Sen. Johnny Isakson first Georgia Republican senator sworn in for third term

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson on Tuesday became the first Republican to be sworn in for a third term as U.S. senator from Georgia.

“I am eager to begin the 115th Congress and continue my lifelong passion of serving Georgians,” Isakson said. “It means the world to have the support of my family, and I look forward to working with the new Republican administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days ahead to advance the ideals that make our American democracy great and to get the best results for Georgia and America.”

Isakson, 72, already had the distinction of being the first Georgian to have serve in both houses of the General Assembly and both houses of Congress.

The Georgia senior senator also got his committee assignments Tuesday. He will continue his service on five Senate committees in the 115th Congress. Isakson will continue to chair two committees – the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics — as well as serve on the Finance, Foreign Relations, and Health, Education and Labor committees. In those capacities, he said he will help shape the future of health care, tax reform and foreign policy on behalf of Georgians and the nation.

“I look forward to continuing to lead in the Senate to fix the problems that have plagued the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for far too long,” Isakson, a veteran, said. “Working with the Trump administration, we will bring real accountability and restore a culture of service to the VA. We are also going to do everything possible to reduce the amount of time the VA takes to review appeals on veterans’ benefit claims and to ensure veterans have the choice of receiving health care from providers in their community, two of my top priorities this Congress.”

Isakson will again serve on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Senate Committee on Finance, which he said will lead efforts in replacing Obamacare.

“Repealing and replacing Obamacare with patient-focused, quality, affordable health care is a top priority for the incoming administration, and I am excited to steer this process as a member of the Senate health committees that oversee health care,” Isakson said. “Too many Georgians have been hurt by Obamacare’s rising costs, lack of choices and broken promises. After Obamacare is repealed, we can begin implementing free-market principles that will increase choice and lower the cost of health care for Georgia families and businesses.”

As a member of the Finance Committee, Isakson will also play a key role under new presidential leadership in reforming the nation’s tax code. He was assigned to the Foreign Relations Committee, which will develop and influence U.S. foreign policy and the global fight against radical Islamic terrorism.

“I have been pleased to provide a businessman’s perspective as a member of the Finance Committee and to provide input through our bipartisan working groups as we move toward reforming our nation’s broken tax system,” said Isakson. “Under the leadership of the incoming administration, I look forward to simplifying the individual income tax and reducing the heavy burden of tax filing on American taxpayers and small businesses. Reforming the corporate income tax will help keep more jobs and investment here in America.”

Isakson, who was in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-72, said continued service as chair of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs was a priority. He has served on the Ethics Committee since 2007 and will remain chairman.

“My service on the Ethics Committee is so important to me, and I will continue to do all I can to uphold the integrity of the ethical standards of the U.S. Senate in a fair, nonpartisan manner,” said Isakson.

Formal committee approval and ratification of chairmen will take place later this month.