| Dear friends,
Today’s e-Newsletter is bittersweet. It will be our last issue in the U.S. Senate before my retirement at the end of 2019.
Every day since I was first sworn in to the U.S. Senate on Jan. 4, 2005, it has been a privilege to serve Georgia in this role. I’ve done my very best to make sure Georgians’ best interests are reflected in my votes and policy work.
During these last several months since I announced my retirement, I’ve taken time to thank my staff, friends, supporters and family. Without them, we would not have reached the level of success we’ve achieved thus far, nor would it have been as gratifying. The relationships we have built have been so meaningful, and I will carry them with me always.
Traveling our beautiful state and working with Georgians from Rabun Gap to Tybee Light to represent commonsense, conservative values and deliver meaningful results has been a joy, regardless of the political climate or season. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity of a lifetime.
In the Senate
At the time of this writing, the U.S. House passed two bills on Tuesday packaging together the 12 full-year appropriations bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2020, and the Senate is expected to vote on the measures later this week.
Several provisions I supported to help Georgians are included in the final measures: Full funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project for fiscal year 2020 to keep this number one economic development project for our state on track. The Hurricanes Florence and Michael and California Wildfire Tax Relief Act, to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters from 2018. The Preserving America’s Battlefields Act to help ensure our nation’s living memorials honoring those who fought for our freedoms are protected for current and future generations. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, called the SECURE Act, to improve retirement preparations, encourage saving for retirement and help ensure hardworking Americans can plan in advance so they do not outlive their retirement savings. Funding for new resources to modernize public health data collection at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and across the country. Permanent repeal of Obamacare’s taxes on medical devices and health insurance, protecting consumers from the cost of these taxes and removing a burden on innovators and American manufacturers in the life sciences sector. Improvements for Veterans
One of the areas I’m most proud of during my time in the U.S. Senate is our work on behalf of our nation’s proud veterans. During the last five years while I have been chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, we have fundamentally changed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be more responsive to the veterans it serves. I am proud of how far we have come, and I hope the committee will continue this progress to ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.
Since 2015, the Senate has passed nearly 60 pieces of legislation that originated in our committee to improve accountability at the VA, expand VA education benefits, modernize the process for veterans’ appeals of benefit determinations, and overhaul the VA’s community care programs. You can read more about our work here.
Commitment to Education
Our children are the message we send to the future, so whether it’s been in the Georgia general assembly, the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate or as chairman of the Georgia Board of Education, I’ve worked on education issues to help better the lives of future generations.
This week, we released the latest video in a series focusing on my career. I want to thank my colleagues who contributed to the video and everyone who has helped me better serve our young people through improved education policy.
What’s On Tap?
In early January, Senator-designate Kelly Loeffler will be sworn in to the seat I have occupied in the U.S. Senate.
This will be our final e-Newsletter. However, I look forward to remaining as active as possible in Georgia after my retirement from the U.S. Senate on Dec. 31.
Thank you again for this honor of a lifetime. Sincerely, | 