Attending President Trump's State of the Union Address
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The state of our union is strong and getting stronger. On Tuesday, I was honored to attend President Trump's State of the Union Address in the U.S. Capitol, where the American people heard a unifying message from the President that we can all rally behind: bringing the American Dream back for working families. Inflation is down to 2.4%, mortgage rates have dropped to a three-year low, gas prices are at a four-year low, we delivered historic tax cuts that saved Georgia taxpayers from a 24% hike, average tax refunds are nearly 11% higher this year, we've had nine straight months of no illegal immigrant releases at our border, out-of-control government spending has been reined in, and much more.
Our nation is only as strong as the people who call America home. The significant wins and vision for the future outlined in the speech are a reminder that, together, President Trump and House Republicans are working overtime to restore American prosperity, strength, and freedom. With the best yet to come, I look forward to delivering continued progress and victories for hardworking Georgians in the 12th District.
In case you missed it, you can watch the President's speech HERE. |
Protecting Consumer Choice and Lowering Costs
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The American people do not need the federal government to tell them which household appliances will best meet their families' needs. For four years, President Biden’s Department of Energy (DOE) consistently pushed radical energy policies on American families and consumers, attempting to implement conservation standards that furthered their extreme electrification agenda and took choice out of consumers’ hands.
In issuing egregious regulations on home appliances and attempting to tilt the scales on what consumers purchase, the Biden-Harris Department of Energy significantly drove up costs and reduced availability for American families.
That's why the House of Representatives recently passed my bill, H.R. 4626, the Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act. This legislation implements necessary reforms to the Energy Policy Conservation ACT (EPCA) to prevent future administrations from prioritizing the "green new scam" over the affordability and availability of reliable household appliances that Americans rely on every day.
Watch my remarks on the House floor HERE. |
Talking About Faith at Abilene Baptist Church
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It was an honor to join Pastor Brad Whitt at Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez for a meaningful conversation on faith in the public square. I enjoyed sharing more about my personal faith story and the importance of prayer in our daily lives. Thank you to all of those who attended. |
Touring Hwashin in Dublin
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I also enjoyed touring Hwashin's manufacturing facility in Dublin. This $176 million investment in Laurens County will create over 460 new jobs for Middle Georgians. I was glad to do my part in helping the Dublin-Laurens County Economic Development Authority secure a federal EDA grant for road construction, wastewater, and stormwater retention for the site.
Hwashin stands as a Tier-1 supplier with a specialization in crafting chassis and body parts for renowned entities such as Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, and international original equipment manufacturers. Under President Trump’s bold leadership, America’s manufacturing sector is surging forward with unprecedented momentum! |
Attending the Augusta Metro Chamber Annual Meeting
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At the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, the community came together to celebrate local leaders, our business community, and the Augusta region. I am grateful to our local businesses for their service to the CSRA and commitment to growth, as well as the Augusta Metro Chamber for helping build a stronger tomorrow for the next generation. |
This Week's Office Visitors
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As always, it was great to meet with several groups this week to talk about the issues that matter most to them.
Those pictured include representatives from: - Boys and Girls Club of America
- American Urological Association
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
- Forest Resources Association
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March Community Office Hours
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March Community Office Hours start tomorrow! Throughout March, members of my staff will be available across the 12th District to assist constituents closer to home with a variety of federal issues, including help navigating various federal agencies such as FEMA, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and others.
To find the dates, times, and locations near you, CLICK HERE. |
Now Accepting 2026 Summer Internship Applications
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My office is seeking applications for our 2026 Summer Internship Program. This program is open to college students and young professionals interested in learning about the legislative process and assisting with the responsibilities of a congressional office.
Summer internships are split into two six-week sessions and will be offered from May to August 2026, with specific dates to be discussed during the interview process.
Interested candidates can apply here by March 20, 2026. |
The 2026 Congressional Art Competition is Underway
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DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition has been extended to Tuesday, March 17th. Every year, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school art competition. This contest is open to all high school students (9th – 12th grade) in Georgia’s 12th District. The winning piece will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and its student artist will receive an invitation to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the national winners’ reception.
This competition is a special tradition that provides high school students the opportunity to display their art for the country to see. I look forward to seeing submissions from our young artists in the 12th District, and encourage all interested high school students to participate.
More information HERE. |
This Week's White House Highlight
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division recently announced a proposed rule designed to help workers and employers better understand how to determine when a worker is an employee and when the worker may be classified as an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related federal laws.
The proposed rule would rescind the department’s 2024 final rule addressing the classification of independent contractors and replace it with an analysis for employee classification similar to the one adopted by the department in 2021.
The modern workforce is entrepreneurial, and our government should facilitate that spirit, not crush it under the weight of bureaucracy. The Trump Administration's proposed independent contractor rule is reflective of our 21st-century economy and delivers American workers the freedom and flexibility they deserve. |
Follow me on Social Media!
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Social media is a great way to stay connected and I encourage you to keep up with my work in Congress by ‘liking’ my Facebook page and following me on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
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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, X, and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
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