For over 200 years, my family has farmed, hunted, and fished the land, rivers, and streams of central and eastern Georgia.  That's why I believe that one of my prime responsibilities in Congress is to preserve - for ourselves and for our children - the rural heritage and quality of life that we enjoy today. 

I believe polluters should pay for the mess they create, and that's why I oppose efforts to shift the cost of cleanup from polluters to taxpayers.

Those of us who hunt and fish are the first line of defense in protecting the environment, and we know that conservation and recreation go hand in hand. I'll always fight to respect and preserve our rural traditions and the unique character of our communities. 

I know that the right to bear arms is just as important as the right to access land for hunting and fishing.  And in Congress, I've consistently voted to protect our 2nd Amendment rights and defend our lands for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.  Since taking office, I've:

• Supported the "Open Fields Bill," to help increase access to public hunting and fishing lands, while also encouraging better wildlife habitat management.
• Cosponsored and voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, to prohibit frivolous lawsuits from being filed against the manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition arising out of the misuse of their products by others.  This bill would also make sure that these same manufacturers are held responsible if they make a defective product or break the law.
• Voted to oppose a national database of gun owners so that our privacy and constitutional rights are protected.
• Supported the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, the most significant conservation bill in 15 years.  This bill creates 2 million new acres of wilderness across 9 states, establishes 3 new national park units, designates 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, designates a National Monument and 3 National Conservation Areas, protects world-class hunting land in the Wyoming Range, and recognizes new Historic Sites and Heritage Areas.