Rick W. Allen

Congressman Allen Leads Colleagues in Demanding a Halt in Changes to EAMC

Position: Congressman Allen and colleagues oppose the Defense Health Agency's proposal to downgrade Eisenhower Army Medical Center to an ambulatory care center, citing concerns about national security and servicemember healthcare needs, and urging the agency to halt changes pending congressional review.

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) was joined by Representatives Joe Wilson (SC-02), Austin Scott (GA-08), Earl "Buddy" Carter (GA-01), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), and Brian Jack (GA-03) in sending a letter to the Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Department of War, urging that changes to the Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) at Fort Gordon be halted immediately. In the letter, Congressman Allen and the members write: "We are writing to share our strong opposition to the proposal by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to downgrade the Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) at Fort Gordon to an ambulatory care center... While DHA has notified Congress about the proposed changes, it is required by law that DHA submit a report to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) on the proposed plans to restructure EAMC and Congress has 180 days to review the proposal before any changes are made." The members continue: "It is very concerning that DHA has circumvented the law and has proceeded to downsize the EAMC based on a previous administration’s plan to address their recruiting failures and lack of investment in the men and women of the military... Under these new circumstances, we urge DHA to reconsider the changes made at EAMC and to halt any further actions, with respect to delivery of care and staffing until Congress has assessed the plan." The members conclude: "While our servicemembers and their families are our priority, there are real national security concerns sending servicemembers into the civilian healthcare system... We are grateful to represent servicemembers and their families who face unique and complex needs due to their service. Again, we urge DHA to follow the letter of the law and halt any further changes to EAMC." BACKGROUND: On January 20, 2026, Congressman Allen sent a letter to the Honorable David J. Smith, M.D., Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency, seeking answers about potential changes in the scope of services provided at Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) at Fort Gordon. To read the full letter to Secretary Hegseth, click here. Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

House Passes 2026 Farm Bill

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which builds on the historic agriculture investments made in H.R. 1, often known as the Working Families Tax Cuts. After voting in support of the bill, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement: "Rural America needs a new Farm Bill now, not tomorrow. With today's passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, House Republicans have once again reaffirmed our commitment to American agriculture and delivered for hardworking growers and producers. "Having grown up on a Hereford cattle farm and traveled throughout the 12th District, I know the uncertainty Georgia's farmers can face—which has been exacerbated in recent years by high input costs, shrinking margins, devastating natural disasters, and market uncertainty. The best way to reinvigorate our farm economy and bring certainty back to farm country is to send a modern Farm Bill that addresses today's challenges to President Trump's desk. This bill is the answer. "With agriculture being the number one industry in the 12th District and across our state, I was proud to support this Farm Bill that not only delivers sound agriculture policy but also provides our farmers with the tools and resources they need." More specifically, H.R. 7567: NOTE: Following Hurricane Helene's destruction, Congressman Allen co-introduced the Farmers’ AID Relief Act, which updates the Hurricane Insurance Protection - Wind Index (HIP-WI) to better reflect real-world storm paths and protect farmers affected by damage. This legislation is included as a marker bill in Sec. 11016 of Title XI of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. Additionally, H.R. 7567 is supported by more than 500 stakeholder organizations, including the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Corn Growers Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, and others. Read the full bill text HERE. Read a section-by-section HERE. Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Congressman Allen Votes for Budget Framework to Fund ICE and Border Protection

Position: Congressman Allen supports funding for ICE and CBP through the end of President Trump's term, arguing that these agencies require resources to enforce immigration law and secure the border.

Last night, House Republicans passed S. Con. Res. 33, which establishes a congressional budget to responsibly fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the end of President Trump’s term, ensuring these agencies are able to keep the American people safe from threats. Upon passage of S. Con. Res. 33, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement: "House and Senate Democrats have made it abundantly clear that their loyalty lies with illegal immigrants, not with the American people, and not with the brave individuals tasked with securing our border and deporting criminals who have illegally entered our country. While Democrats continue to obstruct funding for the Department of Homeland Security, House Republicans are working to ensure these vital national security agencies have the resources they need to keep Americans safe. This was an easy yes vote." BACKGROUND: Adoption of S. Con. Res. 33 will unlock the process by which Congressional Republicans can fund ICE and CBP through the entirety of President Trump’s term with a simple majority vote in the Senate. This bill makes the FY2026 annual appropriations process whole, ensuring that ICE and CBP can continue the historic progress they have made under the Trump Administration to address the consequences of Democrats’ disastrous open-borders policies. Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Rep. Allen's Bills Encouraging Skills-Based Hiring Included in WIOA Reauthorization Package

Position: Rep. Allen supports the Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, which includes provisions from his bills to promote skills-based hiring, validate prior learning, and reduce employment barriers by recognizing work experience and training outside formal degree requirements.

Yesterday, the Committee on Education and Workforce advanced H.R. 8210, the Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026. This legislation makes needed improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—focused on improving outcomes for workers, strengthening our economy, and ensuring accountability for taxpayer dollars. Included in H.R. 8210 are provisions from Congressman Allen's Startup Act and Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act that reduce barriers to employment, expand opportunity, and better align our workforce system with how people actually learn and work. Prior to the full committee advancing the Stronger Workforce for America Act, Congressman Allen delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, in support of the bill: "A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 seeks to strengthen and increase connections to work for our nation’s most vulnerable, and I’m proud that provisions from my bill, the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act, are included in this package, as well as language around entrepreneurial skills development. "My bills are built on simple but important beliefs: that learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom, and our workforce system should recognize the full range of skills individuals already have. "Too often, qualified workers are overlooked because they lack a formal degree, even when they have years of relevant experience from work, military service, or other training. These provisions help fix that by improving how the workforce system identifies and validates prior learning and existing skills. "They strengthen collaboration between workforce boards, employers, and education providers to ensure assessments reflect the skills that are in demand in today’s economy. The bill also integrates these assessments into local workforce services so job seekers can receive credit or credentials for the skills they already possess. "This allows workers to move more quickly into employment or advance in their careers without having to start from scratch. At the same time, it supports employers by making it easier to identify qualified candidates and move toward skills-based hiring rather than relying solely on degree requirements. "These reforms help reduce barriers to employment, expand opportunity, and better align our workforce system with how people actually learn and work. I’m happy to see my bill language reflected in this reauthorization effort, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back." Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Allen touts improvements at Bon Air Apartments

Congressman Rick Allen toured the Bon Air apartment complex this week with officials from Redwood Housing Partners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The visit is the latest public step in a longstanding effort to address problems at the historic property. The current structure opened in 1923 as a luxury hotel, but has functioned as subsidized housing since the early 1980s. Redwood paid $25 million for the Bon Air and downtown Richmond Summit hotel in 2020. Soon after, Redwood renewed a 20-year agreement with HUD to provide Section 8 project-based rental assistance at the properties. Numerous issues including fire code and property maintenance code violations, crime and a lack of heat and AC soon came to light. In 2022, Allen sent a letter to HUD and Redwood demanding Redwood be held accountable for conditions at the properties. Since then, his office has been in “regular communication” with HUD and Redwood demanding that substantial renovations be made, according to a statement released Monday. The commissioner who represents the Bon Air, Catherine Smith Rice, has pushed for inspections and improvements over the last few years. District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson, who represents the Richmond Summit area, pressed for similar improvements downtown. Last year, the commission put Redwood’s license on probation in an effort to get the company in line. Redwood responded by shuttling residents wearing “We Support Redwood” t-shirts to a commission meeting. In a statement, Allen said a Monday tour of renovated units and common areas convinced him that Redwood and HUD have met his office’s demands. Elevators have been repaired, management is routinely meeting with tenants as well as the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Augusta Fire Department, “and much more,” he said. “Over the last several years, members of my team and I have been in regular communication with HUD and Redwood, consistently demanding that substantial renovations be made at the Bon Air to ensure residents can enjoy a clean and safe living environment,” the statement said. “After my visit today, I can confidently say that we have achieved that goal,” he said. Allen, now facing election-year challenges in the May 19 primary as well as the November general election, also lives in the Summerville community that surrounds the Bon Air. He said he hopes with communication and accountability, the Bon Air will remain a “modern, safe and enjoyable atmosphere” for residents and visitors and “a place of pride for the surrounding community.” Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Congressman Allen Visits Bon Air Apartments Following Renovations

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) visited the Bon Air Apartment Complex in Richmond County. Congressman Allen was joined by representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Redwood Housing for a walkthrough of the facility, including several renovated units and floors. After the visit, Congressman Allen issued the following statement: "Over the last several years, members of my team and I have been in regular communication with HUD and Redwood—consistently demanding that substantial renovations be made at the Bon Air to ensure residents can enjoy a clean and safe living environment. After my visit today, I can confidently say that we have achieved that goal. "Units and common areas have been updated, security measures are now in place, elevators have been repaired, property management is conducting routine meetings with tenants and representatives from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, and much more. This has been a long process, and at times challenging, but one thing has been clear from the beginning: we were not taking no for an answer. I am hopeful that with continued communication and accountability, the Bon Air Apartments will remain a modern, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for all residents and visitors and a place of pride for the surrounding community." Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Allen Applauds Federal Court Ruling Overturning Biden-Era Fiduciary Rule

Position: Congressman Allen opposes the Biden Administration's 2024 fiduciary rule, arguing it imposes excessive regulatory burdens that harm working-class Americans' access to financial advice and retirement security. He supports a commonsense alternative approach.

Yesterday, a federal court vacated the 2024 Biden Administration Department of Labor's (DOL) 'Retirement Security Rule,' also known as the 'Fiduciary Rule.' This disastrous rule redefined when a financial services provider would become subject to regulation as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which will eliminate options for working-class Americans, reduce their ability to retire, and limit their access to financial advice by imposing significant regulatory burdens and litigation risks. Following the ruling, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, issued the statement below: "From the outset, when President Biden's DOL proposed their overreaching fiduciary rule, I have consistently sounded the alarm on its negative impacts. By muddying the waters with overregulation, the previous administration undoubtedly did more harm than good—garnering bipartisan, bicameral opposition. This federal court ruling is a win for retirees, savers, and working families seeking sound financial advice and a prosperous retirement. I look forward to working with President Trump's DOL on a commonsense proposal that works for all consumers and families." BACKGROUND: In 2024, Congressman Allen and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced H. J. Res 142, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the Biden Department of Labor’s (DOL) finalized fiduciary rule, which was later advanced by the Education and Workforce Committee. Under current ERISA laws, a fiduciary is a person who is already required to provide investment advice "solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries." Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Congressman Allen Introduces the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act

Position: Congressman Allen supports legislation to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from paying kickbacks or referral fees to intermediaries in exchange for directing health plan business, arguing this reform would reduce conflicts of interest and lower prescription drug costs for patients and workers.

This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, introduced the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act. This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from paying kickbacks or referral fees to brokers, consultants, advisors, or similar intermediaries in exchange for directing employer health plan or insurer business to the PBM. Upon the bill's introduction, Congressman Allen issued the following statement: "The Trump Administration and House Republicans are laser-focused on lowering prescription drug prices and making health insurance more affordable. The PBM Kickback Prohibition Act—a signature component of the President's 'Great Healthcare Plan'—would rein in PBMs by ending kickbacks that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance for patients, workers, and families. I thank Chairman Walberg for his support in introducing this bill and look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues to get it across the finish line," said Congressman Rick Allen. "If we’re serious about lowering health care costs, we have to take on the middlemen driving prices higher. Banning kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers to a medical plan’s advisor or consultant is a commonsense reform that protects workers, employers, and patients. Simply put, Rep. Allen’s bill makes sure decisions are made based on what’s best for patients and plan sponsors—not who’s paying the biggest kickback. This kind of transparency is a key part of the broader effort Republicans are advancing with President Trump to bring down health care costs and make the system work better for American families," said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI). BACKGROUND: Specifically, the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act adds a restriction to ERISA section 408 stating that when a PBM provides pharmacy benefit management services to a covered health plan, the PBM may not provide any direct or indirect compensation to third parties for referring that plan’s business. The prohibition would apply to plan years beginning after the bill’s enactment, aiming to reduce conflicts of interest and increase transparency in PBM contracting with employer-sponsored health plans. Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Answers on Fort Gordon hospital could come soon

Position: Rep. Allen is seeking transparency and accountability regarding reported service cuts at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, expressing concern about potential closure of the emergency room, operating room, and in-patient care, and calling for the Defense Health Agency to provide a full report on the causes and solutions within 90 days.

Augusta’s congressman says the community could have a timeline on the future of Eisenhower Army Medical Center within 90 days. This is an update to a 12 On Your Side investigation reporter Meredith Anderson first broke in November, when reports surfaced of potential cuts at the Fort Gordon hospital. Reported cuts to Eisenhower include closing the emergency room and operating room and ending in-patient care. Sen. Jon Ossoff launched an official inquiry first. Then Reps. Rick Allen, Joe Wilson, Austin Scott and Sheri Biggs sent a letter to the Defense Health Agency. Their offices said they had received reports of departments, staffing and services at Eisenhower being “severely reduced.” The letter also noted there is no equal military hospital within 300 miles and that the CSRA already has a limited number of TRICARE-approved providers. Allen, R-Augusta, toured the hospital Jan. 30 and met with installation and hospital leadership. He said it was apparent cutbacks had been happening. “They’ve been cutting back. And, you know, we couldn’t get an answer on that,” Allen said. Allen said he brought those concerns to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, who has placed a hold on any changes until the Defense Health Agency submits a required report. “And I guess that’s why they haven’t replied to our letter, is they’re preparing this report which should tell us all what the heck’s going on and how we fix it,” Allen said. Allen said one of the most basic questions — whether the cuts stem from a hiring and funding shortfall — still hasn’t been answered. “If they don’t have the money to hire personnel, we need to know about it,” Allen said. “Those are the answers we’re looking for.” He said he expects those answers within roughly three months. “Hopefully in 90 days, we’ll have the answers and be able to fully address this issue,” Allen said. The Defense Health Agency has not denied that service reductions could happen at Eisenhower, but no official announcement has been made. Fort Jackson converted its hospital to a clinic in 2016. Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Congressman Allen Issues Statement on War Powers Resolution and DHS Funding

Position: Congressman Allen opposes the War Powers Resolution restricting presidential military action against Iran, arguing the President has constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and has complied with War Powers notification requirements. He supports full DHS funding.

This evening on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) voted no on H. Con. Res. 38, otherwise known as the War Powers Resolution, which would unnecessarily tie the hands of the Administration during hostilities with Iran. Congressman Allen also voted yes on H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2026, which fully funds DHS and supports efforts to defend our homeland. Following tonight's floor activity, Congressman Allen released the statement below: "Iran is responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist regime in the world. The last thing we need to do is hamstring the Administration and our military leaders as they actively defend American citizens from the evolving threat that Iran poses. The President fulfilled the requirements under the War Powers Resolution by briefing the Gang of Eight before the strikes on Iran occurred. Additionally, Article II of the U.S. Constitution is clear that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and has a duty to act in defense of our nation. "For that reason, I voted no on the War Powers Resolution offered by Reps. Massie and Khanna. I agree with President Trump that the Iranian regime must never obtain a nuclear weapon, and after receiving a classified briefing earlier this week on Operation Epic Fury, I am even more confident that we will achieve the objectives laid out in detail by the Administration. "Further, and more important now than ever, we must fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. For nearly three weeks, Democrats have obstructed and irresponsibly shut down the department tasked with defending our homeland. That is shameful. House Republicans once again did our work to fully fund DHS—including the Coast Guard, TSA, FEMA, and Air Traffic Controllers. The longer Democrats keep DHS shut down, the more danger they impose on the American people, especially during this time of heightened uncertainty. "Robin and I continue to pray for the families and loved ones of the service members we lost and all of those who continue fighting to ensure Iran’s terrorist proxies can no longer harm Americans and destabilize the Middle East." Enter your email address to get the latest updates straight to your inbox. Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.