Are you a high school student interested in demonstrating your artistic ability?

My office is excited to launch this year’s Congressional Art Competition! All high school students residing in Georgia’s Third Congressional District are eligible and encouraged to enter.

Entries, including paintings, drawings, photos, computer-generated art, collages, and prints, must be submitted digitally to Jessica Eck at Jessica.Eck@mail.house.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024 for consideration. The online submission must include a single entry as well as a completed Student Information & Release Form.

The overall first-place entry will represent Georgia’s Third District for one year in the United States Capitol Building. Full submission guidelines can be found here. 

Last Thursday, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to highlight the benefits of Republican's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, and discuss the path forward for tax policy ahead of 2025. Under the 2017 tax cuts, real median household income increased by $5,000 and real wages rose by 4.9 percent in the two years after the legislation was signed into law. The economy grew an entire percentage point faster than projected, and the trend of American companies leaving the United States to set up headquarters in other parts of the world came to an end.

If these important pro-growth and pro-family policies are not extended, working Americans would face a record tax hike and the economy would suffer in the years to come. Accordingly, the House has already passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This tax package restores and expands successful policies from the Trump-era TCJA, while promoting greater job creation and providing much-needed relief to American families. This critical legislation helps small businesses, supports working families, and promotes American competitiveness. The Senate must act!

While Congress is debating how to protect working families from higher taxes and help American businesses better compete, grow, and create jobs, President Biden’s latest budget proposes $7 trillion in tax hikes on families, farmers, and small businesses.

Click here to watch my remarks.

Last week, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Colonel Ralph Puckett, a Medal of Honor recipient. Colonel Puckett is a Columbus, Georgia native and graduate of West Point. Soon after graduating, he was deployed to fight in Korea in the Eighth Army Regiment. In November of 1950, he heroically led his Ranger company on a freezing day at the Battle for Hill 205. His platoon was overcome by an onslaught of Chinese attackers and a barrage of artillery fire. Puckett sustained severe injuries during this attack.

Although his injuries incapacitated him, Colonel Puckett selflessly ordered Private First Class Billy Walls and Private First Class Davis Pollock to leave him on the battlefield. He could see Chinese soldiers within yards attacking his Rangers, but his comrades returned to carry him to safety despite the danger. Colonel Puckett went on to serve honorably in Colombia, Germany, and Vietnam until his retirement in 1971. Though his active duty ended, he continued to serve as an honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and inspired our youth through various roles for the rest of his life.

Colonel Puckett was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame and received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Hill 205. He also was bestowed with two Silver Stars, five Purple Hearts, various awards from Vietnam and Colombia, and a Distinguished Graduate Award from West Point. His bravery is a testament to his strength and patriotism, and he is an inspiration to the people of the Third District of Georgia – as well as our country.

Col. Puckett is a true example of an American patriot and our prayers continue to be with his loved ones.

Thank you to the folks at Kia for stopping in to meet with me last week. The Kia Motors plant in my hometown of West Point has been a major success for our local economy – and has helped define our state as a leader in the automotive manufacturing industry.

Last Wednesday, I had a productive discussion with Commissioner DeMont Davis, Vice Chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. It was great to learn more about all the great working happening in Clayton County.