U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., hosted a telephone town hall meeting Thursday evening to hear from Georgians on their thoughts and concerns on federal policy. Among the many topics discussed were national security, health care, financial retirement planning regulations, jobs and the economy.
 
More than 3,000 constituents, including an online audience of nearly 400 listeners, participated, and Isakson fielded 17 questions from participants during the hour-long call. The public forum was held via telephone, and Isakson did the call from his home in Marietta as he recovers from a Feb. 20 back surgery.
 
“Thank you to everyone who participated in our call,” said Isakson. “I’ve done these telephone town halls many times during my 12 years in the Senate, and it is always helpful to hear directly from Georgians on their issues, concerns or what they believe we ought to be doing as their representatives in Congress.”
 
Isakson kicked off the discussion by highlighting President Trump’s accomplishments during his first few weeks in office. “I don’t know if there’s ever been a more interesting time in the last 12 years other than the last six weeks, with the election and the swearing-in of President Trump,” Isakson said.
 
“The president has made some very motivational speeches about making America great again, making America safe again and bringing back jobs to America,” Isakson continued. “He is taking on some tough regulations, and we’ve followed his lead in Congress by repealing some of the regulations to make it easier to do business in Georgia.”
 
Isakson’s first question of the evening came from a caller in Atlanta who asked about plans to repeal the Obama administration’s failed health care law and replace it with a different solution. Isakson responded that he favors “a more sustainable solution that drives down costs for Georgia families by increasing competition.”
 
Isakson also shared his views on keeping some of the law’s provisions intact, including ensuring coverage for individuals with preexisting conditions and allowing families to keep their children on their insurance until age 26, while expanding health savings accounts and providing tax credits to help individuals purchase from a broader range of more affordable coverage options.
 
Several callers had questions about the ongoing investigation into Russian tampering in the 2016 election. Isakson said he respected the decision by Attorney General Sessions to recuse himself in any probe into activities relating to the campaign. “Russia has done nothing to deserve our trust as far as I am concerned,” said Isakson.
 
“I will stay on top of the ongoing investigations by Congress to make sure there’s no favorable treatment, no special treatment and that they are treated as anybody else should be who has declared the things they have declared against us,” Isakson continued.
 
Isakson agreed with one Georgian who shared his views on the importance of investing in America’s infrastructure. Isakson said that investment should start with the continued expansion of the Port of Savannah in Georgia that will “take that port to a level where the Panamax ships of the 21st century can come through in Georgia and will create the largest bulk facility in terms of exports for agricultural products on the East Coast.”
 
A constituent from Atlanta thanked Isakson for his office’s efforts to help her brother access care at a nearby Atlanta veterans’ affairs medical center. “As chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee,” Isakson responded, “we need to do the best we can to be public servants and solve our constituents problems. But my staff deserves the credit, not me.”
 
Isakson was also asked about his views on rolling back some of the more burdensome environmental regulations, responding, “I think it’s very important to have a balance. I think clean water is important, I think clean air is important, and I think we ought to have the types of regulations and enforcement that ensure we’re doing everything we can to do that” while maintaining “a fair and balanced regulatory relationship.”
 
Additional topics that Isakson discussed during the telephone town hall meeting included securing Social Security and Medicare insurance for future generations, education reforms and returning school choice back to parents and local school boards through the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act passed by Congress in 2015, as well as defense spending and national security.
 
Isakson again thanked Georgians who took time out of their evenings to participate. “Your call makes a difference to me, and it makes a difference to your country. If we can ever be of help to you in our office, we’re always accessible.”