Rick Allen

Rick Allen is a Republican politician representing Georgia's 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first elected to Congress in 2014, defeating a Democratic incumbent, and assumed office on January 3, 2015. Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction from Auburn University in 1973. Before entering public service, he founded R.W. Allen & Associates, a construction firm based in Augusta, Georgia, which he operated for nearly four decades. In Congress, Allen serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he has held various leadership roles. He also served on the House Committee on Agriculture for eight years, advocating for the interests of Georgia's farming community. His legislative priorities frequently focus on economic development through deregulation and fiscal conservatism, drawing on his extensive experience as a small business owner. He has been recognized for his professional contributions, receiving the Small Business Person of the Year award from the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and being inducted into the CSRA Business Hall of Fame in 2011.

Representative Rick Allen consistently supports conservative economic policies, including federal tax reform and the reduction of government regulations to encourage private sector growth. He supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and advocates for balanced budgets and reduced federal spending. On healthcare, he favors a market-based system and supports the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Allen is a proponent of American energy independence, supporting a broad energy portfolio that includes nuclear, fossil fuels, and renewables; he is particularly vocal in his support for the expansion of the Plant Vogtle nuclear facility. His platform on immigration focuses on prioritizing border security and strengthening enforcement of existing immigration laws. In education, he emphasizes workforce development, vocational training, and increasing local control over educational standards. Additionally, he is a supporter of the Farm Bill and other agricultural policies designed to protect the economic viability of rural districts.