Representative Rick Allen

congressman allen's weekly e-newsletter

During a pre-travel screening on Wednesday night, I tested positive for COVID-19.

Rest assured, I am feeling well, have no symptoms and am isolating at the recommendation of the House Attending Physician.

I wanted to share with you some highlights from the first half of this past week.

UPDATE: Improvements underway at the Bon Air

After my office received complaints from residents of the Bon Air Apartments in Augusta, we called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to investigate the unlivable conditions they reported, including the litany of code violations and lack of security at the Bon Air.

ICYMI: Rep. Rick Allen calls on HUD to investigate Bon Air Apartments (WJBF)

Thanks to this public pressure and the work of local investigative journalists, the owners of the Bon Air this week announced "most violations have been rectified."

My office is awaiting an official response from HUD and we look forward to bringing all parties together to find a lasting solution for the residents of the Bon Air.

Keeping politics out of the classroom

This week, I led the Georgia Republican Delegation in sending a letter to the Georgia Department of Education expressing our concerns regarding politicized curriculum in one of Georgia's largest public school systems.

Reports show Atlanta Public Schools used lesson plans created by Stacey Abrams' New Georgia Project and Rock the Vote to improperly influence high school students to oppose Georgia's election law and voter identification as a whole.

Parents across Georgia and throughout our nation are tired of activists trying to hijack their children's education to push their own political agenda. Students deserve to learn multiple viewpoints and have the opportunity to form their own opinions, free from political indoctrination.

You can read our letter by clicking here.

Agriculture Committee hearing on meat prices, inflation

On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee met to discuss the impact of inflation in the meat market.

Over the course of the hearing, committee Democrats suggested the economy-wide effects of inflation are being driven exclusively by corporate greed. I've highlighted my own concerns with the meatpacking industry in the past, but this is just silly.

President Biden and his allies in Congress are trying to blame inflation on a handful of industries when it's their own wasteful spending and war on American energy that have sent prices higher across the board.

You can listen to my remarks during the hearing by clicking here.

New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam

This week, I spoke to WJBF about our ongoing efforts to push back against the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to demolish the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam.

This structure is critical to the wellbeing and economic vitality of our region, and local residents rely on the pool of water the dam maintains in order to run their businesses.

The Corps' continued disregard for the concerns of the local community is shameful. I pledge to continue fighting to ensure the people of Georgia's 12th District are heard.

Congratulating this year's Masters champion

On a lighter note, after legislative business had concluded on Wednesday, I spoke on the House Floor to offer my congratulations to Scottie Scheffler for winning this year's Masters Tournament.

You can listen to my full remarks by clicking here.

Meeting with the Alliance for Childhood Cancer

It was great meeting with Alliance for Childhood Cancer advocates, including Ginger Diamond from Douglas, to discuss important issues impacting the childhood cancer community.

We must continue advanced research to find cures and I will continue to work with these excellent advocates so we can eliminate childhood cancer.

Honoring J. Roy Rowland

Additionally, I joined my fellow members of the Georgia delegation in observing a moment of silence for the late J. Roy Rowland during this week's legislative session.

Dr. Rowland served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and practiced medicine in the middle Georgia area for nearly three decades before going on to serve in both the Georgia and United States House of Representatives.

A true public servant, may he rest in peace.

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As always, my office is here to help. To send me an email, please click here.

To contact one of our district offices, please click here.

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Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress