ICYMI: Congressman Allen
Holds Telephone Town Hall
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WASHINGTON – Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) held a telephone town hall Tuesday night to answer questions from residents of Georgia's 12th District. Congressman Allen gave an update on President Trump’s budget, the State of the Union, the economy, and more. For those who were unable to participate in the call, here are some of the highlights:
Aileen from Evans asked about Social Security and Medicare.
Congressman Allen: “The President and this Congress are guaranteeing the American people, we have made a commitment to all those who are entitled to Social Security and Medicare, that these benefits will be available. Obviously, we got to have a growing economy. That does two things for us: That increases the COLA amount, the amount we pay out in Social Security and what we’re able to pay out in Medicare…
“Like I said, the good news is, because we have a great economy, and as long as we have a great economy, we’re able to fund those mandates. If this economic growth cannot be sustained, then we will have a problem, but right now, things are much better, the picture is much brighter, and as far as my guarantee and the President’s guarantee is that Social Security and Medicare will be there as promised.”
David from Martinez asked about lowering prescription drug prices and H.R. 19 – the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.
Congressman Allen: “Yeah, it’s a bipartisan bill. We are gaining some support, we need some more support. And of course, it’s a bill we need to get on the House floor…
“The President said that we shouldn’t pay higher prices, you can buy these drugs in other countries. We don’t need to be subsidizing drug prices around the world. But we can lower our drug prices. The main thing we want to be able to do is continue to do this amazing research and development we’re doing and providing for medications that are dealing with very difficult diseases like cancer and heart disease and things like that.”
Reba from Augusta asked about the ongoing situation with the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam.
Congressman Allen: “What we’re doing is we are, my office along with Joe Wilson’s office over in South Carolina and our four senators—Graham, Scott, Perdue, and Loeffler—are working together to reauthorize the lock and dam and provide for a modest fish passage. We are working on that legislation. We believe that once we get that legislation done, that then we can repair the lock and dam and provide for its continued operation and maintenance through both the city of Augusta and North Augusta.”
James from Hephzibah asked what President Trump and Congress are doing to address the national debt.
Congressman Allen: “The President’s budget calls for three percent growth and will balance in about fifteen years. The RSC [budget] we put together, which I’m on the Budget Committee of the Republican Study Committee, which I think I mentioned earlier tonight. We put together a budget that balances in five years. In fact, the President and our committee are the only two budgets up here. The Congressional Budget Committee has not done a budget since we lost the majority. And they can’t agree on a budget. That makes it difficult as far as appropriations and that sort of thing.
We can’t continue to spend money like this.”
If you would like to sign up for the next telephone town hall, please sign up here. If you would like to learn more about the work Congressman Allen is doing in Washington and for the 12th District, please sign up for his weekly e-newsletter here.
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