Federal Budget, Jobs, & the Economy
ATHENS - January 23, 2013 Applications are currently being accepted for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) for projected 2013 funding of the program. The Rural Development’s RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array of activities.
COLUMBUS, GA – Today, the United States Army released a final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment, which reviews and analyzes the impact of an anticipated force-wide restructuring plan. The Army has completed this analysis in an effort to ensure that vital national defense capabilities are maintained in a climate of budgetary constraints as U.S. missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming to an end.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement commending the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on launching a new microloan program aimed at assisting small and beginning farmers, veterans, and disadvantaged producers secure loans up to $35,000.
Public encouraged to comment on new proposals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed two new food safety rules that will help prevent foodborne illness. The proposed rules implement the landmark, bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and are available for public comment for the next 120 days. FDA encourages Americans to review and comment on these important proposed rules.
ALBANY, GA – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement today announcing the awarding of a new $10,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to bolster the arts in underserved populations. Over 150 organizations across the country received a combined total of $1.5 million in grants through the Challenge America Fast-Track program.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As co-chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) expressed their concern with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to not waive its’ mandate on the use of corn for ethanol production, ignoring the needs of family farmers and poultry producers. Affected negatively by drought conditions, corn production has decreased, which has driven up the cost of feed grain.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, joined Department of Defense leadership, corporate and business leaders, and military spouses at the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership new partner induction ceremony in Washington, D.C.
COLUMBUS, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement regarding the passing of the Reverend Dr. Johnny H. Flakes, Jr:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, welcomed notification of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s preliminary decision to terminate an antidumping investigation that has hurt U.S. tomato growers. In a July 2012 letter to Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Congressman Bishop stood in support of Georgia’s tomato industry concerning unfair Mexican trade practices.