Today’s newsletter highlights:
- Postmaster General Louis DeJoy covers his ears.
- Congressional defense bill includes ban of some transgender care.
- U.S. Rep. Mike Collins delivers a blunt message for the Longhorns.
The three-day Biennial Institute that wrapped up Tuesday is simultaneously a training session for legislative newbies, a deep dive into weedy issues for policy wonks and an opportunity for lawmakers to hash out their agendas outside of the heat of the Gold Dome.
It’s also a chance for lawmakers, public officials and lobbyists to blow off some steam before the start of the session — and trade tips and gossip about the year to come. Here’s some of what we learned.
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC
Transgender issues. Senate and House Republicans both agree to push for legislation that would ban transgender girls from competing in women’s high school sports. But while some rank-and-file Republicans want to add on other restrictions, House Speaker Jon Burns told us he wouldn’t support any measures that seek further limits on trans Georgians.
Meanwhile, some Georgia Democrats are privately divided over how to handle the inevitable debate after an election that left many struggling over how to respond to brutal, and often misleading, GOP attacks on the issue. Some want to fight the measure, while others say they’ll vote against it but hope there’s no drawn-out debate. And a few Democrats told us they plan to support it.
Religious liberty. Don’t be surprised to see a revival of the long-running debate over “religious liberty” legislation championed by Senate conservatives but opposed by others who say it’s discriminatory.
The Senate adopted a version of the measure earlier this year before it got bottled up in the House, the latest twist in the decade-long maneuvering over the measure that was famously vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2016 after threats of boycotts.
Supporters hope President-elect Donald Trump’s victory emboldens Republicans to take up the measure, which some religious leaders and LGBTQ+ rights advocates say could be used as legal justification to deny them services.
Litigious over litigation. Gov. Brian Kemp wants legislators to rewrite legal rules that could curb some costly lawsuits and limit big jury awards.
It’s the latest iteration of a long legislative tiff over “civil action reform.” Corporate giants and insurers welcome the debate, while trial lawyers and other advocates say an overhaul could limit access to the courts.
This fight is messy and doesn’t cut cleanly along party lines, but many Republicans support the idea pending a review of the specifics. Many Democrats oppose it, though some say they’re receptive to a debate.
The details are still being hashed out, but Kemp has made it clear that he’s taking it personally. He’s going to put the full weight of his office behind the push.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
2026 is underway. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ warning to fellow lawmakers to hold off on campaigning until after the legislative session isn’t exactly taking root.
While Jones wants to wait until Sine Die — the final day of the legislative session — to announce his campaign for governor, the Biennial was abuzz with speculation over who else will run for higher office and who will sit it out.
The lineup for Jones’ office is already getting crowded. Senate GOP Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega; Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, R-Bolingbroke; and Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, are just a few of the potential Republican candidates, and we’re hearing Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Atlanta, is being floated on the Democratic side.
State Sens. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, and Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, could square off in the GOP primary to succeed Attorney General Chris Carr, who has already announced a bid for governor. Democrat Charlie Bailey, who lost to Jones in 2022, was often mentioned as a possibility for another run at the job.
The names of three potential GOP contenders kept coming up to compete for Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s job if he passes on a third term: State Reps. Tim Fleming, R-Covington, and Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, along with Raffensperger deputy Gabriel Sterling.
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GOOD MORNING! Georgia’s legislative session begins in 33 days. Here are three things to know for today:
- Gov. Brian Kemp says he will push for a hurricane relief package during the first week of the legislative session, David Wickert and Greg Bluestein report.
- About 92% of Georgia voters say they are confident their ballots were counted correctly, up from 78% four years ago, Mark Niesse reports.
- President-elect Donald Trump selected three more people to join his administration on Tuesday.
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NOT LISTENING. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is no stranger to being grilled on Capitol Hill. But he got so frustrated by criticism from a Georgia lawmaker on Tuesday that he covered his ears with his hands and refused to engage.
That lawmaker was U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee. He and Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens, are not members of the House Oversight Committee but were allowed to attend the meeting to ask DeJoy questions.
Clyde went first, expressing concerns about mail delivery rates but making clear he was working hard to avoid criticizing the postmaster too harshly. But McCormick came in hot, saying his own negative experiences with the Postal Service had ruined his trust and convinced him DeJoy had stained the organization.
McCormick said he took issue with the fact DeJoy had rated his performance as an “A” given all the concerns raised in recent months with mail delivery.
“Through your reputation, you are responsible for the fall of the Postal Service and the lack of accountability,” McCormick said as DeJoy began to interject.
The two men began speaking over each other with DeJoy saying he was trying to fix problems that existed before his watch and McCormick insisting he had made it all worse.
“You’re talking to yourself,” DeJoy said, before covering his ears with his hands to show McCormick and the audience he was no longer listening to him.
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Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
FULFILLING A DREAM. Robert Flournoy Jr. had always wanted to run for office. But it never seemed to work out. His job changed. His family changed, too.
When he decided to run in 2022, he was trounced in the Democratic primary by state Sen. Gail Davenport of Jonesboro. Flournoy’s wife had a dream that 2024 would be his year. But he wasn’t so sure.
Then his phone started ringing. There was an open seat in the state House, and people were asking him to run. He did things a little differently this time. His campaign was smaller and more focused. He won the Democratic primary by 148 votes. He still had trouble believing it.
“Is this it?” he remembers thinking. “Is something else going to happen?”
Flournoy Jr. is one of 22 new members of the state Legislature this year. His political pedigree dates back to high school, where he was student government president. As a student at Georgia State, he was chair of the Student Advisory Council to the Board of Regents.
These days, he’s a property appraiser and a pastor. In the Legislature, he plans to advocate for public education, including focusing on teacher retention. But mostly, he plans to help the people of his district.
“This is a responsibility,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part.”
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Credit: AJC file photo
Credit: AJC file photo
LISTEN UP. Today on “Politically Georgia,” the Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson joins the show to talk about the anti-Trump movement inside the Republican Party. Then, immigration attorney Charles Kuck will discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s border, immigration and deportation plans.
Be sure to download the AJC’s Politically Georgia podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are uploaded by noon each day, just in time to have lunch with us. You can also listen live at 10 a.m. EDT on 90.1 FM WABE. Have a question for the show? Give us a call at 770-810-5297.
On Tuesday’s show, U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee, talked about his recent comments noting “hard decisions” are needed for future changes to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. And the AJC’s Mark Niesse reported on the latest changes to hemp sales in Georgia — and what that means for consumers.
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PASSING NDAA. The U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon is expected to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, a massive policy package.
It includes pay raises for members of the military as well as language backed by Republicans that prohibits coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender children of defense personnel.
The bill is expected to pass with bipartisan support, but dozens of Democrats could oppose the measure because of the anti-trans provision.
U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, posted on X additional highlights of what’s in the bill. That includes $379.3 million for seven construction projects at Georgia facilities and expanded access to job search programs for military spouses and childcare for families.
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Credit: Ben Curtis/AP
Credit: Ben Curtis/AP
TODAY IN WASHINGTON:
- President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will speak at the inaugural White House Conference on Women’s Health Research.
- The House will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act.
- The Senate will take more confirmation votes.
- A group of Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene will join U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, at a news conference to encourage Congress to pass a disaster aid package.
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TULSI TALKS. One of President-elect Donald Trump’s more controversial nominees, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, has been making the rounds with senators on the Intelligence Committee ahead of what could be a contentious confirmation process for the position of director of national intelligence.
Georgia’s U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff sits on the Intelligence Committee, but we’re told the Democrat has not yet had a meeting scheduled with Gabbard. “Sen. Ossoff looks forward to meeting with the President-elect’s nominees for key posts, including for Director of National Intelligence,” Ossoff spokesman Jake Best said.
We’ll let you know when it happens.
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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
TROLLING FOR THE DAWGS. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins delivered a brief floor speech on Tuesday to rub it in that the University of Georgia had beaten the Texas Longhorns twice this season, including in last weekend’s SEC Championship Game.
He advised Texas to return to the Big 12 Conference, saying the team had found itself outmatched in the SEC, the AJC’s Chip Towers reports.
“The Dogs have proven without a doubt that Texas just ain’t ready for SEC ball,” said Collins, whose district includes Athens. “What an incredible win, Mr. Speaker. Not only did the Dogs absolutely smoke Texas in overtime, but they did it with class, style and a backup quarterback.”
He wore a red and black striped UGA tie for the occasion and delivered his one-minute speech alongside a blown up photo of Georgia players hoisting the SEC championship trophy.
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SHOUTOUTS. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., received the 2024 Carl Levin Award for Effective Oversight on Tuesday in recognition of his efforts to highlight issues within the federal prison system.
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AS ALWAYS, send your best scoops, gossip and insider info to greg.bluestein@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com, patricia.murphy@ajc.com and adam.beam@ajc.com.
