New Benefits will make federal student loan payments more manageable to repay.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) reminds students and families in Georgia's 12th District that new student loan benefits will take effect today, July 1, 2009.  The benefits will make it more affordable to repay student loans by allowing borrowers to cap their monthly loan payments at a reasonable percentage of their income.  Certain eligible low- and moderate-income students taking out new federal student loans will also see lower interest rates and higher Pell Grant scholarships.

Funds will expand weatherization assistance programs, create jobs, and weatherize 14,000 homes

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that the State of Georgia will receive close to $50 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds to expand weatherization assistance programs.  These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the state meets certain Recovery Act milestones, will help achieve the goal of weatherizing 14,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs in Georgia.  The Recovery Act was passed by Congress with Congressman Barrow's support and signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) voted last night to invest in top priority homeland security programs to keep Americans safe.  The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act emphasizes programs that secure our borders, ports, and airports, and help train local first responders and emergency personnel.  In order to save money and fund higher-priority programs, the bill eliminates 17 programs and cuts funding for another 40 programs below the 2009 level.

Meetings will be held in Savannah, Glennville, Statesboro, Augusta, and Milledgeville.

Washington, D.C. - It's time again for Congressman Barrow's annual Veterans Town Hall Tour. This is an opportunity for Congressman Barrow to meet with veterans and their families, thank them for their service, and listen to their concerns. He'll be hosting five meetings on July 1, July 2, and July 3 throughout Georgia's 12th District:

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) voted today to secure timely health care funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act authorizes Congress to approve veterans medical care funding one year in advance to better anticipate, and meet the demand for, veterans health care services.  The advanced funding will give the VA up to a full year to plan for the most effective and efficient way to deliver medical care to veterans.  Barrow also voted to expand services for female veterans and increase veterans disability payments to reflect cost-of-living increases.

On February 13, the House and the Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.  The bill is estimated to create or save 3.5 million jobs throughout the country, including 106,000 jobs in Georgia and 7,700 jobs in the 12th District.

Congressman Barrow has put together a guidebook detailing potential funding opportunities for local officials, community leaders, non-profit organizations, first responders, school districts, small businesses, and individuals from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 12th District. 

In addition, on June 9, 2009, Congressman Barrow released a guidebook update, which shows where stimulus dollars have gone in Georgia's 12th District so far, and lets folks know what money and programs they can still receive funding for.

Click here to read Congressman Barrow's Recovery Act Guidebook Update

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