Fiscal Responsibility
I am a member of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, which is “dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.” I support amending the United States Constitution to require a balanced budget and ensure that lawmakers act in a fiscally responsible manner. I also have co-sponsored The No Budget, No Pay Act, which states that if Congress does not approve its budget and all appropriations conference reports by October 1st every year, then Members of Congress do not get paid. I am a supporter of PAYGO, which requires that new spending or tax changes do not increase the federal deficit. Finally, I support a long-term budget agreement that would reduce the deficit, reform the tax code and entitlements, and make the necessary investments to create jobs, improve infrastructure, educate our children, train our workers, and grow the economy into the future.
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ATHENS - January 23, 2013 Applications are currently being accepted for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) for projected 2013 funding of the program. The Rural Development’s RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array of activities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement commending the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on launching a new microloan program aimed at assisting small and beginning farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers secure loans up to $35,000.
Public encouraged to comment on new proposals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed two new food safety rules that will help prevent foodborne illness. The proposed rules implement the landmark, bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and are available for public comment for the next 120 days. FDA encourages Americans to review and comment on these important proposed rules.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) expressed their concern with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to not waive its’ mandate on the use of corn for ethanol production, ignoring the needs of family farmers and poultry producers. Affected negatively by drought conditions, corn production has decreased, which has driven up the cost of feed grain.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, welcomed notification of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision to terminate an antidumping investigation that has hurt U.S. tomato growers. In a July 2012 letter to Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Congressman Bishop stood in support of Georgia’s tomato industry concerning unfair Mexican trade practices.
Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted in favor of H.R. 3409, the “Coal Miner Employment and Domestic Energy Infrastructure Protection Act” in order to keep energy prices affordable, to streamline the federal regulatory process, and to prevent regulatory initiatives that unnecessarily impede economic growth.
Mr. Bishop (GA) – Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Erin Daly and the rest of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program team at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for being selected to receive a 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary’s Honor Award in the category of “assisting rural communities to create prosperity so they are self-sustaining, repopulating, and economically thriving.” The team and its program leader, Dr. S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, welcomed advance notification of the Mexican government’s decision to delay the implementation of anti-dumping duties on U.S. chicken leg quarters. In June 2012, the Congressional Chicken Caucus sent a letter to Ambassador Ron Kirk, the U.S. Trade Representative, expressing its concern that antidumping duties would have a devastating economic impact on the U.S. Chicken Industry and supporting industries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement today announcing the awarding of five new and continuing grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and landowners in Georgia. A total of 70 grants were awarded throughout the United States through the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) Competitive Grants Program, also known as the “2501 Program.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported H.R. 6233, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act, which would authorize assistance to farmers affected by drought, wildfires, and other natural disasters that occurred in fiscal year 2012.