Building Our Communities

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement on the decision by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner, and the House Republican Conference to agree to the passage of a bipartisan Senate bill that will extend the payroll tax cut, continue the distribution of unemployment benefits, prevent scheduled cuts in Medicare rates to doctors, and avert a tax increase on 160 million Americans:

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) offered the Motion to Recommit on the Conference Report on H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012. The motion attempted to strike the section of the conference report regarding the determination of whether TRICARE network providers are considered subcontractors. By striking this section, the motion would guarantee that employees of TRICARE subcontractors and other defense contractors are afforded labor protections for civil rights, disabilities, and veterans.

Columbus, GA – On Friday, December 9, 2011, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Administrator Cassius Butts, and SBA Georgia District Director Terri Denison will co-host a small business forum at Columbus Technical College located at 928 Manchester Expressway in Columbus, Georgia. The event is open to the general public, small business owners, local entrepreneurs, employees and members of the media.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) sent a letter to Ambassador Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative, urging him to ensure that Georgia’s tobacco farmers are not excluded from taking advantage of trade protections offered under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson along with Representatives Jack Kingston, John Barrow, and Austin Scott were co-signatories to the letter.

Washington, DC – On Thursday, December 1, 2011 (tomorrow), Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Military Family Caucus (CMFC), will co-host a Military Family Summit in the auditorium of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

Washington, D.C. – Today, provisions of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, which was sponsored by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senator Patty Murray in the U.S. Senate, passed in the House by an overwhelming bipartisan majority vote. Last week, the Senate passed this bipartisan initiative by a 95 to 0 vote. The legislation now goes to the President for his signature.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, November 9, 2011, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) delivered remarks at Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Georgia. In his remarks, Congressman Bishop praised Phoebe’s administration, faculty and staff for the hospital’s efforts in researching new treatments and technologies to assist local service members suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Below is the text of Congressman Bishop’s remarks:

Washington, D.C. – Today, provisions of the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011, which was introduced and sponsored by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senator Patty Murray in the U.S. Senate, passed in the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan majority vote of 95 to 0. The provisions were included in a comprehensive bill, H.R. 674, which also repeals a 2006 law which requires federal, state, and local governments to withhold three percent of payments that are due to government contractors.