Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

Our Communities

AGRICULTURE: Georgia’s farmers, ranchers, and producers are the backbone of our state’s most important industry: agriculture. As a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Peanut Caucus, I am a staunch supporter of the agricultural community in Georgia's Second Congressional District and the entire nation. I support assistance to farmers affected by drought, wildfires, and other natural disasters that occur each year. In addition, I have worked to ensure that the peanut support program remained strong in the 2014 Farm Bill; strengthen our nation's nutrition programs; reform the H2-A program for non-immigrant agricultural workers; bolster child nutrition programs in our nation’s schools; prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing burdensome regulations on agriculture; ensure that Mexican tomatoes and chicken do not drive down the prices of U.S.-produced tomatoes and chicken due to illegal dumping; and advance agricultural research, food safety initiatives, and broadband services to rural communities.

EDUCATION: As Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in education always pays the best dividends.” I have worked tirelessly to make our nation’s schools and universities accessible and affordable. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have secured millions of dollars for education programs, including new schools and libraries, after-school programs, math and science initiatives, school nutrition and physical education programs, as well as family counseling and youth mentoring. I strongly support legislation to make vital investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country and to encourage service and volunteer opportunities for all Americans. I believe we must make education a top priority by bridging the digital divide, promoting healthier school lunches, enhancing educational opportunities for veterans, encouraging colleges to rein in tuition increases, boosting college aid, strengthening programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and reinvigorating the Head Start program to help more children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 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.

TRANSPORTATION: Investing in our nation’s transportation infrastructure will create millions of jobs and boost economic activity.  I will continue to fight for Georgia’s Second Congressional District to receive its fair share of funding to improve its highways, roads, and bridges.  I support more highway-related construction jobs, reduced gasoline prices, and the increased use of biofuels.  I also support efforts to make our roads safer, increase fuel efficiency, and create an Infrastructure Bank to finance much needed investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, airports, railways, ports, broadband, and power grids.  

IMMIGRATION: It is vital that immigration reform is addressed to secure our borders, protect our workers, and grow the nation’s economy.  Immigration reform must include provisions that strengthen border security by increasing manpower, utilizing new technology and fencing, and providing the tools, resources, and infrastructure necessary to enforce existing immigration laws and punish offenders.  In addition, it is vital that immigration reform ensures the needs of various economic sectors such as agriculture that depend on guest workers to fill labor shortages are significant.  I have supported the DREAM Act, which would permit certain immigrant students who grow up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and to eventually obtain permanent legal status and become eligible for U.S. citizenship, if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military.

More on Our Communities

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.

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.

Oct 6, 2014 Press Release

DONALSONVILLE, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) strongly urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a more proactive strategy to halt and ultimately eradicate the growth of hydrilla from Lake Seminole in Georgia. The following concerns were sent by letter to Lieutenant General Thomas Bostick, the Commanding General and Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers.

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. — Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), co-chair of the bi-partisan Congressional Military Family Caucus (CMFC) joined Blue Star Families at the release of their yearly Military Family Lifestyle Survey. The key concerns of military families identified from this year’s survey were transition from the service, military pay, and changes to retirement benefits.

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 10, 2014 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) greeted the Georgia Chamber of Commerce at their annual Capitol Hill briefing as well as introduced his friend and colleague Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) to the delegation. The event was attended by representatives hailing from across Georgia’s business community.

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.

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