This week, I sent a notice to WOTUS—you’re fired. I introduced legislation to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS).

WOTUS was issued under the Clean Water Act by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers and was designed to define the scope of waters protected and regulated by the EPA-- meaning the federal government would have gained regulatory power over virtually any place where water flows in the U.S.—ponds, drainage ditches, stock tanks—you name it! Not only would it expand the federal government’s power, it would undermine the rights of states, local governments and landowners. Furthermore, it would create unnecessary red tape preventing economic growth and jobs, particularly in the agriculture industry.

If this sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. WOTUS was flawed from the beginning—which is why it has been tied up in the courts since 2015. In order to make sure WOTUS never sees the light of day, and to eliminate any possibility of it becoming a reality, I introduced H.R. 1105, the Stop WOTUS Act, to fully repeal this harmful rule.  

Click HERE to read more.  Click below to watch my speech.

Click HERE to watch Rep. Rick Allen's speech on H.R. 1105.

Using the Congressional Review Act, which grants Congress the authority to overturn harmful agency actions, Congress passed the following:

• H.J. Res 43: disapproves of an Obama Administration rule that prevents states from eliminating abortion providers from Title X grant distributions. Essentially this rule would have coerced states into funding Planned Parenthood. States deserve the right to prioritize federal funds as they see fit and this week the House restored that choice.

• H. J. Res 42: disapproves of a Department of Labor rule which would nullify a state’s discretion to drug test unemployment insurance applicants. Disapproving of this rule ensures the Congressional intent of the law, which the Obama Administration sought to dilute.  

• H.J. Res 66: disapproves of another Department of Labor rule relating to savings arrangements established by states for non-governmental employees. What this legislation does is roll back the regulatory “safe harbor” created by the Obama Administration which results in private-sector workers being forced into government-run IRAs managed by states.

I will continue fighting to relieve Georgians and Americans from the many onerous rules and regulations from the last eight years that have suffocated growth and the economy at your expense and time.

Last week was National Salute to Veteran Patients Week. Members of my staff toured the downtown Augusta VA and visited with patients and staff. Echoing this, the House passed legislation to encourage and incentivize the hiring of veterans and a measure called the WINGMAN Act, to eliminate backlog at the VA which in turn will deliver faster results to veterans with pending cases. After you’ve taken care of your Valentine cards, I would encourage you to write letters to veterans receiving treatment at your local VA clinics. Nothing fancy, just a simple and heartfelt, “Thank you,” to remind them how appreciative you are for the often unseen and unheard sacrifices they make daily. Veterans, we salute you!

Contact info for VA Hospitals in #GA12: 

• Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, 1 Freedom Way, Augusta, GA 30904

• Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, 1826 Veterans Blvd., Dublin, GA 31021                               

This week, I had the privilege of meeting with some community warriors and Olympians! Keep scrolling for pictures.

Meet Benjamin and Michael, Special Olympics participants. They just finished their Winter Olympics at the end of January and had their largest crowd ever with over 3,000 participants, coaches and volunteers! They are gearing up for the Summer Olympics where Georgia native Michael will be competing in the swimming events and Benjamin will be taking his talents to the Bocce court. I wish them the best of luck with their training.

It's always great catching up with Melissa-- she is a true community warrior, Autism Advocate and a mother to Arturo (whose story you can listen to HERE). I met Melissa back in 2014. She was a strong supporter of the 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law in December of 2016 and works to deliver lifesaving treatments and cures to individuals with autism, like Arturo. This legislation streamlines healthcare research and innovation to help Americans living with and battling disorders, diseases and illness.

ICYMI: Many of you have contacted me regarding Obamacare Repeal and Replacement. House and Senate Republicans are working together along Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Georgia's own, Dr. Tom Price, and our constituents to ensure your needs are met. One of those being pre-existing conditions. I have cosponsored legislation which ensures patients with pre-existing conditions are guaranteed access to health insurance coverage. Americans need peace of mind to know they will not be denied coverage due to their health circumstance. Click HERE to read more about H.R. 1121, the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act of 2017.  

• Community Office Hours start next month. While I will not be in attendance, these events offer GA-12 constituents one-on-one assistance with members of my staff on federal agency issues. Click HERE to find out when my staff will be in your area.

• On Friday, February 24, 2017, I am hosting a Free File Briefing along with community leaders at 10:00 am at the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library. This briefing will highlight the federal and Georgia Free File programs that provide tax preparation and e-filing services to lower and moderate income taxpayers. Come join us to learn more!