Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

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.  

More on Fiscal Responsibility

Apr 26, 2011 Press Release

Donalsonville, GA – Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) toured downtown Donalsonville, Georgia today to see the damage caused by severe storms and subsequent fires earlier this month. Donalsonville Mayor Joe Burke, City Manager Marty Shingler, and business owners affected by the storm, joined Rep. Bishop on the tour.

Mar 31, 2011 Press Release

WASHINGTON – Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) today voted to eliminate a costly and duplicative permitting requirement for the application of pesticides that would hurt local farmers and further stretch state budgets. The House passed H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 by a vote of 292 to 130. If signed into law, the bill would overturn the misguided court decision in National Cotton Council v. EPA.

Feb 23, 2011 Press Release

Atlanta, GA – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black today discussed the future of Georgia’s agriculture sector during a meeting at the Georgia Department of Agriculture office in Atlanta, Georgia.  At the meeting, both men highlighted what effect the looming budgetary pressures could have on Georgia Agriculture and pledged to work together on behalf of Georgia’s farmers.

Sep 17, 2010 Press Release

Washington, DC – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement on the USDA announcement this week of the USDA 2009 Disaster Assistance program, which exclusively covers upland cotton, rice, soybeans, and sweet potatoes.

“We all appreciate Senator Lincoln’s work on this issue and her attempt to provide disaster assistance for farmers. We never would have gotten this far in moving forward with assistance if it weren’t for her hard work.”

Jul 8, 2010 Op Ed

(Published in the Albany Herald)

I want to address the claims made in Mike Sabot’s letter to the editor in the June 10 edition of The Albany Herald. Contrary to the the claims in the letter, the result of the bill that Congressman Bishop signed (HR 1416) does not weaken ethics reform. Its intended purpose is to improve the Office of Congressional Ethics’ processes and ensure fairness. Nothing in it diminishes the standards of ethics for members or changes the punishment process for unethical behavior.

Feb 18, 2010 Press Release

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. released the following statement upon the Justice Department’s announcement of a settlement in the Pigford case:

Feb 2, 2010 Press Release

Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.’s issued the following statement on the FY2011 Agriculture Budget:

“I am highly disappointed in the president’s budget proposals to further reduce support for America’s peanut farmers. During the past several years, the peanut industry as a whole has made major concessions. In the 2008 Farm Bill, producers saw a price support system of 610.00 lower to 355.00 per ton. The agricultural budget proposals released yesterday will further erode our farmers’ safety net and that is unacceptable.

Jan 21, 2010 Press Release

Albany, Ga. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) on Thursday accepted the Georgia Peanut Commission’s “Work Horse” Award during the annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show at the Albany Civic Center.

Jan 14, 2010 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. released the following statement in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti:

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