Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

Our Livelihoods

My top three priorities are (in no particular order): (1) jobs; (2) jobs; and (3) jobs.  In order to grow the economy, maintain our nation’s competitiveness across the globe, and put Americans to work, I have supported investing in rebuilding our nation’s roads, schools, ports, and other infrastructure; raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to put more money into the hands of working Americans; bolstering education and worker training initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels; providing tax credits to employers to provide affordable health insurance to their employees; and reducing regulatory burdens and paperwork requirements to unleash initiative.

I am a strong supporter of policies that make health care more accessible and affordable to all Americans regardless of their background and income.  These policies include protecting Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians; increasing funding for medical research; expanding community health care centers; reducing physician shortages; preventing childhood obesity; lowering the costs of prescription drugs; holding insurance companies accountable to keep premiums down and prevent denials of care and coverage, including for pre-existing conditions; and improving veterans’ health care.

It is vital that individuals and families have access to the American Dream – namely, homeownership.  I support legislation to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, stop predatory and irresponsible mortgage loan practices, increase the supply of affordable housing, expand veteran and rural housing opportunities, promote fair housing education and enforcement activities, and finance community development initiatives.

I am a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.  I believe that law-abiding adults should be free to exercise their right to purchase, own, and carry firearms for the protection of their homes and families.  I received an A+ from the National Rifle Association for the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and the 111th Congress (2009-2010).

Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy.  I support legislation to establish a lending fund to provide community banks with capital to increase small business lending.  I also support investing in innovative state small business lending programs, providing tax incentives to purchase employee health insurance coverage, reducing regulatory burdens and unnecessary paperwork, and enacting measures to spur small business creation and new jobs.

 

More on Our Livelihoods

Dec 4, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02) voted to open opportunities for people with disabilities to build a tax-exempt savings account to pay for higher education expenses, a primary residence, transportation, obtaining and maintaining employment, health and wellness, and other personal needs. The bipartisan Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE Act (H.R. 647), of which Congressman Bishop is a co-sponsor, was approved by the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 404 to 7.

Dec 4, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported strengthening the economy and providing certainty to Middle and Southwest Georgia taxpayers by voting in favor of H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The bill extends more than four dozen tax provisions that expired at the end of calendar year 2013 that would benefit businesses and individuals; H.R. 5771 was approved by a vote of 378 to 46 and now goes to the United States Senate for its consideration.

Nov 18, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement on the passing of former Georgia Governor Carl E. Sanders:

Oct 10, 2014 Press Release

MACON, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement lamenting the deaths of Georgia Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. James Swartz, an aerospace propulsion superintendent with the 116th Air Control Wing; Georgia Air National Guard Master Sgt Daniel Paschal, an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 116th ACW; and active-duty Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Schoenhoff, an instrument and flight control systems specialist with the 461st Air Control Wing.

Sep 24, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led 57 of his colleagues in supporting increasing opportunities for the employment of persons with disabilities by co-authoring a letter requesting the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) explain their degree of adherence to the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Act, which requires federal agencies to buy products and services from an agency employing individuals with disabilities.

Sep 16, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement today in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15:

“National Hispanic Heritage Month is an excellent opportunity for Americans to join together in celebration of the immeasurable contributions of the Latino community to our great nation.

Sep 11, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement today to commemorate the 13th Anniversary of 9/11:

“Thirteen years ago, a sharp pain was brought upon our homeland and changed us forever. We continue to remember the bravery of all our heroes: from the first responders, to our service members, to the strength of the everyday American. We remember the lives that were lost and our thoughts and prayers go to the families and communities who have suffered.”

Sep 3, 2014 Press Release

COLUMBUS, GA – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) joined Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) Vice President and Vice Chair Wanda Felton for a roundtable discussion and tour of Swift Spinning in Columbus, Georgia.

Sep 3, 2014 Press Release

Macon, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is proud to announce that Macon-Bibb County has received a FY14 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award totaling $78,254 from the U.S. Department of Justice. The award will allow Macon-Bibb County to purchase law enforcement equipment as well as provide education and supervision services for the Drug Court Outreach program.

Aug 14, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding the 79th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security program:

Pages