In 2015, Congressman David Scott's office was able to help constituents secure taxpayer savings and benefits of $2,66,1209. That sum includes help with mortgages, VA benefits, Social Security disability payments, and assistance from other federal agencies. In addition, Congressman Scott's office opened over 1,200 casework files on behalf of his constituents. His office was able to help with veterans issues, mortgage assistance, immigration problems, retirement benefits and other issues. Congressman Scott believes that strong constituent services is an important component of public service. Con... Read More »
In honor of Black History Month, I have been profiling notable African-Americans from Georgia throughout February. To read our first profile of the first African-American Congressman from Georgia, Jefferson Long, click here. To read our second profile about the desegregation of the University of Georgia click here. Our third profile is on civil rights activist and my former colleague, Julian Bond. ... Horace Julian Bond was born on January 14, 1940 in Nashville, Tennessee. As a college student at Morehouse College, Mr. Bond helped organize the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights and co-founde... Read More »
In honor of Black History Month, I will be profiling notable African Americans from Georgia throughout February. To read our first profile of the first African American Congressman from Georgia, Jefferson Long, click here. The second profile is of the desegregation and integration of the University of Georgia. The Integration of UGA In the summer of 1959, Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter applied to the University of Georgia. Holmes and Hunter both had excellent records in school and surpassed admission standards, but despite this they were not granted admission on the grounds of UGA’s “lim... Read More »
In honor of Black history month, I will be profiling notable African Americans from Georgia throughout February. The first profile is of the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia, Congressman Jefferson Long of Macon. Born on March 3, 1836 in Knoxville, Georgia, Jefferson Long would go on to become the second African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and ultimately the first African American Congressman to speak on the House floor. Long made his living as a tailor, opening a small but successful shop in Macon, Georgia, mostly cater... Read More »
As we recognize the 28th World AIDS Day, we have much progress to celebrate. We also have new challenges to address. Consider that the CDC ranks Atlanta as 5th in the nation with new HIV infections and the South ranks first in the nation for its rate of new HIV cases. In 2013, the South had a rate of 20.5 HIV infections per 100,000 residents. Compared with members of other races and ethnicities, African Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections at all stages of disease from new infections to deaths. According to the CDC, African Americans accounted for 44 percent of all new H... Read More »
Many people have not begun saving for retirement. Maybe their employer does not offer a retirement plan or they do not know how to get started. A new government savings plan has been started that allows anyone to start saving with just a few dollars. This plan was created specifically for those people who have not started saving. It costs nothing to open a MyRA plan and there are no fees. The investments are backed by the Treasury. You can withdraw the funds at any time. However, it would be best to continue building the account so that one day it can be converted to a traditional or Roth IRA.... Read More »
Terrorists in recent attacks have travelled to Syria and Iraq with European passports. Many western countries participate in the visa waiver program with the U.S. This program allows for visa-free travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days under specific guidelines. Each year, almost a third of temporary visitors to the US travel under these waivers. Congresswoman Scott joined as a co-sponsor of a new bi-partisan bill (H.R. 4122), which would strengthen U.S. security by addressing security gaps in the visa waiver program. H.R. 4122 would suspend the visa waiver program for travelers who have visited... Read More »
Earlier this year, Congressman Scott lead an effort to bring the 1890 Land Grant institutions to Washington to testify before the House Agriculture Committee. This was the first time that 1890 schools were asked to testify before the committee. The Second Morrill Act of 1890 was enacted by Congress to support states in establishing the 1890 Land-Grant Universities. These Historically Black Colleges and Universities are committed to providing educational opportunity through scientific research and extension programs. There are nineteen 1890 schools which cultivate leadership in the fields of sc... Read More »
WHAT: Congressman David Scott welcomes the 1890 Land-Grant institutions to Washington, D.C. The presidents of all 19 universities designated as an 1890 Land-Grant institution will attend a hearing by the House Agriculture Committee on the 125th Anniversary of the Second Morrill Act. That Act created the 1890 Land-Grants. Six presidents will testify before the committee. This is the first time that the Committee has held a hearing exclusively on 1890 institutions. WHEN: Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 10:00 a.m. WHERE: 1300 Longworth House Office Building WHO: Testimony of the following 1890 Presiden... Read More »
The deadline for an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program is rapidly approaching. Several failing states in the Middle East are being overrun with terrorist groups and Iran is influencing these civil wars directly and by proxy like the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria and controlling the army in Iraq. Many of our allies in the region fear that Iran will dominate the entire Middle East. The U.S. must continue to fully enforce sanctions until any Iran nuclear weapons option is completely eliminated. You can read the rest of my article which appears on CNN.com Read More »
