Bipartisan Nuclear Energy Package Headed to the President's Desk

The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan nuclear energy package this week, which includes legislation I was proud to introduce—the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act. This bill provides efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications and proceedings for licenses of nuclear reactors.

Nuclear projects in the U.S. are often bogged down by burdensome licensing and permitting which result in unnecessary delays and increased costs. By modernizing these processes, America can fully embrace the reliability of clean, 24/7 nuclear energy, as we have in Georgia's 12th District at Plant Vogtle. This legislation is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law!

Watch my remarks HERE.

Congratulating All Partners Involved in Plant Vogtle’s Unit 4 Officially Coming Online

I spoke on the House floor to congratulate Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, Dalton Utilities, and all partners involved in Plant Vogtle’s Unit 4 recently coming online.

Plant Vogtle is now officially the largest nuclear power station in the country, and I am proud that Georgia’s 12th District is leading America’s nuclear energy future.

Watch my full speech HERE.

This week, legislation I introduced to rename the United States Post Office in Mount Vernon, Georgia after Second Lieutenant Patrick Palmer Calhoun was officially signed into law!

Second Lieutenant Patrick Palmer Calhoun was an American patriot, Vietnam veteran, and born leader who couldn't be more deserving of having his name displayed on the U.S. Post Office in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Georgia. As a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander in South Vietnam, Second Lieutenant Calhoun's helicopter was tragically shot down under hostile fire in the Spring of 1965. 

His heroism and ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation will never be forgotten. I am proud that we were able to get this legislation across the finish line to officially rename this facility the Second Lieutenant Patrick Palmer Calhoun Post Office.

Defending Your Home Appliances 

Yesterday marked one year since House Republicans passed the strongest border security bill in history. H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, would:

• Force the Biden Administration to restart construction of the border wall;
• Deploy technology to the southern and northern border;
• Increase the number of Border Patrol agents and provide bonus pay;
• Require transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security;
• Strengthen current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking;
• End catch and release;
• End abuse of executive immigration authority;
• Strengthen and streamline the asylum process

In March, there were nearly 190,000 illegal immigrant encounters at our Southern Border, the 37th straight month where monthly illegal immigrant encounters have been higher than even the highest month seen under President Trump. The fact that the Senate refuses to act on this legislation is a blatant refusal to secure our border and solve this crisis that impacts every U.S. community.

Additionally, the House passed H.R. 7109 this week, the Equal Representation Act, which requires a citizenship question to be included on any future census. 202 House Democrats opposed this measure, indicating that they support illegal immigrants’ ability to vote in U.S. elections. Let me be clear: only U.S. citizens should be represented in Congress and the Electoral College.

Agriculture on the National Mall

I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Celebration of Agriculture on the National Mall hosted by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). 

Agriculture is the number one industry in Georgia's 12th District and the state of Georgia as a whole. I enjoyed speaking with agriculture stakeholders about innovation in the industry and the importance of passing a Farm Bill reauthorization that works for Georgia producers.

I recently recognized the winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition during a special reception at the Westobou Gallery in Augusta.

Members of Congress sponsor this competition each spring, challenging students from across the nation to produce an original artwork depicting life in their home district. This year's competition drew participants from across Georgia’s 12th District, whose submissions were scored by a panel of judges. The first-place winner's artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one full year and the runners-up will be featured in my district offices. See this year's winners below:

• First Place and People's Choice Award Winner: Saniyah Newton, from Davidson Fine Arts, with her piece: “Onset of a Storm”
• First Runner-Up: Baron Trupp, from Greenbrier High School, with his piece: "A Bit of Mess"
• Second Runner-Up: Zoe Broussard, Homeschool (Heritage Academy), with her piece: "Spring's Sweet Treat"
• Third Runner-Up: Liliana Meliezer, from Davidson Fine Arts, with her piece: "Cave Bear"

Happy Mother's Day

I’d like to wish all mothers in Georgia-12 a happy and joyful Mother’s day, especially my beautiful wife Robin, my three daughters, and daughter-in-law. Thank you so much for all you do each and every day!

Energy and Commerce

Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Hearing

“EPA’s RMP Rule: Failures to Protect the American People and American Manufacturing.”

Under this administration, we have seen aggressive rules coming out of President Biden's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that continue to hamstring several industries, especially those that deliver critical products for modern-day life. During this hearing, I questioned industry experts about the EPA's rule on the Risk Management Program, specifically regarding national security issues as it relates to the information-sharing requirement.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Education and the Workforce

Full Committee Hearing

“Examining the Education Department’s Policies, Priorities, and FY 2023 Financial Audit Failure”

During this hearing, members of the committee heard from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about the Department's failed response to antisemitism on college campuses, Title IX regulations, foreign influence in higher education, and the botched FAFSA rollout. Secretary Cardona's tenure has been scrutinized for prioritizing ideological goals over addressing fundamental concerns in education, resulting in bipartisan dissatisfaction with the Department's performance.

Watch my remarks HERE.

This Week's Office Visitors

It was a busy week of meetings in Washington! I met with several groups to discuss the issues that matter most to them and how I can help at the federal level.

Those pictured include:

• Georgia Association of Realtors
• American College of Rheumatology
• Textron
• Georgia Farm Bureau
• Savannah River Mission Completion