once the ETS is fully published, using congressional review authority, I will fight to repeal this mandate.


We expect many lawsuits on this issue, which is ultimately where the battle against vaccine mandates will have the highest likelihood of success. I thank Governor Kemp and Attorney General Carr for already filing a lawsuit challenging both the private business and federal contractor mandate.


I will do everything within my power to ensure freedom – not mandates – prevails.

 

Empowering Parents through School Choice

 
Sec Rice Meeting 1
 
Sec Rice 2
 

The School Choice Caucus welcomed Secretary Condoleezza Rice to the Capitol for a timely conversation on how we can give parents the freedom they deserve to select the best learning environment for their child. I am encouraged by families across the country who are speaking up and demanding more involvement in their children’s education.

 

Blocking Payments to Illegal Immigrants

 

The crisis at our Southern Border grows worse every month as the Biden Administration refuses to enforce our immigration laws. To make matters worse, new reports reveal this administration is considering making payments as large as $450,000 to individuals who knowingly entered our country illegally. Seriously – they want to reward criminal behavior. Making these payments would be an insult to every American taxpayer, which is why I joined over 140 House Republicans in introducing the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act. Our bill would block the attorney general from making these payments.


These reports come on the heels of news that the Biden Administration has been chartering flights transporting illegal immigrants from the border to New York and Jacksonville, Florida without alerting local officials and law enforcement. I sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra demanding answers and asking they provide transparency to the communities where illegal immigrants will be using local resources such as schools, transportation and social services.

 

Association of Mature American Citizens Patriot Award

 
AMAC Patriot Award
 

Thanks to the Association of Mature American Citizens for honoring me with the Patriot Award in recognition of my record fighting for faith, family, freedom and our nation’s seniors. As Lead Republican of the House Education and Labor’s Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, I’m committed to ensuring retirement security for all Americans.

 

National Utility Contractors Association

 
NUCA 1
 

I had the great honor of speaking to members of the National Utility Contractors Association as they kicked off their Washington Summit. I am a proud supporter of our utility contractors and grateful for the work they do to give our nation power!

 

Highlighting How Arbitration Agreements Help Workers and Businesses

 
HELP Arbitration Subcommittee
 

This week the House Education and Labor’s Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, of which I am Lead Republican, held a hearing on arbitration agreements. As a former business owner, I know firsthand that arbitration is an effective method for resolving workplace disputes and gives mistreated workers a proven path to getting justice. I highlighted how Democrats’ so-called Restoring Justice for Workers Act that would ban arbitration will leave workers’ with no other option than time-consuming and costly litigation.

 

House Agriculture Committee Hearing on the Supply Chain Crisis

 

The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the current challenges facing our food supply chain. I highlighted that this crisis requires immediate solutions, not just mid to long-term legislative fixes. In the 1980s, President Regan used executive orders to overwhelm the bottleneck at the airports during the air traffic controller strikes – It’s time for the Biden Administration to use their authority to provide temporary relief from onerous regulations.

 

Meeting with Food Fresh

 
Food Fresh
 

Thanks to Food Fresh from Claxton for meeting to discuss current challenges in the food industry, including supply chain issues and the ongoing labor shortage. I will keep fighting to address these challenges in Washington.

 

Congratulating the Braves – 2021 World Series Champions!

 

After Major League Baseball moved the All Star Game out of Atlanta, how sweet it was to see the Braves bring home the World Series! I joined the entire Georgia Congressional delegation in introducing a resolution congratulating the Atlanta Braves for winning the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series and honoring the life of Braves legend Hank Aaron, who passed this past January.

 

Spring 2022 Internship Opportunities

 
Spring 2022 Internships
 

My office is continuing to accept internship applications for the spring semester. Our internship program gives young professionals the opportunity to learn firsthand about the legislative process while helping serve our constituents. Candidates are encouraged to apply no later than Friday, November 12, 2021. Additional information and the application are available on my website.

 
 

The gig economy provides millions of Americans – including rideshare drivers, graphic designers, technology experts, and many more – with the opportunity to make a living independently. Their entrepreneurial spirit and innovation fuels our nation.


That’s why I am proud to cosponsor H.Res.772, recognizing the contributions of gig workers and independent contractors to the American economy. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I will keep working to protect their freedom and flexibility to work where, when and how they want.

 

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 Signature
 
Rick Allen
Member of Congress
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