This week, my colleagues and I put forth legislation that would force President Biden to take immediate steps to eliminate the regulations which are currently holding our farmers back.

Farm input costs have risen dramatically since the current administration took over. Specifically, the cost of fertilizer inputs such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium has increased nearly 150 percent since January of 2021. 

The president's war on American energy has sent prices skyrocketing across the board, inflation has hit our farmers especially hard. When farm input costs rise, it sends shockwaves across our entire food supply chain. Immediate action is necessary to address this crisis and prevent further cost spikes and shortages.

That's why I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 8069, the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act – this legislation will help deliver real relief to our farmers and unleash the power of American agriculture by getting government out of the way.

You can learn more about our legislation by clicking here.

I am honored to serve as a member of the Healthy Futures Task Force, a group of lawmakers working to develop solutions that will modernize the American health care system to lower costs, keep Americans healthy, develop better therapies and cures, and provide Americans with more choices when it comes to their health.

We held a roundtable discussion this week with small business owners from across the country – seeking their input on the policies that will make it easier to offer top-quality care to their employees.

These conversations will help us craft a plan that will make health care more affordable for all Americans.

House passes legislation to fix the supply chain

As an original co-sponsor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, I was thrilled this week when the House voted to pass this bipartisan bill, sending it to the president's desk.

Once signed into law, our legislation will help unclog ports around the country and fix the supply chain issues that have resulted in empty store shelves. I was proud to champion the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and am grateful for its bipartisan support and passage.

Groundbreaking for Aurubis' new facility in Augusta

Around the district

During a recent visit to Waynesboro, it was great to sit down with Ingevity and tour their facility. As an industry leader in sustainable agrochemicals, Ingevity serves a key role in helping our Georgia farmers thrive.

Congratulations to Augusta University's longtime Athletic Director, Clint Bryant, upon his retirement. I visited AU to wish him well and thank him for his 34 years of service.

It is always a pleasure to speak with the next generation of farmers. This week, I met up with Georgia FFA students during their time in Washington. Thanks for coming by!

This week, I met with the Home Builders Association of Georgia. We spoke about the current challenges facing the construction industry – including affordability concerns and supply chain issues surrounding the availability of building materials.

I also met with Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia this week to provide an update on legislation affecting workforce development and job growth in our state and nationwide.

12th District farmers roundtable

I sat down with farmers from across our district this week to listen to their priorities and reaffirm my commitment to fighting for them in Congress.

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I will be bringing their ideas back with me to Congress as we work to advance legislation that puts our farmers first.

Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh appeared before the House Committee on Education & Labor this week, and I asked him about the Department's current efforts to re-classify independent contractors as traditional employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This change would be devastating for the millions of Americans who are building wealth by participating in the American dream.

If the department succeeds in changing the definition of an "employee" to include independent contractors, workers will lose the flexibilities and freedoms they currently enjoy. Self-employed individuals would find themselves bound to the same set of employment-related restrictions as a traditional employee – negative the reason so many workers choose to become independent contractors in the first place.

The good news is that the Department is required by law to host a public forum for the American people to make their voices heard about this proposed rule. I encourage anyone who would be affected by this overreaching classification to participate in the upcoming forums, the details for which are listed below:

Worker Forum

Wednesday, June 29 from 5 - 7 PM

Click here to register for this event.

Employer Forum

Friday, June 24 from 2:30 - 4:30 PM

Click here to register for this event.

District Spotlight: Katelyn Drew Robertson

Congratulations to Katelyn Drew Robertson of Statesboro for being accepted to serve as a Summer Junior Fellow for the Library of Congress.

During her internship, she will assist the Library in its mission to "engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity."

More information about the Library of Congress and its Summer Fellowship initiative is available here.

# # #

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