MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – On Friday, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act, or BLOCK Act, to prohibit federal reimbursement for organ transplants and related medical services when the organ’s origins cannot be verified. The bill would prohibit any organ transplant procedure that is not procured from an entity participating in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) from receiving federal reimbursements to ensure that organ donation does not originate from illegal Chinese organ markets.

“The Chinese Communist Party has a long track record of human rights violations stemming from illegal organ harvesting in their own country,” said Congressman Dunn. “Communist Party authorities regularly target Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China for this barbaric practice. The United States must do everything in its power to ensure that we are not participating in illegal Chinese organ harvesting. The BLOCK Act is an important step toward ensuring that healthcare providers are not complicit in this atrocity and hold anyone who knowingly participates in this practice accountable.”

“Forced organ harvesting in China is an atrocity that demands immediate action,” said Congressman John Moolenaar. “The BLOCK Act is a critical step in ensuring that no federal funds are used to support the illegal and inhumane procurement of organs tied to China’s brutal, state-sponsored campaign. This bill holds healthcare providers accountable, preventing any complicity in the trafficking of organs from innocent victims in China—many of whom are political prisoners, Uyghurs, and religious minorities. As we confront this horrific abuse, the United States must send a clear message: we will not be complicit in this appalling crime. Americans who participate in this violation of human rights will face severe penalties.”

“There is overwhelming evidence that China has systemically targeted ethnic and religious minorities for forcibly acquired organ donation and that the country regularly violates internationally-accepted rules regarding organ donorship,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “We cannot remain silent in the face of these gross human rights violations and perpetuate the practice by offering a marketplace for the ill-gotten organs.”

Background:

In its 2023 annual report, the bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) covered a wide range of topics related to Beijing’s human rights violations and offered a list of recommendations to Congress and the Biden Administration. A top recommendation was to pass legislation to combat forced organ harvesting and sanction those involved in human trafficking.

Multiple reports indicate that China is a major harvester and trafficker of forcibly acquired organs. An exhaustive study in the American Journal of Transplantation found incriminating evidence suggesting that physicians in China participated in executions by organ removal.

Experts estimate that the human organ trafficking industry in China is worth $1 billion a year and is fueled by harvesting organs from China’s 1.5 million concentration camp inmates.

The BLOCK Act would prohibit federal reimbursement for organ transplants and related medical services if the transplanted organ cannot be verified as being procured from an entity participating in the OPTN and create civil penalties for healthcare providers who knowingly take part in a prohibited organ transplant.

Congressman Dunn is joined by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and John Moolenaar (MI-02), who serves as Chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

Read the full text of the BLOCK Act here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act, a bill that would stop the People’s Republic of China from exploiting international trade loopholes, a common tactic of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill would prohibit American taxpayer dollars from funding the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) until China is no longer designated as a developing nation.

The Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act seeks to address the growing concerns that China, despite having the world’s second-largest economy, continues to benefit from special status as a “developing nation” within international organizations like the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCC. This designation allows China to receive financial assistance and extended deadlines meant for developing countries, all while enjoying significant economic and military advantages.

“China is the world’s second-largest economy. It has no business benefiting from international trade and environmental policies designed to benefit developing nations,” said Congressman Dunn. “American taxpayers should not be sending their hard-earned money to organizations that underpin China’s unfair advantage on the world stage. This bill will stop the flow of American tax dollars to entities that allow China to exploit their rules and pressure both the UN and Montreal Protocol to fix their mislabeling of China’s status.”

“It is an absolute disgrace the UN allows China to dodge its dues as a so-called “developing nation,” despite having the world’s second-largest economy, said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02). “The U.S. should not be funding programs that China takes advantage of using this ploy, and this critical bill will ensure China cannot play by a different set of rules on the global stage. It’s time to stop allowing our own resources to be used against us and end this America-last scam.”

Background:

Both the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCC have provisions that allow developing countries to receive financial support and extended deadlines for environmental commitments. China’s classification as a developing country under these agreements has allowed the Communist Party to benefit disproportionately, receiving nearly $1.4 billion from the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the fund, giving almost $1 billion. The Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act would ensure that U.S. taxpayer funds are not used to support these international agreements until China’s status is appropriately reclassified.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

PANAMA CITY, FL – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (Florida-02) announced he is hosting a United States Military Service Academy Day for students in Florida’s Second Congressional District. Informational sessions will be held in Leon and Bay counties on Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025. High school and eighth grade students who are interested in attending a service academy are invited to come, along with their parents.

Dr. Dunn has invited representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as the Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Naval Academies, to attend. Students will have the opportunity to meet with Cadets, Midshipmen, ROTC staff, and parents of current and past cadets. The academy nomination process will be explained. This is an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore these outstanding higher education choices.

No RSVP is required.

For more information, please contact Craig Williams at FL02.Academy@mail.house.gov or call 850-785-0812.

 

Leon County

Date: Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM ET

Location: Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams Drive, Tallahassee, FL

 

Bay County

Date: Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT

Location: Gulf Coast State College Student Union, 5230 US-98, Panama City, FL 32401

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) led a letter with Florida Republicans to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr, asking agencies under his jurisdiction to prevent Florida from being subjected to Biden-Era regulatory standards in the context of a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver for the state of Florida.

In 2022, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new supplemental payment program for Florida. However, shortly after approving the program, CMS abruptly announced a sweeping audit of the financing of that program. Disturbingly, while Florida faced scrutiny, similar programs in states led by Democratic governors like California avoided such oversight. CMS’ recent updated amendment to special terms and conditions in the largely unrelated Florida Section 1115 waiver attempts to impose related regulatory interpretations that further target Florida and burden hospitals and patients.

“This latest action by CMS is part of a larger, troubling saga of CMS playing games with my home state while leaving similar programs in Democrat-led states untouched,” said Congressman Dunn. “For the last three years, CMS has subjected Florida to undue scrutiny and hardship despite having previously approved the state’s supplemental payment program to assist Medicaid providers. This effort would force Biden-era policies into the language of the waiver and are inconsistent with President Trump’s conservative agenda. I respectfully urge Secretary Kennedy to intervene by revoking this Biden-era guidance in the waiver and end the targeting the state of Florida.”

In response to CMS’ financing scrutiny, including guidance and audits, both Texas and Florida filed lawsuits against CMS. A federal court agreed with the Texas position, enjoining CMS from enforcing the new interpretation that was “distanced” from the statutory text. CMS seemingly backed down after the lawsuits and promised not to take action against states like Texas and Florida until 2028. However, 72 hours after President Trump’s election, CMS renewed its interest in Florida, informing the state that additional audit questions were imminent.

Congressman Dunn is joined by Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04), Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27), and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28).

Read the letter to Secretary Kennedy here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the “REPAIR Act,” a bill that would ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs. Currently, automakers are restricting vehicle owners and automotive repair shops from accessing repair data and tools, resulting in higher repair costs, fewer service options, and longer wait times for vehicle maintenance. The REPAIR Act would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer.

“American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Congressman Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops.

“Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”

“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”

“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”

“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at NFIB. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top ten priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”

“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition, and innovation in the automotive aftermarket. Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike,” said Paul McCarthy, President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.

“PAMA’s member companies and independent automotive maintenance shops around the country play a vital role, ensuring that consumers have access to timely and cost-effective repair options for their automobiles,” said Justin Cialella, former PAMA President and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “We commend and applaud Congressman Dunn for his leadership on the REPAIR Act, a critical milestone in our industry’s effort to protect consumers rights, preserve a fair marketplace with regard to vehicle telematics, and combat deceptive marketing practices.”

Background:

• On February 11^th, a federal judge in Massachusetts dismissed a lawsuit from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation against the state’s Right to Repair law, which passed by a state ballot with 74.97% of the vote. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents a significant portion of vehicle manufacturers selling cars in the United States.

• Vehicle Manufacturers resisted the Massachusetts ballot measure through another group, the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, which raised over $26.4 million to campaign against the initiative. Top donors to the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data include General Motors, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Ford Motor Company, and American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

• On July 11^th, 2023, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation released a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between vehicle manufacturers and two automotive repair industry groups, the Automotive Service Association and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, claiming to have reached an agreement to share crucial diagnostic information.

• It is notable that the MOU omits the size and scope of the membership of the two groups named in the agreement. The vast majority of groups representing independent aftermarket repair businesses oppose the MOU, including the Auto Care Association, Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association (PAMA).

Read the full text of H.R. 1566 here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Austin Scott (GA-08), alongside U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, reintroduced the bipartisan Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act (H.R. 2345), which would establish the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas in Middle Georgia as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan bill. By establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, we are highlighting over 17,000 years of history and culture as well as welcoming people from across the country to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty,” said Rep. Bishop. “Elevating the status of and expanding this site to a national park and preserve will raise awareness about it, increase public hunting and fishing grounds, encourage more visitors to our area, and boost the local economy.”

“Establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve remains a top bipartisan initiative for all lawmakers and stakeholders involved,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “The Ocmulgee Mounds are of invaluable cultural, communal, and economic significance to our state, and I am committed to keeping this initiative moving forward.”

“We made unprecedented progress last Congress toward creating Georgia’s first ever National Park,” Senator Ossoff said. “I look forward to working alongside Congressman Scott, Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Bishop, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and local leaders to successfully establish Georgia’s first national park.”

“Ocmulgee Mounds is a living testament to our intertwined histories and a robust source of economic and cultural vitality, so I’m proud to continue supporting the bipartisan, bicameral efforts to establish Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I want to thank Congressmen Scott and Bishop for their yearslong efforts on this in the U.S. House, as well as Senator Ossoff for his leadership. Local leaders and everyday Georgians have been waiting for Congress to act and now is the time. Working together, we can prove what is possible when we put politics aside to serve the people of Georgia.”

The House bill is cosponsored by 11 other members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation: Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Brian Jack (GA-03), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Mike Collins (GA-10), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rick Allen (GA-12), David Scott (GA-13), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14).

The area is the ancestral home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been inhabited continuously by humans for over 12,000 years. American Indians first arrived in the area during the Paleo-Indian Period hunting Ice Age mammals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and Muskogean people constructed mounds for meeting, living, burial, agricultural, and other purposes, many of which remain today and would be encompassed in the new U.S. National Park and Preserve.

“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation remains steadfast in our support of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Bill. The opportunity to make the historic Ocmulgee Mounds a national park is so important to us because we have been included, we have been shown the respect of collaboration, and because of that we can feel confident that the living history that will be told here is authentic and has the power to elevate Georgia forever. We are thrilled to continue offering our support for this legislation every step of the way,” said David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

“I cannot overstate the importance of this legislation to our region, state, and country. Tens of millions of private dollars have been leveraged to conserve the precious cultural and ecological resources of the Ocmulgee Corridor and this bipartisan legislation allows us to continue to grow the middle Georgia economy, protect our national security interests at Robin Air Force Base, expand hunting and fishing access, and authentically preserve some of the most culturally significant sites in the country,” said Seth Clark, Macon Mayor Pro Tempore and Executive Director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. “We’re grateful for the continued bipartisan dedication of the Georgia delegation. And call for the swift passage of this legislation this year so that we can continue our stewardship of this landscape and our economy.” 

“Preserving the undeveloped lands within the Ocmulgee River Corridor is critical to safeguarding Robins Air Force Base from incompatible land use, ensuring we can sustain our national security missions,” said Brig. Gen. John C. Kubinec, USAF (ret), President/CEO of 21st Century Partnership. “This park and preserve will also provide our military members and their families with valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure, enhancing their quality of life while strengthening the economic vitality of Middle Georgia.”

“Establishing Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve at Ocmulgee Mounds will serve as a robust form of economic development for Middle Georgia while conserving the site’s important series of ecological and cultural assets. Representatives Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop with their bipartisan leadership and admirable partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have assembled a broad statewide coalition including chambers of commerce, hunters and anglers, and conservation organizations working to pass this legislation. The formal process of creating a National Monument out of the Ocmulgee Old Fields formally began in 1933, when the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce purchased the sites and requested their protection. Today, through the leadership of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The Georgia Chamber is proud to support Representatives Scott and Bishop’s legislation to create Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, after almost a century of civic advocacy,” said Chris Clark, CCE, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber.

“The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has long seen the national and park and preserve designation as a top congressional priority. Getting this done this year is vital to the economic viability and stability of middle Georgia. Being home to Georgia’s first and only national park and preserve will create a better business climate, allow for lower taxes, and create thousands of good paying, sustainable jobs. Our members have marshaled tens of millions of dollars in preparing middle Georgia for the passage of this legislation and as we have for almost a century, we and the greater middle Georgia business community fully support and call for getting it done this year,” said Jessica Walden, President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted against a partisan funding bill, H.R. 1968, that defunds a wide range of services on which America’s seniors, veterans, families, and children rely. The legislation puts at risk America’s national security and our ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters.

The vote on the bill was 217-213. It is now being considered by the U.S. Senate.

“All Georgians will be hurt by this partisan bill which gives up Congress’ Constitutional power of the purse to the Executive Branch. I cannot stand idly by while Elon Musk destroys important programs that keep our communities safe, make housing affordable, support medical research, and help our veterans,” said Congressman Bishop.

This bill would cut funding for non-defense programs and services by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion, dishonoring the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act to set top line funding for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The bill:

• Allows Elon Musk to fire Social Security Administration workers and shutter local offices which will lead to increased backlogs, making it harder for Americans to get their earned benefits.
• Cuts $475 million to state and local police departments and reduces the funding to cities and towns for community-oriented policing services by $247 million.
• Slashes funding for rural clean water and wastewater disposal projects by $117 million, and cuts rural community distant learning, telemedicine, and broadband grants by $10 million each.
• Takes away much needed funds from ongoing infrastructure projects to build safer roads, railways, bridges, and airports to pay for disaster relief, yet still reduces FEMA’s Federal Assistance account by $182 million.
• Eliminates $23 billion promised to veterans, through the PACT Act, to treat them for exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances during their service to the nation.
• Slashes the Federal Highway Administration by $1.9 billion, the Federal Airport Administration by $482 million, and the Federal Transit Administration by $207 million, putting the brakes on projects that are improving the capacity and safety of public roads and transportation.
• Underfunds, by $27 million, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service which undercuts its ability to prevent invasive species and diseases from wreaking havoc on U.S. agriculture and undermines its fight against bird flu at a time when egg prices are at an all-time high.
• Eliminates Congressional directives to the Agricultural Research Service, jeopardizing $2 billion in research on agricultural products, such as pecans, peanuts, and cotton, that are crucial to Georgia’s economy.

“This bill is part of a pretext to allow the Trump Administration to steal already appropriated funds for hard-working Americans and their communities and add over a $1 trillion to the deficit in order to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. Most of the proposed tax cuts would go to the top 5% of households while most working families will only get a few hundred dollars in tax cuts a year,” said Congressman Bishop. “Congress must fight to stop this Administration from feathering the nests of billionaires by taking the flesh off the backs of hard-working Americans. I support a short-term continuing resolution so that Congress can negotiate a bipartisan funding bill that responsibly meets the needs of all Americans.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and co-chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, released the following statement regarding the announcement today by the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to rename Fort Moore:

“This has always been an emotional issue, particularly for people who have lived, trained, and worked around the post. While good people may have different thoughts about the post’s name, a commission was established by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to address this matter and remove the names of enemies of the United States from U.S. military installations. The bill had overwhelming bipartisan support and became law.

[The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act was passed by the U.S. House (335-78) and U.S. Senate (84-13) and sent to President Trump for his signature. President Trump vetoed the bill in December 2020, but his veto was overridden by the U.S. House (322-87) and the U.S. Senate (80-12) to become law.]

“Pursuant to that law, and after considerable deliberation and widespread community and veteran input, the post was named after Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia.

“Hal Moore was a hero of the Vietnam War, and together with his wife, Julia, they were instrumental in establishing how the military notifies and cares for spouses of fallen servicemembers. Moore had extensive ties to the post while on active duty, in retirement, and is buried there. The Moores embodied the Army’s values of loyalty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, and duty. To have the Moores’ name adorn this post, through which an overwhelming number of Soldiers pass during their Army careers, was well-deserved and symbolized our country’s commitment to the servicemembers and their families who are the backbone of our national defense.

“To have the new Secretary of Defense unilaterally reject the Moores’ combined service to the Army, our military families, and our nation, after being recommended by the naming commission and implemented by the Defense Department, is disrespectful, at best, and spiteful, at worst. It is a rejection of the values and symbolism that Hal and Julia Moore embodied.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) joined Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) and the entire Georgia Delegation to introduce H.R. 1596, a bill that would designate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Poultry Research Center in Athens, Georgia, as the Abit Massey Poultry Research Center.

Abit Massey, who passed in June 2024 at the age of 96, served as President of the Georgia Poultry Federation for 48 years and was recognized statewide for his leadership in the agricultural community. Massey was instrumental in establishing Georgia as a leading chicken producer, which is now a multi-billion dollar industry.

“Last summer, Georgia lost a giant of the poultry and agriculture industry. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Abit Massey over many years and was witness to his visionary leadership that has left an indelible mark on our state and country,” said Rep. Bishop. “This bill rightfully honors the man and his legacy, and I proudly join my friend and colleague, Congressman Buddy Carter in this bipartisan effort to rename the USDA poultry facility in Athens after Abit Massey.”

“Abit Massey was a Georgia icon who is already deeply missed. His dedication to our agricultural industry cannot be overstated, rightfully earning him the nickname ‘Dean of the poultry industry.’ No one supported Georgia farmers more than Massey, and this renaming will help preserve his memory and influence for generations to come,” said Rep. Carter.

“Abit Massey was a Gainesville poultry icon. Known as the ‘Dean of the Poultry Industry,’ he played a pivotal role in the Peach State’s poultry dominance and tirelessly advocated to expand research in the field. I’m proud to join my fellow Georgians in working to rename the USDA poultry facility in Athens after Abit Massey, ensuring his remarkable legacy lives on for generations to come,” said Rep. Clyde.

“Abit Massey was a leader in agricultural innovation, and his lifetime of work in the poultry industry helped make Georgia one of the leading poultry producers in the country,” said Rep. Scott. 

“Abit Massey was a great Georgian whose impact will be felt for generations. He was a pillar to the Georgia poultry and agriculture industry, a visionary who saw the true beauty in the Peach State, and a role model that many could choose to follow. Renaming the National Poultry Research Center is a fitting honor to his legacy,” said Rep. Collins.

“Abit Massey was a larger-than-life figure in the state of Georgia. His tenure as President of the Georgia Poultry Foundation and leadership in the community stands as a shining example for aspiring leaders across our great state. Hall County mourns the loss of one of its’ native sons, who contributed so much not just to the poultry industry, but to the lives of everyone he met,” said Rep. McCormick.

For his dedication to Georgia’s agricultural community, he was recognized with the 1986 University of Georgia (UGA) Alumni Merit Award, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2012 Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award, and the inaugural Medallion of Honor for Service to the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.

You can learn more about the bill by visiting Congress.gov.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted against a proposed budget bill, H.Con.Res. 14, that would increase the deficit by $4.5 trillion dollars to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and pay for them with drastic cuts to programs on which America’s elderly, veterans, families, and children rely.

The bill was passed by a vote of 217-215 and now will be considered in conference by the U.S. House and Senate.

“This bill increases the U.S. deficit and drastically cuts healthcare to Georgians under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid and cuts nutrition provided through SNAP and the food lunch program so that billionaires can get huge tax cuts, leaving the American taxpayer with table scraps and fewer resources and services,” said Congressman Bishop. “This bill threatens Georgians’ quality of life. It would take away healthcare for our seniors and families in need. It would take food out of the mouths of our children. And it would walk away from our cities and small businesses who rely on partnerships and investments by Congress to improve infrastructure, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.”

For example, the proposed budget would make healthcare more expensive for nearly 94,000 Georgians in the 2nd Congressional District who would see their average premium increase by $430 per year. It would also put at risk over 195,000 people on Medicaid in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes over 130,000 children under the age of 19 and nearly 30,000 seniors over the age of 65. The cuts will also hurt healthcare providers, nursing homes, long term care providers, hospitals, and community health care centers which will have a higher risk of closing. That will further strain the Middle and Southwest Georgia economy while at the same time reduce access to affordable healthcare close to home, especially in rural and other underserved areas.

There are 211,000 children, seniors, veterans, and working parents in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District who count on SNAP to help put food on the table. They would also lose this support under the budget bill.

The budget bill would also eliminate energy efficiency and innovation programs that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in small and large businesses in this region. That investment has spurred the creation of manufacturing jobs and facilities from Bainbridge to Fort Valley, from Mitchell to Decatur Counties, and from Lee and Sumter Counties to Macon and Bibb Counties. This included solar projects and supporting electric vehicle industry growth which has widespread support from Georgia Democrats and Republicans, including Governor Kemp.

The budget bill would also take at least $330 billion from things like school lunches, Pell Grants, Head Start, and other programs children use to have a strong start to live and prepare themselves to succeed in life. It would gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that helps protect American consumers from bad actors in the banking and financial industry.

All of this to finance $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy. If the 2017 tax cuts are extended that would give an average annual tax cut of $32,118 to a family earning about $750,000 and $314,000 to a family earning more than $3.5 million per year. Nearly half the net benefit of the proposed tax cuts would go to the top 5 percent of households, or those making more than $450,000 a year. Meanwhile working families will only get a few hundred dollars in tax cuts a year.

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