By Jennifer Shrader

Jennifer.Shrader@lagrangenews.com

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Drew Ferguson, R-West Point, says he isn’t surprised by President Donald Trump’s flurry of executive orders in his first 100 days in office.

 

“I’m surprised people are surprised,” he said. “The president is doing what he promised to do during the campaign.”

 

In the meantime, Ferguson is focused on his legislative role and says Congress may get the chance to review Trump’s orders, like the Saturday one issued that amounted to a Muslim ban.

 

“The first role of government is to keep people safe,” he said. “I would think we’d get to weigh in at some point. I’ll be glad to have that conversation when it hits the legislative arena.”

 

He also believes the actions of the president aren’t creating a distraction for Congress to do its work.

 

“In the last few weeks, we’ve talked to businesses and individuals who say overregulation is their number one issue,” Ferguson said. Congress has passed measures limiting some of that regulation and there will be similar action this week, he said.

 

Congress is also still working on tax reform and repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.

 

“I’m convinced we have found the right direction for healthcare,” he said. “There will still be a safety net for our most vulnerable people, those with preexisting conditions. We had to start somewhere. We will see great progress on a solid plan moving forward.”

 

Ferguson plans to continue to work on the committees to which he was assigned: transportation and infrastructure, education and the workforce and the budget committee. He was just named vice chairman of the economic development subcommittee and wants to bring lessons learned in Georgia to Washington.

 

“We had success with job creation,” he said. “I’m excited to bring those ideas to the federal level.”

 

Ferguson also witnessed the inauguration from his seat with fellow members of Congress.

 

“It was almost a surreal experience to witness the inauguration sitting behind the president and the vice president, he said. “I had never witnessed an inauguration. There were a tremendous number of people.”

 

Ferguson also praised his staff in Washington and at his district office in Newnan, and says everyone – including him – is settling in.

 

“So far, it’s been a fantastic experience,” he said.