Greetings,
In the coming weeks, you’ll continue hearing about the looming “fiscal cliff" and what must be done to avoid it. Predictably, President Obama and Democrats are calling for higher taxes.

I believe, however, that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem and I continue to support the pledge I signed. The fiscal cliff can be averted—without raising taxes—through pro-growth reform and without compromising our principles.

I support cut, cap, and balance and will continue advocating for drastically reduced federal spending and a balanced budget amendment. President Obama and Democrats have added trillions to our national debt with no signs of stopping. They’ve offered no specifics on spending cuts or entitlement reform, which must be part of any fiscal cliff deal.

Without significant reform, Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017 and Social Security by 2033. Likewise, Obamacare and its $1.7 trillion price tag must be addressed in these fiscal cliff discussions. For my part, as co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, I will continue advancing ideas and legislation to enact a permanent solution to the Medicare physician reimbursement rate, safeguard the doctor-patient relationship, and implement meaningful health care reform.

Gingrey named Vice Chair of Environment and the Economy Subcommittee
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), today named Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D., (R-GA), Vice Chair of the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee. The subcommittee, with its oversight of key environmental laws and programs, has focused on the intersection of regulations and jobs. The panel works to ensure the safe, economically sensible management of energy byproducts, including a state-implemented regime for managing coal combustion residuals, and the long-standing challenge of storing spent nuclear fuel. Read more here.

Investigating Medicare fraud
The Health Subcommittee, of which I am a member, this week examined existing anti-fraud measures utilized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and discussed potential new approaches to fraud prevention. With some estimates predicting Medicare could go bankrupt as soon as 2017, I have made reforming the program a legislative priority. Watch the hearing or read more about it here.

Legislation Honoring Veteran’s Hero Passes House
This week, H.R. 6374, which I introduced, passed the House of Representatives. This legislation designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Carroll County facility, pictured below, as the Trinka Davis Veterans Village. The facility, funded by the Trinka Davis Foundation, will serve 3,000 veterans and enable them to receive first class treatment in their home community. Watch me deliver my floor speech in support of H.R. 6374 and learn more about the Trinka Davis Veterans Village here.

In this economic climate, the uncertainty created by the President’s health care law is crippling for business and leaves states in limbo. The lack of guidance from the Obama Administration and Secretary Sebelius has promoted employers to cut hours, freeze hiring, and in some cases, close their doors. Recently, Governor Deal cited it as a reason Georgia would not set up a health care exchange, a decision I strongly support. 

While Obamacare has created much uncertainty and we are still learning of the perils of the $1 trillion law, what we know so far isn’t pretty. Click here to view startling Obamacare Realities.  

Constituent Congratulations
Congratulations to community leaders Karen Hallacy and Herb Priest, Jr.  Ms. Hallacy was named the 22^nd East Cobb County Citizen of the Year. On behalf of our community, I thank Ms. Hallacy for her time, commitment and generosity. 

I also congratulate businessman Herb Priest on the dedication of a Woodstock plaza and pedestrian crossing in his honor. On behalf of Cherokee County, the city of Woodstock, and our community, we thank you for your continued service and dedication.

Media Highlights

• Thursday, I spoke to CNN Early Start about about pro-growth tax reform, spending cuts, and addressing entitlement programs as the solution to averting the so-called fiscal cliff. Watch our discussion here.
• This week, my staff and I participated in the American Red Cross Christmas Card Signing Event for our troops and I filmed a holiday greeting for the Pentagon Channel. I encourage you to support our veterans this Christmas season. For more information, contact the American Red Cross.
• Wednesday, I met with the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss the so-called fiscal cliff and the President’s plan to raise taxes. Read the story here.