Richard McCormick

Amid Heightened Cybersecurity Risks, McCormick Introduces Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure

Position: Introduces the Common-Sense Cloud Security Act, directing NIST to develop updated cloud cybersecurity standards, establish a voluntary certification program, and report to Congress on implementation. The release frames strengthened cloud cybersecurity as necessary to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure from adversaries, including China.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) introduced the Common-Sense Cloud Security Act to strengthen America’s cloud cybersecurity by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop updated standards to protect sensitive data, prevent cyberattacks, and secure critical infrastructure. The legislation would strengthen protections against unauthorized access and malicious activity while establishing a voluntary certification program to help cloud service providers meet modern cybersecurity standards. “In 2026, nearly everything we do relies on the cloud. From our financial information and medical records to our national security and critical infrastructure, our most sensitive information is stored and accessed through cloud-based systems,” said Congressman McCormick. “Our adversaries, including China, are constantly looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities, launch cyberattacks, and steal sensitive American information. We cannot afford to leave Americans exposed to these threats. The Common-Sense Cloud Security Act strengthens our cyber defenses, protects sensitive information, and keeps America one step ahead of our adversaries.” The Common-Sense Cloud Security Act would require NIST to work with federal cybersecurity officials, cloud service providers, critical infrastructure operators, and academic experts to address vulnerabilities in cloud environments, including through the use of artificial intelligence to detect suspicious activity. The Common-Sense Cloud Security Act would: Require NIST to report to Congress on federal implementation, private-sector adoption challenges, and recommendations to improve cloud cybersecurity. Update FedRAMP to align with new cloud security standards and strengthen cybersecurity disclosures for federal cloud providers. Establish a voluntary, tiered Cloud Security Certification Program using independent, accredited testing laboratories. Encourage artificial intelligence to detect unusual or suspicious activity in cloud environments. Develop a methodology to assess the scope of cloud security breaches and how far a compromise could spread. Strengthen cyberattack prevention, detection, and mitigation, including vetting, authorization, and continuous monitoring of third-party software integrations. Direct NIST to update cloud cybersecurity standards, including stronger digital identity protections linking account credentials to specific devices. Read the full bill text of the Common-Sense Cloud Security Act HERE. Issues:Science &​ Technology

Congressman McCormick Introduces Own Not Rent Act to Expand Homeownership Opportunities for American Families

Position: Supports expanding homeownership through tax-advantaged down payment savings accounts, increased penalty-free retirement withdrawals for first-time homebuyers, tax credits for builders of owner-occupied homes, and state-backed mortgage guarantee programs.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) introduced the Own Not Rent Act (H.R. 10784), legislation aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities by allowing state governments to guarantee portions of mortgages to allow for smaller down payments without mortgage insurance, helping first-time homebuyers save for a down payment, reducing financial barriers, and incentivizing the construction of new homes. The legislation would establish tax-advantaged down payment savings accounts, expand penalty-free retirement withdrawals for first-time homebuyers, and provide new tax incentives for homebuilders constructing owner-occupied housing. “The fact that the median age of a first-time homebuyer has reached 40 years old is unacceptable. Hardworking Americans are doing everything right, yet the dream of owning a home remains out of reach,” said Congressman McCormick. “Homeownership is one of the most important ways families build financial security and generational wealth. The Own Not Rent Act removes financial barriers, helps families save, and encourages the construction of homes Americans can actually own. We should be helping the next generation build their futures, not forcing them to remain renters.” The Own Not Rent Act is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). This bill would: Allow eligible first-time homebuyers to make up to $25,000 in annual tax-deductible contributions, with a maximum account balance of $100,000. Increase the lifetime limit on penalty-free retirement withdrawals for qualified first-time home purchases from $10,000 to $25,000. Permit tax-advantaged employer contributions to employees' down payment savings accounts. Provide eligible homebuilders a tax credit equal to 35 percent of qualifying construction costs for newly built owner-occupied homes. Encourage qualifying state-backed mortgage insurance and guarantee programs. Read the full text of the Own Not Rent Act HERE.

Congressman McCormick Calls on Trump Administration to Investigate Suspected H-1B Visa Fraud in North Metro Atlanta

Position: Congressman McCormick urges the Trump Administration to investigate suspected H-1B visa fraud and abuse in Georgia's 7th Congressional District and to focus federal enforcement resources there, and offers to work on legislation to strengthen enforcement.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin calling on the Trump Administration to investigate suspected H-1B visa fraud and abuse in and around Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. Fox News Digital first reported on McCormick’s letter and concerns surrounding suspected H-1B fraud in North Metro Atlanta. Read the story HERE. Following reports from constituents, stakeholder engagement, and recent federal investigation and enforcement activity targeting entities in and around GA-07, McCormick is urging the Administration to focus federal resources on allegations of fraud and abuse in North Metro Atlanta. “In America, we don’t tolerate illegal immigrants unlawfully crossing our border, and we shouldn’t tolerate bad actors who profit from manipulating and abusing our legal immigration system, particularly through programs like the H-1B visa,” said Congressman McCormick. “This fraud hurts American workers and American wages, erodes the public’s trust in our immigration laws, and insults legal immigrants who come to our country the right way. I am asking the Trump Administration to take a hard look at what is happening in and around my congressional district and hold accountable anyone found to be gaming the system.” In the letter, McCormick highlights concerns that bad actors are using fraudulent or abusive practices to obtain below-market labor, increase competition for American jobseekers, and subject H-1B holder employees to exploitation and abusive working conditions. McCormick specifically requested that the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor, State, and other relevant federal agencies focus investigative and enforcement resources on allegations of H-1B fraud and abuse in and around GA-07. The Congressman also offered to work with the Administration on any legislation necessary to strengthen federal enforcement efforts and to help facilitate cooperation with Georgia agencies and law enforcement. Read the full letter HERE. BACKGROUND: Georgia’s 7th Congressional District encompasses a large portion of North Metro Atlanta, a rapidly growing region with significant technology, health care, engineering, and other high-skilled industries. McCormick noted that the region’s economic growth, international connections, and demand for skilled labor make protecting the integrity of employment-based immigration particularly important. Issues:Immigration & Border Security

In Response to DSA’s Growing Political Presence, McCormick Introduces Communist Control Act of 2026

Position: Representative McCormick introduced H.R. 10501, the Communist Control Act of 2026, to amend the Communist Control Act of 1954 so that its provisions apply to the Democratic Socialists of America and successor organizations. He states that the DSA seeks to rewrite the Constitution and restructure the federal government.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) introduced the Communist Control Act of 2026 (H.R. 10501) to amend the Communist Control Act of 1954 and apply its provisions to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). This critical piece of legislation would treat the DSA in the same manner as the Communist Party of the United States under the Communist Control Act of 1954. The bill specifically adds the DSA and its successor organizations to provisions of the existing law. “The Democratic Socialists of America has told us exactly what it wants to do, and we should believe them,” said Congressman McCormick. “They want to rewrite our Constitution and fundamentally restructure the government of the United States. America has confronted this ideology before. We cannot sit back and watch it gain a foothold in our institutions. The Communist Control Act of 2026 makes clear that we will defend our Constitution, our freedoms, and the system of government that has made America the greatest and best country in the world.” BACKGROUND: Congressman McCormick introduced the Communist Control Act of 2026 amid increased attention on the Democratic Socialists of America and its candidates. The organization’s current platform calls for drafting a new constitution and creating what it describes as a “democratic socialist republic.” The platform also proposes abolishing the Senate and replacing the independently elected presidency and existing Supreme Court structure with institutions selected by and subordinate to Congress. Congress passed the original Communist Control Act in 1954 amid concerns about the Communist Party of the United States and its activities during the Cold War. The law declared that the Communist Party should be outlawed and denied the party and qualifying successor organizations certain legal rights, privileges, and immunities. The Communist Control Act of 2026 expands the existing law by expressly adding the Democratic Socialists of America and successor organizations.

Congressman McCormick Chairs Critical Hearing on Biotechnology Amid Race with China for Global Leadership

Position: The release states that American biotechnology leadership is at risk from China and calls for protecting American research, strengthening oversight of high-risk biological research, and ensuring federally funded breakthroughs produce American jobs and manufacturing. It also references two introduced bills, the Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act and the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act, to strengthen U.S. biotechnology leadership.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07), Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, chaired a hearing examining America’s biotechnology leadership, federal oversight of high-risk biological research, and the growing biotechnology race with the Chinese Communist Party. The Subcommittee heard testimony from Dr. Anemone Franz, Visiting Research Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; Mr. Joshua Hodges, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution; and Dr. Gigi Gronvall, Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “American biotechnology has long been one of our nation’s greatest strategic assets, but that leadership is no longer guaranteed,” said Congressman McCormick. “The Chinese Communist Party has made biotechnology a national priority, just as it has with semiconductors and artificial intelligence. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must protect American research, strengthen oversight, and ensure the breakthroughs funded by American taxpayers translate into American jobs, American manufacturing, and American strength.” The hearing examined federal oversight of high-risk biological research, including gain-of-function research, as well as the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology. McCormick emphasized both the enormous potential of AI to accelerate drug discovery, protein design, and biomanufacturing and the need to prevent American research, data, and technology from being exploited by adversaries. McCormick has also introduced two bills to strengthen American biotechnology leadership. The Biotechnology Workforce Alignment Act (H.R. 8398) would better align federal biotechnology research investments with the skilled workforce needed to develop and scale those innovations here at home. The Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act (H.R. 9755) would strengthen U.S. leadership abroad by coordinating American biotechnology policy and confronting threats from adversaries seeking access to American data, technology, and capabilities. Click HERE to watch McCormick’s opening remarks.

Rep. McCormick and Chairman Babin Seek Information on Federal Biotechnology Research and Security

Position: The Chairmen request information from DOE, NIH, and NSF on how their agencies are advancing U.S. leadership in biotechnology research while guarding against biosecurity and research security risks, and ask whether any additional authorities or statutory changes are needed.

Washington, D.C. - House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick sent letters to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, and National Science Foundation (NSF) Acting Director Brian Stone requesting information on how their agencies are advancing U.S. leadership in biotechnology research while protecting against biosecurity and research security risks. In the letters, the Chairmen highlight the growing importance of biotechnology to U.S. economic competitiveness, scientific leadership, national security, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. They also emphasize that rapid advances in biotechnology—including synthetic biology, gene editing, DNA synthesis, automated laboratory technologies, and the convergence of biotechnology and artificial intelligence—present significant opportunities as well as emerging security risks. “The United States must lead in this area of research to support economic growth and societal benefit while strengthening safeguards against harm caused by negligent or malicious actors,” the Chairmen wrote. The letters also highlight the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s April 2025 report, which concluded that “biotechnology will be a defining strategic technology of the twenty-first century” and warned that the United States risks falling behind global competitors without a coordinated national strategy. The report identified biotechnology as critical to economic competitiveness, national defense, public health, agriculture, energy, and industrial production. The Chairmen commend the Administration's leadership in this area, including President Trump’s May 5, 2025, Executive Order on Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research. As part of their oversight, the Chairmen ask the agencies to identify any significant gaps, vulnerabilities, or emerging threats related to biotechnology; explain whether they have implemented recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology; and identify any additional authorities, resources, statutory changes, or policy tools needed to strengthen U.S. biotechnology leadership while protecting national security and biosecurity. The letters underscore the Committee's interest in ensuring that the United States remains a leader in biotechnology research and innovation while maintaining appropriate safeguards against the misuse of emerging biological capabilities. To read the full letter to DOE, please click here. To read the full letter to NIH, please click here. To read the full letter to NSF, please click here. ### Issues:Science &​ Technology

McCormick: As a Marine, Abbey Gate wasn’t a military disaster. It was a Biden administration betrayal.

Position: The release argues that the August 2021 Abbey Gate attack and chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted from Biden administration policy failures, and calls for accountability so the nation learns from those failures.

In case you missed it, Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07) recently wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner commemorating the fifth anniversary of the tragic attack at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021. A Marine, Navy veteran, and former head of emergency medicine in Kandahar, McCormick reflected on his own service in Afghanistan, the sacrifices made by a generation of American service members, and the failed Biden-era policies that culminated in the chaotic withdrawal and the deaths of 13 American heroes. McCormick honored the lives and service of those brave Americans while highlighting the need for accountability and ensuring our nation learns from the failures that led to that devastating day. You can read the op-ed HERE or below. Image

Congressman McCormick Introduces the Make DC Square Again Act

Position: Rep. McCormick argues that Congress should restore the District of Columbia to its original ten-mile-square boundaries by reversing the 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and Alexandria to Virginia, asserting that the retrocession was unconstitutional and that the current arrangement gives Democrats an unfair electoral advantage.

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) introduced the Make DC Square Again Act to undo the unconstitutional 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria from the District of Columbia to Virginia. This will restore DC’s original boundaries established by the Residence Act of 1790. Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, commonly referred to as the Enclave Clause, grants Congress authority over a federal district “not exceeding ten miles square” made up of territory ceded by state governments to serve as the seat of government. The Constitution does not enumerate any power to retrocede such territories back to state governments. This bill follows the narrow passage of a partisan redistricting referendum in Virginia. The newly proposed map would make Democrat candidates favored to win in 10 of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts in a state that, absent the vote of DC bureaucrats, would have a substantial republican majority. The retroceded areas of Arlington and Alexandria alone contribute roughly 250,000 DC votes in Virginia statewide elections, votes that belong to Washington DC. “The Constitution never authorized Congress to carve pieces out of the federal District and hand them back to a state,” said Congressman McCormick. “Democrats have spent years manipulating maps and boundaries to rig elections. The Make DC Square Again Act restores the original ten-mile-square District and ends the artificial advantage Virginia Democrats have recently gained from all the federal bureaucrats moving into Virginia.” Key Facts from the Bill: ● The Enclave Clause grants Congress exclusive legislative authority over a District “not exceeding ten miles square.” It contains no authority to retrocede territory back to the states. ● In 1846, Congress unconstitutionally ceded Alexandria County (now Arlington County and the City of Alexandria) to Virginia. ● Senator Benjamin Wade introduced legislation in 1866 to repeal the retrocession, and today’s bill finally corrects this unconstitutional error. The Make DC Square Act restores the District of Columbia as the Founders envisioned it. ###

SST Leaders Request Information from NASEM on Greenhouse Gas Study and Committee Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin, along with Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Scott Franklin, sent a letter to Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), requesting information related to NASEM’s report on Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases and U.S. Climate: Evidence and Impacts. In the letter, the Chairmen note NASEM’s long history of providing valuable scientific advice to the federal government. They emphasize that NASEM’s credibility is contingent upon its objectivity, stating, “Congress has long relied on NASEM precisely because it is expected to operate free from political influence, financial entanglements, or institutional bias.” The Chairmen add that “when those standards are compromised—or appear to be compromised—the value of NASEM’s advice to policymakers and the public is correspondingly diminished.” The Chairmen raise concerns about the formation, funding, and expedited timeline of the Greenhouse Gases Committee, which was assembled shortly after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rescinding its 2009 Endangerment Finding. NASEM itself acknowledged that “the impetus for this report was a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in August 2025 by the [EPA],” and the Committee produced a “fast-track[ed]” report within weeks that reaffirmed the Endangerment Finding. They question whether the Committee’s work was conducted with sufficient transparency, balance, and independence, particularly given its compressed timeline and potential reliance on private funding sources. The letter also highlights broader structural concerns related to NASEM’s exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), noting that the exemption allows NASEM to operate outside many of the transparency, balance, and public accountability requirements that apply to other federal advisory committees. This exemption is particularly relevant as special interest groups have challenged other advisory reports related to the Endangerment Finding, citing FACA compliance concerns. They also cite recent issues involving undisclosed conflicts of interest in NASEM-affiliated work, including the retraction of a climate science chapter in the Federal Judicial Center’s Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, as further indication of concerns regarding conflict-of-interest safeguards and institutional practices. The letter requests information on NASEM’s communications with federal agencies, funding sources—including private donations—and its processes for ensuring objectivity, managing conflicts of interest, assembling committees, and initiating studies. It also seeks records related to the Committee’s work and broader data on NASEM’s funding and study practices, and asks that NASEM retain all relevant records and respond by May 1, 2026. To read the full letter, please click here. Issues:Science &​ Technology

Reps. McCormick, Hill, Adams, & Figures Introduce HBCU Research Capacity Act to Expand Access to Federal Research Funding

Position: The representatives support legislation establishing a federal clearinghouse to improve HBCU access to federal research funding and reduce barriers to grant opportunities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), along with Caucus members Rep. Richard McCormick (GA-06) and Rep. Shomari Figures (AL-02), introduced the HBCU Research Capacity Act. The legislation is the House companion to S. 4167, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) on March 24, 2026. HBCUs are cornerstones of American higher education, producing a disproportionately large share of Black STEM graduates and playing an outsized role in building the nation's workforce, yet they receive less than 1% of the roughly $60 billion in federal research and development funding allocated to colleges and universities each year. The HBCU Research Capacity Act fixes that by establishing a federal clearinghouse giving HBCUs a centralized, regularly updated source of federal grant opportunities across agencies, along with best practices for building research capacity and stronger coordination to reduce longstanding barriers to access. "Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including the four we are blessed to have here in Arkansas, have been a source of opportunity and innovation for generations," said Rep. Hill, Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan House HBCU Caucus. "Despite their outsized contributions, HBCUs receive a fraction of the federal research funding available to them. The HBCU Research Capacity Act takes a practical step toward changing that by ensuring these institutions have the information and tools they need to compete for federal dollars and continue fulfilling their vital mission for generations to come." "HBCUs have always punched above their weight. HBCUs contribute nearly $16.5 billion to the economy every year despite receiving less than 1% of federal research funding. That gap isn't a reflection of merit, it's a reflection of decades of systemic underfunding,” said Rep. Alma Adams, Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “The HBCU Research Capacity Actwill help by giving our institutions a clear path to federal grant opportunities. I'm proud to champion this House companion with Representatives Hill, McCormick, and Figures and alongside Sen. Rev. Warnock and Sen. Britt in the Senate to ensure HBCUs receive the funding they have earned." “The time to act is now if we want to keep America leading in the world of STEM. Our nation’s HBCUs are producing some of the brightest minds in science and technology, even as they face real funding challenges,” said Congressman Richard McCormick. “I’m proud to co-sponsor the HBCU Research Capacity Act that ensures these students can stay ahead in the global technology race, which starts with investing in our own talent.” "HBCUs have a long-standing track record of making significant contributions to our nation’s economy and workforce despite being consistently underfunded,” said Rep. Shomari C. Figures. “With Alabama being home to the most HBCUs in the nation, this bill is a game-changer for the institutions in my state at the forefront of research and development because it creates a one-stop shop for all federal research funding opportunities. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation, and I will continue fighting for HBCUs to receive the resources they need to continue training and educating the next generation of leaders, researchers, and scholars.” Background The HBCU Research Capacity Act would: Establish a federal clearinghouse to provide a centralized source of information on federal grant opportunities available to HBCUs. Ensure HBCUs receive consistent and timely updates on research and development funding opportunities across federal agencies. Provide best practices and guidance to help institutions strengthen research capacity and improve competitiveness for federal grants. Encourage coordination across key federal agencies to better align funding opportunities and reduce barriers to access. Promote transparency and accountability through regular reporting to Congress and participating institutions. Direct agencies to review grant programs and identify gaps in support for HBCU participation.