OBAMACARE VICTIM ACCOMPANIES COLLINS TO JOINT SESSION
Featured, Politics February 28, 2017
OBAMACARE VICTIM ACCOMPANIES COLLINS TO JOINT SESSION
02/27/17
WASHINGTON—Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) will attend President Donald Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress with a guest from Toccoa, Georgia. Members of Congress each receive one guest ticket to the president’s annual speech.
Congressman Collins has invited his constituent Brittany Ivey to the joint session. The working mother and her husband have struggled under the consequences of the Affordable Care Act. Ivey was working part-time at a small business that provided her family with health insurance until the effects of Obamacare on the insurance market raised her premiums sharply. This drove the Ivey family into the individual market, where a mid-level plan took 65% of her monthly gross income—even after a small federal subsidy.
“There’s no better occasion than the president’s annual address to Congress to bring attention to the victims of the Affordable Care Act and the urgency of repealing Obamacare. Northeast Georgia is full of individuals who work tirelessly to care for their families, and Mrs. Ivey’s story illustrates the destruction wrought by the failed health care law,” said Collins.
“Unable to afford insurance through her employer, Mrs. Ivey turned to the federal exchange, where she obtained a plan that neither her nor her children’s doctor would accept. The government has robbed our loved ones of their access to affordable, meaningful health services, and the only remedy before us is to return competition and innovation to every dimension of our health care system by repealing Obamacare.”
“I’m looking forward to the president’s remarks on how our unified government is rescuing health care for millions of people injured by the misguided Affordable Care Act.”
Ivey is relieved that members of Congress seem to understand her family’s plight, and she is eager to see substantive health care reform.
“I’m grateful that Congress is taking action to fix our health care system. For the last several years, my family has experienced how Obamacare hurts hardworking, middle-class Americans. All I wanted was to be a stay-at-home mother to my daughter and sons, but the skyrocketing prices of health insurance drove me back into the labor market full-time,” explains Ivey.
“My husband and I have been punished for working hard, driven to the edge of financial disaster as we paid thousands and thousands of dollars in premiums for a federal plan that our doctors rejected. Even though we’re healthy, this law has crippled our family.”
President Trump is scheduled to address members of the House of Representatives and the Senate at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28.
Advanced Voting Slow in White County Where Turnout is Less Than 5 Percent
News, Politics May 13, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Advanced voter turnout is slow in White County but Chief Voter Registrar Lisa Manning says it is way ahead of where it was in 2012. But that’s only because there were no contested races in the 2012 General Primary. This year, there are three local races, including sheriff, county commission and school board.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, Chief Voter Registrar Lisa Manning said only 540 ballots had been cast or less than 5 percent of White County’s 13,415 active registered voters.
“The Sheriff’s race is the most heated race,” Manning said. “It’s the one that seems to be drawing the most interest.” Veteran Sheriff Neal Walden is being challenged by Aaron Autry.
In the District 4 County Commission race, incumbent Craig Bryant will face Shawn Henderson. In the Board of Education race, incumbent Kendyl Brock Hunter is being challenged by Missy Jarrard.
There is also an election for Ninth District Congress where incumbent Doug Collins of Gainesville has angered many conservatives when he voted for President Barack Obama’s Omnibus bill and supported John Boehner for Speaker of the House. As a result, he has drawn four challengers in former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun, Lanier Tea Part Patriots founder Mike Scupin, White County educator Roger Fitzpatrick and retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General Bernie Fontaine.
The lone state race on the ballot is for State Senate where incumbent Steve Gooch,who many consider an “establishment Republican,” is being challenged for re-election in the 51st District by John Williamson, co-founder of the Gilmer County Tea Party.
Advanced voting takes place at the Mauney Building, 1241 Helen Highway between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday voting will take place tomorrow.
In Case You Missed It: Congressman Collins Speaks on the Opioid Epidemic
Featured May 12, 2016
May 11, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Collins spoke on the House floor on the rule for consideration of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, and H.R. 4641, to establish a Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force. In his remarks, Congressman Collins talks about the impact the opioid epidemic has had on Georgia.
“Opioid abuse hits communities across the country, rich and poor, rural, suburban, and urban, and it takes a major toll.
In 2012, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States were suffering from substance abuse disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. An estimated 467,000 people were addicted to heroin.
In the same year, in Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that prescription drugs played a role in 592 deaths in 152 of Georgia’s 159 counties for which autopsies were performed.
The bills before us today take steps to combat the opioid epidemic and drug addiction.”
Click here for Congressman Collins’ full remarks on the House floor
3 Press Releases from Congressman Collins
Featured July 13, 2016
July 13, 2016
Collins Votes to Protect Freedom of Conscience, Religious Beliefs
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 304, the Conscience Protection Act, which provides legal recourse to those who refuse to participate in or condone abortions. Additionally, the bill permanently codifies a prohibition on federal, state, or local governments discriminating against or penalizing health care providers that refuse to provide abortion coverage. Congressman Collins, who has maintained a consistently strong pro-life voting during his time in the Georgia state legislature and throughout his time in Congress, released the following statement:
“As a father, a Baptist pastor, and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, I believe we have a sacred responsibility to protect the lives of unborn children. Our current laws need to be strengthened for those who share these same beliefs, especially in light of this Administration’s repeated attacks on pro-life policies. Conscience rights are too often not being protected.”
“Cathy DeCarlo, a nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, was forced to participate in the dismemberment of an unborn child against her religious convictions. Ms. DeCarlo was told by Mt. Sinai staff she could not opt out of participating in the procedure under penalty of losing her job. It took a formal complaint to Health and Human Services, a lawsuit, and three years to get Mt. Sinai to admit they were in the wrong. This legislation will help protect people like Ms. DeCarlo by granting people with strong convictions about the sanctity of life access to legal recourse in the event an organizations or individual forces them to violate their sincere moral beliefs.”
“In 2014, California mandated that all health plans – even those purchased by religious institutions – cover elective abortions for any reason. No exemptions were allowed. Instead of enforcing the law, HHS has refused to take action, claiming instead that insurance companies are not covered by the Weldon Amendment since they have no moral or religious objection to abortion coverage. The Conscience Protection Act would also allow insurance companies and plans purchased by religious organizations to opt out of covering or paying for medical procedures like abortion that violate their religious convictions.”
“No one should be forced by the government to destroy the lives of innocent unborn children. I firmly believe that every life has value, and that every child deserves a birthday.”
July 13, 2016
Collins Named to Policing Strategies Working Group
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) announced the establishment of a working group to examine police accountability, aggression towards law enforcement, and public safety concerns related to these issues. The bipartisan working group will hold a series of roundtables, starting with a private roundtable in Washington, D.C., to candidly discuss the issues fueling excessive force used by law enforcement and attacks against police officers and will invite outside leaders on this issue to meet with the working group. Congressman Collins, who was appointed to the working group, issued the following statement:
“Recent events in America have brought forth a national discussion on violence, law enforcement, community relations, and accountability. I am honored to be named to this working group, where I will draw upon my life experiences as a Baptist Pastor, an attorney, and the son of a Georgia State Trooper, to help foster a productive dialogue. We are not here to point fingers, but rather to find solutions to the issues that are on the hearts and minds of so many Americans. The tragic shootings of two men last week by law enforcement in St. Paul and Baton Rouge, followed by the five police officers who lost their lives in Dallas, remind us that this kind of violence will not simply go away, and we must face a difficult conversation together as one nation. I thank Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers for their initiative in establishing this group, and I look forward to working with my colleagues.”
July 13, 2016
Collins Bill Rolls Back Postal Service Overreach, Provides Relief to Local Homeowners
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Collins introduced H.R. 5750, The Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016. This legislation will ensure that homes and neighborhoods that were eligible to receive or were receiving mail prior to the implementation of new postal rules will still be able to receive mail to their addresses under the new rule. Recent United States Postal Services (USPS) rules are forcing home developers to tear up already built or permitted neighborhoods in order to install centralized mailboxes, called cluster boxes, so that all the mail for the neighborhood is delivered to one location, instead of individual homes. In many cases, these developments were eligible for USPS home delivery prior to the rule change. However, USPS is now withholding mail delivery from individual mailboxes and forcing individuals to pick up their mail at the local post office until cluster boxes are installed. In many cases, the installation of these new and unplanned for cluster boxes would require developers to change plans at their own expense or even take private property from homeowners, as well as construct new sidewalks or roads. The Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016 would exempt developments that had already received the necessary permits or were under construction before the rule took effect, ensuring that residents there can receive mail to their personal mailboxes as planned. Congressman Collins issued the following statement on introducing the legislation:
“This isn’t just an issue for folks who live at the end of a long dirt road. This is an issue for people who live in suburban developments, especially newer ones,” said Congressman Collins. “When you move in to a new home, you have the right to a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer about whether the mail will be brought to your door. The Postal Service should not be able to force developers to change the layout of entire neighborhoods after developers have already received permits and started building, and the Postal Service certainly should not be in the business of implementing rules that force private land to be used at the whim of USPS rules. This rule change is particularly harmful to senior citizens and other folks who have physical limitations who may have moved into the neighborhood expecting curbside delivery. These arbitrary, last minute changes also force developers to hastily install centralized cluster boxes in places where there is no room for them. This encroaches on homeowner’s properties and forces developers to plan new sidewalks, roads, or parking spaces. The Commonsense Postal Delivery Restoration Act addresses the problem by exempting houses that were eligible for personal delivery and held the required permits and approvals for construction prior to April 5, 2012 from the new centralized mail delivery regulations. It is necessary to clarify the scope of this rule to protect private property owners from the whims of USPS.”
“After 6 years of a dead housing market, we are finally back building in many areas,” said former State Senator Chip Pearson,who is now Managing Partner at Cold River Partners, a real estate development company in Northeast Georgia. “For the USPS to not honor their prior commitment to individual mailbox delivery is a real problem. Carving out a lot and developing a mail kiosk area is very costly and disruptive to these communities still shaken form the downturn. The fact the early homeowners had street delivery and new ones now would not is inequitable and unfair. The Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016 is a practical, equitable and effective solution to this issue.”
“The residents of Whispering Lake Subdivision are grateful for Congressman Doug Collins’ tireless work on behalf of our community,” said Beverly and Bryson Payne, residents of Whispering Lake Subdivision in Cumming, Georgia. “The Common Sense Postal Delivery Restoration Act of 2016 is crucial for safety and accessibility for over 100 families in our neighborhood. Our subdivision was planned and approved before the 2012 postal rule changed, requiring centralized mailboxes. We received curbside delivery for the first several months we moved in, but the Post Office suspended our mail until centralized mailboxes were added to the neighborhood. There are no sidewalks, as the subdivision was approved for curbside delivery, and the location our builder had to allocate has no parking or lighting, no shelter from rain, and is a long walk with poor access for persons with disabilities and families with small children. The cost of adding sidewalks, plus parking and a shelter for the centralized boxes, is more than our homeowners association can bear. All we’re asking for is to have our curbside mail delivery restored, for all existing homes in neighborhoods planned and approved before the US Postal Service changed the rules. Thank you to Congressman Collins for his efforts on behalf of homeowners in the 9th district and across the nation.”
Fitzpatrick Turns in Strong Performance at Town Hall
News, Politics May 10, 2016
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Roger Fitzpatrick, an ex-Marine and former White County administrator, appears to have established himself as the No. 1 contender for 9th District Congressman Doug Collins’ job with a strong performance during the AccessWDUN/Gainesville Times town hall meeting at Brenau Downtown Center last night.
Fitzpatrick demonstrated confidence, knowledge of the issues and likeability in responding to questions from a near-capacity crowd that showed its appreciation with loud and frequent applause for the Cleveland, Georgia native.
In addition to Fitzpatrick and Collins, the 90-minute event featured Lanier Tea Party Patriots founder Mike Scupin, retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General Bernie Fontaine and former 10th District Congressman Paul Broun. The challengers took turns answering questions from attendees as well as tweets from WDUN Radio’s listening audience.
Fitzpatrick, who served nine years in the Marine Corps Reserves and 32 years as a White County teacher and administrator, said veterans would be better served by getting rid of the Veterans Administration and allowing private industry to fill that role. He also called for an end to the Department of Education, saying, “The federal government has no business in education.”
He borrowed a line from President Bill Clinton when asked what is the most important issue facing the nation. “It’s the economy stupid,” he said. But, he added that getting government out of the way so businesses can thrive was a close second.
An issue that has plagued Collins throughout the campaign and has him in deep trouble with voters in the ultra conservative 9th District has been his support for President Barack Obama’s Omnibus bill. The bill provides funding for Planned Parenthood, the Muslim refugee program, sanctuary cities and a foreign worker program that costs Americans jobs at a time of increasing concerns about terrorist threats against the United States.
When Collins tried to explain his vote, he was shouted down by angry voters and his response was drowned out until Fitzpatrick’s Marine training kicked in and he stepped forward to admonish the audience, saying, “Show some respect, please.” The intervention earned Fitzpatrick the crowd’s admiration.
Collins then continued, saying, “The facts are if you could have gotten Planned Parenthood out of the Omnibus bill you would have done it but you couldn’t. The way you get it done is through the reconciliation act or a bill which I had voted for prior to that.” But that explanation failed to sway his opponents.
Fitzpatrick said, “Anything that would violate the moral conscience of a decent individual or the original intent (of the Constitution), you cannot vote for.” He also pointed out that Planned Parenthood is now paying for transgender operations.
Scupin called Collis’ explanation the “Doug Collins Dog and Pony Show” and said, “It doesn’t just happen with Planned Parenthood. It happens with nearly every vote he makes up there. He’s against the Department of Education because of how it effects his wife when she teaches and yet he votes to fund it. This has got to stop. Either you’re for it or against it.”
Broun said, “I would not have voted for the Omnibus bill. I never have.”
Voters also wanted to know if the candidates would support presumptive Republican nominee for President Donald Trump.
Fontaine said, “Of course I support Donald Trump.”
Scupin said, “Donald Trump is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and as such I definitely will support him. Donald Trump rose to the top of the Republican Party not because of Donald Trump but because of the Republican Party.Their failure to do the right thing when they had the opportunity is what gave him a path to this victory.”
Broun said, “The people have spoken. We need to have the people’s choice be the nominee of our party. I don’t want to see the establishment try to steal away the people’s choice.”
Collins seemed a bit more hesitant, saying, “If Trump is our nominee, I’ll support the nominee. But what about the values Donald Trump has. The question is where do you stand on conservative values? Will you be the standard bearer of our party’s values? The fact is that nobody in this room would be happy with Hillary Clinton in the White House. Nobody who would be happy with a socialist running the White House.
Fitzpatrick said, “I voted for Ted Cruz and would do so again but Donald Trump won the nomination and I will support the nominee. Whoever gets in there — and I sure do hope it’s Donald Trump — you’ve got to work with and if he stands up and does something I don’t like then he needs to be called out on it even if he is a Republican.”
House Passes Opioid Crisis Response Package
Featured July 10, 2016July 8, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives voted to approve the Conference Report for S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016. In May, the House and Senate passed their own versions of the legislation, and a Conference Committee was appointed to reconcile the bills. Congressman Collins, a member of the Conference Committee, issued the following statement on the House’s passage of the Conference Report:
“Heroin and opioid addiction is a silent epidemic that is killing our friends and neighbors. In Northeast Georgia, I have heard from virtually every Sherriff and law enforcement official I have spoken to that herion, methamphetamine, and prescription drug related crimes are on the rise. No community is immune from addiction, and the pain and suffering that it brings to families. This legislation is a comprehensive package of policies, including grant programs, plans to expand drug treatment courts, and changes to how these drugs are prescribed. I have seen how treatment courts can help people turn their lives around, especially for veterans struggling with addiction and PTSD. The legislation also equips law enforcement to respond more effectively to drug related crimes, so that we can divert people from prison and into the treatment programs where they will get the support the need to recover. I urge the Senate to approve the conference report as soon as possible, so that these programs may begin to move forward.”
Congressman Collins Praises Preservation of Historic Bridge and Commonsense Agreement Between Parties
Featured July 8, 2016
Washington, D.C. – After months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between Norfolk Southern Railroad, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the City of Lula, Georgia, on the maintenance and upkeep of the Cobb Street Bridge, which was closed last year due safety issues. Congressman Collins, who helped facilitate the meetings between the involved parties, issued the following statement on the resolution:
“As a result of these negotiations, this historic landmark will be preserved, and maintained to ensure the safety of the community and the efficiency of the railroad. I have very fond memories of driving over this bridge on my way to baseball games growing up.”
g collin
“This highly trafficked area is vital to Lula’s economy – trains pass under it multiple times a day, and it serves as a main route to cross a town divided by railroad tracks. Norfolk Southern has agreed to do all the repairs necessary to bring the bridge up to code, and then continue to oversee care and maintenance of the bridge going forward. Over the last few months, I have been in contact with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Transportation, which have been diligent in working together to help the City of Lula and Norfolk Southern get this matter resolved. I am proud that my office was able to play a role in this process, and help the parties find a workable solution. Thank you to Lula Mayor Milton Turner and City Manager Dennis Bergin for their leadership and commitment to resolving this issue on behalf of the people of Lula.”
On Friday 5/6 Congressional Art Competition Reception in Gainesville
Featured May 5, 2016
May 5, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Collins will host a reception tomorrow, May 6, for the students from the Ninth District who participated in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. The reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Congressman Collins’ Gainesville office, at 210 Washington St. NW, Suite 202, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Open to high school students in grades 9-12, students were eligible to submit one piece of art for consideration. All participants have been invited to the reception, where their work will be on display. The winning selection will be announced at the reception, and will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year, for visitors from all around the country to admire.
Collins: Veterans Treatment Courts Help Combat Opioid Epidemic
Featured July 6, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Opioid Conference Committee convened to discuss the conference report on S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Congressman Collins, who was appointed along with 34 other Members of Congress to the Conference Committee in May, spoke during today’s meeting on the importance of including veterans treatment courts in the plan to stem the tide of opioid abuse in America, particularly as it affects returning service members. The text of the report as passed by the committee, as well as amendments, can be found here.
Click here to watch Congressman Collins’ remarks.
Below is the text of Congressman Collins’ remarks:
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to make a statement today as we work towards addressing the tragic problem of opioid addiction.
Opioid abuse hits communities across the country, rich and poor, rural and urban, and it takes a major toll. In 2012, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States were suffering from substance abuse disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, heroin deaths have increased in Georgia by 300 percent. That is an astonishing and tragic statistic. And it is a call to action.
The Conference Report text of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act contains many important provisions, and I am proud of the work that’s been done to get us here.
I want to focus today on one particular section of the bill—Section 502—that is particularly near to my heart. This section provides for a grant process to establish or expand veterans treatment courts.
This is an issue that is critically important to me, and to our veterans.
I have introduced legislation, the Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act, to expand access to veterans treatment courts. Much of the language is reflected in this conference report because the opioid epidemic clearly and tragically affects veterans.
Veterans treatment courts are especially important in today’s world, because according to the VA, almost 1 in 3 veterans seeking treatment for substance abuse disorders also have PTSD. Additionally, one in six veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom suffers from a substance abuse issue. We need to help them, not cast them aside.
I’m a Chaplain in the Air Force Reserve. I served in Iraq. I saw firsthand the scars that the battlefield can leave, both physical and mental. We need support systems for our veterans.
We need to address their pain, and we need to ensure they have an avenue to get help they need. I believe this conference is taking steps to help make that happen because our veterans deserve better.
This issue and other important initiatives in this bill are critical towards addressing an opioid epidemic that is affecting far too many of our neighborhoods.
Thank you, and I yield back.
Union County Republican Party / Union-Towns TEA Party 51st State Senate District, 9th Congressional District, and U.S. Senate Forum
Featured, Featured Stories, Politics May 1, 2016
Union County Republican Party / Union -Towns TEA Party Forum 4/30/2016.
Scroll down to watch video of each forum.
Moderator Brian K. Pritchard
Republican U.S. Senate Candidates Dr. Mary Beth Bacallao and Mr. Derrick Grayson
51st District State Senate Republican Candidates John Williamson and Steve Gooch
Republican 9th District Congressional Candidates Roger Fitzpatrick, Paul Broun, Bernie Fontaine and Mike Scupin
Collins: Justice Has Not Been Served in Clinton Email Case
Featured July 5, 2016July 5, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recommended against pressing charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after she mishandled classified information and stored it on her personal home email server. Congressman Collins released the following statement on the FBI’s decision:
“In the United States, no one is above the law. Unfortunately, the FBI’s announcement today that indicates that Secretary Clinton is receiving special treatment due to political pressures. Secretary Clinton’s actions were irresponsible and reckless and jeopardize our national security. If another government official did the same thing, they would be charged and thrown in jail. For the FBI to simply turn away from this matter shows how politicized this Administration has become – Secretary Clinton has become untouchable even to the highest levels of law enforcement. As Americans, we must hold our public officials to the highest standards, and they certainly must be held accountable for illegal activities and wrongdoing. No amount of sidestepping and political maneuvering should buy Secretary Clinton any more time. I call on FBI Director James Comey to reverse his decision, and for justice to be served. No one—even a former Secretary of State—should be allowed to get away with these dangerous and irresponsible actions.”
Challengers Blast Congressman Collins In Live Debate Broadcast on FYN TV
News, Politics April 25, 2016
ELLIJAY, Ga. — In a fiery hour-long debate broadcast live on FYN TV and moderated by Fetch Your News owner Brian K. Pritchard Friday, four challengers — Paul Broun, Mike Scupin, Roger Fitzpatrick and Bernie Fontaine — took turns attacking Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins on issues ranging from his support of President Obama’s Omnibus bill to what they see as his less than conservative voting record.
Fitzpatrick, a long time educator from White County, said Collins’ voting record is not representative of the 9th District, which he called, “the third most conservative district in the entire United States. If you look at the Conservative Review website, which grades everybody according to the original intent of the Constitution, Mr. Collins has a 59 percent voting record,” Fitzpatrick said.
By far the number one issue his opponents used to batter Collins was the Omnibus bill which most conservatives view with contempt because it provides funding for the Dreamer’s Act for children in the U.S. illegally, sanctuary cities, refugee programs, Middle East immigration programs that have been exploited by terrorists and Planned Parenthood.
Former 10th District U.S. Congressman Paul Broun said “The greatest moral issue we face as a nation is the killing of over one million babies every year and it must stop. The Omnibus bill funds Planned Parenthood while they go on butchering babies and selling baby parts.”
Broun added, “I have never voted for an omnibus bill and I never will.”
That gave Collins an opportunity to launch a conter attack. Collins claimed Broun voted for an omnibus bill in December 2007. “Either that’s an incompetence issue or you’re just lying,” Collins shot back.
Broun said his vote was not for the bill at all, but an amendment to the bill and that every Republican but one voted for the same amendment. “This is just more of the lies and distortion we get out of the Congressman,” Broun countered.
Lanier Tea Party Patriot Founder Mike Scupin said he would never have voted for the Omnibus bill and questioned how Collins could “swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States then vote for it when it had so many unconstitutional things in it.”
Fontaine, a retired Army and National Guard Brigadier General who ran against Collins four years ago, said, “Congress was dysfunctional then and its dysfunctional now. What we have is a systemic problem with two career politicians against three citizen candidates.”
FYN TV Presents – Camera, Candidates, and Issues Debate featuring 9th District Congressional Candidates Paul Broun, Doug Collins, Roger Fitzpatrick, Bernie Fontaine and Mike Scupin.
Politics April 22, 2016
FYN TV “Camera-Candidates-and-Issues”
9th Congressional District Debate. The Omnibus Bill, refugee resettlement, the national debt, Speaker Paul Ryan, sanctuary cities, abortion, and yes even the dog and pony show.
Scroll down to watch video.
Moderator FetchYourNews.com CEO BKP Candidate Dr. Paul Broun
Candidates Mr. Mike Scupin and Congressman Doug Collins
Candidates Mr. Roger Fitzpatrick and General Bernie Fontaine
Collins: SCOTUS ruling a tragedy for women, states’ rights
Featured June 27, 2016
June 27, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court struck down a state law regarding health and safety standards for Texas abortion clinics. In the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the Court voted 5-3 to strike down HB-2, a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles, and that abortion clinics must comply with state standards for outpatient surgical centers. The Court stated the law placed an “undue burden” in the way of women seeking an abortion. Congressman Collins, a Baptist pastor who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas earlier this year, issued the following statement in response to the ruling:
“The Court’s decision endangers women and removes valuable safety precautions, and is an erosion of states’ rights. The elected representatives of the Texas legislature passed this law to ensure patient safety in their state, and the law was signed by the Governor. The Supreme Court decision inserts the court into patient safety decisions where they don’t belong.”
“I have voted to protect the sanctity of life throughout my time in both the Georgia state legislature and the House of Representatives. This ruling will allow abortion clinics to proliferate with little oversight. As we saw with the case of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, whose abortion clinic was a real life house of horrors, these largely unregulated clinics jeopardize the lives of mothers and babies alike through the use of unsafe medical procedures. I stand by my pro-life principles, and will continue to speak out on the negative consequences the abortion industry has on our society.”