GEORGIA’S TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS HAVE A LOT TO TEACH WASHINGTON
Last week was very transportation focused. On Monday I was the keynote speaker for the Council for Quality Growth's 6th Annual Community Improvement District Appreciation Luncheon. On Tuesday I had the honor of addressing the 2015 Georgia Transportation Summit in Atlanta, which was hosted by the Georgia Transportation Alliance. Both events hosted transportation experts and community stakeholders from across the state for the purpose of learning from each other and discussing how to improve Georgia’s roads, bridges, and ports. We were certainly well represented from Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties.
The focus of my comments was how proud I am that the recent highway bill received such broad support in the House and how grateful I am to the many who were in attendance for their proactive participation in the process. Our Georgia stakeholders and officials were vocal and involved as the bill was being crafted, and because of that initiative, we see a lot of our Georgia values represented in this bill.
The highway bill streamlines much of today's bureaucracy by moving regulatory authority to states. It empowers state and local transportation authorities to take the lead on projects. As we’re seeing right here in the 7th District, our local transportation leaders are able to bring projects from the concept to the construction stage in a matter of months, which eliminates congestion, supports economic growth, and makes it easier for hard working taxpayers in our community to get to work, bring their kids to school, and go about their daily lives. This bill makes significant strides in the right direction on a number of policy issues, and I want to thank all of the folks at home who helped Congress get here.
Gwinnett Daily Post. Local control benefits touted at transportation summit
Atlanta Journal Constitution. Woodall touts transportation funding in Atlanta visit
Peach Pundit. Forsyth County breaks ground on GA-400 widening
CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT
On Wednesday I had the great honor of celebrating Veterans Day with our local veterans in Gwinnett and Forsyth Counties. Veterans are all around us. They serve our communities in law enforcement or as first responders. They work in our banks and at our hospitals. They bring us comfort in our places of worship. Veterans served our country in combat, placing our lives and our freedom above their own safety. The awesome events last week in Lawrenceville and Cumming should remind all of us that we owe a debt of gratitude to our service men and women every day. Thank you to all our veterans for everything they have done for the United States of America.
WSB Radio. Gwinnett celebrates Veterans Day
Forsyth News. Veterans Day is still important
Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial Veterans Day Ceremony
(Photo Courtesy of the Gwinnett Daily Post)
ANOTHER ADMINISTRATION POWER GRAB TO MOVE TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT
In the past few years, President Obama has directed the development and expansion of programs to allow non-citizens who have been living illegally in the United States to obtain work permits and be protected from deportation. The program that would allow some adults who are in the country illegally to remain here is called the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). DAPA has been challenged by 26 states, including Georgia, on the grounds that the Obama Administration did not go through the appropriate regulatory process before finalizing the program. The good news is that two federal courts have agreed with the states and prohibited the illegal implementation of DAPA.
President Obama has indicated that the Department of Justice will appeal the rulings to the Supreme Court in the hopes of being able to enforce DAPA. I want to be perfectly clear; I believe that the President has seriously overstepped his authority by unilaterally changing immigration law. He is upset that Congress wants him to be willing to enforce current immigration law before Congress passes any new laws. Unfortunately, instead of working with Congress to forge a compromise, he has worked to go around Congress. I am disappointed that it has taken two federal courts to stop this power grab, but I am heartened by their decisions. I hope that the Supreme Court will uphold their decisions should it decide to hear this case next year.
New York Times. Obama to appeal immigration ruling to Supreme Court
CNN. Obama administration wants Supreme Court to approve its immigration plans
Yahoo. Appeals court rules against Obama immigration plan
New York Times. Appeals courts deals blow to Obama’s immigration plans
SERVICE IN OUR COMMUNITY
I am often invited to visit local businesses and non-profits to celebrate our local successes and learn from our local experts. Among the many great visits last week was one with the good folks at Creative Enterprises, Inc. Creative Enterprises, Inc. is a non-profit organization in Lawrenceville that provides adults with developmental disabilities the skills that they need to maximize their potential and achieve a level of social, vocational, and economic independence that every American strives to have. The people at Creative Enterprises work hard every day to make sure that everyone is part of our community and everyone has the opportunity to share their special talents. I am grateful to everyone involved with Creative Enterprises, and I thank them for their hard work.
THE WEEK AHEAD
This week the House will be considering a number of important bills: H.R. 1737, which eases the burden of federal financial overregulation on American consumers and businesses; H.R. 3189, which examines how the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy has affected our country’s economic performance; and H.R. 1210, which ensures that local banks can continue serving Americans who want a piece of the American Dream.
On Thursday I am hosting another Telephone Town Hall Meeting. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has questions or concerns about what’s happening in Washington, D.C., to call in and share those with me.
Telephone Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, November 19th
7:00PM – 7:30PM
Dial-In Number: (877) 229-8493
Passcode: 17849
Sincerely,
Rob Woodall
Member of Congress