Rick W. Allen has served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 12th congressional district since 2015. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Allen has maintained strong conservative positions on social and economic issues. His time in office has also been marked by controversy regarding his statements on LGBT rights and his actions following the 2020 election. Recently, he has focused on preventing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in retirement investments, reflecting his broader economic philosophy of prioritizing financial returns over social or environmental factors. As he continues to represent Georgia’s 12th district, Allen remains a staunch Republican voice in the House of Representatives.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of his career, legislative record, and key positions:
Career Path to Congress
- Born: November 7, 1951, in Augusta, Georgia
- Education: Graduated from Auburn University with a degree in building construction
- Professional Background: Founded R.W. Allen and Associates, a construction company in Augusta
- Political Background: Ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2012, losing in the Republican primary runoff. He won the 2014 election, defeating incumbent John Barrow in what was considered an upset victory. Allen has since been re-elected in 2016, 2018, and 2020.
Sponsored Legislation
- Introduced H.R. 5339, the Protecting Americans’ Investments from Woke Policies Act, which passed the House on September 18, 2024. This legislation aims to protect retirement savings by preventing financial advisors from investing in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds, which Allen argues carry higher risks and fees. The bill includes provisions to ensure that ERISA retirement plan sponsors prioritize financial returns over ESG factors.
Stances on Social Issues
- LGBT Rights: Opposes same-sex marriage and LGBT rights. He cosponsored a resolution to amend the Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in 2015 and voted against the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, which aimed to codify same-sex and interracial marriages. In 2023, he opposed a Speaker of the House candidate due to their previous support for protections for same-sex couples.
- Abortion: Consistently votes in line with pro-life positions.
- Immigration: Supports stricter immigration policies and enhanced border security measures.
Stances on Economic Issues
- Advocates for reduced government spending and lower taxes.
- Supports deregulation of businesses.
- Voted against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021, which would have prevented troop withdrawals from Afghanistan without congressional approval.
- Opposes the use of ESG factors in investment decisions, particularly for retirement savings.
12th Congressional District Demographics
- As of the most recent data available, the district covers a large portion of eastern Georgia, including Augusta and parts of its suburbs. It is predominantly rural with some urban areas, and it has a majority white population alongside a significant African American minority. The district has a lower-than-average median income compared to national figures and higher poverty rates than the national average. Majority white population, with a significant African American minority. Lower than average median income compared to national figures
- Higher poverty rates than the national average
Controversial Statements and Actions
- In 2015, during a closed-door Republican meeting, Allen read a Bible verse suggesting homosexuals are “worthy of death” and told colleagues they were “going to Hell” if they voted for an LGBT anti-discrimination amendment.
- Following the 2020 election, Allen was one of 126 Republican House members who signed an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit contesting the presidential election results.
- Spread unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud after the 2020 election, telling followers on social media that he was “Fighting to make sure every legal vote is counted” despite no evidence of widespread fraud9
- In December 2020, Allen shared conspiracy theories with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, including unfounded claims about foreign interference in the election and identity theft of millions of U.S. citizens
- Has faced allegations of violating the STOCK Act:
- In 2021, failed to disclose stock holdings worth up to $140,000 on his 2020 financial disclosure form1
- In 2024, was found to be up to six-and-a-half years late in reporting 136 financial transactions worth up to $8.5 million
