Dear Friend, 

In response to the destruction caused by the inclement weather of January 12, 2023, a Major Disaster Declaration has been granted for affected individuals of Meriwether, Spalding, Troup, and Henry Counties in Georgia's Third Congressional District. Governor Kemp and I made immediate efforts to obtain funding for the rapid recovery of our treasured communities and for other individuals impacted across the state.

Grants are available through Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation programs for temporary housing and home repairs. Low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses are also available. 

To use one of these services, contact FEMA online at disasterassistance.gov, or call using the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362. 

Over the past 2 years, President Joe Biden weaponized the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by funding the hiring of 87,000 new agents to harass and audit thousands of American families, farmers, and small businesses without probable cause. In order to rescind this radical policy and bring accountability back to the agency, the first legislative action by the Republican-led House was to pass H.R. 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. This legislation revokes the nearly $80 billion in funding for the hiring of 87,000 new IRS employees and stops the agency from drastically increasing the number of unjustified audits on middle and low-income Americans.

We must protect families from being unnecessarily targeted and subjected to audits they cannot afford. Simply put, the IRS should be working on behalf of taxpayers, not against them.

House Republicans delivered on our commitment to protect our nation’s most vulnerable by passing H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This bill makes it mandatory for healthcare practitioners to care for a baby who survives an attempted abortion in the same way as other children born alive at the same age. I remain committed to the truth that life begins at conception, and I am proud to have supported legislation which promotes a culture that values and treasures life.

America must end any dependence on China and stand up to the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Last week, the House passed H.Res. 11, which established a Select Committee in the House of Representatives to investigate the strategic competition between the U.S. and the CCP. By implementing this Select Committee on China, we will fully hold the CCP accountable for their malign actions and safeguard American competitiveness.

Instead of unleashing American energy resources to drive down prices, Biden has shipped roughly five million barrels of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) overseas. The SPR is meant for weather or national security emergencies, but the President has depleted our reserve to its lowest point since 1986 – a direct result of his endless attack on America's energy sector. Making matters even worse, the Biden administration sold roughly one million barrels from the SPR to a Chinese government owned gas giant. Selling our strategic reserve to Communist China threatens our national security.

In order to hold this administration accountable and stand up to the CCP, the House passed H.R. 22, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. This important legislation received bipartisan support – and would prohibit the Department of Energy from selling petroleum products from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the CCP. 

Over the course of the past few years, the Biden Administration and federal agencies have overstepped their bounds and become directly involved in censoring information, meddling in free speech and politics for their own gain. The Republican-controlled House is leading the charge to restore accountability and root out corruption and abuse in the federal government. Last week, we passed H.Res. 12, which establishes a select subcommittee to address the weaponization of the federal government.

Yesterday, we celebrated the inspirational life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. As a pastor, a leader, a Georgian, and an American hero, he showed us that one good man has the power to change the course of history and inspire generations to fight for a better future.

His commitment to serving others and message of freedom and equality continue to inspire young hearts and minds across our country. May we never forget his dream.

After a busy two weeks in Washington, I'm excited to be back home for our first constituent work week of the new Congress. 

Remember to keep an eye on my website and check out my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the Third District and Washington. Also, if you are having issues with a federal agency or have a casework question, don’t forget to reach out to my Newnan District office at 770-683-2033.