Energy Week on the House Floor

This week was Energy Week in the House of Representatives! House Republicans know that energy security is national security and that Americans have had enough of President Biden's failed, anti-American energy agenda. That's why House Republicans passed legislation this week to help restore American energy dominance.

Legislation passed this week with my support includes:

• H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act, to rescind the EPA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
• H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, to prohibit a moratorium on the use of fracking
• H.R. 6009, to nullify a rule that would restrict oil and gas production on federal lands
• H.R. 7023, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, to reform and restore permitting processes under the Clean Water Act, ensuring they are more consistent and transparent and providing greater regulatory certainty
• H. Res. 987, to denounce the Biden Administration’s disastrous and harmful anti-American energy policies that are raising costs for hardworking Americans, and putting our energy security and the security of our allies at risk
• H. Con. Res. 86, to express the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would not be in the best interest of the country because it would raise energy prices, crush American families and businesses, and be detrimental to the United States economy

I spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 1023, which would reduce the budget deficit, reduce the size and scope of the federal government, and ensure energy costs for Americans do not further escalate.

Earlier this week, President Biden's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new rule that amounts to nothing more than a de facto ban on gas-powered cars.

Americans should have the option to pick a car that is safe to operate, that best meets their needs, and that comes at a price they can afford. The federal government has no business artificially tipping the scales in favor of electric vehicles. My Republican colleagues and I remain committed to fighting this blatant executive overreach. 

The House also passed H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, by a vote of 414-0. Data brokers collect an alarming amount of sensitive information on Americans, and it is a security threat for this data to be sold to our foreign adversaries, like China. As a cosponsor of H.R. 7520, I was proud to see its unanimous passage in the House of Representatives this week.

The Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act highlights Congress’ steadfast commitment to shielding Americans’ sensitive data from bad actors and rogue regimes, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to move quickly in passing this strong bipartisan bill and sending it to President Biden’s desk.

After receiving many calls about ongoing issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS), I spoke with USPS leadership this week to receive an update on the delays and postal interruptions that are impacting communities throughout the 12th District.

Americans should be able to trust that their mail will arrive on time, and rest assured, I will continue monitoring this situation closely until it is resolved.

If you are having issues with a federal agency, including USPS, my office is here to help. Contact information can be found HERE.

Disapproving Biden's Independent Contractor Rule

The House Education and the Workforce Committee advanced four bills this week that seek to bolster the American workforce and academic freedom:

• H.J. Res. 116, Providing for congressional disapproval of the Department of Labor's (DOL) independent contractor rule
• H.R. 6418, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act
• H.R. 3724, the Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2023
• H.R. 7683, the Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act

During the markup, I spoke in favor of H.J. Res. 116. President Biden’s DOL recently finalized an overly restrictive independent contractor rule that will devastate millions of workers and businesses, eliminate employment opportunities, and topple the gig economy. That is why I included a provision in my Employee Rights Act that would create a clear definition across federal laws to protect independent workers and provide essential protections for workers' rights, choices, and freedoms in the 21st-century economy.

As I visit with small business owners across Georgia’s 12th District, the number one issue I hear about is the need for workforce. To eliminate an employment model that has allowed millions of Americans to have the flexibility they need and helped countless individuals achieve the American Dream is inconceivable.

Energy and Commerce

Full Committee Markup

The House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up 28 bills to better the lives of Americans. These bills included upgrading pipeline infrastructure, ensuring Americans can choose the appliances that best meet their needs, refining air quality standards, improving health care for patients and caregivers, and safeguarding our communication networks from foreign threats, such as China.

During the markup, I spoke in favor of H.R. 7650, the Air Quality Standards Implementation Act of 2024. Watch HERE.

I held a Telephone Town Hall earlier this week to answer questions from residents across Georgia’s 12th District. Almost 4,500 constituents joined Tuesday’s call where I provided updates on current political issues such as the southern border crisis, legislation the House passed to incentivize nuclear energy production, legislation to protect our national security, and more.

If you'd like to sign up for future Telephone Town Halls, CLICK HERE.

2024 Congressional Art Competition

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:

• Savannah River National Lab
• Federal Bar Association