In spite of the negative reports in the press, Congress is passing legislation, much of it with bipartisan support, that helps everyone.
By Congressman Rob Woodall
Congressman Rob Woodall (R) represents the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia, which includes the majority of Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, and currently serves as Chairman of the Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, as well as serving on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and Budget Committee.
Something else you may not have heard about is that two weeks ago the President signed a long-term reauthorization of the FAA which includes reforms to strengthen American leadership in aviation, create jobs, and improve safety and service for passengers. It also took important steps to address overbilling within the air ambulance industry, which has sadly affected far too many families in the wake of a medical emergency. Fairness and transparency should be at the center of resolving this issue, and I was proud to author an amendment that brings it to the forefront.
If we look back to just a few weeks prior to that, the President signed into law the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which invests in our Georgia ports at record levels while also protecting Georgia’s access to Lake Lanier and other vital reservoirs. It’s important to note that this bill was, again, overwhelmingly bipartisan. The reality is, Congress, along with the Trump Administration, has been tremendously productive. More than 1,000 bills have been passed by the House during the 115th Congress – with nearly 250 being signed into law! Based on those numbers, it’s the most productive Congress in my lifetime! The result of this productivity is the thriving economy and optimism we feel in our households and communities across the Seventh District, Georgia, and the United States. It’s everywhere from kitchen tables to corporate boardrooms – and that’s worth talking about.
We haven’t shied away from the lingering challenges either, including healthcare. Irrespective of the intent of the Affordable Care Act, it failed to deliver on its promises, and inaction simply isn’t an option. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are 40 counties in 3 states that will soon have zero insurers participating in the Obamacare exchanges, and more than 40% of counties nationwide are projected to have only one insurer – which of course is no choice at all. Sadly, that is the legacy of Obamacare, and we will have to continue working to craft a system delivering on the promise of accessible and affordable healthcare.
For that reason, Congress and the Trump Administration have worked together to enact targeted measures that provide relief for working families. While the effort to repeal and replace Obamacare unfortunately came one vote shy of passage in the Senate last year, the House has continued to advance individual solutions one issue at a time to help American families. From eliminating the individual mandate penalty to expanding catastrophic coverage availability and providing more flexibility within Health Savings Accounts (HSA), the commitment to delivering solutions is as strong as it ever was.
Our philosophy throughout has been simple: American entrepreneurs, businesses, and families will be successful when the federal government doesn’t stand in the way. The success, growth, and increased opportunity we’re seeing comes as a result of the hard work, talent, and vision of the American people. That’s why I am even more optimistic about the future than I was two short years ago when we began the work of the 115th Congress, and I most certainly believe the best is yet to come!
Click her for Part 1
