Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings

Last week, I proudly re-introduced the Ensuring Sound Guidance Act with my friend and colleague, Representative Andy Barr (KY-06), to protect retail investors’ retirement and investment accounts from asset managers who put environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors ahead of returns.

Retirement plan sponsors have a duty to invest their clients’ hard-earned money in a manner that maximizes returns and minimizes risk. Yet, President Biden’s DOL is desperately clinging to its flawed rule that would allow financial advisors to invest Americans’ retirement savings in climate-related ESG funds, which are proven to carry higher risk and charge steeper fees. 

This critical legislation not only ensures advisors are making sound investment decisions based on monetary factors, but also empowers participants to decide how their money is invested.

Lowering Healthcare Costs

I supported House passage of H.R. 3799, the CHOICE Arrangement Act, a legislative package that aims to enhance the flexibility and affordability of healthcare options for small businesses. Included in H.R. 3799 was the Association Health Plans Act, which I co-introduced, that would give small businesses and employers the ability to band together to improve their bargaining position to reduce healthcare costs for employees.

Democrat policies, like Obamacare, have led to consolidation in the marketplace, skyrocketing premiums, and a broken individual health market that costs taxpayers more than $1 trillion a year while covering only 4.6% of the population. We must enact solutions that allow small businesses to be able to provide quality healthcare coverage to their employees at an affordable rate.

Watch my remarks on the CHOICE Arrangement Act by clicking here or the image above.

President Biden and House Democrats' open border policies have incentivized a historic surge in illegal immigration at our borders. Now, Democrats are using elementary and secondary school facilities to provide shelter for these illegal immigrants. The House passed H. Res. 461, with my support, to condemn using school buildings to provide shelter for those not admitted to the United States.

Even worse, the latest numbers show President Biden's self-inflicted border crisis is only intensifying. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

• There have been over 5.4 MILLION illegal crossings of our southern border since January 2021
• Approximately 1.5 MILLION illegal immigrants have evaded apprehension at our southern border
• Over 200,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border in May alone
• At least 125 people on the terror watchlist have been apprehended trying to enter the U.S. between ports of entry so far this fiscal year

Georgia EMC Washington Youth Tour

For the 57th consecutive year, Georgia high school students were in Washington on the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation's Washington Youth Tour, including many from Georgia-12.

I enjoyed talking to this year's students about the legislative process and my work on the Energy and Commerce and the Education and Workforce Committees. Our district is home to countless bright young minds and I'm excited for what the future holds!

Telephone Town Hall

I hosted a Telephone Town Hall to answer questions from residents across Georgia's 12th District. About 8,000 constituents joined last week's call where I provided updates on the southern border and fentanyl crises, President Biden’s student loan bailout, legislation I introduced to expand access to mental health services for students, and House action to protect your gas stoves.

If you'd like to participate in future Telephone Town Halls, please sign-up HERE.

2023 Fall Internship Program

REMINDER: My office is accepting applications for the 2023 Fall Internship Program to be offered in my Washington, D.C. and Augusta offices.

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. Interns will perform a range of tasks including constituent outreach, legislative writing, and more, with the possibility of earning school credit. All applications are due by this Friday, June 30.

Submit your application by CLICKING HERE.

2023 Congressional App Challenge

REMINDER: I launched the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students in Georgia's 12th District. This nationwide event allows students to compete with their peers by creating a software application, or "app," for web, PC, tablet, mobile, or other platform of their choice.

All apps must be submitted online no later than November 1, 2023. For more information, please visit my website!

This Week's Committee Activity

Education and the Workforce

Full Committee Hearing

“Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy”

As employers in Georgia and across the country are struggling to find workers, we must acknowledge that a college degree isn’t always a good measure of what a worker can bring to the table, and we should support employers who want to find qualified job candidates through skills-based hiring.

Watch my full remarks HERE. 

Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Hearing

“Competition and Transparency: The Pathway Forward for a Stronger Health Care Market”

I consistently hear concerns from constituents about the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how the consolidation of PBMs has taken away options for plan sponsors and patients and threatens local community pharmacies. While that may work for many Americans, I value options in the healthcare market as well as the provider-patient relationship.

Watch my full remarks HERE.

Energy and Commerce

Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Hearing

“Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)”

Access to a reliable internet connection is a necessity in the modern economy. During this hearing, I impressed upon the FCC Commissioners the need for broadband connectivity in our rural communities, including those in Georgia-12. 

Watch my remarks HERE.

Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals Hearing

“Driving Affordability: Preserving People’s Freedom to Buy Affordable Vehicles and Fuel”

Americans are struggling to afford some of the highest energy and auto prices in decades as a result of President Biden’s energy and inflation crises. I highlighted the harmful regulations coming from the Biden EPA seeking to mandate the use of electric vehicles. Individuals deserve choice and the ability to decide what vehicle is best for themselves and their families, and I am working with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to push against such overreaching proposals.

Watch my remarks during the hearing HERE.

This Week's Office Visitors

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:

• SRS Community Reuse Organization
• Augusta University
• Georgia Restaurant Association
• Independent Electrical Contractors of Georgia

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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. 

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Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress