Securing Funding for Fort Gordon and Veterans

This week, House Republicans passed H.R. 4366, the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation provides nearly $800 million above the President’s budget request for military construction projects, fully funds veterans’ healthcare programs, and cuts wasteful government spending.

More specifically, H.R. 4366:

• Provides over $17 billion for the Department of Defense military construction projects
  • Includes $80 million for the first phase of construction for the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence’s Signal School at Fort Gordon
• Provides nearly $138 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Includes full funding for veterans’ healthcare programs, veterans’ benefits, and VA programs
• Prohibits the implementation, administration, or enforcement of the Biden Administration's executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Prohibits the use of funds to promote or advance critical race theory

H.R. 4366 ensures the Department of Defense has the resources and facilities it needs to protect our homeland from foreign adversaries, and I was proud to lend my support. Watch my remarks on the House floor by CLICKING HERE or the image above.

Protecting Georgia Forestry and Infrastructure Projects

The House also passed S. J. Res. 24, which would overturn a proposed rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Northern Long-Eared Bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The Northern Long-Eared Bat can be found in 37 states, including Georgia, and is currently facing population decline—unrelated to human activity or habitat loss. Listing this species as endangered will have significant economic impacts across Georgia, such as slowing or stopping economic development and infrastructure.

Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, and I will continue to fight against misguided government rulemakings that will not help save animals, will burden job creators, and harm our economy.

2023 Congressional App Challenge

With the upcoming school year right around the corner, a reminder that I recently 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!

Army Caucus Breakfast

I attended an Army Caucus breakfast where I had a great conversation with General Brito, who commands all the training centers of excellence for the U.S. Army.

Fort Gordon is home to the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and it was a pleasure meeting General Brito and discussing how Georgia-12 remains a leader in defending our nation against cyber threats.  

This Week's Committee Activity

Energy and Commerce

Full Committee Markup

The Energy and Commerce Committee advanced six pieces of legislation recently approved by the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee, both of which I am a member.

During the markup, I spoke in support of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act—which I co-introduced—to ensure Americans, not bureaucrats, choose what car is best for them. This bill stops EPA’s current light-and medium-duty vehicle regulation and instead allows consumers and the market to determine the cars and engine technology they want available—not the federal government.

Watch my remarks HERE. 

Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce Hearing

"Self-Driving Vehicle Legislative Framework: Enhancing Safety, Improving Lives and Mobility, and Beating China"

Congressional action on the development of self-driving vehicles is a matter of national security. Allowing China to lead in the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) would cause serious damage to our automotive and technology sectors.

As an entrepreneur, one of the reasons I came to Congress was to make sure that the federal government supports our startup industries and is not a roadblock. For AV companies to be able to prove their value in the free market, they must be allowed to sell their vehicles.

Watch my line of questioning HERE.

Visiting Washington D.C.?

It's always a pleasure to welcome families to my office in Washington. If you are visiting our nation's capital, please do not hesitate to stop by or reach out to my office for help scheduling tours of popular D.C. attractions!

If you'd like to schedule tours through my office, visit my website HERE.

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My office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here. 

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Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress