U.S. Rep. Austin Scott named to defense act conference committee

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, was the only Georgia House member to be named by Republican leadership to serve on the House-Senate conference committee for the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

House Speaker Paul Ryan named Scott, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, as one of 18 House Republicans on the committee. The conference committee will work through differences in the House and Senate versions of Fiscal Year 2018 NDAA.

“Earlier this year, the House passed a strong defense bill aimed at equipping our military with the resources it needs to remain the world’s elite fighting force,” Scott said. “I’m very honored to be chosen as a NDAA Conferee, and I look forward to getting to work on hammering out a final piece of legislation that meets the unique needs we face in securing freedom and keeping Americans safe.”

The House passed its version of the measure in July with bipartisan support.

Hurricane Relief

U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Albany, said he strongly supports the legislative package providing disaster relief for areas impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The aid package, Bishop’s office said, provides $36.5 billion in disaster relief resources. That amount includes $18.7 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund, including $4.9 billion in low-interest loans for Puerto Rico. The bill also includes $1.27 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to meet increased food needs in the U.S. territories following the storm. The bill provides $16 billion in National Flood Insurance Program debt relief and $576.6 million to fight wildfires.

“This legislation takes great strides in helping impacted areas recover from the series of devastating hurricanes that struck our nation,” Bishop said. “This bill provides the necessary resources for the Southeastern United States, the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to recover after this storm.

“It addresses food needs, flood recovery and rebuilding. It is important to note that recovery will take time, and it is vital that we remain vigilant to ensure impacted communities have what they need to get on their feet.”

Iran Deal

U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Sea Island, said he supports President Trump’s decision to decertify the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Trump Administration’s strategy to counter Iranian influence in the region.

“President Trump is correct to decertify President Obama’s dangerous Iran Nuclear Deal because it is not in our national security interests,” Perdue said Friday. “In no circumstance can we allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, and President Obama’s deal laid out a road map for Iran to do just that. I applaud President Trump’s action to decertify.”

Perdue said decertification gives the U.S. more leverage at the negotiating table to get the international community to tackle non-nuclear issues‎ and to address shortcomings in the deal, which he said includes sunset clauses and inspection loopholes.

“To be clear, this is part of a long-term regional strategy,” the senator said. “This includes countering Iranian influence in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, where Iranian proxies have been gaining control and influence in the region. President Trump is doing what the last administration refused to do: re-engaging with the rest of the world, while asserting American security interests.”