Becoming Vice Chair of Ag Committee

On Thursday, I was appointed by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson to serve as Vice Chair of the House Ag Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.

It's an honor to serve under GT, and I look forward to working together to write a Farm Bill that meets the needs of our producers and the American people and leading the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit to improve the farm safety net and conduct oversight of the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Read more here.

Celebrating India Cutting Tariffs on U.S. Pecan Exports After a Years-Long Bipartisian Push

Much of the global supply of pecans is grown right here in Georgia, and after years of bipartisan work in the House, India’s Government decided to reduce tariffs on U.S. pecan exports by 70% and allow us into their growing market.

This has been in the works for a long time, and last year I met with ambassadors in India and discussed this issue.

This is more than a win for pecan farmers, this is a win for Georgia, and it couldn’t have been done without the hard work and help from my colleagues Representatives Sanford Bishop and David Scott.

Read more here.

Standing Against Unfair EPA Regulations

Last week, I joined colleagues in sending a letter to the EPA and U.S. Army expressing opposition to a ruling of the EPA which burdens the operations of Georgia's farmers. 

Georgia's farmers don't need the EPA burdening their operations, which is exactly what the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling does.

Our farmers and ranchers rely on clear and reasonable regulatory guidance from government agencies to continue to provide the food and fiber we all depend on.

However, the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a fourth definition of WOTUS, which has created confusion and an unfair situation for our farmers and landowners.

This new definition can disrupt normal farming activities by requiring a federal permit for things like changing the type of crops grown on a field or even building a fence on private land.

Read more here.

Speaking on the House Floor about TRICARE

Discussing New Committee Assignments with WALB

Fox News | Bernie Sanders Torched Online Over Capitalism Speech: 'Really Can't Make this S--- up'

"Online denizens mocked self-proclaimed democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont for selling tickets to his anti-capitalism speech and book event in Washington, D.C.

Twitter users did not hold back when blasting Sanders, a registered independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, over his pricey speech criticizing capitalism and promoting his new book that is slated for March.

Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott quipped to Fox News Digital that 'Sanders is the ultimate capitalist.'

'He’s been selling the same trash over and over for years,' Scott said."

Read more here.

Bloomberg | McCarthy Heads to White House With Debt Ideas but No Proposal

"House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he has 'a lot of ideas' he plans to share with President Joe Biden during a Wednesday meeting on how to avert a market-rattling payments default, but congressional Republicans don’t yet have a firm proposal to offer the administration. 

After huddling behind closed doors with House Republicans, McCarthy told reporters he wants to deal with the debt ceiling in an 'adult way' and called on Democrats to avoid political games.

Georgia Republican Austin Scott said not having a fixed set of demands bodes well for the talks because the GOP is being flexible in finding a solution.

'We just want policies that reduce spending and boost economic growth,' Scott said. He said there will be no proposal on Medicare and Social Security."

Read more here. 

The Hill | Eyeing Defense Spending Cuts, House GOP Targets Military 'Wokeness'

"Top House Republicans say the Pentagon’s budget will be on the table as Republicans seek to negotiate spending cuts in exchange for raising the federal debt ceiling — and have placed a bullseye on 'wokeness' in the military.

Exactly what that means remains somewhat unclear, but House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and others in his caucus have pointed to programs including efforts to diversify the military, identify alternative fuels and other environmental initiatives. 

Scott told The Hill that if Congress needs to make cuts in the defense budget, 'let’s start with the woke ideology and finish with the bureaucracy.'

'The recruiting and retention in the military is at an all-time low, and the DoD needs to quit focusing on the woke ideology and focus on the mission of supporting our warfighters,' Scott said in a statement."

Read more here.