Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
State & National November 22, 2017
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) last week held a round table discussion about the upcoming farm bill with Georgia farmers and industry leaders.
“Agriculture is one of Georgia’s largest economic drivers and a way of life for many people in our state. I saw this firsthand while working on my family’s farm as a teenager,” said Senator Perdue. “It was great to hear from Georgia farmers and industry leaders about their priorities for the upcoming farm bill since this legislation impacts them directly. Their input is critical as we work toward developing a farm bill that will contribute to a safer, stronger, and more abundant agricultural industry.”
Senator David Perdue Comments On President Trump’s Visit To Southern Border
News, State & National August 23, 2017
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 7, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Ines Owens, Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Specialist
[email protected]
404.656.0028
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism TOMORROW from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and WEDNESDAY from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Sen. David Lucas, Sr. represents the 26th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston and Jones Counties and all of Hancock, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or by email at[email protected].
Senator David Perdue Comments On President’s Budget
State & National February 13, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, comments on the release of President Trump’s budget for fiscal year 2019:
“Since coming to the United States Senate, I’ve been warning that because of our debt crisis we are losing the right to do the right thing in funding our country’s priorities. Last week’s funding situation and this budget underscores just how broken our budget process has become. We have reached the point where if we do not make serious changes to our large and growing entitlement programs, we will never be able to balance our budget. President Trump has been successful in turning around the economy and removing excess regulations. We have already passed the tipping point, but this has bought us some time. No matter which party is in control in Washington, we need to see a serious commitment to solving this debt crisis and creating a stable fiscal future for our country.”
Gooch: Senate Gets Down to Business
State & National January 22, 2018
Senate Gets Down to BusinessBy: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) Although the Senate was in session for only two days this week, my colleagues and I were very busy under the Gold Dome addressing budget proposals and a key piece of legislation on the Senate Floor. The week started with Joint Senate and House Appropriations hearings on the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. Governor Deal kicked off the hearings which included several different agencies presenting their budget proposals. I am happy to say that the state’s budget continues to be in good shape, with the General FY19 budget topping $26 billion for the first time. The General FY19 budget proposals were drafted with an estimated 2.9 percent state fund growth and around 3.8 percent tax revenue growth over the Amended FY18 revenue estimates. Included in the General FY19 budget are increases in funding for education and transportation. The General FY19 budget addresses the needs for the state to meet determined employer contributions within the Teachers Retirement System with a proposed increase of around $364 million. Additionally, around $120 million would be appropriated for enrollment growth and training. Along with these positive changes in the General FY19 budget, an important proposal in the Amended FY18 budget is adding $15 million to purchase 194 school buses statewide. This will positively impact our students by ensuring that buses are not overcrowded. The state’s growing need to address transportation infrastructure is also addressed in the General FY19 budget. An additional $31.6 million in projected revenues resulting from House Bill 170 – passed during the 2015 Legislation Session – will be added to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) budget. I am very happy to see that a piece of legislation we passed a couple of years ago is still making positive impacts for GDOT. Along with attending the budget hearings and carefully reviewing the proposals for the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets, my colleagues and I took up a very important piece of legislation in Senate Chamber. On Thursday, the Senate passed the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, also known as the Adoption Bill, or HB 159. This bill passed with bipartisan support and is now headed over to the House of Representatives for their review. Final passage of this legislation and a signature into law by the Governor would allow our state to update our adoption system which has been the same for nearly 30 years. The Senate’s version of HB 159 clarifies many of the laws regarding who can adopt, who can act as a legal guardian and the rights held by the biological parents before and after giving their child up for adoption. Additionally, the version the Senate passed on Thursday states that if an agency is not involved in a private adoptive process, living expenses cannot be paid. The only expenses that can be paid in a private adoption are medical and counseling. These are just some of the highlights of the Senate version of HB 159. As this legislation moves through the legislative process, my colleagues and I will work with the Governor and House of Representatives to ensure there is cooperation to address concerns anyone may have. It is imperative that we pass this legislation so that we can assist the large number of children who are in foster care and need a loving and stable home. The pace of the session is going to pick up quickly with standing committees beginning to hold meetings next week to vet legislation pending from last year along with new bills introduced this year. As we move forward in the session, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns and feedback. It is always great to hear from my constituents and our door is always open. |
Senator David Perdue Discusses Immigration Latest On Fox News & ABC
State & National January 15, 2018
Senator David Perdue Discusses Immigration Latest On Fox News & ABC
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Trish Regan on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures and George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week about recent meetings at the White House to fix the legal immigration system.
Highlights from Sunday Morning Futures
Negotiating A Deal: “The President has been very clear that any solution to DACA must include border security, including the wall, an end to chain migration, and an end to the visa lottery. Last week, we had two meetings at the White House. President Trump is very engaged on this issue, just like he was on tax. I’m hopeful we can get symmetry in this negotiation. In my business experience, that’s how you get to a deal and I still think there is a possibility to do that.”
Double Talk From Democrats: “It’s a gross distraction from the issue. Senators Schumer and Durbin both talked about ending parts of chain migration on the Senate floor. We’re doing things that the Democrats have voted for and have supported in the past. Under Bill Clinton in the 90s, we had a Presidential Commission actually recommend limiting chain migration and recommend moving to a merit-based immigration system based on who you are and not where you are from. The problem now is politics. That’s what’s so frustrating to all of us.”
Focusing The Scope: “Congress has failed three times in the last 11 years to fix the immigration system because they’ve been too comprehensive and tried to solve the legal problem, the temporary work visa problem, and the illegal immigration problem at the same time. What we’re doing now is limiting this debate to just the legal immigration system and I believe we can get to a solution.”
President’s Agenda Is Working: “If this were any other president getting the results that we’re getting right now in the economy, we would be crowing about the results. Two million new jobs created last year, 860 rules and regulations pulled back, 500 bureaucrats fired at the VA for non-performance, 300 fired in the Department of Education, consumer confidence is at a 17-year high, CEO confidence is at a 20-year high, 123 companies decided to give year-end bonuses because of our action on tax. This economy is beginning to move and what we have to do now is focus on immigration, infrastructure, and trade to keep moving the economy forward.”
Responding To Hawaii: “I don’t know the details of that yet, but it just heightens the fact that somebody made a mistake somewhere. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I can assure you that we’ll get to the bottom of that.”
Highlights from This Week
Solving DACA: “The problem is Washington career politicians who just want to pander to their base. What we have right now is a gross misrepresentation of a meeting from Thursday. Two days earlier, the President held an hour-long open meeting with the media where Democrats and Republicans from both the House and Senate debated the issue. We want to solve the DACA problem. We want border security with a wall. We want to end chain migration and the visa lottery. That’s the scope we all agreed on Tuesday.”
Record Of Misrepresenting: “In 2013, Senator Durbin made the same allegation against a Republican leader in a meeting with President Obama, saying he chewed out the president and that this Republican leader was so disrespectful to President Obama they couldn’t even have the meeting. That’s what he said that in 2013. Later that day, President Obama’s own press secretary came out and said, ‘it did not happen.’ This is about a gross misrepresentation, and it’s not the first time.”
Current Negotiation Parameters: “We’re focusing on four things. The President has been consistent all along about what he wants in an immigration deal. I have been consistent. Senator Cotton has been consistent. Any deal on DACA has to include border security, including a wall, and the end to chain migration. That’s been consistent for the past year.”
Georgia Trend Names Sen. Steve Gooch One of Georgia’s Most Influential People
State & National January 9, 2018
Georgia Trend Names Sen. Steve Gooch One of Georgia’s Most Influential People
ATLANTA (January 8, 2018) | Senator Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) was recognized as one of Georgia’s most influential people by Georgia Trend magazine. The magazine’s annual list recognizes the 100 Most Influential Georgians.
“It is an honor to be recognized among this distinguished list of leaders in our great state,” said Sen. Gooch. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and local community leaders to keep Georgia moving in the right direction. Over the past several years, we have seen numerous businesses moving to Georgia leading to additional economic growth and job creation. We will work hard during this upcoming session to continue this progress for our state.”
Georgia Trend recognized Sen. Gooch’s work in the Georgia Senate and his consistent efforts to improve education and public schools for children in his district and around the state. They also acknowledged his work on job creation, immigration, tax reform and the right to bear arms. Sen. Gooch has also been a leader for transportation in Georgia.
Georgia Trend releases their 100 Most Influential Georgians list annually. The list includes individuals who make a positive impact on the lives of Georgians and make decisions that affect the wellbeing of the state. Naming the top 100 is a year-round process and the final list includes those who “have exhibited the character necessary to inspire, challenge, lead – and influence us.”
Additional information can be found on the Georgia Trend magazine website link below:
http://www.georgiatrend.com/January-2018/2018-100-Most-Influential-Georgians/
Senator David Perdue Works To Strengthen Georgia’s HBCUs
State & National January 9, 2018
Senator David Perdue Works To Strengthen Georgia’s HBCUs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, joined Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to help improve the financial health of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), some of our nation’s most critical higher education institutions.
Despite the fact that HBCUs provide educational opportunities to some of our nation’s most promising students, these institutions too often struggle financially. The HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act would make technical changes to the HBCU Capital Financing Program, providing HBCUs access to capital financing or refinancing for the repair, renovation, and construction of campus infrastructure. These changes will allow more institutions to have access to the program, helping to offset disproportions faced by HBCUs in the private bond market.
“Georgia is home to 10 fantastic HBCUs that play an important role in educating America’s next leaders,” said Senator Perdue. “I am working to ensure all HBCUs in Georgia have the opportunity to get financial assistance for capital improvement projects that will only contribute to their positive impact on our state.”
Background
There are currently 10 HBCUs located in Georgia including Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, Paine College, Savannah State University, and Spelman College. Senator Perdue has consistently worked to promote the interests of Georgia’s HBCUs in the U.S. Senate.
- Senator Perdue met with Georgia’s HBCU leadership.
- Senator Perdue applauded President Trump’s support for our country’s HBCUs.
- Senator Perdue secured funds to support minority women in STEM at HBCUs in this year’s defense bill.
Senator David Perdue Discusses Historic Tax Cuts On CNBC
State & National December 20, 2017
Senator David Perdue Discusses Historic Tax Cuts On CNBC
“The person who is going to benefit the most in this tax plan is the person that gets a job”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Joe Kernen, Becky Quick, and Andrew Sorkin on CNBC’s Squawk Box about the historic action the U.S. Senate has taken to fix the tax code, help middle-class families, and make America more competitive again.
Historic Opportunity: “It’s a historic day in Washington. People are expecting us to get tax done, and I think we will.”
Simplifying The Code: “This is a simplification. Only 30% of taxpayers today itemize, and that’s projected to go down to 10%. To say it another way, 90% of all taxpayers will use the standard deduction, which was doubled in this plan. This is by any definition simplification.”
Growing Optimism: “Getting our corporate rate to be competitive with the rest of the world is the best thing we can do for the American worker, and I think that’s what you’re seeing in some of these optimism numbers now.”
Relief For The Middle Class: “This is indeed a tax cut for the middle class. A family of four, who make the median income of $73,000, are going to get a 60% tax cut. A single mom, with one child, making $41,000 is going to get a 75% tax cut.”
Making America Competitive: “Our focus here is to get competitive again, and the person who is going to benefit the most in this tax plan, is the person that gets a job.”
Senator David Perdue Announces Bipartisan Agreement To Reduce Dodd-Frank Regulations
State & National November 20, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) and 17 members on the Senate Banking Committee have drafted a bipartisan proposal to roll back significant portions of the Dodd-Frank Act, providing regulatory relief for Georgia’s community banks, credit unions, mid-sized banks, regional banks, and custody banks, none of whom contributed to the financial crisis of 2008. The proposal also improves important consumer protections, particularly for veterans, senior citizens, and victims of fraud.
“This is a huge win for our rural communities, small businesses, and the banks supporting them,” said Senator David Perdue. “This proposal will improve access to capital for small businesses, particularly in Georgia’s rural communities who have struggled with overregulation. In addition to this proposal, there is still work to be done. We will continue working with Secretary Mnuchin and the Trump Administration to eliminate even more regulations for consumers and business.”
“We appreciate the hard work of Senator David Perdue on behalf of the bankers and consumers in Georgia,” said Joe Brannen, President & CEO of the Georgia Bankers Association. “We are more hopeful that true relief can be accomplished in the near future so that Georgia bankers can continue to serve their communities in even more meaningful ways.”
Last spring, the Senate Banking Committee issued a request for legislative proposals from stakeholders, companies, and consumers aimed at creating economic growth. The committee then held a series of hearings exploring these ideas and has been drafting this proposal since that time. Democrats agreed that significant regulations of Dodd-Frank were negatively impacting local economics across the nation and joined Republicans in drafting this proposal.
Three key bills sponsored by Senator Perdue are included in this agreement: the Reciprocal Deposits Bill, the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act, and the PROTECT Act, which simplifies the credit freezing process. View the proposal’s text here and a summary here.
Highlights of the bipartisan package include:
- Improves consumer access to mortgage credit;
- Provides regulatory relief for small financial institutions and protects consumer access to credit;
- Provides specific protections for veterans, consumers and homeowners; and
- Tailors regulations for banks to better reflect their business models.
Senator David Perdue Refutes Misinformation On Tax
State & National November 10, 2017
Senator David Perdue Refutes Misinformation On Tax
“No excuse for this nonsense. I think it’s our role, on both sides, to call out these untruths.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke on the Senate floor to set the record straight on Democrat’s false assumptions on tax, which have been proven wrong.
Highlights
Citing Retracted Studies: “On Monday, The Tax Policy Center released a study saying that the House plan to change the tax code would raise taxes on 25% of American families. The study didn’t even survive a full day. It was retracted later that afternoon. It’s not even publicly available online to review. But do you know what is still public? The Democrat statements that came out of that report, false statements highlighting this study as reality.”
Perpetuating Falsehoods: “The website Vox posted a story about the Tax Policy Center study titled, ‘The Numbers Are In And The House Republican Tax Bill Raises Taxes On Nearly One-Third of Americans.’ Sure, they say they’ll update the story once new numbers are available. In the meantime, this headline and story are still in existence as if they were true. Why wouldn’t they take down the story? Why wouldn’t they change the headline?”
Failing Fact Checks: “Multiple members of the Minority Party have said the tax framework supported by President Trump would raise taxes on families earning less than $86,000 per year. This talking point is so wrong that even The Washington Post came out and said so. They gave this claim four Pinocchios. That’s the worst rating you can get on their fact check.”
Putting On A Show: “The Minority Party is doing all it can to try and stop us from getting this done this year because it makes good politics somehow. That’s the only explanation I see. It just doesn’t make any sense. Why would someone oppose giving the middle class a tax break? Why would someone oppose making America competitive again? Why would someone oppose bringing billions of dollars of U.S. profits back into the United States so they can be reinvested in the economy and create jobs?”
Ignoring National Interest: “If Democrats were acting in our national interest, we’d be hearing about the studies showing that, on average, Americans are projected to get a pay increase between $4,000-$9,000 under this plan. We’d be hearing about how families making less than $86,000 per year are actually getting a tax cut. Again, that’s a point even The Washington Post acknowledged. We’d be hearing about how lowering the corporate tax rate and ending the tax on repatriated earnings will make us more competitive with the rest of the world. We’d be hearing about the economic growth that could result from these changes.”
Changing Their Tune: “There are members of the Minority Party who supported these changes to the tax code right up to the point President Trump took office. That’s no excuse for this nonsense. I think it’s our role, on both sides, to call out these untruths. It’s also our responsibility to stop this nonsense.”
Senator David Perdue Talks RAISE Act With Fox News’ Steve Hilton
Politics, State & National October 24, 2017
Senator David Perdue Talks RAISE Act With Fox News’ Steve Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Steve Hilton on Fox News Channel’s The Next Revolution With Steve Hilton about the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act and why it should be included in any solution to fix our country’s immigration problems.
Getting Back On Track: “Our immigration system has gotten off track in the last 50 years. We’ve looked at best practices around the world to see what can we do to address the issue. We found Australia and Canada that both have a system that’s pro-worker, it’s pro-growth and proven to work.”
Needs Of Our Economy: “This is based on a democratic idea in the early 90s under former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. The bipartisan commission headed up by Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, a Democrat, came to the conclusion we need to move in the direction of a point system and bring in workers who are qualified for the needs of our economy.”
Bipartisan Solution: “I believe we’ll get bipartisan support on this bill because it’s so common sense. It is pro-job, pro-worker and pro-growth. It’s proven to work in Canada and Australia. This is not an experiment. We know this will work.”
Leveling The Playing Field: “What we have now is a competition for labor around the world and for technical workers. This gives us a little more level playing field.”
Measured Approach: “A lot of people who immigrate here get trapped because they’re not qualified for the jobs that are available. About half of all immigrant households in America are in our welfare system. Nobody wants that for them. This is a way to try to protect both them, and the other workers that are coming in.”
Growing The Economy: “One of the ways you defend yourself is by having the best and the brightest talent in the world. That helped create this economic miracle over the last 70 years. We have the most qualified people in the world. Look at our nuclear capability today. It came from immigrants. Why wouldn’t we want to welcome those people?”
Senator David Perdue: We’re One Step Closer To Getting Tax Done This Year
Politics, State & National October 23, 2017
Senator David Perdue: We’re One Step Closer To Getting Tax Done This Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate moved one step closer to fixing our tax code this year:
“Let’s be very clear. This budget is a sham and the entire budget process is a fraud being perpetrated on the American people. Only four times in the past 43 years has the budget process fully worked to fund the government on time. The only reason we’re even doing the budget like this is to get tax done this year.
“In the middle of the dog-and-pony show tonight there was a glimmer of hope. Senator Whitehouse and I teamed up to author a bipartisan amendment to acknowledge our frustration with the budget process and the need to fix it. The U.S. Senate agreed unanimously that the budget process is broken. Getting the entire U.S. Senate, both Republicans and Democrats, to acknowledge the futility of the current budget process and the political side shows that come with it, is a step in the right direction. We need to fix this.
“It is all related. In order for the federal government to have the ability to act on our national priorities, we must solve the debt crisis. To solve the debt crisis, we have to fix our budget process. Job one is getting the economy going, and the economy will move if we get this tax deal done. It’s as simple as that.”
The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed by a voice vote to Senator Perdue’s bipartisan amendment with Senator Whitehouse that acknowledges Congress’ broken budget process (Perdue 1167).
Senator David Perdue Talks Tax On CNBC
State & National October 19, 2017
Senator David Perdue Talks Tax On CNBC
“The only reason we’re doing the budget like this, 18 days after the beginning of our fiscal year, is to get tax done this year.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Joe Kernen on CNBC’s Squawk Box about why the budget process is a sham and should be viewed as merely a way to fix our tax code this year.
A Total Sham: “Let’s be very clear. This budget is a sham. It’s a fraud that’s been perpetrated for the last 43 years since the Budget Act of 1974. The only reason we’re doing the budget like this, 18 days after the beginning of our fiscal year, is to get to a vehicle to get tax done this year.”
Budget Is Not A Law: “This is a resolution. It has nothing to do with how we’ll fund the government. Congress already passed a short-term spending deal that got us past the end of the fiscal year. Sometime between now and December 8th, six people will get in a room and decide how to spend over $1 trillion, and the rest of us will get an up or down vote on that.”
Getting To Tax: “I’m very confident we’ll get this budget done because the only reason we’re doing it this way is to get to the tax deal, which all of us are anxious to pass.”
Making America More Competitive: “Consumer confidence is at a 16-year high and over 800 regulations have already been reversed this year. Now we have the anticipation of passing this tax deal that will actually help our corporations and our workers become competitive with the rest of the world again.”
Funding The Military: “My argument is if you want to fund the military long-term, you better solve the debt crisis. To solve the debt crisis, we have to get after our budget process. If you really want to solve our funding issues, you better get the economy going, and the economy will move if we get this tax deal done. It’s just as simple as that.”
Helping American Workers: “We’ve got to lower the corporate tax rate, which is an onerous tax on American workers. It puts our workers at a disadvantage with the rest of the world. In 1986, the last time Congress took any measured change in the tax law, we had one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world. Today we have the highest in the OECD. We are also one of the last countries to have a repatriation tax. There are also some $2 trillion of U.S. profits stuck overseas. Fixing those things alone will stimulate this economy.”
Senator David Perdue Comments On Budget Committee Approval Of Tax Plan
State & National November 29, 2017 , by Admin AssistantSenator David Perdue Comments On Budget Committee Approval Of Tax Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate moved one step closer to fixing our tax code this year:
“Changing our tax code for the first time in more than 30 years will increase wages for American workers and make us more competitive with the rest of the world. These tax changes will also increase GDP growth, which is necessary to solve our current debt crisis. If the Senate does not act, the federal government is on track to add $11 trillion to the debt over the next 10 years. Approval from the Budget Committee today was one of the final steps needed to get this across the finish line. It is now critical for Republicans and Democrats to put aside any self-interests and operate with a sense of urgency to get these tax changes done now.”