New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Update
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This week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) advanced H.R. 8812, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), a biannual bill to address water issues and projects in the United States. The legislation advanced by the Committee included language to stop the Corps of Engineers' disastrous rock weir plan and clarify Congressional intent to maintain our pool level at 114.5 feet.
I have worked for many years in Congress on this issue, and I was proud to work alongside fellow Georgian and member of the T&I Committee, Representative Mike Collins, on this language. I look forward to seeing this legislation considered on the House floor in short order. |
Combatting Chinese-Subsidized Imports
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Our country faces a deluge of imported vehicles from China being sold at artificially low prices, allowing heavily subsidized Chinese manufacturers to capture market share at an alarming rate. This market capture threatens the viability of the domestic manufacturing base, and China should not continue to reap the unjustified rewards of unfair trade practices.
I led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Ambassador Katherine Tai with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) urging her to include vehicles such as golf carts, Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs), and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) in the definition of "electric vehicle" as it relates to forthcoming tariffs on Chinese-subsidized imports.
With the CSRA being the epicenter of U.S. golf cart manufacturing, industry leaders in our area have been heavily impacted by Chinese-subsidized imports. Read the full letter HERE. |
Congratulating Drs. Keel and Keen at Augusta University
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I spoke on the House Floor to recognize the impactful career of retiring Augusta University President Brooks Keel. I consider myself blessed to call Dr. Keel a dear friend, and while it saddens us to see this chapter end, I join the community in congratulating him on an extraordinary career and expressing our deepest gratitude for his unwavering dedication.
I also congratulate Dr. Russell Keen for being named as the next President of Augusta University. I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Keen for years, and know that his breadth of experience with the University System of Georgia and at AU will serve him well to lead the University to continued success. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Dr. Keen as we usher in this new chapter and I am confident he will serve the University well.
In the words of Dr. Keel – go Jags! |
Continuing to Fight for Retirees and Savers
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The Biden Administration is threatening Americans’ retirement security through recent rulemaking. They have encouraged financial institutions to participate in Left-wing activism and ideological preferences when investing Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings. That's why I introduced the Roll Back ESG To Increase Retirement Earnings (RETIRE) Act last year, which requires ERISA retirement plan sponsors to prioritize financial returns over environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions on behalf of their clients.
Additionally, another of the Department of Labor's recent rules will harm the very people it claims to protect—retirees and savers. I introduced a Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval to nullify DOL's finalized fiduciary rule to protect access to retirement and financial advice for Americans.
I participated in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (H.E.L.P) Subcommittee hearing this week to examine the policies and priorities of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). During this hearing, I pressed EBSA Assistant Secretary Gomez on these harmful policies from the DOL.
Watch my remarks HERE. |
Fiscal Year 2025 Government Funding Update
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This week, House Republicans passed three Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills with my support. I am committed to restoring regular order to the appropriations process and reining in wasteful spending, and these bills make significant progress in doing so. Legislation passed this week includes: - H.R. 8752 – Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025: Includes funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, $600 million in funding for the construction of the Southern Border wall, and billions in funding to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from our country.
- H.R. 8774 – Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025: Includes a pay raise for all military personnel, ensures funding addresses warfighting needs, counters Communist China, and supports our service members and their families.
- H.R. 8771 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025: Prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our national security, safeguards our global economic interests, supports our allies and partners, including Israel, and promotes democracy and freedom abroad.
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Welcoming the Congressional Art Competition Winner to the U.S. Capitol
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I enjoyed welcoming this year's First Place and People's Choice Award winner of my Congressional Art Competition, Saniyah Newton, to the U.S. Capitol Building this week! Her piece, “Onset of a Storm,” will be displayed in the Capitol for the next year. Congratulations!
The full list of this year's winners can be found here. |
Recognizing U.S. Service Academy Appointees from the 12th District
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It is a great honor to have nominated five esteemed young students to receive an appointment to attend one of our nation's service academies. Through their tireless work and dedication, they have proven themselves to be leaders amongst their peers as they prepare to serve our nation in uniform. I wish each of them the very best and know they will represent the next generation of servicemen and women with distinction.
Appointees from the 12th District include: - Caleb Toth, United States Military Academy, Washington-Liberty High School
- Griffin Garvin, United States Military Academy, Bulloch Academy
- Patrick Rowan, United States Naval Academy, Seton Home Study School
- Savannah Koback, United States Merchant Marine Academy, Greenbrier High School
- Kellen Daly, United States Military Academy, Bulloch Academy
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Deadline for Fall Internship Applications Approaching
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The deadline to apply for our 2024 Fall Internship Program, to be offered in my Washington, D.C. office, is quickly approaching.
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 Friday, July 5, 2024.
Applications can be submitted HERE. |
Sign Up for Telephone Town Halls
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One of the best ways for me to serve you in Congress is by hearing your thoughts and concerns. Throughout the year, I host live Telephone Town Hall meetings to connect with constituents throughout the 12th District.
These meetings are similar to a traditional town hall meeting but are conducted by phone, where you can dial in from the comfort of your own home. The meetings typically last around one hour, with time for you to ask questions, hear live answers, and participate in a number of poll questions that will aid my decision-making in Washington.
Don't miss the next one! Sign up by CLICKING HERE. |
Additional Committee Activity
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Oversight and Accountability
Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee Hearing
“Cutting Competition in Contracting: The Administration’s Pricey Project Labor Agreement Mandate”
I waived onto the House Oversight and Accountability's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee to address concerns regarding a new rule implemented by the Biden Administration that requires contractors on federally funded construction projects to negotiate with unions. This rule drives up costs, reduces competition, and extends project timelines, negatively impacting the construction industry. This rule also favors unions and political allies, interfering with employee relations at private firms.
Watch my remarks HERE. |
This Week's Office Visitors
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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: - Associated Builders and Contractors
- American Truck Dealers Association
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As always, 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 |
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