Eliminating the Flow of Taxpayer Dollars to Planned Parenthood

This week I voted against legislation that would allow federal taxpayer dollars to continue flowing to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortions. I cannot, in good conscience, support a single cent of taxpayer dollars going to a criminal enterprise like Planned Parenthood. We’ve known for some time that the group is the largest provider of abortions but the vile and disgusting acts uncovered in the recent videos are beyond belief. This tugs at the very moral fabric of our nation.

We must focus on making sure we are utilizing every tool to combat Planned Parenthood and bring those who committed these crimes to justice. Using the power of the purse is an important step in our continued fight to protect the unborn and ensure tax dollars are not going to organizations that support the practice of abortion and trafficking of aborted fetal tissue.

I also voted this week to defund Planned Parenthood for one year and to allow states to choose whether abortion providers can participate as providers in their Medicaid programs. This is the second time I supported legislation this Congress to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood until there is a thorough investigation of the organization.

Prior to the vote, I had the opportunity to demand answers from the President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, on the organization's use of federal funding and taxpayer dollars during an Oversight and Government Reform Hearing. During questioning, I raised serious concerns about the excessive spending at the organization while government funding makes up 41 percent of their revenues. Click here to see more.

Seeking Justice for Victims of Iran's Terrorist Regime

I continued my fight against the Iran nuclear deal this week by voting to prevent the Obama Administration from moving forward with sanctions relief until Iran meets its obligations to victims of its terrorist activities. The Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act requires the Obama Administration to certify to Congress that Iran has paid court-ordered damages to terror victims before it can move forward with the sanctions relief.

In the past 15 years, more than 80 judgments have been handed down against Iran under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) exception for state sponsors of terrorism. The terrorism exception to FSIA permits civil suits against terrorist states by their U.S. victims. Since the terrorism exception was created, Iran has accumulated over $43.5 billion in unpaid damages in U.S. courts. Despite Iran’s refusal to pay, it stands to gain $150 billion when sanctions are lifted under the nuclear deal.

The Obama Administration is handing the Iranian regime a pay day while their American victims are waiting for justice. Iran owes over $43.5 billion in unpaid damages in U.S. courts yet our President is writing the hostile regime a $150 billion check by removing sanctions under the nuclear deal. The families of these victims have gone through a nightmare and they deserve what they were promised by a court of law. It is unfathomable that the administration would put the regime responsible for these horrific terror attacks ahead of the American families who have to live with the devastating repercussions.

From our nation's Capitol xxxvii

Monday, September 28, 2015: Perhaps the only thing better than a grand opening is a grand re-

opening. This past Saturday, I was honored to speak at the grand re-opening of Georgia Transformer, the former Efacec Power Transformer facility in Effingham County. The acquisition of this plant by Georgia Transformer not only preserved more than 200 jobs by keeping the facility open with no layoffs, it also brought an investment by the new company that will result in 150-200 new jobs. Quite a success story! I also visited Octoberfest in Rincon before heading down to Waycross and the Okefenokee Swamp Park for their Osprey Society Annual Event on Saturday night. On Sunday, I was honored to speak at Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup as they honored the Wayne County Public Servants. Later that afternoon, I read scripture during the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Novak organ at my church, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, in downtown Savannah. This morning starts with a radio interview with Bill Edwards of WTKS 1290 in Savannah as we discuss the events of last week in Washington, including the Pope’s visit, the resignation of Speaker John A. Boehner and defunding Planned Parenthood. After visiting with my good friends Bill and Mark Grainger at Grainger Honda in Garden City to discuss issues relating to new car dealerships, I head to the airport for another week of work in Washington. My first

meeting of the week is with school Administrators from Liberty, Long and Camden Counties to discuss impact aid and other concerns followed by a meeting with the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the state agency that administers Georgia’s scholarships and grants. After our weekly staff meeting, I head to a meeting with Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) who is running for Whip in the upcoming House Republican Conference leadership races before heading to a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to discuss the Planned Parenthood hearing being held Tuesday. I finish the day with a meeting with members of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce who are in town for the Georgia Chambers annual fly-in.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015: I have another radio interview this morning, this time with Scott James with Talk 92.1 in Valdosta, to discuss the events of last week as well as the budget that is set to expire tomorrow. Afterwards, I head to the Capitol for a Republican Conference meeting before a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform meeting where we question Cecile Richards, the President of Planned Parenthood regarding the recently released vile and disgusting videos involving Planned Parenthood and the selling of fetal tissue and the body parts of the unborn. Next, I head to a hearing of the subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions of the Education and the Workforce Committee where we discuss H.R. 3459, the Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act. After a meeting with the Atlanta International Forwarders and Brokers Association, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on H.R. 3495, the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act. A link to my speech can be found here. This bill would allow states to opt-out of Medicaid contracts – the largest source of taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood – with entities that perform abortions. While some states have tried, the federal government has prevented their efforts. Following our first vote series of the day, I head to a meeting of the Education and Workforce Committee to discuss our mark up of bills tomorrow then head to the Capitol Visitors Center where I have the opportunity to address members of the

Georgia Chamber of Commerce before heading back to my office to meet with Richard Wood with the Glynn County Board of Elections. After a meeting with representatives from the United Fresh Produce Association, I head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and then to the Capitol for a members-only meeting of the Republican Conference. I finish the day with a meeting with members of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015: Today is a busy day as we begin with a meeting of the Committee on Homeland Security where we have a mark-up on 15 different bills before heading to the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we have another mark-up. Next, I meet with representatives from the National Fisheries Institute – including Michael Alexander, Daryl Miller, and Russ Mentzer of Glynn County – to discuss the importance of the seafood industry in Georgia before heading to a meeting of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative group of Republican members that meets once a week. Next, I head back to my office where I meet with members of the Home Care

Association of America, including my good friends from Savannah, Martin Miller and Freda Smith, as well as Christy Joyner from Blackshear. After a meeting with the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association, represented by my old friend Bill Morie, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head back to my office for a meeting with Mark Donald, DMD, President of the Academy of General Dentistry, followed by a meeting with Emily Pelton from Georgia Voices & Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network. Next, I attend a meeting with communications expert Frank Luntz before heading back to the floor for our second and final vote series of the day. After attending a roundtable discussion with Republican Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, I head to a meeting of the Georgia Research Aliiance where we recognize Senator Johnny Isakson for his work on behalf of this group. My day ends with a visit to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Annual Banquet where I meet with my good friend Marty Daniel with Daniel Defense in Black Creek.

Thursday, October 1, 2015: I have my third radio interview of the week this morning, this time with Chris Beckham with Newstalk 105.9 in Valdosta to discuss the Continuing Resolution that was passed yesterday to keep the Federal Government from shutting down. I have three meetings this morning beginning with Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods with representatives from Chatham and Wayne Counties. Next, I meet with my good friend, Hugh Armstrong, Jr., from Jesup before meeting with Care Master Medical Services based in Griffin. Next, I head to a meeting of the Southern Delegation, a group of Congressman from the Southern region before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. After a meeting with other members of the Georgia delegation, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. As soon as the votes are over, I rush to Reagan National Airport to try and make a flight to Jacksonville so I can attend an event in Jesup tonight, only to be 8 minutes late and miss the flight and the event. My only other option is to head to Washington-Dulles Airport and catch a flight to Savannah.

Friday, October 2, 2015: I’m off to Waycross today as I tour the Hazzard Hill Early Head Start Center. This great facility delivers much needed services to the children in the Waycross area and the dedicated personnel are some of the best around. Next, I enjoy a visit with many of the public safety officials from Ware and surrounding counties as the Superior Court Judges from the local circuit recognize them for their fine work at the home of Huey Davis, Sr. Afterwards, I visit the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth (GPT) as they share with me the innovative and trendsetting programs that they are offering. Utilizing the internet, these healthcare professionals can provide patients from all over the world diagnostic services that they may otherwise take days to obtain or may not be able to obtain at all. This is without question the wave of the future in healthcare. I finish the day with a town hall meeting sponsored by the Waycross Chamber of Commerce where I deliver an update on federal issues and hear from citizens about their concerns.