| Questions and Answers |
Dear Friends,
Thank you to everyone who was able to jump on the line last Thursday for our first telephone town hall of the year and the new Congress. I’m always encouraged by the number of great ideas and questions that come from these forums. It was no surprise that the border wall and current government stalemate were the leading topics of the night. As I mentioned on the phone call, I will continue to fight to ensure that we both secure our southern border and reopen the federal government. I look forward to continuing this conversation, whether it’s on the phone, in a meeting, or even via email. Please keep the ideas coming.
During the call, I asked two poll questions, and the results are in!
If you ever have a question or opinion about the work I'm doing in Congress or need help with a federal agency, please reach out to my office by phone at 478-457-0007 or 770-207-1776 or email at hice.house.gov. I look forward to holding several more telephone town halls this year to hear directly from you!
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| Shutdown Update |
As many of you know, the government is still at an impasse over funding negotiations. If there is one thing that has become even clearer over the past few days, it’s that Congressional Democrats show no signs that they will participate in good faith negotiations or break with their open border agenda.
For instance on Tuesday, House Democrats declined to even meet with President Trump and other Republican members to further discuss government funding. Then on Saturday, the President presented another reasonable offer – a solution that would secure the southern border, reopen the government, grant three years of protection for DACA and TPS recipients, and provide assistance for the growing humanitarian crisis. Within minutes of the announcement, their leadership said it was a “non-starter.”
By refusing to sit down with White House and Congressional officials, Democrats have sent a clear message to the American people: They will only reopen the government on their terms and will not participate in any other dialogue. It's perplexing that some Democrats can make time to jet off to Puerto Rico with lobbyists, but they can't fit negotiating essential funding bills into their calendars.
People across the United States are being hurt by this shutdown. Inaction and refusal to even take a seat at the negotiating table help no one. It’s impossible to find a real compromise if the other side isn’t even willing to show up.
For the sake of our national security and the Americans who want and need to get back to work, it’s time for Democrats to get serious about governing. Gridlock is not a solution. Refusing meetings is not a solution. Threatening to delay the State of the Union is not a solution. The fact remains that the only way out of this mess is a bipartisan compromise that recognizes and adequately addresses border security.
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| Champions for Life |
Last Friday, on the 46th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, folks from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to stand up and support our most basic and fundamental God-given right: life. The unborn are among the most vulnerable in our society, and I’m committed to defending the right to life in Congress. In keeping with this promise, earlier this month, I proudly reintroduced H.R. 305, the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which defines life as beginning at conception.
Unfortunately, House Democrats have already voted to hand taxpayer dollars to international abortion advocates by repealing the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy. I strongly condemned this attempt to allow U.S. foreign aid money to be used to perform or promote abortion.
On top of opposing initiatives that infringe on the rights of the unborn, I’ve proactively cosponsored dozens of new bills that aim to expand their protections and prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, including H.R. 369, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, that prohibits federal funding from going to entities that perform abortions and reallocates those dollars to community health centers.
I also joined 169 House Members and 49 Senators in publicly thanking President Trump last week for committing to veto any legislation that weakens current federal pro-life policies. I’m proud to reaffirm my commitment to protecting life at every stage, and you can count on me to continue to stand up every day on the behalf of the unborn.
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| Remembering MLK |
As we honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday, we were once again reminded that his memory is imprinted on the fabric of our Nation and his legacy continues to inspire millions of people around the world. Dr. King was undoubtedly an American hero.
He taught us about the strength to love in the face of hate, affirming that “darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” He showed us resilience in the face of adversity and injustice by working every single day for equality and unity. Because of Dr. King’s unending quest for justice, our American family is better off.
Over 50 years after his death, may we continue to live out his powerful messages each and every day.
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| District Connection: Calling All Vietnam Veterans |
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta is seeking veterans to honor during a special ceremony set for March. The medical center will spotlight 50 war heroes who served in Vietnam between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975. Interested participants must provide a copy of their DD-214s by Monday, February 25, 2019. Those who are not able to join the March ceremony will be placed on a list for future Vietnam Veteran spotlight events.
For more information, please contact Donna Ingram at (706) 733-0188 ext. 5959 or donna.ingram@va.gov. On behalf of the 10th Congressional District, I want to say a special thank you to every Vietnam veteran who faithfully served and sacrificed so much. We are grateful for your courage and want to ensure that you receive the recognition you deserve.
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| The Week Ahead |
My office is meant to be a resource for you, and I make sure that members of Team Hice are regularly available to assist constituents with problems or concerns at satellite office locations held throughout the 10th District. I encourage folks who may have questions regarding Social Security benefits, immigration applications, veterans’ services, or other federal programs to visit with my staff at an upcoming event.
The House will consider the following pieces of legislation:
H.R. 439 - National FFA Organization’s Federal Charter Amendments Act
H.R. 498 - Clean Up the Code Act of 2019
H.R. 31 - Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, as amended
H.R. 353 - To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes
H.R. 676 - NATO Support Act
H.R. 328 - Hack Your State Department Act
H.R. 624 - Promoting Transparent Standards for Corporate Insiders Act
H.R. 502 - FIND Trafficking Act
H.R. 56 - Financial Technology Protection Act
H.R. 424 - Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act
H.R. 480 - Homeland Threat Assessment Act
H.R. 495 - FIRST State and Local Law Enforcement Act
H.R. 428 - Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists’ Use of Virtual Currencies Act
H.R. 449 - Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act
H.R. 504 - DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act
H.R. 648 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019
As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!
Sincerely,
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| FOLLOW US |
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| In This Edition |
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- Questions and Answers
- Shutdown Update
- Champions for Life
- Remembering MLK
- District Connection
- The Week Ahead
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| Top News |
Erik Erickson (WSB-AM)
Atlanta, GA – 1/17
HASC Position, Part 1
Erik Erickson (WSB-AM )
Atlanta, GA – 1/17
HASC Position, Part 2
CSPAN – 1/15
Floor Speech on Border Wall
U.S. Rep. Jody Hice announces nominees to service academies
Athens Banner-Herald – 1/17
U.S. Congressman Jody Hice announced recently the names of 30 local high school students he has nominated for appointment to the United States Service academies. Each year, Hice is allowed to nominate eligible candidates to the United States Air Force Naval, Army and Marines academies. “Attending one of our Nation’s service academies is a high honor,” Hice said in a statement released by his office.
Hice hosting telephone town hall Jan. 17
Rockdale-Newton Citizen – 1/16
U.S. Representative Jody Hice (R-GA) today announced he will host his first live telephone town hall of the 116th Congress on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. for residents of Georgia’s 10th Congressional District. During the forum, Hice will provide constituents with a Washington update, discuss legislative priorities, and take questions from participants. “Ensuring folks have the opportunity to share their thoughts, questions, and concerns directly with me is a key part of my job,” said Congressman Hice. “As we begin not only a new year, but a new session of Congress, I’m looking forward to hearing how I can best represent the good people of Georgia’s 10th District in Washington. I welcome any chance to engage with them, and I’m grateful that these regular telephone town hall events are one more way that I can reach the community.”
Alabama Rep. Rips Media for Ignoring Victim Families of Criminal Aliens
Liberty Headlines – 1/16
Brooks was joined by Republican Congressmen Louie Gohmert of Texas, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Chip Roy of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Jody Hice of Georgia, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan. Five Angel Moms attended, including Wendy Corcoran, whose son Pierce was killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee by a drunk illegal alien repeat DUI offender in a head-on car crash.
‘Removing any member from a committee solely because they voted according to their constituents wishes is viewed very poorly by the general public…’
Liberty Headlines – 1/21
Establishment Republicans in Congress wielded their mafia-style tactics to take revenge on Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., who dared to withhold his vote from the Republican heir-apparent for speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy. When Republican leaders in the Steering Committee released a list of assignments on Thursday, Hice had lost his seat on the House Armed Services Committee, The Atlanta Journal–Constitution reported. Two weeks ago, Hice voted for Freedom Caucus founder Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to serve as speaker instead of McCarthy. Jordan received 43 votes in total, compared to McCarthy’s 159 votes, Roll Call reported.
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