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
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Georgia and Federal Emergency Management Agencies (GEMA and FEMA) are slated to begin a joint preliminary damage assessment (PMA) later this week to establish the total costs resulting from the storms and tornadoes that hit Southwest and Middle Georgia early last week.
This joint PMA follows a state of emergency being declared in Calhoun, Mitchell, Baker, and Dougherty counties by Governor Deal last Thursday, January 5. The findings of the joint PMA will inform a decision by Governor Deal on whether to request federal disaster assistance.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding last night’s storms in Middle and Southwest Georgia:
“My prayers go out to all those impacted by the terrible storms that swept through the Middle and Southwest Georgia region. The damage was significant, and my office stands open and ready to assist those affected.
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP SUPPORTS PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT AND ASSIST FLINT, MICHIGAN
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted in support of H.R. 2028, a short-term measure to fund the federal government through April 28, 2017. Congressman Bishop also voted in support of S. 612, legislation to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan and to provide financial support for water infrastructure projects across the country.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack designated an additional three counties within the State of Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions. These counties include Terrell County and Taylor County, located in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, as well as Warren County, located between Atlanta and Augusta.
WASHINGTON, D.C – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is proud to share that the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) has awarded loans totaling $26.1 million to 12 Georgia communities, including two in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. The loans will finance infrastructure improvements for water, sewer, and solid waste treatment plants throughout the state.
PEACH COUNTY, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding the recent shooting in Peach County, Georgia:
“My deepest condolences go out to the family of the Peach County deputy, Patrick Sondon, who lost his life Sunday while serving his community. Deputy Sondon was shot and killed while responding to a dispute between neighbors. A second Peach County deputy was wounded in the same incident and remains in critical condition.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the next phase of its 2016 National Resources Inventory-Conservation Effects Assessment Project (NRI-CEAP). The USDA will be surveying 16,000 farmers and ranchers until February 2017 to document conservation and production practices. This survey will help USDA develop voluntary, science-based solutions and incentives for improving conservation at farms and ranches.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sanford Bishop is pleased to share that USDA has extended the end of the 2016 grazing period for the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) from October 31 to December 1, 2016. The grazing period helps determine eligibility for LFP assistance for those farmers impacted by drought. This decision follows a discussion last Friday between Congressman Bishop and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding drought conditions in Southwest and Middle Georgia counties.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has announced over $3 billion in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP aids low-income families and individuals with bill payments, energy crises, energy efficiency improvements, and energy-related home repairs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, in accordance with Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, sent a letter last week designating three counties within the State of Georgia as contiguous disaster areas due to recent drought conditions in Georgia and Alabama. These designated areas include Chattahoochee, Muscogee, and Stewart counties in Georgia.