July 10, 2022

Dear Georgian,

While Biden blamed corporations for high gas prices, he shipped over 5 million barrels of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to countries in Europe and Asia, including China. He has begged our adversaries in the OPEC cartel to produce more oil and even demanded that gas stations lower their prices, yet he and his administration continue to take actions that devastate domestic energy production. His policies and lack of accountability are the true reason why hardworking Americans face pain every time they go to the pump, and I believe President Biden should answer for his energy policies that favor other countries at our expense.

At home, I recently joined Ocmulgee EMC in Dodge County to celebrate their announcement that they are expanding broadband services to over 8,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Pulaski, and Telfair counties. Expanding rural broadband access is essential for improving access to education, health care, and more.

My colleagues and I have worked for years to help provide access to underserved areas and I applaud the Governor’s office, the EMCs, and the companies that are investing in communities here in Georgia’s 8th District and across the state.

I also had the pleasure of attending a roundtable with local officials and business leaders in Telfair County at the McRae-Helena Fire Station to discuss ongoing challenges facing our community. They expressed the importance of supporting our law enforcement officers, securing our food supply, and supporting our school systems. Thank you to the community leaders who attended and shared!

As always, my staff and I are here to help. If you need assistance with a federal agency or have comments or concerns to share with me, please do not hesitate to call my Warner Robins, Tifton, or Washington, D.C. offices. To receive frequent updates, I encourage you to visit my website, like my Facebook page, follow me on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter.

Keep reading for the full update.

Sincerely,

Congressman Austin Scott

Celebrating Col. Ralph Puckett Jr.

Last week, I had the honor of attending a ceremony recognizing Tifton-native Col. Ralph Puckett Jr, during the city’s 150th birthday celebration.

Col. Puckett served as an Army Ranger in the Korean War where he, alongside his soldiers, fought off five assaults by enemy forces even while outnumbered 10 to 1. His heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor.

It was an honor to thank Col. Puckett for his service with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

You can read more here.

Supporting Military Families

The brave men and women who defend our freedom should not struggle to afford housing for themselves and their families, yet in many instances, they have to pay far beyond what their housing allowance provides.

My colleagues and I introduced a bill that will ensure the Secretary of Defense has the authority to continue to raise the housing allowance for our military members so that it covers the cost of the housing market at their duty location. I am proud to help lead this bipartisan bill that addresses a basic and critical need for our servicemembers and their families.

You can read more here.

Visiting SoPoly in Dodge County

Georgians are the most hardworking people in America, and I applaud industries that invest in our communities. SoPoly is investing $5 million in Dodge County which will bring 200 additional jobs to our district. I toured the facility and learned more about their plans for continual growth.

You can read more here.

Discussing Biden's Oil Exports to CCP with John Solomon

Atlanta Daily World | Military Families to Get Affordable Housing Assistance

"This week Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the bipartisan Military Housing Affordability Act of 2022 to help servicemembers living in higher-cost areas afford safe, quality housing. Representatives Austin Scott (GA-08) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), members of the House Committee on Armed Services co-led introduction of the Military Housing Affordability Act of 2022.

The bill would grant a two-year extension of the Secretary of Defense’s authority to temporarily adjust the basic allowance for housing (BAH) rates where the cost of adequate housing differs more than 20% from the current BAH rate. The Department of Defense’s current authority expires on September 30, 2022. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate."