Dear Friend:


Please take a few seconds to catch up on the latest news in Washington and the 13th Congressional District.



Recent House Votes

Social Security Bonus

 On Wednesday, the House failed to pass the Seniors Protection Act (H.R. 5987).  Congressman Scott voted for this bill to provide seniors with a one-time payment of $250 given that there will be no automatic Cost-of-Living-Adjustment for America’s seniors in 2011.  This $250 payment would help seniors, veterans, railroad retirees and people with disabilities who receive Social Security make ends meet during this tough time.  This issue may come up for another vote.

Minority Farmer Settlements 

On Wednesday, Congressman Scott attended the White House signing ceremony for a law establishing a settlement for long standing discrimination claims by minority farmers.  The new law funds settlements of the Pigford class action lawsuit involving past discrimination against black farmers by the Agriculture Department and the Cobell class action lawsuit involving funds for American Indians mismanaged by the Interior Department.  The law requires strict reporting and auditing requirements to ensure claims are paid to eligible parties.  

Child Nutrition

Congress has approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307), which is waiting to be signed into law by the President.  The bill contains the most significant improvements to child nutrition programs in more than 30 years.  This bill will: 1)  Improve the nutritional quality of school meals; 2) Promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings; 3) Connect more children to healthy produce from local farms; and 3) Improve food safety requirements for school meals.


Consumer Information

 
Help for Heating Bills

$41.1 million dollars in federal funds is available to aid low-income, elderly and disabled Georgia residents.  For more information about the program, contact the Community Based Programs of the Division of Family and Children Services, in metro Atlanta, at (404) 656-2323, or 1-800-869-1150.  Or visit this link.

Credit Reports

Your credit history affect your ability to obtain affordable credit and may also affect other financial transactions such as insurance rates or background checks for a job application.  It is important that consumers fully understand credit reports.  You may be interested in a new detailed website created by the Federal Reserve, which answers many questions about credit reports: http://www.federalreserve.gov/creditreports/

Safe Driving

 Icy and dangerous road conditions.  If you are going to be driving this holiday season, you may want to visit the Georgia DOT's website on highway conditions: http://www.georgia-navigator.com/



Thank you for taking time to read my newsletter.  If I can be of assistance, please contact me through one of the addresses located at the end of this message. We can also connect via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or LinkedIn. 


Sincerely,

David Scott
Member of Congress