Passing the NDAA

On Wednesday, the House passed the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Department of Defense (DOD) policies and authorizes funding levels for defense programs.

I voted for the NDAA, which provides several key wins for Georgia and focuses on improving the quality of life of all our service members and their families, who sacrifice so much to defend us.

This legislation supports military families in Georgia by providing a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted and a 4.5% pay raise for Georgia's 89,900 servicemembers.

This legislation also authorizes $379.3 million for seven military construction projects in Georgia, expands programs to help 29,300 military spouses attain and retain employment, and expands access to childcare for the 47,900 children of military families in Georgia.

We live in the greatest nation on Earth, and it is imperative that we support those who protect our freedoms.

Read more here.

Penning an Op-Ed in Agri-Pulse Advocating for Ag Disaster Relief After Helene

The economy in rural America starts and stops with the American farmer. Without the American farmer, there is no adequate tax base for our school systems, local municipalities, or any services that rural Americans need to live and prosper in this country.

Hurricane Helene caused a devastating blow to Georgia's number-one industry, with over $6.4 billion in agricultural economic loss alone. If we fail to provide agriculture-specific appropriations to help our farmers before the end of the year, we will see widespread, lasting economic loss across all of rural Southeast America, especially in Georgia.

I penned an op-ed in Agri-Pulse emphasizing the importance of disaster relief for our farmers after Hurricane Helene.

Read the op-ed here or here.
 

Meeting with GA-08 Farmer Mason Roberts

Last week, fourth-generation farmer Mason Roberts from Sylvester, Georgia, came by my office in D.C.

Mason operates his family's cotton and peanut farm and is known for his work in nutrient stewardship. He was recently recognized as the Fertilizer Institute's 2024 4R Advocate, a practice that uses the right kind of fertilizer at the right time, place, and source to maximize crop yields while limiting potential impact.

I'm honored to represent hardworking farmers like Mason as the Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee!

Joining Mornings with Maria to Advocate for Ag Disaster Relief After Helene

Agri-Pulse | Opinion: Southeastern farmers need disaster relief now

"The economy in rural America starts and stops with the American farmer.

Amid the deafening noise inside political echo chambers and ceaseless squabbling of Congress is one truth that we cannot ignore- we are a nation united in reliance on our farmers.

Without the American farmer, there is no adequate tax base for our school systems, local municipalities, or any services that rural Americans need to live and prosper in this country.

Everybody eats, and we all need the food and fiber that our farmers produce to live. No one wants to be dependent on foreign sources of food, just like no one wants to be dependent on foreign sources of energy. Right now, our farmers need our help. 

Hurricane Helene caused a devastating blow to Georgia's No. 1 industry, with over $6.4 billion in agricultural economic loss alone.

If we fail to provide agriculture-specific appropriations to help our farmers before the end of the year, we will see widespread, lasting economic loss across all of rural southeast America, especially in Georgia."

Read more here.