Note: In this recurring digital news series, GPB follows your federal tax dollars back to the state of Georgia each week. Neither Sen. Jon Ossoff nor Sen. Raphael Warnock is up for reelection this year — the former will run again in 2026 and the latter in 2028.

For the week ending Dec. 6, the senators focused on requesting federal disaster assistance from congressional leaders post-Hurricane Helene, pressing U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy under oath on the continuing mail delays in Georgia, and introducing legislation to rename the Plains, Ga., post office after Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

 

Postmaster General DeJoy

On Dec. 5, Ossoff pressed USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy under oath at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for answers and solutions to the ongoing mail delays in Georgia.

Ossoff highlighted the issues Georgians are facing with mail delays in the questioning.

“It’s about whether or not seniors in Georgia are receiving prescriptions,” Ossoff said to DeJoy. "It’s the stacks of boxes of mail from courts that never arrived that went to their destination. It’s the small businesses who are not able to get products to market."

Per a press release, DeJoy and USPS released the updated targets for on-time delivery for fiscal year 2025, including a nationally lowered target for on-time delivery.

Ossoff asked DeJoy to confirm if he lowered his targets so USPS could meet them.

 

Early diabetes detection

On Nov. 27, Ossoff announced that he is working to pass bipartisan legislation to improve early diabetes detection throughout Georgia in honor of November being Diabetes Awareness Month.

The SCREEN for Type 1 Diabetes Act would create a Type 1 diabetes public awareness campaign to urge people to get screened for diabetes.

According to a press release, “the bipartisan bill, first introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), would direct the CDC to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of Type 1 diabetes detection, screening, and management.”

The CDC reports that Type 1 diabetes can occur in people of all ages but is most common in children with diabetes.

“Too many Georgians suffering from Type 1 diabetes face life-threatening complications simply because the disease is caught too late,” Ossoff said in a statement. “This is why I’m working across the aisle to strengthen early detection and ensure better health outcomes for families across our state.”

 

Disaster assistance

On Dec. 2, Warnock and Ossoff announced they had written to Senate leadership to request a vote on the disaster assistance funding request the White House had submitted. The assistance would help farmers and families throughout Georgia affected by Hurricane Helene's damage.

Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Thomas Tillis (R-N.C.) joined them.

Per a press release, the senators requested that Congress "act immediately to provide for those in need," with a vote in the first week of December.

"Our constituents need immediate help as they work to rebuild their homes and communities. We have delayed too long already. We therefore request that Congress act immediately to provide for those in need. We stand ready to pass a supplemental disaster relief bill the first week of December," the senators wrote.

Then on Dec. 5, Warnock and Ossoff joined the Georgia U.S. House of Representatives delegation urging congressional leaders to approve at least $12 billion in federal supplemental disaster appropriations for Georgia following Helene.

The letter follows Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's letter on Nov. 19 requesting that congressional leaders allocate $12 billion in federal support.

"On behalf of our farmers, families, and communities beginning the long road to recovery, we urge you to quickly produce a disaster supplemental funding package that includes this vitally important funding for Georgia's households, businesses, essential infrastructure, agricultural economy, and more," the lawmakers wrote.

 

Upgraded female body armor

On Dec. 4, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation pushed by Ossoff that would guarantee the safety of law enforcement women by giving them proper, fitted body armor.

The DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act would give female law enforcement officers upgraded ballistic body armor under the Department of Homeland Security.

“Ill-fitting body armor threatens the health and safety of law enforcement agents,” Ossoff said in a statement. "I continue leading my effort to ensure female military servicemembers have well-fitting body armor. By bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we are making progress to now equip female law enforcement officers with the same."

Ossoff worked on the legislation with Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The House of Representatives will take over the legislation for consideration.

 

Absolics’ Covington facility

On Dec. 5, Warnock and Ossoff announced the Absolics’ Covington facility will receive $75 million in federal investments under the CHIPS and Science Act, which invests funding to bring semiconductor supply chains to the U.S., creating jobs and supporting innovation.

According to a press release, the investment will support the development of the Covington facility, which will, in turn, create 210 new jobs in Georgia.

“The CHIPS and Science Act committed billions of dollars to invigorating the American semiconductor industry, the backbone of modern technology,” Warnock said in a statement. “I remain committed to building a stronger economy that supports Georgia workers and equips them with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.”

This historic federal investment will create jobs for Georgia, support U.S. national security, and bring more advanced manufacturing to our state,” Ossoff said.

 

Plains post office

On Dec. 6, Ossoff and Warnock introduced legislation to honor former President Jimmy Carter and the late first lady Rosalynn Carter by renaming the Plains, Ga., Post Office.

The Post Office at 119 Main Street in Plains would be renamed the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Post Office.

The companion bill in the U.S. House Of Representatives, which the Georgia congressional delegation led, had passed the previous day, Dec. 5, 2024.

“Renaming the post office in Plains, Ga., in honor of President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter is a tribute to their lifelong service,” Ossoff said in a statement. “The Carters have left an indelible mark on our nation and the world. A Post Office named in their honor of Plains is a small but fitting tribute to their legacy.”

“Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter led exemplary lives while serving Georgians and our nation and were fiercely committed to uplifting the lives of all Americans,” Warnock said. “Renaming the Plains post office after both of these Georgia icons is a small nod to their triumphant legacy in the Peach State.”  

Tags: Georgia  Georgia Politics  U.S. Senate  Jon Ossoff  Raphael Warnock  Congress