September 25, 2022

Dear Georgian,

Thank you to all of the students and parents who came to the Service Academy Day in Warner Robins yesterday! It was an honor to meet so many enthusiastic young Americans who are ready to serve our great nation. If you were unable to attend this event and want to learn more about the service academy nomination process, visit here.

Many of you have contacted my office expressing concerns over the federal government reducing its pharmacy network in rural areas. Leadership at the Department of Defense instructed TRICARE to eliminate over 15,000 pharmacies from its current network, which unfairly targets rural pharmacies. I am looking into this situation and have reached out to the DOD and leadership on the House Armed Services Committee to get answers.

Last week, Republicans unveiled our Commitment to America plan to restore our nation's security and economy for our families today and for future generations. Under their dangerous one-party rule, Democrats gave away our energy independence and left the OPEC Cartel in charge of our fuel costs while ceding our southern border to other cartels who import the poison fentanyl to kill our children. Through our Commitment to America, we plan to create an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is built on freedom, and a government that is accountable.

As 2023 approaches, the House Agriculture Committee is working toward the next Farm Bill. This legislation shapes every aspect of ag policy and it’s critical that voices in the Eighth District are heard. We need to know what’s working and what can be improved. If you are a farmer, take a moment to provide feedback here.

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

Standing Up for Second Amendment Rights

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express announced they will implement the new Merchant Category Code, which tracks the transactions of individuals purchasing firearms and ammunition.

This is nothing more than the next step by liberal activists and politicians to dissolve 2nd Amendment rights. This doesn’t solve violence; it is yet another attempt to limit lawful purchases and put gun owners on watchlists, all while placing additional regulatory burdens on small businesses.

Payment networks shouldn’t serve as a moral authority, and I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to each company demanding answers about how they plan to use this information.

You can read more here.

Protecting Farmers from the Woke SEC

Earlier this year, the SEC announced their plan to impose burdensome Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards directly affecting farmers through their proposed rule, “Enhanced and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.” This backward policy would hinder farmers and ranchers from providing food, fuel, and fiber for the American people.

I joined colleagues in cosponsoring the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act to prohibit the SEC from probing farmers about their progressive climate agenda.

Our farmers and ranchers are already regulated by state and federal laws, and the last thing they need is for SEC bureaucrats who know nothing about farming knocking on their doors.

Upcoming Mobile Office Hours

This week, my office is hosting mobile office hours at the following locations. During these events, my staff will be able to offer you individual assistance with several federal agencies, including Medicare, Social Security, immigration and passports, the IRS, and veterans' benefits. Those who have questions on these and other federal issues are encouraged to come by anytime during these hours and meet privately with staff.

Please call my Tifton office at (229) 396-5175 or Warner Robins office at (478) 971-1776 for questions regarding an upcoming mobile office in your area.

September 27, 2022

Dodge County

9:30am-11:30am

Dodge County Library

531 Second Avenue, Eastman, GA 31023

Telfair County

1:00pm-3:00pm

Telfair County Library

101 W. College Street, McRae-Helena, GA 31055

September 28, 2022

Pulaski County

9:30am-11:30am

Pulaski County Courthouse Annex

45 S. Lumpkin Street, Hawkinsville, GA 31036

Wilcox County

1:00pm-3:00pm

Wilcox County Library

104 North Broad Street, Abbeville, GA 31001

You can read more here.

Joining Valdosta News Talk Radio

The Washington Post | They lost their mom to a Kabul bombing. Now their dad finally joins them.

"Mina Stanekzai stared at the families happily greeting each other inside the Dulles Airport terminal, some of them holding flowers and balloons bearing 'Welcome Home!' messages.

It had been more than a year since she had seen her father and oldest brother, the day a suicide bomb killed her mother outside the airport in Kabul — sending Mina, 8, and her other brother Faisal, 14, on a journey to Northern Virginia to live with their aunt, Ferishta, as they recovered from injuries caused by the explosion."