“Red Wave” rally draws solid turnout for Towns County GOP
News, Politics October 21, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – While early voter turnout was especially strong in North Georgia throughout the first week of the 2018 General Election, state and local Republican leaders echoed the importance of encouraging friends and family to cast ballots during a Towns County “Get Out The Vote” rally Thursday, Oct. 18 .
A sizeable crowd of constituents attended the town hall meeting, orchestrated by Towns County GOP Chairwoman Betsy Young, and Republican member Donna Barrow.
“We all know that after watching the Kavanaugh hearings, and the things that were going on, it’s very scary, and we have to get out the vote..,” Young urged, “We’re speaking to the choir here, we know that, but we want you to reach out.”
Towns County High School Commissioner Seth Fullerton introduced Colonel Dale Sissell, an author and two-time Purple Heart recipient, to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. Towns County High School student and vocalist Summer Rahn sang “God Bless America,” followed by the National Anthem.
Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw served as Master of Ceremonies, opening the meeting by reciting words attributed to former President Ronald Reagan.
President’s Budget Includes Collins’ Immigration Policy
Politics May 23, 2017
| May 23, 2017 |
President’s Budget Includes Collins’ Immigration Policy“I support the president’s strong response to illegal immigration and am pleased to see my legislation mirrored in his first full budget. American taxpayers deserve to see the fruits of their labor returned to their families rather than passed on to individuals who undermine our legal system.” WASHINGTON—President Trump’s FY 2018 budget incorporates a tax accountability policy that parallels legislation introduced by Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) this February. The president’s budget can include policy recommendations, and Collins’ Tax Credit Accountability Act would prevent individuals residing in the United States illegally from receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Currently, Obama-era policies allow illegal immigrants to claim the EITC retroactively, even if they have not paid taxes on previous income. In fact, illegal immigrants who were granted de facto amnesty under the Obama Administration could receive refund checks larger than their original tax liabilities. This process has been made possible by the executive decision to award illegal aliens Social Security numbers as part of amnesty. Collins’ bill would correct this imbalance by preventing illegal residents from benefiting financially from breaking U.S. laws. “I support the president’s strong response to illegal immigration and am pleased to see my legislation mirrored in his first full budget. American taxpayers deserve to see the fruits of their labor returned to their families rather than passed on to individuals who undermine our legal system,” said Collins. This budget represents the first time the White House has considered the perspective of the taxpayer, rather than looking only at where the money is flowing, in drafting its budget requests. |
COLLINS PRAISES PASSAGE OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WITH CORPS REFORMS
Politics, State & National June 7, 2018
COLLINS PRAISES PASSAGE OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WITH CORPS REFORMS
WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives has passed the Water Resources Development Act, a bill that authorizes water infrastructure projects across the country. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) advocated for the bill to include reforms of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages Lakes Lanier, Hartwell, Russell and Carters.
The bill would give local entities a larger role in sourcing funding for projects and directs the Corps to consider local opinions in projects that involve ports, dams or lakes under its authority.
“The Corps of Engineers too often ignores the impacts its actions have on local lakes and residents, and it’s time for a fundamental change to how the Corps handles its responsibilities. I’m glad to see provisions in this infrastructure bill that would increase the influence that residents of Northeast Georgia have over their water resources, homes and communities, and I’ll continue holding the Corps accountable for how it manages lakes in Northeast Georgia.
“The Water Resources Development Act also ensures that the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, which creates jobs across the state and is critical to Georgia’s economy, continues to receive necessary resources,” said Collins.
The House Rules Committee oversees every bill that comes to the House floor for a vote. As part of this committee, Collins also spoke to the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about improving the Corps of Engineers.
Collins Bill to Honor Fallen Marine Sent to President’s Desk
Press Release, State & National March 9, 2018
COLLINS BILL TO HONOR FALLEN CLERMONT MARINE SENT TO PRESIDENT’S DESK
WASHINGTON—The Senate last night voted unanimously to pass H.R. 3821, legislation to rename Georgia’s Clermont Post Office in honor of Zack T. Addington. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) introduced the bill this September, and it passed the House in November.
“Lance Corporal Zack Addington represents the selfless courage that’s cultivated in northeast Georgia, and I’m excited to see this bill leave Congress and head to the president’s desk for his signature,” said Collins.
Collins also honored Addington when he spoke about the bill on the House floor.
Background:
Known to his neighbors as Zack, Addington joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967. A native of Clermont, he became a rifleman in the 3rd Marine Division of the Fleet Marine Force and deployed to Vietnam that year. Addington was promoted to Lance Corporal and served his country honorably until he was killed in action in May 1968.
That June, Addington received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon in recognition of his service there.
Collins Supports Protecting Second Amendment Rights for Veterans
Featured, Politics March 17, 2017
Jessica Andrews (202) 225-9893 [email protected] March 16, 2017 |
Collins Supports Protecting Second Amendment Rights for Veterans“It is odd that federal entities seem to find certain liberties—like the right to bear arms—less inalienable than others. I will continue to guard the constitutional rights of all Americans against groups that would undermine them, and I look forward to seeing due process restored in the question of veterans’ Second Amendment rights.” WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) voted today to support H.R. 1181, The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, to guard veterans’ right to bear arms and to due process under the law. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) labels veterans as “mentally defective” if they receive assistance from an appointed fiduciary. In the VA system, attaching this label to a veteran sends his or her name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Inclusion on the NICS list prohibits an individual from buying or possessing a gun. Under the VA’s system, individuals can be added to the system without any judicial determination, meaning veterans are deprived of their Second Amendment rights without due process. “As a military chaplain, I find it disheartening that the VA allows bureaucrats to make determinations about a veteran’s constitutional right under the pretext of mental health care. Under the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, a judicial determination—rather than a bureaucratic label—would be necessary to report a veteran’s name to NICS,” said Collins. “It is odd that federal entities seem to find certain liberties—like the right to bear arms—less inalienable than others. I will continue to guard the constitutional rights of all Americans against groups that would undermine them, and I look forward to seeing due process restored in the question of veterans’ Second Amendment rights.” Collins also cosponsored a similar piece of legislation, H.J.Res. 40, a joint resolution of disapproval of the Social Security Administration’s implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, which effectively denied millions of Social Security recipients their Second and Fourth Amendment rights. President Trump signed this resolution into law last month. |
American Health Care Act – Dead! Tax Reform Stuck in Gridlock Trump Ready to Work with Democrats
Featured, Politics March 27, 2017
GA 9th District Congressman, Doug Collins, was the floor leader Friday for the American Health Care Act Debate. We asked Congressman Collins if the Health Care Bill was dead? Could they overcome Republican gridlock in the House to take on President Donald Trump’s Tax Reform Policy? You will be shocked to hear the Congressman’s answer! Collins goes on to talk about how this bill would have defunded planned parenthood. You will hear the Congressman’s frustration that that did not happen.
Collins, Kilmer Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop the Outsourcing of American Jobs
Featured, Politics March 23, 2017
| Jessica Andrews (202) 225-9893 [email protected] March 23, 2017 |
Collins, Kilmer Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Stop the Outsourcing of American Jobs“We can’t allow the law to be exploited to displace American workers and send their jobs abroad. The Keeping American Jobs Act protects American workers by preventing bad actors from abusing the system in order to offshore jobs.” WASHINGTON—Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Doug Collins (R-GA) reintroduced a bill to prevent employers from sending jobs overseas by abusing a temporary visa program. The legislation would stop employers that are awarded temporary visas through the H-1B program from using them to train workers in the United States then move those jobs to another country. H-1B visas allow American businesses to hire foreign professionals if skilled American workers are unavailable to fill job openings. The employees must have expertise in fields like science and technology and generally have college degrees. This week, 60 Minutes reported that unscrupulous employers have utilized the program to bring foreign workers in and displace American jobs. This follows reports last year that American workers were forced to train H1B visa holders to do their job so that the jobs could be permanently outsourced to foreign workers. “Our policies should promote jobs in America,” said Kilmer. “They shouldn’t be about sending jobs done by hard working Americans overseas. That’s why I’m continuing my push with Representative Collins to keep H-1B visas from ever being used to send any job to another country.” “Protecting American jobs is crucial in order for our economy to continue to gain strength and momentum,” said Collins. “Companies have the opportunity to bring workers from overseas on H-1B visas in the event that qualified Americans aren’t available, but we can’t allow the law to be exploited to displace American workers and send their jobs abroad. The Keeping American Jobs Act protects American workers by preventing bad actors from abusing the system in order to offshore jobs.” |
Collins Fights to Protect Due Process in Civil Asset Forfeiture Cases
Featured, Politics March 30, 2017
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Jessica Andrews March 30, 2017 |
Collins Fights to Protect Due Process in Civil Asset Forfeiture Cases“Our citizens and my neighbors deserve robust protections surrounding their property and due process rights. Government bureaucrats should not be allowed to seize privately held assets without meeting a higher burden of proof than the ‘preponderance of evidence’ statute currently in effect.” WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) is a co-sponsor of legislation introduced to increase the accountability and oversight of federal civil asset seizure and forfeiture cases. The Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2017 (DUE PROCESS Act) includes a variety of reforms to the status quo that would better protect citizens from undue government seizure. “Our citizens and my neighbors deserve robust protections surrounding their property and due process rights. Government bureaucrats should not be allowed to seize privately held assets without meeting a higher burden of proof than the ‘preponderance of evidence’ statute currently in effect,” says Collins. “Americans also deserve access to counsel in these cases, which can become difficult because civil asset forfeiture procedures inherently throw victims into a Catch-22 situation: Property owners need attorneys to recover their assets, but they are often unable to hire counsel because their assets have been frozen at the discretion of the Internal Revenue Service. The DUE PROCESS Act strengthens these and other legal protections that are necessary to guard innocent Americans from cases of destructive government overreach.” In addition, the bill would allow individuals to recover attorney fees in cases in which the court finds in the victim’s favor and would require the government to notify individuals within 30 days of seizing their property. Currently, the government has 60 days to inform property owners of civil asset forfeitures. |
Remembering the Forgotten: Collins Statement on President’s Joint Session Address
Featured, Politics March 1, 2017
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COLLINS STATEMENT ON AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Featured, Politics March 8, 2017
COLLINS STATEMENT ON AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
03/07/17
WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) has released the following statement in response to the introduction of the American Health Care Act:
“With the American Health Care Act, our unified government has begun the process of doing what we promised to do—repealing and replacing the disaster that is Obamacare. We’ve listened to the millions of Americans hurt by the misnamed Affordable Care Act and those whose hopes were dashed by its broken promises.
“The process of making quality health care affordable and accessible for every American starts with the repeal of Obamacare, with removing the government from the doctor/patient relationship and giving the insurance market the opportunity to rebuild from the havoc Obamacare has wrought on it. On this front, the repeal of the individual mandate is crucial. It means that people can have access to the health care that works best for them, instead of being forced by the government into expensive insurance plans that keep substantive health care out of reach. Moreover, Republicans are remembering both our neighbors and our future neighbors: The American Health Care Act prohibits federal money from flowing to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
“President Trump has a common-sense approach to health care reform and has said that this bill is the first step in that process. Our unified government has moved to stop the suffering caused by Obamacare, and I look forward to considering the American Health Care Act in the House.”
OPEN BOOK ON EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT PASSES HOUSE
Featured, Politics February 28, 2017
OPEN BOOK ON EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT PASSES HOUSE
02/27/17
WASHINGTON—Today, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, H.R. 1033, passed in the House with widespread bipartisan support. Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) sponsored the bill in order to increase transparency among federal agencies as they apply the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).
EAJA enables Americans with limited resources to seek redress against the government by requiring agencies to reimburse plaintiffs for their legal fees if the agency is found to have pursued an unjustified position in the case. Because these agencies have not been required to keep records of EAJA disbursements for two decades, however, the public has been unable to access information about how the government has handled these suits.
“Americans have a right to be protected from abusive litigation tactics at the hands of their government, tactics that infringe on their basic liberties. The Equal Access to Justice Act remains a key tool in giving individual citizens recourse to address federal agency misconduct. The Open Book Act gives taxpayers access to information about federal agency payments and legal positions in EAJA cases, strengthening the original law by ensuring that federal agencies apply it transparently and effectively,” said Collins.
“The passing of the Open Book Act in the House represents a step toward greater government transparency and a victory for the American people, and I look forward to seeing this bill pass in the Senate.”
Collins Advocates for Improved Neonatal VA Benefits
Featured, News February 8, 2017
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Stephens County and Flowery Branch Students Admitted to Service Academies
Announcements, Featured March 10, 2017
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OBAMACARE VICTIM ACCOMPANIES COLLINS TO JOINT SESSION
Featured, Politics February 28, 2017
OBAMACARE VICTIM ACCOMPANIES COLLINS TO JOINT SESSION
02/27/17
WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) will attend President Donald Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress with a guest from Toccoa, Georgia. Members of Congress each receive one guest ticket to the president’s annual speech.
Congressman Collins has invited his constituent Brittany Ivey to the joint session. The working mother and her husband have struggled under the consequences of the Affordable Care Act. Ivey was working part-time at a small business that provided her family with health insurance until the effects of Obamacare on the insurance market raised her premiums sharply. This drove the Ivey family into the individual market, where a mid-level plan took 65% of her monthly gross income—even after a small federal subsidy.
“There’s no better occasion than the president’s annual address to Congress to bring attention to the victims of the Affordable Care Act and the urgency of repealing Obamacare. Northeast Georgia is full of individuals who work tirelessly to care for their families, and Mrs. Ivey’s story illustrates the destruction wrought by the failed health care law,” said Collins.
“Unable to afford insurance through her employer, Mrs. Ivey turned to the federal exchange, where she obtained a plan that neither her nor her children’s doctor would accept. The government has robbed our loved ones of their access to affordable, meaningful health services, and the only remedy before us is to return competition and innovation to every dimension of our health care system by repealing Obamacare.”
“I’m looking forward to the president’s remarks on how our unified government is rescuing health care for millions of people injured by the misguided Affordable Care Act.”
Ivey is relieved that members of Congress seem to understand her family’s plight, and she is eager to see substantive health care reform.
“I’m grateful that Congress is taking action to fix our health care system. For the last several years, my family has experienced how Obamacare hurts hardworking, middle-class Americans. All I wanted was to be a stay-at-home mother to my daughter and sons, but the skyrocketing prices of health insurance drove me back into the labor market full-time,” explains Ivey.
“My husband and I have been punished for working hard, driven to the edge of financial disaster as we paid thousands and thousands of dollars in premiums for a federal plan that our doctors rejected. Even though we’re healthy, this law has crippled our family.”
President Trump is scheduled to address members of the House of Representatives and the Senate at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28.
Collins Introduces Legislation to Increase Drug Pricing Transparency
Featured, Politics March 3, 2017
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