Met with a Family from Oglethorpe County who Dropped by my D.C. Office

The last few weeks in D.C. were jam-packed with meetings, hearings, and votes, but I will always make time for constituents who want to visit my D.C. office. On March 7, the Chastain family of Oglethorpe County dropped by my office in 1223 Longworth and we had a nice chat.

If you are ever in Washington, please come visit my team and me! Also, did you know my office can schedule tours for you at a wide array of attractions across the city? Check out which ones by visiting my Congressional website, Collins.house.gov, or calling 202-225-4101.

Called on Pete Buttigieg to Resign

The safety and efficiency of America’s transportation system is top of mind for me. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that’s my job. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttiegeg also has this responsibility, but he has been focused more on wokeness than building a 21^st century infrastructure that works for the American people.

I have been working to hold him accountable and am calling for the secretary to resign. A leader’s job is to roll up their sleeves, do the hard work, and complete the mission. Buttigieg won’t do that, so he has to go.

Voted to End Federal Overreach that Threatens Private Property Rights

On March 9, House Republicans voted to overturn President Biden’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The WOTUS rule is one of the most blatant examples of federal overreach imaginable – It gives the federal government regulatory authority over nearly ever body of water in America and is a direct threat to property rights.

I was proud to stand up to protect farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and property owners across our great country who will be harmed by this liberty-threatening rule.

Fought to “REIN IN” Inflation Caused By Federal Regulations

On March 1, the House of Representatives passed the REIN IN Inflation Act. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, this bill would require the White House to assess the inflationary impact of executive orders that cost $1 billion or more before issuing them. Too often, the president issues orders without regard to how they affect us.

House Republicans made a Commitment to America that we would work to get inflation under control and lower the cost of living for working families. This bill is one of many things we’re doing to achieve that goal and keep that promise. 

Added Amendments to H.R. 1 Which Will Help Restore American Energy Independence

On March 9, I was a part of a House Natural Resources Committee Mark Up, which is where we debate and amend bills. During the markup, we reported H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to the whole House of Representatives for consideration. This legislation will restart onshore and offshore leasing for energy production, streamline the permitting process for domestic energy and mineral development, and modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

This is the first step toward fulfilling House Republicans pledge to bring down energy costs and bring back American energy independence. Speaker McCarthy designated the Lower Energy Costs Act H.R. 1 because it is our top priority.

Found Out How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead of Chinese Communist Party Research and Technology

On March 14, I met with Commissioner Patrick Davenport, Commissioner Tiffany Taylor, Airport Director Mike Matthews, Business Coordinator Davin Welter at the Athens-Ben Epps Airport. We discussed the airport’s service to the aviators and communities across our region.

General aviation is a key part of our local economy and culture, and I am grateful to have learned more about Athens-Ben Epps airport and how we can help our local airports with federal funding. I look forward to coming back to the airport in the future, especially after renovations to the runway and taxiway are complete, and the new control tower is constructed.

Visited with Athens Small Businesses with UGA’s Small Business Development Center

On March 15, I had the pleasure of joining Laura Katz and David Stob of UGA’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to tour two Athens small businesses that have benefited from this program. As the owner of a family run trucking business for more than 30 years, it was great to see how SBDC is helping small business like Certified Clean Care and Southern Brewing Company thrive.

With the help of SBDC, entrepreneurs can launch and grow their businesses with the expert guidance of experienced professionals. I am excited to what this program will do for GA-10, and how it will help Georgia stay #1 state for business!

Click Here to Watch My Interview on Prime News on Newsmax.

On March 9, I went on Prime News to discuss Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s focus on woke initiatives instead of visiting and helping East Palestine, Ohio. No options are off the table to hold Secretary Buttigieg and the Biden administration accountable for their failure to address the issues facing the American people.

Fox News | My family has run our trucking company for 30 years. Buttigieg is a transportation disaster and must resign.

Over the past few months, it has become even more apparent that our nation’s infrastructure is in a state of utter disrepair, and the American people are losing faith in the leaders who are supposed to maintain it and make it better.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who took 10 days to even acknowledge the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, has failed to address the many longstanding challenges posed by America’s crumbling infrastructure because he’s concerned about something else – promoting wokeness at DOT and in our culture.

During those 10 days while Ohioans fled their homes and feared for their health, Buttigieg found time to say one of the most overtly racist things a government official has said in recent memory; he insinuated that there are too many Americans of European descent – White people – in the construction industry.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad there are so many hard-working Americans of many backgrounds working in construction, and when I see these men and women literally building the structures that house us and the roads that connect us, I’m not thinking about their race. I’m just appreciating that they’re there doing the hard work necessary for our society to thrive.

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a small business owner that has run a family-owned trucking company for more than 30 years, I am committed to giving these people the tools to make our infrastructure the world’s safest and most advanced once again.

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11 Alive News | Vaccine-Related Injuries Program Leaves Families Waiting, Lawmakers Demand Answers

"Unacceptable," that’s the word Congressman Mike Collins used in his letter to sum up his concerns about transparency, long delays, and poor communication within a program designed to help people injured by COVID treatments.

All were issues exposed in a series of reports by 11Alive Investigates.

Rep. Collins sent the letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, HHS, earlier this month, requesting a response by March 1. So far, a day before the deadline, the department has remained quiet.

“If they don’t respond then we’ll just turn up the heat a lot more than what we have been with just this letter,” said Collins, who represents Georgia’s 10th District.

At issue is the CICP, which stands for Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program. So far, 11,196 people have filed a claim, reporting some type of injury related to the COVID vaccine or other treatment. Almost all of those claims, 10,653, are still pending review. Only 19 claims have been approved for compensation, most of those for myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

The program only pays out-of-pocket expenses related to medical bills and lost wages. Unlike other vaccine programs, there is no reimbursement for pain and suffering. Still, Beverly and Allen Storey say those costs add up.

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