May 10, 2026
Dear Georgian,
Last week, I conducted a three-day congressional oversight visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, where I received firsthand briefings on the Nation’s nuclear deterrent, emerging security challenges, and the critical missions carried out by the Department of Energy’s national laboratories. It was impressive to see the dedication and expertise of senior laboratory leadership, scientists, engineers, and security professionals. I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who hosted and participated in the visit, as their commitment to advancing national security and technology is truly remarkable.
During my visit, I engaged in discussions covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Weapons modernization
- Global security programs
- Counterintelligence
- Artificial intelligence
- Threat detection
- Biological and agricultural security
- Sustainment of the nation’s strategic deterrent infrastructure
I also toured key operational and research facilities, which provided valuable insight into the laboratories’ contributions to national defense, technological innovation, and strategic competition. This visit deepened my appreciation for the vital role these national laboratories play in addressing evolving threats from near-peer competitors and transnational actors alike.
As always, my staff and I are here to help. If you need assistance with a federal agency or have comments or concerns to share with me, please do not hesitate to call my Warner Robins, Tifton, or Washington, D.C. offices. To receive frequent updates, I encourage you to visit my website, like my Facebook page, follow me on YouTube, and follow me on Twitter.
Keep reading for the full update.
Sincerely,
Congressman Austin Scott
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Presenting Awards for the Congressional Art Competition
Last week, I attended Georgia’s 8th Congressional District’s Congressional Art Competition Awards Ceremony at the Syd Blackmarr Art Center in Tifton. We have some talented and creative artists in our district and the Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for them to showcase their work. Here are the winners:
The People’s Choice award was chosen by constituents across the 8th Congressional District through my Facebook page. The winner has the opportunity to display their artwork in the DC office for one year. With over 2000 total votes cast, Ella Grace Warren from Lowndes High School won with her piece “Southern Preservation.”
The third place finisher was Charlie Sanders, from Houston County High School, with her piece “Breath.” In second place was Jason Blake Nasworthy from Hones County High School with his piece “Mama I’m Coming Home.”
The first place finisher was Jennifer Coleman from Houston County High School, with her piece “Moments with You.” Jennifer will receive a trip to Washington D.C. to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Awards and see her piece hanging in the U.S. Capitol.
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all of the talented, young artists that participated.
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U.S. Representative Austin Scott said on May 1 that the passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in the House marks a significant achievement for agricultural producers and rural communities nationwide.
The legislation updates federal programs supporting agriculture and rural economies, an area with substantial economic impact in Georgia. Georgia agriculture generates a farm gate value of more than $18 billion and contributes over $100 billion in total economic output to the state economy. The sector supports more than 370,000 jobs across food and fiber production and related industries. Scott represents the eighth congressional district of Georgia, which includes significant agricultural production, according to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
Scott issued his statement after the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act by a vote of 224 to 200. The measure now advances to the Senate for further consideration. The action follows years of work to update federal agricultural policy programs as reported in the press release on his official congressional website.
“Through House Republicans’ work on H.R. 1, we achieved the first meaningful investment in the farm safety net since 2002, we brought integrity back to our nutrition programs, and we provided relief to our farming families through tax cuts. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 builds on those accomplishments and completes the long-delayed Farm Bill process. This legislation modernizes trade and global food assistance; bolsters the future of American agriculture by improving access to farm credit; invests in broadband, child care, health care, workforce needs, and critical water infrastructure projects that strengthen our rural communities; and give them much-needed support for the years to come. This is a major win for America’s growers, ranchers, and all of rural America,” according to Scott via social media.
The American Farm Bureau Federation says the food and agriculture industry supports more than 24 million jobs across the United States, accounting for about 15 percent of total employment. The organization says the agriculture supply chain has a direct and indirect economic impact totaling $9.5 trillion.
Scott is serving his eighth term as representative for Georgia’s eighth congressional district. He serves as vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Previously he served in the Georgia state legislature and owned an insurance brokerage firm before entering Congress according to his official biography.
Read the full article here.
U.S. Congressman praises young artists in congressional art show
TIFTON — U.S. Representative Austin Scott paid a visit to Tifton this past week to celebrate the creativity and artistic talent on display from a handful of his younger constituents.
The Georgia federal representative made an appearance at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center the afternoon of May 3 to present awards and acclaim to the winners of the Eighth Congressional District Art Show, a campaign spotlighting the artistic talent of the titular district’s student artists.
Approximately 25 pieces from around the congressional district were put on display in the arts center, showcasing the works of high school students from counties like Lowndes, Cook, Worth, Tift, and more that they had created over the prior months.
Scott praised a handful of these up and coming creatives during the art show, reporting that a panel of judges had determined the top artists in the show as a recognition of their passion and creativity.
Cynthia Waters of Houston County High School, Lillie Roberts of Tiftarea Academy, and Mackenzie Braswell of Lowndes County High received an honorable mention, while Charlie Sanders of Houston County High, Jason Blake Nasworthy of Jones County High, and Jennifer Coleman of Houston County High were named the third, second, and first place winners of the art show, respectively.
The U.S. representative announced that the top three artists would have their artwork displayed in various government offices throughout the next year, with Sander’s work being displayed in Scott’s district office in Warner Robins, Nasworthy’s in his Tifton office, and Coleman’s in the U.S. Capitol.
Scott also recognized the winning artist for the People’s Choice category, which invited residents across the eighth congressional district to vote on their favorite piece from the show via Scott’s Facebook page.
Ella Grace Warren of Lowndes County High School received the distinction of the People’s Choice award with over 1000 votes cast for her piece. Said work will go on display in Scott’s office in Washington, D.C. for the year.
Of the students recognized during the showcase, only Roberts, Waters, and Braswell were present to receive their awards.
The Eighth Congressional District Art Show is one of several annual competitions that take place around the state and even country, established nationwide to recognize and celebrate the creativity and passion of up and coming artists.
Due to her top placement in this show, Coleman will have the opportunity to join the winners of many of these other shows as part of the National Congressional Art Competition Awards later this year.
Read the full article here.
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