We’re living here in Allentown

But it’s about to get easier to stay.

Inflation is 1.7% higher today than it was when Billy Joel released Allentown in 1982. Unemployment numbers have shot back up. Mortgage rates are nearing 8% and are expected to rise with the Fed’s announcement this week that they are raising interest rates another .75 points.

In President Biden’s economy, Americans are making less and paying more. Seniors have diminished hopes for a fruitful retirement and young adults are seeing the dream of homeownership slowly slip through their fingers.

But it’s hard to keep a good man down, and the American people eager to tell the Biden administration exactly what they think of its tax and spending sprees.

Here’s the million-dollar question: what are Republicans going to do with the majority once we get it? This week, I sat down with Georgia business owners at Georgia Southern University to learn about the challenges they’ve faced during this economic downturn and what pro-growth, pro-work, and pro-business policies should look like in the 118^th Congress.

I am excited to take their stories to Washington and use them to pressure the federal government to create an economy that’s strong, just like House Republicans pledged to do in our Commitment to America.

Here’s how we’re going to do it.

Fight Inflation and Lower the Cost of Living by:
- Curbing wasteful government spending that is raising the price of groceries, gas, cars, and housing, and growing our national debt
- Increasing take-home pay, creating good-paying jobs, and bringing stability to the economy through pro-growth tax and deregulatory policies
Make America Energy Independent and Reduce Gas Prices by:
- Maximizing production of reliable, American-made energy
- Cutting the permitting process time in half to reduce reliance on foreign countries, preventing rolling blackouts, and lowering the cost of gas and utilities
Strengthen the Supply Chain and End Dependence on China by:
- Moving supply chains away from China, expanding U.S. manufacturing, and enhancing America’s economic competitiveness and cyber resiliency

This is how we make the American Dream attainable again. This is how we rebuild Allentown.

Buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're at Walgreens in Savannah where hearing aids are finally available over-the-counter

from our nation's capitol CCCLXXXIII

Monday, October 31, 2022: Today is Halloween, the day we dress up in the scariest costume we can think of. For me, I choose to wear a name badge that reads “$31 Trillion in National Debt” which is one of the scariest things facing our country at this time.

My day begins with a radio interview with Martha Zoller in Gainesville in Northeast Georgia as we discuss news of the day.

Next, I head to Riceboro in Liberty County where I visit the recently completed Early Childhood Education Center that includes Head Start, a childcare program administered through the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority that serves children 6 weeks to 5 years old. With a total student population capacity of 234, the program has 14 classrooms and serves nine counties in the region, including seven in the First Congressional District.

Next, staying in Liberty County, I head to Hinesville and during the drive, I have a phone conversation with my congressional colleague and fellow Energy and Commerce Committee member Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) to discuss committee business.

Once in Hinesville, I pay a visit to the local Veterans Administration (VA) Clinic where I meet with leadership to see the great work they are doing here to help our heroes.

Afterwards, I meet with a group of local developers and home builders to discuss the challenges they are facing in this booming housing market in our region. After a great meeting, I head to our Savannah District office where I record a Christmas message for Newsmax before recording a video to help celebrate Georgia Caregivers month.

Next, I meet with a local veteran to discuss legislation dealing with Agent Orange and its use during the Vietnam War before meeting with a local special education teacher to discuss applied behavioral analysis, public schools and behavioral intervention and policies regarding special education.

After an on-camera interview with WJCL-TV in Savannah to discuss the upcoming midterm elections, I lead a Georgia delegation conference call with the Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Rick Spinard, to discuss NOAA’s proposed Right Whale speed rule. This egregious proposal will require boats larger that 35 feet to reduce their speed to 10 knots (11.5 mph) in a misguided effort to save whales by threatening lives and commerce in our waterways. This proposed rule will have a severely negative impact on our harbor pilot boats and the cargo vessels they navigate resulting in disrupting our port activity and will devastate recreational fishing along the coast.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022: I’m on the road this morning and headed to visit the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick in Glynn County. This great institution of higher learning opened in 1964 and plays an important role in the community by preparing students for the local workforce. After a tour that includes a visit to the impressive School of Nursing and Health Sciences led by President Michelle Johnston, I head to the Brunswick-Glynn County Library where I record a video reading Frog on a Log by Kes Grey for their Book Buddy project.

Next, I head to our Brunswick District office where I have the honor of speaking virtually to students at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and sharing with them my personal story and answering their questions.

Afterwards, I meet with a constituent to discuss student loan forgiveness before heading to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) at Glynco for a tour of some of their facilities including Danis City, the Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry, and the intermodal training facility.

Next, I have a phone interview with the Brunswick News to discuss the upcoming midterm elections before heading to St. Simons Island to meet with constituents.

After a great meeting, I head to Tybee Island in Chatham County where I present a proclamation to the family of Jimmy Burke, Sr., a lifelong Tybee Islander and active community member who passed earlier this year.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022: My first interview of the day is with Roll Call as we talk virtually about the upcoming race for Chairman of the Budget Committee. While my primary committee assignment is on E&C, I serve as the designee to the Budget Committee from E&C.

Afterwards, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I meet with constituents before heading to our Savannah District office where I record a video message for the Film Coverage and Access Forum. Afterwards, I meet with my good friend, Georgia State Representative Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) to discuss state and federal issues before heading to Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong campus in Southside Savannah where I host a workforce roundtable with area manufacturers and state and local agencies. Manufacturing in our district and state is booming and meeting the workforce demands of this growth presents many challenges.

After a great meeting where I gain a greater understanding of the challenges we face in this area, I head to downtown Savannah where I meet with maritime officials before meeting with other constituents later in the evening.

Thursday, November 4, 2022: I’m live on Varney & Co on Fox Business this morning as I discuss the upcoming midterm elections and issues constituents in the First District are communicating to me throughout my travels.

Afterwards, I head to Wayne County for one of my favorite events of the year, Day for Wayne. This yearly event draws community and business leaders from around the region to experience the beauty of Wayne County.

Next, I head to Nahunta in Brantley County where I meet with new County Manager Bryan Singleton and County Commissioner Randy Davison to discuss growth in the county and infrastructure projects they are currently planning.

After a great meeting, I head to Walgreens Pharmacy in Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I am joined by Walgreens officials and local pharmacist Lori Carter as we have a press conference regarding the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, legislation that I sponsored and that was put into effect last week. This bipartisan legislation was co-sponsored by my good friend and former house colleague, Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), and allows hearing aids to be sold without a prescription. Currently only 1 of 5 Americans with mild to moderate hearing impairment are obtaining hearing aids. With this new legislation, hearing aids will be more accessible and affordable, and the quality of healthcare will improve, in line with our goals.

Afterwards, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing.