Dear Friends,
As the 112th Congress gets underway and we kick off the new year, let's take a moment to look back at the 111th Congress.
In two years, we worked hard to move America forward, create jobs, and end the recession – investing in recovery to rebuild the worst economy in 60 years. There is much left to do, but we made important strides forward.
We fought for working Americans in the face of relentless opposition by Wall Street, Big Oil, and the health insurance industry. Despite well-financed opposition, we enacted landmark achievements for the middle class in job creation, small business tax cuts, health care, Wall Street reform, veterans’ health care, and child nutrition. I am proud to have served during this historic Congress, one of the most productive in decades.
Pictured above: Hank speaks with a constituent in Stone Mountain recently during the city's unveiling of its streetscape project that was completed in large part due to federal funding.
The accomplishments include:
Economic Recovery and Creating Jobs: The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, passed early in the 111th, helped create more than 3 million jobs nationwide and more than 80,000 here in Georgia. We continue to invest in our infrastructure, small businesses, green energy, education and manufacturing. Ninety-five percent of American workers received a tax cut. For an interactive map of Recovery projects in the Fourth District, click here.
Consumer Protection: The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights and Wall Street Reform are already protecting consumers from abusive fees and penalties, and ending taxpayer-funded bailouts for banks that are “too big to fail.”
Fair Pay: I was proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that will boost women’s rights to fair pay and other workers for that matter, who challenge unfair pay.
Affordable Health Care: Not only will 32 million more Americans have access to quality, affordable care, but the law prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against Americans with pre-existing conditions, strengthens Medicare and will save us money in the long run. I also introduced the Neglected Diseases of Poverty bill that will help our nation track and eradicate parasitic diseases that are making a comeback in our poorer communities, and was proud to help Georgia receive its share of funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. I will vote to protect the progress we've made on this front in the 112th Congress.
Starting this year, the vast majority of people with Medicare will see several new benefits, including free annual wellness check-ups, recommended preventive services preventive services without cost-sharing and discounts on prescription drugs in the Medicare Part D “donut hole.” In addition, new rules will hold insurance companies accountable so more of your premium dollars go to health care, and you’re more protected from unreasonable rate hikes. For more, click here.
Pictured above: Hank speaks with state Representative Pedro Marin at a GALEO event in Gwinnett County.
Helping Homeowners: We passed the Helping Families Save Their Home Act that builds on the President’s initiative to stem the tide of foreclosures with significant incentives to lenders, servicers and homeowners to modify loans. Our district office has helped hundreds of constituents work with their lenders to help save their homes.
National Security and Veterans: Our troops received a 3.4% pay raise under the Defense Authorization; we repealed the discriminating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, increased resources for veterans’ health care and strengthen the GI Bill.
Clean energy jobs and the environment: I was glad to see our renewable energy grant program extended for another year that helps local companies like solar-panel manufacturer Suniva in Norcross continue to grow and create jobs.
As we prepare for the 112th Congress, I pledge to continue working to level the playing field between you and Wall Street, fight to keep the gains we’ve made with access to affordable health care and work with all my colleagues until every Georgian who needs work can find a job.
Thank you,
 | January 5, 2011 
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About This E-Newsletter
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My Staff Arthur D. Sidney, Chief of Staff
Kathy Register, District Director
District
Shy Armstrong
Peter Butts
Katie Dailey
Betty Dixon
Eric C. Hubbard
Ray Khalfani
Andy Phelan
Carole Mumford
Dori Scales
Paulette Suggs Washington, D.C.
Scott Goldstein
Jocelyn Griffin
Glenn Miles
Jonathan Ossoff
Mark Perkins
Ebony Simpson
Oliver Spurgeon, III
Elisabeth Stein
Sascha Thompson
Marybeth Williams |
