GA 11 District Update | April, 2015
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U.S. Congressman Barry Loudermilk
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  Previously, you were subscribed to receive Representative Phil Gingrey's newsletter. Due to Congressional House rules, you must opt-in to receive additional updates. If you wish to remain informed  about what's going on in our nation's Capital and throughout Georgia's 11th District, please follow this link to add your name and email to my newsletter subscriber list. You can also subscribe by clicking on the "E-News Sign-Up" button on the upper right-hand corner of my newsletter.

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  Taking the Hill: A Freshman’s Perspective on Changing the Culture in Congress  
  Chaotic would be a mild description of what the first few weeks were like for new members of Congress. As Americans celebrated the New Year, new members from Maine to American Samoa descended on Washington D.C. to begin the overwhelming task of setting up their offices.

Since the previous Congress didn’t officially end until January 3, the incoming freshmen were not allowed to officially hire staff, occupy office space, or conduct any official business, until the day before we started our new roles.

As a small business owner, I have some experience in setting up a new business operation, which is essentially what each new member of Congress was facing. However, instead of having months to hire staff, setup and furnish offices, acquire computer and phone systems, process employee payroll and benefits, get websites and emails online, and order basic office supplies, new members had to accomplish all of this within a few short days.

Even though I had already identified the majority of my staff, and arrived with a contingent ready to go to work, we could not conduct any official business until January 6, the first day of the 114th Congress.

Over the following weeks, as things began to settle into place, I realized that all the chaos in the beginning was preparing me for the way congress operates – a perpetual state of chaos.

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The DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act
 

I recently introduced my first piece of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives – H.R. 1633, the DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act of 2015. This legislation would require improvements to the tracking and reporting of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees who are under investigation and are placed on paid administrative leave.

Currently, federal agencies have the authority to grant paid administrative leave – an excused absence without loss of pay or charge to individual – and can set policies governing its use. Oftentimes though, employees are put on paid administrative leave for indefinite periods of time, which has resulted in fraud and abuse within the system.

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Pictured: Rep. Loudermilk and the 2015 Congressional Art Competition Winner, Leah Ruff
 
  2015 Congressional Art Competition
 
  I am proud to announce the Grand Prize winner of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition, Leah Ruff. Ms. Ruff attends Cherokee High School and received the Grand Prize award for her painting entitled, “Chevy Man.” Georgia’s 11th Congressional District is blessed with some of the best artistic talent in the nation, and I’m extremely proud of each student who submitted artwork for this year’s competition.

As I walk through the halls of the Capitol, I am constantly amazed by the creative artwork on display from students across our country. While these pieces are all extraordinary, I believe every entry submitted from the 11th District was worthy of being displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

Finalists from the 11th Congressional District include:

First Place Winner
Student: Leah Ruff
Art Piece Title: “Chevy Man”
Medium: Oil on panel
School: Cherokee High School
Teacher: Ms. Chris Lambert

Second Place Winner
Student: Kathryn Kampovsky
Artwork Title: “Sad Old Man”
Medium: Graphite and pastel
School: Creekview High School
Teacher: Linda Nicholson

Third Place Winner
Student: Ashli Melder
Artwork Title: “The Forest’s Goddess”
Medium: Photograph
School: Mt. Paran Christian School
Teacher: Joe McSpadden

Honorable Mention #1
Student: Emily Schuvart
Artwork Title: “Painted Skin
Medium: Oil on Paper
School: Etowah High School
Teacher: Shannah Dean

Honorable Mention #2
Student: Haley Tucker
Artwork Title: “Colorado”
Medium: Digital Print
School: The Lovett School
Teacher: Kary Walter

To view photos from this year's Congressional Art Competition, please visit my Facebook page.
 

  A Balanced Budget For A Stronger America
 
  “The FY2016 Budget resolution passed by the House recently provides a strategic framework for balancing the federal budget in less than 10 years. This ambitious, forward-thinking plan would reduce government spending by $5.5 trillion*, call for a simpler, fairer tax code, repeal Obamacare, significantly reduce entitlement programs, prioritize defense spending, and help pay off our national debt.”

“Of the six proposed budget resolutions, the recommendations presented by Budget Chairman Tom Price and the Republican Study Committee were the only solutions that seek to reform Washington’s unrestrained culture of government spending. While both plans outlined a strong foundation for restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington, I ultimately voted in favor of Chairman Price’s resolution, “A Balanced Budget For A Stronger America.

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*The budget plan would reduce government spending by $5.5 trillion in government spending, according to the House of Representatives Committee on the Budget.

 


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IN THE NEWS
Insider Advantage - Taking the Hill: A Freshman's Perspective on Changing the Culture in Congress

KSU Sentinel: Catching Up With Congress

WORDS OF WISDOM
George Washington's first inaugural address:

"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

Have you had the opportunity visit our website? We have several important resources available to you, including news releases “hot off the press," information on how to obtain assistance from a federal agency, tour and scheduling request info – and so much more!

If you require assistance with a federal agency such as the VA, IRS or Social Security Administration, my office can assist you with opening a Congressional Inquiry. While my office cannot override a decision made by a federal agency or guarantee a favorable outcome, we will try our best to ensure a timely response and help you cut through the red tape.

My office can provide assistance with the following Casework Services:

Education Department

FCC – Federal Communications

Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Department of Labor

Medicare

Office of Personnel Management

Passport Services

U.S. Postal Service

Social Security Administration

State Department – VISAS

Department of Veterans Affairs

In order for us to begin processing your casework, please take a moment to complete a privacy authorization form. This will allow us to process your request in a timely manner and provide you with the assistance you need. 

Thank you again for entrusting me to serve you - the constituents of Georgia's 11th District - at our nation’s Capital. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. 
Washington, DC Office
238 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2931
Woodstock District Office
9898 Highway 92, Suite 100
Woodstock, GA 30188
Phone: 770-429-1776
Cartersville District Office
135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 122
Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone: 770-429-1776
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