As part of his District Work Week, current Ninth District Representative Tom Graves (R) paid a visit to Mike’s Ellijay restaurant on Monday. Facing an early lunch crowd, Rep. Graves said the visit was an effort to get feedback from his constituents in a variety of areas. However, the congressman noted that many comments these days are about the economy, high gas prices and jobs. After speaking individually with his constituents, Graves addressed the crowd, giving a congressional update and words of encouragement for the upcoming election.

He highlighted the contrast between the Senate and House of Representatives, calling the Senate anti-business and pro-regulation with Leftist policies. Conversely, The House of Representatives, he said, is pro-business and pro-growth. Graves’ outline of the current state of congress, the philosophical dichotomy between the two houses, reminds voters of the deadlock situation in Washington. Looking to ease the situation, Graves spoke about the possibility of Republicans winning control of the senate in the fall. In an exclusive interview with FYN, Graves said winning control of the senate is a large possibility, explaining that winning a majority is contingent on the presidential race. He noted the states Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney wins will help bring in extra senate seats, but did not give examples. Additionally, Graves said he was the first to endorse Romney from the Georgia Delegation.

Graves also shared his views on the two major issues in the Supreme Court right now: the unconstitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the Constitutional validity of the Arizona Immigration Law. When asked how he thought the Supreme Court would vote on the healthcare issue, Graves said he couldn’t speculate. However, he explained,

”It’s important to be prepared for any decision that’s made”

and prepared for

“a suitable replacement for the healthcare solutions that are needed,”

which, he said, congress is doing right now.

When asked about the Arizona Immigration law, he emphasized that

“both of these issues are about States’ Rights’, doing what they feel is best.”

He added that whatever the result is, both or either cases will set a precedent for years to come.

“Is the Federal Government going to recognize the powers of the States or is this going to be a major overreach (by the Federal Government) that takes that power away?”

he said.

Following in Graves, Conservative Radio Talk Show Host Dave Merlino said a few words.

“It’s not about being partisan,”

he remarked,

“it’s about what the truth is.”

Continuing, he quoted President Ronald Reagan from his inaugural speech, saying,

“If no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else.”

In the end Merlino said,

“I know we can win; we’ve done it before; we can do it again.”

Although Graves spent the day serving his Ninth District Constituents, he reiterated his move to the Fourteenth District come the fall, saying,

“even though the numbers change on these districts, doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere…my phone number will stay the same and I expect our friendships to stay the same.”