Note: In this recurring digital news series, GPB follows your federal tax dollars back to the state of Georgia. 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.

Georgia's U.S. senators worked on advocating against the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill legislation in Congress, asking Veteran Affairs Secretary Doug Collins about employing doctors and nurses during a shortage in Georgia, introducing legislation to create a pathway for those fleeing conflict to get legal permanent status, and pushing to name Atlanta's West Hunter Street Baptist Church as a National Historic Site.

 

Legal permanent residency

On June 18, Warnock and Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and other Senate Democrats introduced legislation to create a pathway for families fleeing turmoil to get legal permanent residency.

According to a press release, the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act would create a pathway for TPS and DED recipients by giving them the ability to apply for legal permanent residency.”

TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to individuals in danger due to the conditions in their home country, such as armed conflict or an epidemic. Status is granted for a set period, ranging from six to 18 months, and requires the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country’s status on a regular basis.

There are reportedly an estimated 41,000 people with TPS in Georgia.

On the other hand, deferred enforced departure (DED) stems from the President’s constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations. “Although DED is not a specific immigration status, individuals covered by DED are not subject to removal from the United States for a designated period of time,” per the official U.S. Immigration site.

“All people, no matter where they are born, deserve just as much respect and compassion as we’d show anyone else,” Warnock said in a statement. “I’ll continue to be an advocate for the immigrant community in Georgia, and I won’t stop fighting in Washington for the policies we need to ensure all of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors can live full lives free from fear of persecution and deportation.”

 

Fatherhood engagement

On June 18, Warnock and Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve maternal health outcomes by encouraging fatherhood engagement.

According to a press release, the Dads Matter Act of 2025 would “direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to raise awareness about father inclusion and engagement through a public awareness campaign and to provide state-level guidance aimed at strengthening the role of fathers in supporting healthy mothers and babies.”

“Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is a crisis that we must address with every tool at our disposal,” Warnock said in a statement. “That includes redoubling our efforts to uplift the role of fathers in keeping their family healthy during pregnancy and early childhood. Now is the time to spread awareness about the critical role of fathers in improving maternal health outcomes and creating thriving families and communities.”

 

Okefenokee Swamp

On June 20, Ossoff issued a statement following The Conservation Fund's announcement that it had reached a deal to purchase the land outside the Okefenokee Swamp from a mining company, thereby continuing to protect the area's ecology.

In May, Ossoff secured a commitment from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum not to pursue any sale of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge at a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing.

"This step toward protecting the Okefenokee Swamp is great news for all Georgians and our beloved natural treasure," Ossoff said in his statement. "For years, I've been sounding the alarm that strip mining near the Okefenokee Swamp poses irreversible damage to an irreplaceable natural resource. I will continue to champion efforts to protect Georgia's beloved natural resources and beloved outdoor spaces.”

 

Veteran Affairs

On June 24, Ossoff asked VA Secretary Doug Collins for information about the number of nurses and doctors the VA plans to employ amidst a shortage in Georgia at the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the VA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

According to a press release, Ossoff pressed Collins “for details of proposed cuts to the VA medical services budget and pressed for specific numbers of how many doctors and nurses the VA plans to employ, as would normally be included in the Agency’s budget request.”

Collins stated that he was unable to provide the information, citing that the documents were not yet ready.

“I’m wondering if we need to reconvene having received the full budget request because the thing that is causing a lot of consternation is this proposed $17, $18 billion cut to medical services,” Ossoff, a ranking member of the subcommittee said. “So, how do you justify this cut to medical services, and who are you going to fire in order to pay for it?”

 

Dublin VA

Ossoff asked Collins to reassure him and Central Georgia veterans that the department is working to address leadership issues at the Dublin VA and that veterans have proper protection from health safety concerns.

The request comes after a report from the VA Office of Inspector General revealed widespread use of unclean medical equipment put veterans at risk of HIV and Hepatitis infections at the Dublin VA. 

Ossoff asked Collins if the department had implemented the recommendations from the OIG to implement safety measures at the Dublin VA Medical Center, to which Collins replied that they had.

 

Atlanta VA

Ossoff urged Collins to address the staffing shortages at Atlanta's VA Medical Center to help with wait times and reduce negative impacts on veterans' care.

According to a press release, Ossoff asked Collins "to fill open primary care positions within Atlanta's VA to reduce wait times and ensure veterans can access the care and benefits they've earned."

This request comes after a June 12 Inspector General's report found that there were 208 primary care vacancies at the Atlanta VA.

"For years, the wait times at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta have been driven in large part by staffing shortages," Ossoff said.. "I've heard it from the leadership there year after year. What is your goal? The date that you'd like to bring the Atlanta VA up to full staffing, please."

Collins committed to working with Ossoff and the subcommittee to determine a timeline for filling those positions.

Augusta VA

Ossoff also asked Collins about the leadership challenges at Augusta VA impacting veterans' care.

The questioning comes after the VA Office of Inspector General released in a report this spring that VA Augusta" leaders fostered a "culture of fear" with a "threatening and abusive communication style" and allegedly retaliated against employees who shared concerns," according to a press release.

"I know the Acting Director was put on leave pending an investigation. I think that's a positive step," Ossoff said. "Can you confirm that it's among your highest priorities to get a permanent new leadership staff in at Augusta?"

Following Ossoff's questioning and push, Collins confirmed that the VA is focusing their search for new permanent leadership at the Augusta VA.

 

West Hunter Street Baptist Church

On June 25, Ossoff and Warnock announced they introduced legislation to mark Atlanta’s West Hunter Street Baptist Church as a National Historic Site in honor of the late Reverend Ralph David Abernathy Sr.

According to a press release, the senators “are pushing to name the historic site for Reverend Dr. Ralph David Abernathy Sr., a prominent civil rights leader who began his pastoral service at the church in 1961 and served for nearly three decades.”

“Ralph David Abernathy Sr. was a great Georgian, a great American, and a titan of the civil rights movement,” Ossoff said in a statement. “This is why Senator Reverend Warnock and I are working together to establish Atlanta’s West Hunter Street Baptist Church as a National Historic Site and preserve the legacies of Reverend Abernathy, his wife Juanita, and the church.”

“This legislation would honor West Hunter Street Baptist Church’s significance in the Civil Rights Movement and recognize the moral courage of Reverend Ralph David Abernathy Sr.,” Warnock said in a statement. “As a pastor of Dr. King’s spiritual home, I remain committed to preserving Georgia’s history and uplifting the power of faith in action. I am proud to work with Senator Ossoff on this effort.”

 

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 1, Ossoff and Warnock both issued statements following the U.S. Senate's passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is legislation for tax and federal spending cuts.

Both senators have publicly expressed their opposition to the bill and voted against it during the Senate vote.

The bill passed in the Senate in a 50-50 tie vote that Vice President J.D. Vance broke.

In their statements, the senators encouraged those opposed to the bill to call their representatives and urge them to vote against it.

“The Senate just voted for legislation that will kick millions off their health care, close rural hospitals, and increase health care costs for everyone, all to give billionaires a tax break," Warnock said in a statement. “This is not over. Talk to your neighbors, call your U.S. House representative, and continue to show up and use your voice.”

Ossoff held a press conference following the Senate vote where he said the legislation "is a disaster for the State of Georgia."

"It guts the Medicaid program and puts nursing homes and hospitals at risk” he said. “It will drive up health insurance premiums for working and middle-class families in Georgia, and it takes a hatchet to the fast-growing industry that is driving Georgia’s economic development. That is why I oppose this bill. That is why I worked so hard to defeat this bill. That is why even some Senate Republicans oppose this bill. And I call upon the Republicans in Georgia’s U.S. House delegation to put Georgia ahead of partisanship and oppose a bill that is bad for Georgia’s health and bad for Georgia’s economy.”

Despite their efforts, the House of Representatives voted to pass the bill on July 3 in a 218-214 vote, and President Donald Trump signed the bill on July 4. 

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