Taxpayer dollars at work: What your U.S. senators from Georgia are doing for the week ending June 16

This summer, GPB News Democracy intern Ambria Burton, is following the activities of U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Each week this summer on Fridays, we'll run down a list of activities that follow your dollars back to communities in Georgia.

This week, Ossoff and the Rev. Warnock are back in Washington, D.C., where they held hearings for concerns around artificial intelligence. They also introduced new legislation focused on military job flexibility, aviation, and rideshare services.

Military spouses' job flexibility

Ossoff introduced bipartisan legislation to upgrade military facilities, benefiting many military families and increasing national security.

The Military Facilities Upgrades Act would make "replacing damaged and older facilities on military installations" easier throughout the country, according to a June 12 press release. The bill benefits military families by helping restore barracks and child development centers.

For military services, the bill guarantees that those serving can do their jobs by providing "high-quality infrastructure" and that national security is up to standard by "granting new authorities to replace current facilities in failing condition."

Artificial intelligence

As the Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Human Rights Subcommittee, Ossoff held a hearing on Wednesday focused on the implications of artificial intelligence on human rights, per a June 13 press release. Before the hearing, Ossoff released a trailer where he used an AI-generated voice impersonating himself to draw attention to the technology, GPB's Donna Lowry reports.

"What does AI mean for freedom, safety, opportunity?" Ossoff said. "What are the existential risks? The implications for daily life? How must our laws adapt? The Congress must properly understand this revolutionary technology."

Lowry said Ossoff is pushing for Congress to consider "laws governing AI as its use becomes more widespread and risks associated with the technology go up."

Aviation

Warnock introduced a new bill, the AIRWAYS Act, to improve aviation workforce development. According to a June 13 press release, this bill is "aimed at helping recruit and train pilots, aviation manufacturing workers, and mechanics."

The AIRWAYS Act is a part of Warnock's "aviation-focused" legislative package said to be his "last effort to empower Georgia's vibrant aviation economy," as stated in the press release.

Uber for minors?

In March, Uber announced that minors aged 13 to 17 will begin to be allowed to request rides without adults being present in several cities, including Atlanta. Following Uber's announcement, Ossoff recently launched a "bipartisan inquiry" to protect those minors using rideshare services from human trafficking. 

Ossoff launched the inquiry with Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

According to a June 14 press release, the senators want the ride hailing companies to stop criminals transporting human trafficking victims from using their services.

Georgia airports

Warnock, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee overseeing transportation, announced on Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program would give $17 million in federal grants to smaller airports in Georgia. 

According to a June 15 press release, the Georgia Department of Transportation will oversee the grants "to improve infrastructure and enhance traveler safety and experiences."

The federal grants will award over $590,000 to Augusta Regional Airport, allowing them to renovate the airport and improve its taxiway.