Austin Scott (R-GA-8)
Austin Scott Congressman Georgia District 8
Austin Scott Biography from House.gov
Biography of Rob Woodall
Austin Scott is the newly elected Representative of Georgia’s 8th Congressional District. He serves on both the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. Austin, his wife Vivien and son Wells live in Tifton, Ga.
Committees and Caucuses
House Armed Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
House Committee on Agriculture
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
- Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture
Biography from Austin Scott for Congress, Inc. (from 2010)
Austin Scott served in the Georgia General Assembly for fourteen years after first being elected at age 26. After graduating from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, Austin opened an independent insurance brokerage in Tifton, Georgia, which he continues to operate today. He served as Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, where he earned a reputation for being fair and solutions-oriented. Representative Scott’s seniority in the House, along with his work ethic and integrity, allowed him to secure additional appointments to the Appropriations Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee. At the age of 32, Georgia Trend recognized Austin as one of Georgia’s Brightest Stars under Age 40.
Austin’s business experience ranges from the cattle farm to the board room. He is an outspoken advocate for Georgia businesses and is committed to a pro-growth economic agenda that strengthens Georgia’s businesses and benefits Georgia’s families. As a businessman himself, Austin understands that limited government is the most effective form of government. He knows that in many cases it is the government that stands between the needs of the people and innovative solutions that competitive markets provide. Representative Scott has been named a “Hero of Open Government” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Austin is committed to making our nation’s tax system fairer, flatter, and simpler. In Congress, he will work hard to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Because he also understands that accountability for government spending can only be achieved through budget transparency, Austin is committed to making our nation’s budget more transparent. The public should see clearly where its money is going.
Austin is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest. He has had no business relationship with the state or with any political subdivision of the state.
Austin understands the healthcare challenges facing our state and our nation. He sponsored legislation creating the Certificate of Need Commission, which resulted in a streamlined process and improved access to healthcare for Georgia’s citizens. As the son of an orthopedic surgeon, Austin learned to appreciate the relationships between patients, physicians, pharmacists, and other professionals in the healthcare system. He has worked to remove the roadblocks to patient care. In 2006, Representative Scott was selected to serve on the State Trauma Commission, which he helped create to improve access to trauma care throughout the State. He is a two-time recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award (2003, 2004), and the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Service’s Star of Life Legislative Award (2007, 2008).
Austin knows education. His son Wells is a fourth grade student in the Tift County Public School System. His mother and his sister teach in Georgia public schools. Austin has a very personal interest in the success of our education system, and knows that less federal control is the first step to improving education. He has supported the expansion of charter schools, and supports programs of dual enrollment, which offer increased technical opportunities for students. He has always voted to protect the HOPE scholarship for the next generation. Austin understands the role and the need for faith-based and community outreach programs in shaping the lives of our students. As these organizations help resolve the social challenges that our children face, teachers can return to their true passion—educating.
Representative Scott has always been willing to take a stand. Whether you agree with him or not, his position doesn’t change when someone else asks the questions. As our Congressman, Austin will be part of the solution. If you offer a different solution for the problem, he will listen. A good leader cares more about solving the problem than getting the credit for the solution.
During the summer of 2009, Austin walked through Georgia to build his campaign platform by listening to the needs of ordinary Georgians. When he stopped on August 29th at 1,068 miles, it was the longest walk ever undertaken by an American politician. He plans to walk Georgia’s 8th District later this summer.
Austin is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also a graduate of The American College, a school for financial services professionals, where he obtained numerous advanced financial and insurance industry specializations, including the CLU®, ChFC®, REBC®, and RHU®. He has been a lifetime member of the NRA since 1993. He is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He has served as a Board member of the Coastal Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross. He and his wife Vivien are graduates of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2007.
Austin resides in Ashburn with his eleven year old son Wells and wife Vivien. They attend First Baptist Church of Tifton.
Do you know where you still on the political spectrum? See “Political Beliefs, Where Are You” to find out where you stand.
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